Skull and Bones has indeed had a long and troubled development history, often referred to as "development hell." Here’s a summary of the key points:
Initial Concept (2013):
Originally conceived as an expansion for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, building upon the popular naval combat mechanics.
Shifting Focus (2013 – 2017):
Transformed into a standalone title, focusing solely on the ship combat aspects from Black Flag.
Development shifted to Ubisoft Singapore, aiming for a 2018 release.
Delays and Challenges (2017 – 2022):
The game encountered numerous delays due to various factors:
Management changes: Frequent changes in leadership and direction led to confusion and wasted development time.
Scope changes: Ambitious features were scaled back or scrapped entirely, contributing to delays.
Technical challenges: The complexity of the open-world environment and naval combat system presented difficulties.
Re-emergence and Release (2022):
After five years of silence, the game was finally re-revealed in July 2022 with a revamped vision as a live-service pirate game with online elements.
Released in November 2022, though some critics felt it didn’t fully meet expectations due to the long development time and changes in scope.
Impact of Development Hell:
Financial impact: The long development cycle likely resulted in significant financial costs for Ubisoft.
Fan reception: The long wait and lack of communication from the developers led to disappointment and frustration among fans.
Overall, Skull and Bones’ journey through development hell serves as a reminder of the challenges and uncertainties associated with game development, particularly for ambitious projects.