Ubisoft Forward 2023, the highly anticipated showcase by renowned game publisher and developer Ubisoft, has concluded, leaving fans buzzing with excitement for what lies ahead. The event showcased a plethora of big-name franchises, including Star Wars, Avatar, and Assassin’s Creed, providing a glimpse into Ubisoft’s plans for the rest of 2023 and beyond.

As one of the industry’s largest publishers, Ubisoft always has several games in development, and the show did not disappoint. It featured updates on highly anticipated titles, such as Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Star Wars: Outlaws, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. The event also revealed exciting news for Ubisoft’s live-service games, including Skull and Bones, The Division Resurgence, and xDefiant.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, which has been eagerly awaited since its initial announcement, took center stage at the Ubisoft Forward showcase. The game re-emerged with a captivating display of its action-packed gameplay. James Cameron, the director and creator of Avatar, made a special appearance to hype up the game, discussing the new environments players can explore and the intertwining story with the Avatar films. The highlight of the reveal was the announcement of the game’s release date, set for December 7.

xDefiant

xDefiant, Ubisoft’s high-octane PvP shooter, was another game that drew significant attention. Following a successful closed beta session, the game is now preparing for an open beta stress test scheduled from June 21-23. With a planned release date in the Summer of 2023, xDefiant boasts an extensive roadmap. The game will launch with five factions, five modes, 14 maps, and 24 weapons. Ubisoft also plans to introduce additional factions, maps, and weapons in the first year of DLC.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a return to the beloved franchise’s 2D platforming roots, was unveiled with more details. The game showcases a fusion of brutal combat combos and precise platforming sections reminiscent of both classic and modern Prince of Persia games. Fans were treated to a closer look at the return of time-manipulating powers, which can be utilized by both the protagonist, Prince Sargon, and his adversaries.

The Division Resurgence

The Division Resurgence, a free-to-play mobile spin-off of The Division series, set the mood with a captivating CG trailer. The game promises an MMO adventure experience, offering an independent campaign separate from the main series. Registrations for the regional beta, starting on June 13, are now live.

Skull and Bones

Skull and Bones, Ubisoft’s pirate adventure game, also had an exciting update. While the final release date is still some time away, a new closed beta for the game was announced. Players can look forward to setting sail and embarking on pirate escapades from August 25-28, with registrations now open.

The Crew Motorfest

Fans of The Crew series were treated to a first look at The Crew Motorfest gameplay, accompanied by a confirmation of its release date on September 14. This iteration of the popular franchise takes players to the beautiful Hawaiian island of O’ahu, offering a festival atmosphere and picturesque racing environments.

The Far Cry: Blood Dragon spin-off, Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, made an appearance with a new update. Producer Adi Shankar announced that the violent and satirical animated series would arrive on Netflix this fall, much to the delight of fans who have been eagerly awaiting its release.

Assassin’s Creed Nexus

Assassin’s Creed enthusiasts had plenty to look forward to as well. Ubisoft revealed Assassin’s Creed Nexus, a virtual reality game featuring three playable assassins from the series: Ezio, Conner, and Kassandra. The game, slated for a 2023 holiday season release on Meta Quest 3 and 2 VR headsets, showcased its tone and direction through a slick pre-rendered CG trailer.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage

Another upcoming Assassin’s Creed title, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, received a new trailer unveiling more of Basim’s story and his initiation into the Hidden Ones. The trailer showcased stealth gameplay, opportunistic combat, and a thrilling escape from Baghdad’s guards, culminating in a classic crowd-blending maneuver for a clean getaway.

Assassin’s Creed Jade

Ubisoft managed to squeeze in a surprise reveal for Assassin’s Creed Jade, a free-to-play mobile game set in ancient China. The closed beta registration for this traditional Assassin’s Creed-style gameplay experience is now open on the game’s official website.

Star Wars Outlaws

Star Wars Outlaws, an open-world game set in the expansive Star Wars universe, dazzled viewers with an extended gameplay trailer. Players assume the role of Kay Vess, an audacious thief embarking on the greatest heist of all time while evading the Galactic Empire and its Imperial army. The demo showcased third-person action, high-speed chases, and thrilling space combat against TIE Fighters. Star Wars Outlaws is set to launch on Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5, and PC in 2024.