Ubisoft Forward 2023: Everything Announced

Ubisoft Forward 2023 has finally come. The company’s latest games like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Skull and Bones, and the recently announced Star Wars: Outlaws are just a few of titles we saw today. Alongside Assassin’s Creed titles like Mirage, Codename Jade, and Nexus VR were shown today. Here’s a summary of everything announced at the June 2023 Ubisoft Forward.

Star Wars Outlaws Gets 10-minute Gameplay Showcase

Star Wars Outlaws was announced as part of yesterday’s Xbox Games Showcase, but Ubisoft waited for its own presentation to share the first look at gameplay. Outlaws is in development at Massive Entertainment, and Ubisoft is calling it the first open world Star Wars game. The gameplay showcase showed off combat, including how adorable companion Nix can help protagonist Kay Vess in the heat of battle. We also saw Kay riding a speeder, deciding if she wanted to bribe an Imperial officer, and eventually hopping into a ship to escape into hyperspace.

The game will feature a dynamic and reactive world, where your actions and choices will have consequences. You can choose to align yourself with different factions, such as the Rebels, the Empire, or the Hutt Cartel, and gain access to different missions, rewards, and allies. You can also customize your character’s appearance, gear, and abilities, as well as your ship’s weapons, engines, and paint job. Star Wars Outlaws will launch on 2024 on all platforms.

more detail: Star Wars Outlaws: A New Hope for Open-World Games

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Gets a Release Date

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is finally coming on December 7, 2023. The first-person action adventure will see players control a Na’vi trained by the RDA to fight against her own people. But the Na’vi eventually reconnects with her heritage, learning Na’vi weapons and skills to prepare for the RDA’s inevitable return. Ubisoft showed off a new trailer and gameplay breakdown of the long-awaited title, showing gameplay that reminded us of Far Cry.

The game will use the Snowdrop engine to create a stunning and immersive representation of Pandora, with lush forests, floating mountains, and bioluminescent creatures. The game will also feature a day-night cycle and dynamic weather that will affect the gameplay and the environment. Players will be able to explore Pandora on foot or by riding various animals, such as banshees or direhorses. The game will also have combat scenarios where players will have to use stealth, strategy, and teamwork to overcome the RDA forces.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Gameplay Revealed

Following the announcement last week at Summer Game Fest, Ubisoft unveiled gameplay for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. The 2D action Metroidvania is “semi-open world”, and more areas open up to you as you gain new powers and improve your skills. We saw a lot of the game’s fast-paced sword combat, with plenty of flashy finishing moves on some of the tougher enemies. Time powers are also present, but sometimes your enemies will use them against you. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is launching on January 18, 2024 on all platforms.

The game will be a reimagining of the original Prince of Persia trilogy, with a new story that will explore the origins of the Prince and his relationship with Farah. The game will also feature puzzles that will require you to manipulate time and space in creative ways. The game will have a hand-drawn art style that pays homage to the classic games while adding a modern touch. The game will also have a dynamic soundtrack that will change according to your actions and choices.

In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Direct Combat Is a “Back-up Solution”

Ubisoft shared an extended look at Assassin’s Creed Mirage gameplay, showing off the back-to-basics stealth-centric gameplay. The gameplay focused on the concept that there’s always a discreet way to take out your enemies, whether that’s through Basim’s hidden blade, blow darts, or smoke bombs. The game takes place in 19th century Baghdad and will follow Basim in a “tragic coming of age story”. The game launches on October 12.

The game will feature a semi-open world map that will consist of several districts with different architectural styles and cultures. The game will also have a day-night cycle and dynamic events that will affect the gameplay and the opportunities for assassination. The game will also have multiple ways to approach each target, such as bribing guards, using disguises, or creating distractions. The game will also have a social stealth system that will allow you to blend in with crowds, sit on benches, or perform other activities to avoid detection.

Assassin’s Creed Codename Jade Is a New Free-to-Play Mobile RPG

Ubisoft also revealed more details about Assassin’s Creed Codename Jade, a new free-to-play mobile RPG set in the Assassin’s Creed universe. Codename Jade will take place in China during the Qin Dynasty, and will feature a new assassin and a new open world to explore. The game will also have character creation, iconic Assassin’s Creed gameplay, and touch-optimized controls. Codename Jade will launch on iOS and Android in 2024.

Ubisoft also announced that Codename Jade will have a closed beta test soon, and players can register for it at playjade.com. The closed beta will be available on iOS and Android devices, and will give players a chance to try out the game before its official release. Ubisoft also said that Codename Jade will be a “living game” that will receive regular updates with new content and features.

Codename Jade will have both solo and co-op modes, where players can team up with other assassins or compete against them. The game will also have various missions, events, and challenges inspired by different historical periods and locations from the franchise. The game will also have a progression system that will allow players to unlock new gear, skills, and cosmetics for their characters. The game will also have cross-play and cross-progression features, allowing players to play with their friends and access their progress on any device.

Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR Is Coming to Oculus Quest

The third Assassin’s Creed title shown at Ubisoft Forward was Nexus VR, a virtual reality game coming exclusively to Oculus Quest. Nexus VR will let players explore iconic locations from the series in VR, such as ancient Egypt, Renaissance Italy, and colonial America. Nexus VR will also feature co-op missions where players can team up with other assassins to take down targets or infiltrate fortresses. Nexus VR will release in late 2024.

Nexus VR will use the Oculus Quest’s wireless capabilities and room-scale tracking to create an immersive and realistic experience. Players will be able to use their hands to interact with the environment, climb walls, or perform assassinations. Players will also be able to use various weapons and tools from the series, such as bows, swords, hidden blades, or eagle vision. The game will also have a social hub where players can meet other assassins, customize their avatars, or access new missions.

XDefiant Gets a New Trailer and Open Beta Date

Ubisoft also showed off a new trailer for XDefiant, its free-to-play arena shooter that features characters from various Ubisoft franchises. The trailer showcased some of the gameplay features, such as the different factions, abilities, weapons, and modes. The trailer also revealed that XDefiant will have an open beta test from June 21 to 23 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players can register for the beta at playxdefiant.com.

XDefiant will have five factions at launch: the Wolves from Ghost Recon, the Echelon from Splinter Cell, the Outcasts and the Cleaners from The Division, and the Deadsec from Watch Dogs. Each faction will have its own unique abilities and traits, such as healing, stealth, or hacking. Players will be able to customize their characters with various weapons, attachments, perks, and cosmetics. The game will also have various modes and maps inspired by different Ubisoft games.

XDefiant is expected to launch in summer 2023 on all platforms. The game will also have regular updates with new content and features. Ubisoft revealed some of the content planned for the first year of the game, such as 12 new weapons, 12 new maps, and four new factions. The new factions are still a mystery, but Ubisoft teased their silhouettes and logos in the trailer.

The Crew Motorfest Goes to Hawaii, Comes Back with a Launch Date

Ubisoft also gave us an update on The Crew Motorfest, the third installment of its open-world racing series. The game will leave the continental US for the first time and take us to the island of Oahu, Hawaii, where a gearhead festival is taking place. The game will feature a variety of vehicles, modes, and events, as well as a dynamic weather system that will affect the gameplay and the environment. The Crew Motorfest will launch on September 14, 2023 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

The game will also allow players to import their car collection from The Crew 2 for free, and customize their rides with various options and cosmetics. The game will also have a closed beta in July, and players can register for it at playmotorfest.com. The game will also be accessible on launch day with an Amazon Luna or Ubisoft Plus subscription.

The game will also have regular updates with new content and features. Ubisoft revealed some of the content planned for the first year of the game, such as 10 new vehicles, 8 new maps, and 2 new modes. The game will also have cross-play and cross-progression features, allowing players to play with their friends and access their progress on any platform.

Skull and Bones Gets a New Trailer

Skull and Bones, Ubisoft’s pirate-themed naval combat game, got a new trailer that showed off some of the gameplay features and customization options. Players will be able to choose from different ship classes, such as frigates, brigs, or sloops, and equip them with various weapons and upgrades. Skull and Bones will also have a dynamic open world where players can encounter other pirates, factions, storms, and mythical creatures. 

The game will have both single-player and multiplayer modes, where players can either sail solo or form crews with their friends. The game will also have a persistent online world that will change according to the actions of the players and the world events. The game will also have a reputation system that will affect how other pirates and factions react to you. The game will also have a loot system that will allow you to collect treasure, resources, and cosmetic items for your ship.

Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix Is a New Animated Series

Ubisoft also announced a new animated series based on Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, called Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix. The series is created by Adi Shankar, the producer of Castlevania and Devil May Cry animated shows. The series will be a “love letter to the 80s” and will feature a cyberpunk dystopia, neon colors, and synthwave music. The series will follow Rex Colt, a cyber-commando who rebels against the evil Omega Force. The series will premiere on Netflix in late 2023.

The series will be a six-episode season that will mix action, comedy, and nostalgia. The series will also feature references and cameos from other Ubisoft games and franchises, such as Assassin’s Creed, Watch Dogs, Splinter Cell, and more. The series will also have an original soundtrack composed by Power Glove, the same duo who created the music for Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon.

Ubisoft Forward Rewards

Ubisoft also offered some rewards for watching the Ubisoft Forward 2023. Viewers who logged in with their Ubisoft account and watched at least 10 minutes of the show could claim some in-game items for various Ubisoft titles, such as:

• Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora: Get the “Slumbering Ikran” Na’vi Weapon Trinket
• Riders Republic: Get the “Base Camp Duffel”
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Get the “Eugene” Raven Skin
• Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Get the “Oasis Initiate of Alamut” Dye
• Star Wars Outlaws: Get the “Nix’s Bandana” Headgear
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown: Get the “Timeless Prince” Outfit
• Skull and Bones: Get the “Jolly Roger” Flag
• Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix: Get the “Blood Dragon Helmet”

That’s all for Ubisoft Forward 2023. What did you think of the show? Which games are you most excited for?

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