Ubisoft has a new controversy on its hands, and this time it’s all about the high seas. The publisher quietly removed a beloved feature from the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced—the remastered version of the 2013 pirate adventure—and fans are absolutely livid.
The news broke across social media over the weekend, with players noticing that the “Resynced” edition no longer includes the game’s acclaimed multiplayer mode. Black Flag’s online component was a surprise hit, blending ship battles with stealthy assassinations in a way that kept the community coming back long after the single-player campaign ended. Now, it appears Ubisoft has quietly cut it from the package.
If you were hoping to relive those chaotic multiplayer skirmishes with friends, you’re not alone. The removal feels especially stingy because Black Flag’s multiplayer wasn’t just a tacked-on mode—it was a genuinely inventive take on the franchise’s formula. Players could choose from a roster of unique pirate characters, each with their own abilities, and engage in modes like “Assassinate” and “Wolfpack.” It was the kind of feature that turned a great single-player game into a lasting social experience.
A quiet cut, a loud backlash
Ubisoft hasn’t issued an official statement about the decision, which only fuels the frustration. The company announced Black Flag Resynced earlier this year as a full remake of the original, promising enhanced visuals, improved gameplay, and a modernized experience. But the silence on multiplayer has fans feeling blindsided.
One fan on X summed up the mood: “First they remove the modern day, now this. What’s next, no sea shanties?” The reference to the modern-day segments—which were also trimmed in previous remasters—highlights a pattern. Ubisoft has a habit of quietly stripping out features that don’t fit a streamlined vision, often without warning or explanation.
The Reddit community is equally incensed. Threads on the Assassin’s Creed subreddit are filled with players sharing memories of late-night multiplayer sessions and demanding answers. “This is the one feature I was most excited to see return,” wrote one user. “Take my money for a remaster, but don’t take away what made the game special.”
How we got here
This isn’t the first time Ubisoft has made controversial cuts in a remaster. The Assassin’s Creed III Remastered launched without the original’s multiplayer, and the Ezio Collection dropped the multiplayer from Brotherhood and Revelations. But Black Flag’s multiplayer was arguably the most beloved of the bunch, with a dedicated player base that kept servers active long after the game’s official support ended.
Ubisoft’s reasoning likely comes down to cost and resources. Maintaining multiplayer servers for a remaster requires backend investment, and the company may have decided the player count wouldn’t justify the expense. But that logic ignores the emotional attachment fans have to the mode—and the fact that many were willing to pay full price for Resynced precisely because they wanted to play multiplayer again with modern matchmaking.
The timing also stings. Ubisoft has been under fire lately for its handling of live-service games and microtransactions. Removing a free, beloved feature from a remaster feels like a tone-deaf move from a company that needs goodwill more than ever.
What’s next for Black Flag Resynced
At this point, Ubisoft has two options: reverse course and add multiplayer back, or double down and hope the outrage fades. The company has a history of staying silent on these controversies, only to quietly release a patch later if the backlash is loud enough. Given the intensity of the response, a reversal seems possible—but not guaranteed.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is still set for release later this year. Whether it sails with a full crew or a stripped-down deck remains to be seen. For now, fans are left with memories of a mode that deserved better than a quiet burial.
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