Financial analyst Michael Pachter is predicting that a sequel to Ubisoft's 2007 "Assassin's Creed" will be released in the publisher's next fiscal year, along with at least two other major releases.
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While logic has long since led gamers to the conclusion that the multi-million-selling fall 2007 Ubisoft hit "Assassin's Creed" (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) would get a sequel, the game's publisher has yet to reveal a date for on.
But in a note to investors today in anticipation of Ubisoft's third-quarter earnings report, leading video game industry analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities predicted that an "Assassin's Creed 2" will be out before the end of the company's 2010 Fiscal Year. That year runs from April 1, 2009 - March 31, 2010.
From Pachter's report:
We believe investors should focus on Ubisoft’s prospects for FY:10, particularly as its products continue to sell well on the strong Wii and DS platforms, and as it rolls out a suberb [sic] lineup. We expect solid year-over-year growth from the casual (Nintendo) games lineup, with the introduction of two new brands next fall, and expect strong revenue contribution from Assassin’s Creed 2, Splinter Cell Conviction and Avatar next fiscal year.
The "AC2" prediction isn't a big shock. The previous game ended on a big cliffhanger, its engine has proven versatile enough to already produce the 2008 "Prince of Persia," and Ubi is surely eager to have another "Creed" blockbuster.
So not only does FY10 sound reasonable for "Assassin's Creed 2," it seems likely. So to does that release window for "Splinter Cell: Conviction," which had been expected for release even back in 2007 before being hit with delay.
Ubisoft could not be reached by press time to comment on the progress or release date of "Assassin's Creed 2."