No: 1666: Amsterdam is not an Assassin’s Creed sequel. It is a separate fantasy action-adventure from Patrice Désilets and Panache Digital Games, shaped by the creative lineage of Désilets’ earlier work but not part of Ubisoft’s franchise. Its idea dates to 2011; Panache resumed development in 2020, and the game was in PC Early Access on Steam as of 4 October 2026.
Why is 1666: Amsterdam linked to Assassin’s Creed?
The connection is creative, not a shared story or franchise relationship. Désilets helped shape Assassin’s Creed before leaving Ubisoft, and early coverage framed 1666 as a spiritual successor to Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. But Désilets described the original project as a new intellectual property, and the current game is explicitly distinct from Assassin’s Creed. It does not continue Ubisoft’s characters, plot, or canon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The idea began with a visit to Amsterdam in 2011. Désilets saw a building inscription reading “Anno 1666” and imagined a game about the Devil set in the city. As he told TechRadar in 2026, “It’s been a long journey.”
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What happened to the original game?
1666 was developed as a new IP at THQ Montreal. In a 2013 interview, Désilets said the first year went toward building a team, studying the period, and creating the property. THQ’s bankruptcy interrupted that work; Ubisoft acquired the studio and its assets, the project stalled, and Désilets later left Ubisoft.
#1 Best Overall
- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE- Strike fear in your foes as you board and sink enemy vessels as Edward Kenway, captain of the Jackdaw. Whether blending into crowds or leading daring assaults, switch between silent takedowns and fierce brawls as you effortlessly wield swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade. With a cast of historical pirate legends at your side, defy empires amidst the age-old conflict opposing Assassins and Templars.
- A CLASSIC REBUILT FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE- Combat has been rebuilt for more dynamic encounters, emphasizing parries and takedowns, while stealth and parkour have been improved for smoother escapes and assassinations. Continuously upgrade the Jackdaw to face powerful enemy ships with enhanced naval mechanics featuring new alternate fire modes. Quality-of-life additions also address previous pain points, ensuring your experience is improved.
- THE CARIBBEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE- Whether you’re sailing the open seas or journeying across untamed lands, discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine. Take in sweeping vistas as you brave stormy waters, dive into underwater shipwrecks, or push through dense tropical jungles. Enhanced by features such as Dolby Atmos and ray tracing, every scene feels more immersive, bringing the world’s beauty to life.
- EXPANDING EDWARD’S ADVENTURE- Building on top of the original story, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced introduces exclusive new content. Familiar faces will return, with new storylines dedicated to fan-favorite characters such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Unexpected allies will also cross your path, as three officers join you on your journey as part of the main narrative. More surprises await, such as new sea shanties, pets, a photo mode, and more.
Désilets says he regained the rights in 2016. Panache Digital Games resumed work in January 2020, reworking much of the concept. The long gap reflects an interrupted project and a later redesign, not 15 uninterrupted years of production.
How long has it been in development?
The “15 years in the making” description counts from the 2011 idea to the 2026 Early Access release, as TechRadar framed it. In a September 2026 interview with Respec, Désilets instead said, “It’s been six years in the in the making at Panache with the team,” referring to the period since Panache restarted work in 2020. Those figures describe different phases: the project’s overall history and the current team’s production period.
Rank #2
- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
What is 1666: Amsterdam about?
The current game is a fantasy action-adventure set in a historical period, not a strict historical simulation. Its central character is Noa, a witch in 1666 Amsterdam. The story also connects to 1999 and includes a library layer; a cat and the human character Aaron help link the timelines. Désilets calls it “a personal story” and describes it as “a fantasy game inside an historical period.”
According to Désilets, Noa can fly, possess people, and use magic. The game combines traversal, investigation, stealth, combat, and supernatural abilities. He has also described abilities that can be shuffled after failure, changing the approach to a subsequent attempt. The cat can be controlled as a scout and has its own traversal role. These are developer descriptions, not an independent assessment of how the Early Access build plays.
Rank #3
- Includes both Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed Rogue, plus all single-player DLC.
- Become the most feared pirate in the Caribbean in Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag. Take part in an award-winning naval experience and explore a massive open world.
- Become the ultimate assassin hunter in Assassin’s Creed Rogue, and play as a Templar for the first time in franchise history.
- Additional bonus content: Black Beard: The Lost Journal (pp. 1– 55) and Assassin’s Creed: Awakening Volumes 1 & 2.
- Experience enhanced features like handheld mode, HD Rumble, a touch screen interface, and motion control aiming.
Respec reports that the Early Access structure is divided into “Esbats,” described in the interview as full-moon episodes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How much of the setting is historically accurate?
The team researched witches and visited Amsterdam to study the city’s atmosphere and architecture, but the supernatural premise is invented. Désilets has said the witch hunt depicted in the game is fictionalized. Wccftech quoted him saying the Netherlands’ last witch-hunt trial was in 1608; that date is his interview account, rather than an independently verified historical finding here. The studio also invented a street for gameplay purposes.
Rank #4
- A BRASH REBEL ASSASSIN: Become Edward Kenway, a charismatic yet brutal pirate captain, trained by Assassins. Edward can effortlessly switch between the Hidden Blade of the Assassin's Order and all new weaponry including four flintock pistols and dual cutlass swords
- EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITIES: Discover the most diverse Assassin's Creed world ever created. From Kingston to Nassau, explore 50 unique locations where you can live the life of a pirate
- BECOME THE MOST FEARED PIRATE IN THE CARIBBEAN: Command your ship, the Jackdaw, and strike fear in all who see her. Plunder and pillage to upgrade the Jackdaw with ammunition and equipment needed to fight off enemy ships
- EXPERIENCE THE GRITTY REALITY BEHIND THE PIRATE FANTASY: Stand amongst legendary names such as Blackbeard and Benjamin Hornigold, as you establish a lawless Republic in the Bahamas and relive the truly explosive events that defined the Golden Age of Pirates
- MULTIPLAYER EXPERIENCE: Play with your friends in the ruthless and critically acclaimed multiplayer experience. Choose from an eclectic cast of characters from the Golden Age of Pirates and fight to the death in exotic locations
Is 1666: Amsterdam out, and what comes next?
As of 4 October 2026, the game was available in PC Early Access on Steam. Désilets said the Early Access approach “fits with Early Access.” In a September 2026 interview, he estimated that version 1.0 was at least a year away; that was a projection, not a confirmed release date. Console plans and timing should likewise be treated as projections unless Panache confirms a schedule. Check the Steam listing for current availability and platform details.
Quick Recap
Sources and further reading
- TechRadar: interview and development history
- Respec: September 2026 interview with Patrice Désilets
- GameSpot: 2013 report on 1666 as a new IP
- Wccftech: interview on the game’s historical and fictional elements
- Panache Digital Games: official studio site
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
