1666 Amsterdam: It’s the New Game by Patrice Désilets, Creator of Assassin’s Creed, Who Left Ubisoft

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1666 Amsterdam: A Cursed City’s Comeback After lying dormant for over a decade, the video game 1666 Amsterdam has resurfaced, almost becoming a legend in the industry. This project, spoken of only sporadically, has now reappeared at the Summer Game Fest 2026 with its first gameplay trailer and a playable prologue available on Steam. 1666 Amsterdam’s development was halted when Patrice Desilets departed Ubisoft. The game remained in obscurity for years until its surprise reveal. The trailer showcases a city where religion, business, and politics intertwine, presenting a unique world that blends historical drama with dark fantasy. Players will navigate a city rife with conspiracy, fanaticism, and power struggles. A short, atmospheric prologue is now playable on Steam, offering a glimpse of what’s to come. Panache Digital Games will bring the full game to PC via Early Access, though a release date and console plans have not yet been announced. The game emphasizes narrative and player choices over traditional action gameplay.

1666 Amsterdam’s return at Summer Game Fest 2026 marks a significant comeback, especially considering its tumultuous development history, which included bankruptcy, legal battles, and significant delays. Developed by Panache Digital Games, founded by Patrice Desilets, 1666 Amsterdam is a single-player, third-person action-adventure game. Desilets, the creator of Assassin’s Creed, described 1666 Amsterdam as his most personal project, a story about “the devil in Amsterdam.” This statement was reported by Rock Paper Shotgun in June 2025. The game merges the Dutch Golden Age with dark supernatural elements, including occult practices and devil worship. This blends the grand history of the era with supernatural themes, a detail previously unannounced. This marks a 14-year journey since Desilets first pursued the project after a contentious departure from Ubisoft.

Patrice Desilets, the creator of Assassin’s Creed, left Ubisoft in 2010 due to disagreements over the franchise’s annual release schedule. He then joined THQ, where 1666 Amsterdam was conceived. However, THQ’s bankruptcy in 2013 led to Ubisoft acquiring the project’s assets. Desilets was laid off, and Ubisoft retained ownership of 1666 Amsterdam, preventing its creator from further developing his game. A subsequent three-year legal battle ensued, with Desilets regaining the project’s rights in 2016, necessitating a complete rebuilding of the game. Following his previous game, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, Panache Digital Games is now ready to unveil 1666 Amsterdam. The game features characters like Noa Brooklyn, a young woman thrust into a predetermined destiny, and Aaron, who experiences the world through the eyes of a cat. The narrative spans multiple eras—1666, 1999, and the present—within a dark fantasy universe where unseen entities have influenced Amsterdam’s fate for centuries. The concept’s deliberately disorienting nature is part of its fascination. This announcement represents a significant personal milestone for Desilets, thirteen years after losing his project and ten years after reclaiming its rights. He can now present his long-developed work to the public.

The comparison to Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Hexe, with its darker, mystical atmosphere, witchcraft, and secret societies, is noteworthy. While distinct, the parallels are evident. Players may form their own opinions on whether this is a coincidence or a natural evolution of ideas within the industry, but the resemblance is clear. 1666 Amsterdam, a new game from Patrice Desilets, the creator of Assassin’s Creed, has been announced after a prolonged legal battle with Ubisoft to regain the project he had been pursuing for over 15 years. Showcased at the Summer Game Fest 2026 and available on Steam with a playable prologue, the game features Noa Brooklyn, a young woman with an imposed destiny, and Aaron, who observes the world through a cat’s perspective. The narrative weaves between various eras in a dark fantasy universe where mysterious entities have secretly influenced Amsterdam’s destiny for centuries.

Dark Fantasy ‘1666 Amsterdam’: Patrice Desilets’ New Game with Feline Companion, Wishlist Now on Steam and Epic Games Store

At the Future Games Show Summer Showcase in 2026, a new trailer for 1666 Amsterdam was revealed. Developed by Patrice Desilets, who also served as creative director for the first two Assassin’s Creed games, Metal Gear Solid 4, and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the trailer details the game’s history. Ancient tribes gathered in a sacred place, with the Zaindaris tribe entrusted with an ancient form of magic. Noa, the main character, is a member of the Zaindaris tribe and is set to become the Collector. She also has a feline companion in the game. While a release date is still pending, 1666 Amsterdam can be wishlisted on Steam and the Epic Games Store, and its prologue is available to play.

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In other gaming news, our resident tech historian Jonathan Dubinski has unearthed some fascinating insights into Microsoft’s recent Xbox rebrand in his latest post, “Xbox: New Logo, New Typography, New Interface – It’s Time for Change!” published just yesterday (2026-05-19). From the shift to uppercase letters across official accounts to the return of classic green branding, Dubinski dives deep into the changes you might have missed and explores what these modifications could mean for the future of Xbox, especially with Project Helix on the horizon. Check it out here Xbox: New Logo, New Typography, New Interface – It’s Time for Change!. Meanwhile, in our ongoing exploration of innovative initiatives in gaming, we’re thrilled to point you towards Jonathan Dubinski’s recent piece, “SPCINE Inaugurates ‘Future Gamer: Mobile Hub in the Favela’ This Friday” (published on 2026-05-27). Dubinski dives into an inspiring project that transforms a truck into a mobile game development hub, bringing free training and opportunities to youth in São Paulo’s peripheries. This initiative is fostering decentralization, inclusion, and the growth of Brazil’s creative industry. Check it out here SPCINE Inaugurates “Future Gamer: Mobile Hub in the Favela” This Friday. In other exciting cultural news, don’t miss Marcus Thompson’s insightful piece from last month, “Culture Opens Horizons, Makes Us See Further, and Reveals the Unseen,” where he delves into Brazil’s significant strides in democratizing access to its rich audiovisual heritage through Tela Brasil. Published on May 31st, this comprehensive article explores how President Lula’s involvement in the platform’s launch is empowering Brazilians with their cultural heritage while fostering national identity and strengthening the country’s audiovisual sector. Dive into this fascinating exploration of Brazil’s cultural landscape here Culture Opens Horizons, Makes Us See Further, and Reveals the Unseen,” Says Lula at Tela Brasil Launch.