Netflix Games has proven itself to be an interesting development for the streaming service. While the primary focus of the company remains film and television, its efforts to introduce console-free gaming directly through the app have delivered on some fun concepts. For the most part, the games have been focused on multiplayer experiences, although there have been some original narrative-driven titles and ports of older games.

None of it has been as effective as Unhinged, however. Developed by Night School Studio, the same team behind the Oxenfree games, Unhinged is a fast-paced horror game that runs the length of a typical episode of television. Using your phone as the controller and taking cues from narrative-driven titles like the ones previously made by Telltale Games, Unhinged is a great little showcase for what narrative gaming through Netflix can be.

Unhinged Is A One-Off Horror Short That You Need To Try

Unhinged has a pretty standard horror plot — but the streamlined simplicity of the narrative and character work matches the quick gameplay and rising tension, delivering a great little horror short. During a Category 5 hurricane, Ava (Zoë Kravitz) decides enough is enough and tries to get out of the building. Across the street is her best friend Claire (Sadie Sink), who communicates with her over the phone. However, once the lights go out, Ava realizes she’s not alone in the building. It’s a quick-paced game that, like most Netflix Games releases, uses a smartphone as the controller. However, it was important to the team at Night School Studio to not just go down a different route but to embrace the immersive potential of the Netflix gaming experience.

In the game, your cell phone acts as a flashlight and pointer, allowing you to communicate with Claire, light your way, or try to figure out ways away from the masked killer following you. The entire experience only takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the speed of the player, which makes it ideal as a quick horror game session that doesn’t completely take over your evening. It effectively feels like an engaging short film, especially with the tone and tenor of the art and sound design lending it all a cinematic vibe. Unhinged isn’t all that difficult, especially for seasoned horror fans. However, there’s more than enough craft in the voice acting, tension building, and creepy horror to make this perfect for horror fans looking for a quick snack instead of the full-course multi-hour meal that most mainstream entries in the genre demand.

I Hope Unhinged Sets The Precedent For Netflix’s Gaming Future

There’s something deeply effective about Unhinged as an expansion of Netflix Games that has to be addressed. Playing a game on your phone through the Netflix app lends itself well to party games and simple experiences — which isn’t meant as a judgment call in the slightest. However, those games do lack the kind of depth that many gamers expect from single-player experiences. Unhinged proves that it doesn’t have to be the case, serving as a quick horror short where players don’t have STARS training or mysterious powers to survive. Unhinged does a great job at immersing the player in a horror movie — which is exactly how the streaming service’s gaming brand can stand out.

Games like FIFA World Cup Launch Edition highlight how effective the platform can be at arcade-style titles, stripping down the concept to the bare bones to make sure it’s as effective as it can be. Unhinged is something far more representative of a short film, a narrative that feels complete even with (and partly because of) the quick pace and reduced run-time. If anything, the knowledge that the game is so short actually bolsters the effectiveness of the piece. Every choice matters more when you know that any wrong move can get you stabbed to death in brutal first-person. There isn’t time to get the lore of the universe or reason to dive into big thematic messages; the horror is in the room with you right now, and you need to find a way out.

I don’t want to see Unhinged 2 or some deeper explanation of the world, but I can’t wait to see what else Night School Studio has in the works. I’d love to see the streamer adopt this approach to one-off stories set in the horror genre, potentially giving them their own interactive answer to something like The Twilight Zone that can allow different actors and developers to play in an adaptable sandbox that is only ever limited by the creative ambition of the game makers. Imagine little experiments in the horror genre that continue to draw in big names alongside the likes of voice acting legends like Troy Baker (who delivers a quickly memorable take on a stock horror archetype in Unhinged), bringing these quick tales to life.

Different challenges, explorations of sub-genres, and even tonal tweaks could work really well in this format, all short stories that learn from Bandersnatch and Unhinged to play with the format. Console and PC gamers can experience much deeper adventures on those platforms, but part of the appeal of Netflix Games is to have short games that draw players in as easily as a short film or episode of TV. Unhinged highlights how effective that can be, thanks to strong design all around. Short and scary, Unhinged is exactly the sort of title that Netflix Games should be releasing.

