Ubisoft has rebooted its Far Cry extraction-shooter project, codenamed “Maverick,” to focus more resources on the next mainline game in the series. According to multiple reports, developers from Project Maverick have been redirected to work on “Project Blackbird,” the internal name for Far Cry 7.
Project Maverick’s Evolution and Reboot
Project Maverick began as a multiplayer component for Far Cry 7 but evolved into a standalone game in early 2023. Set in Alaska, the game would have challenged players to survive harsh weather, wild animals, AI soldiers, and other players in an extraction-based multiplayer experience.
Despite early playtesting reportedly going well, Ubisoft’s internal reviews led to the decision to restart development. The game’s dedicated tech team, known as “Talisker,” was moved to the Far Cry 7 project in late December, effectively signaling the reboot.
“The writing was on the wall for a number of months,” said one source familiar with the project’s development. Approximately 50 developers who were working on Maverick are now without assigned projects following the restructuring.
Development Shifts Across Studios
Ubisoft Montreal and Sherbrooke will lead the rebooted Maverick project, now back in the prototyping phase. Meanwhile, Far Cry 7’s development involves multiple studios, including Montreal, Berlin, Annecy, and Redstorm.
About a dozen developers from Ubisoft Berlin who were assisting on Maverick have moved to Project Blackbird, while another dozen have been reassigned to an unrelated project.
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Strategic Refocus Amid Company Challenges
The reboot of Project Maverick appears to be part of Ubisoft’s broader strategy to streamline development amid financial challenges. By focusing resources on its established Far Cry franchise, Ubisoft aims to ensure the successful delivery of Far Cry 7.
Despite the additional resources, sources suggest that a 2026 release date for Far Cry 7 “is still fairly optimistic,” with the project reportedly increasing in both team size and budget.
Game Design Direction
Early reports indicate that Far Cry 7 will introduce significant changes to the traditional Far Cry formula, from overall gameplay to movement mechanics. According to sources, the game “played great” during playtesting, and separately, it was mentioned that the game “changes up the traditional Far cry formula in a number of ways.”
The extraction shooter concept for Maverick would have placed it in competition with established titles like “Escape from Tarkov” and “Hunt: Showdown,” as well as upcoming games such as “Arc Raiders,” “Marathon,” and “Exoborne.”
Recent Far Cry Updates
While fans wait for news on these upcoming titles, Ubisoft has released updates for Far Cry 5 and Far Cry 6, unlocking Steam achievements for both games and confirming that achievement progress made through Ubisoft Connect will carry over to Steam.
As of the time these reports were written, Ubisoft had not officially commented on either Project Maverick or Project Blackbird. One source speculates that Far Cry 7 might be revealed “at some stage this year – potentially during Summer Game Fest or maybe The Game Awards towards the end of 2025.”
FAQ
When will Far Cry 7 be released?
According to sources close to the project, Far Cry 7 is targeting a 2026 release date, though this timeline is described as “still fairly optimistic” even with the additional resources now devoted to the game.
What happened to the Far Cry multiplayer game?
The Far Cry extraction-shooter, codenamed Project Maverick, has been rebooted and returned to the prototyping phase. Many developers who were working on it have been reassigned to Far Cry 7 (Project Blackbird) or other projects.
Where will Far Cry 7 be set?
The provided sources don’t confirm the setting for Far Cry 7. Project Maverick, the multiplayer spinoff, was reportedly set in Alaska, but this may change with the reboot.
How will Far Cry 7 differ from previous games?
Sources who participated in playtesting report that Far Cry 7 will change up the traditional Far Cry formula in several ways, including overall gameplay and movement mechanics, though specific details haven’t been revealed.
Why did Ubisoft reboot Project Maverick?
While the exact reason isn’t clear, the decision appears to be part of Ubisoft’s strategy to streamline teams and projects amid financial challenges. Prioritizing the mainline Far Cry 7 over an experimental multiplayer title likely represents a more conservative approach during this period.
Will Project Maverick ever be released?
The future of Project Maverick is uncertain. Ubisoft Montreal and Sherbrooke are reportedly taking the project back to the prototyping phase. The company may wait to see how other upcoming extraction shooters perform before deciding whether to continue development, repurpose it, or cancel it entirely.