Unhinged will be available for all Netflix subscribers on June 30.

When it comes to Weekly Shonen Jump, the manga publication routinely creates some of the biggest anime adaptations the world has ever seen. Capitalizing on this fact, Netflix has been carving out a place of its own within the anime world. While the streaming service houses major Shonen series such as One Piece, Hunter x Hunter, and Jujutsu Kaisen, it has also brought exclusive Shonen adaptations to its platform, including Blue Box, Shaman King, Dandelion, and Sakamoto Days. This summer, Netflix is venturing into the world of shojo as The Ribbon Hero will aim to be one of the platform’s biggest anime exclusives.

For those who might be unfamiliar with The Ribbon Hero, the upcoming movie is based on the manga series known as Princess Knight. The original manga was first released in the pages of Shojo Club in 1953, with several manga series released in subsequent years to further flesh out this universe. The first anime adaptation of the Shojo series arrived in 1967, netting fifty-two episodes before ending its story in 1968. The franchise would return to the screen in 1999 with a short film, but the August release will be the first time we’ve seen The Ribbon Hero in action in decades. You can check out the new trailer for the Netflix exclusive below.

Who is This New Anime Hero?

The official description for the upcoming anime film reads as follows: “Yuki Igarashi, regarded as one of the industry’s most versatile animators, directs the film. He first drew wide attention for the sophisticated animation he handled alone as key animator on the ending sequence of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1. His directorial debut, Star Wars: Visions – Lop & Ochō, received high praise in Japan and abroad for its delicate storytelling and dynamic action scenes. The Ribbon Hero marks Igarashi’s first time directing a feature-length film. Bringing together a team of highly skilled creators, the film depicts the story of a lone hero who chooses to defy a harsh destiny, set in a delicately crafted world and brought to life through polished action.”

The Ribbon Hero was far from the only anime offering that was a part of this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival. On top of this shojo franchise, Netflix revealed major news about titles like The One Piece, Fool Night, Bass x Machina, Blue Eye Samurai Season 2, Sparks of Tomorrow, and more. While many of these will be arriving to fill out the platform’s 2026 roster, others will be released later after this year’s end. While Netflix might be the platform for this Princess Knight revival, it will be animated by Twin Engine, which has previously worked on series such as Witch Hat Atelier, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, The Ancient Magus’ Bride, and many more.

What do you think of this new look at The Ribbon Hero? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

June 23rd marks the 30th birthday of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. Naturally, fans have been eagerly waiting to see how SEGA will celebrate its iconic character. Rumors have long suggested that a new definitive edition of the 2022 hit Sonic Frontiers was on the way. At long last, SEGA has made it official with a brand new launch trailer for Sonic Frontiers Definitive Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2. And in true speedy blue hedgehog fashion, the game is available on the Nintendo eShop right now.

Sonic is one of quite a few big gaming anniversaries this year. And today marks the official 35th anniversary of the original Sonic the Hedgehog game, which was released for the SEGA Genesis on June 23rd, 1991. Naturally, fans are eager to celebrate the beloved blue hedgehog. And SEGA is joining in on the fun with some big announcements, including official confirmation of its long-rumored Switch 2 edition of Sonic Frontiers.

Sonic Frontiers Gets New Switch 2 Edition, Out Now

What better way to celebrate Sonic than with a shadow drop? Granted, I’m sure many fans would love to see a brand-new Sonic game arrive out of the blue. But official confirmation of the long-rumored new and improved version of the popular Sonic Frontiers isn’t too shabby, either.

To get a first look at Sonic Frontiers Definitive Edition on Switch 2, you can check out the game’s launch trailer below:

This story is developing…

One of the most iconic shows of the ’90s was The Magic School Bus, the animated series based on the books by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. Featuring the iconic Lily Tomlin as Ms. Frizzle, an eccentric teacher who took her class on field trips across the galaxy and inside one of their classmate’s bloodstream, the series was both fun to watch for ’90s kids and educational. In truth, the series was also bolstered by the timeless theme song performed by Little Richard. Attempts have been made to reboot the brand before, but now the series is getting the reboot no one expected, a live-action movie.

News of the live-action The Magic School Bus movie was confirmed today, with an announcement made via Deadline. Not only has Legendary Entertainment announced a new partnership with Scholastic Entertainment to bring the book series to life, but it’s confirmed that actress Elizabeth Banks will both produce the film and star as Ms. Frizzle. Another key collaborator was also confirmed, though: director Rob Letterman of Detective Pikachu, who will helm the film and write the treatment for the script.

Live-Action Magic School Bus Movie Confirmed

This is a developing story, it will be updated.

Marvel Comics has no shortage of characters beloved by millions worldwide thanks to their striking personalities, powers, and stories. Of course, among thousands of heroes and villains, not all can be universally loved. Marvel is well-known for making its characters more flawed and prone to making significant mistakes with major repercussions. While sometimes such flaws are excused by readers, other times not so much. Many criminally underrated characters have faced significant backlash from readers. Yet not all these Marvel characters deserve this level of hate, especially once time is given to look at their deeper lore and role within the comics.

Having characters that you love and hate is part of what makes storytelling so engaging. Still, these Marvel characters oftentimes find themselves misunderstood and unfairly despised. These are the most over-hated heroes in Marvel.

5) Maggott

Few characters appear more often on lists of the worst X-Men than Japheth, aka Maggott, and that’s primarily because of his disgusting and unique powers. Maggott’s mutant ability is that his digestive system is made up of two large slug-like creatures nicknamed “Eany” and “Meany” that can separate themselves from his abdomen and eat practically anything. Once they return to his body, the slugs provide Maggott superhuman strength and durability, enabling him to grow to gigantic proportions. It also didn’t help that Maggott’s introduction during the 1990s was muddled and underdeveloped before he was pushed to the sidelines. However, more recent comics such as Storm and X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic have given Maggott more room to breathe and develop as a character. Magneto saved him as a child, he’s a kind-hearted and ambitious hero, he’s currently one of Storm’s closest allies, and he’s even reached the rank of Omega-Level Mutant. Maggott’s powers may be gross, but they hide a complex and heroic character.

4) Squirrel Girl

When people think of Marvel characters who can be defined as unbeatable, a girl with the powers of a squirrel probably isn’t their first thought. Doreen Green, aka Squirrel Girl, was born with squirrel-like abilities and a tail, and the power to communicate with tree-dwelling rodents. While this doesn’t sound very powerful, Squirrel Girl has managed to effortlessly defeat some of Marvel’s biggest bads like Doctor Doom and Thanos! These feats, along with her bizarre abilities and non-serious nature, have led to many readers to dislike Squirrel Girl and feel that she doesn’t fit in Marvel Comics. However, what many people forget is that Squirrel Girl’s invincibility is the joke. Squirrel Girl is a hero whose stories are meant to be wholesome, cartoonish, and not meant to be taken seriously unlike other superheroes. It’s a clever, subversive idea that sets her apart and even mocks other powerful, more serious heroes.

3) Mr. Fantastic

Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, may be among the smartest people on Earth and the leader of the Fantastic Four, but he’s also the team’s most frequently disliked member. A lot of this negative feedback stems from Mr. Fantastic’s bad habit of putting his work before his family. In the past, he could also be very misogynistic. However, not only have modern writers removed Mr. Fantastic’s sexist qualities, but they’ve also focused more on how the hero grapples with very relatable issues. Few people understand Mr. Fantastic’s flaws in his treatment of his family more than Mr. Fantastic himself. He constantly struggles to be a present and loving husband and father while also pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation to pursue knowledge, to advance humanity, and to protect his family. This complicated and nuanced look at balancing family and career is one many people share, with Mr. Fantastic realistically flipping between being a role model and a cautionary tale. It’s this moral complexity that makes Mr. Fantastic such a fascinating and human hero.

2) Sentry

From the moment he was introduced, Bob Reynolds, aka Sentry, was a controversial figure for two main reasons. The first is that, as a copycat of Superman, Sentry is seriously overpowered. For example, he is described as being as strong as a million exploding suns. Secondly, Sentry was introduced as Marvel’s most important and influential hero, a hero the world had forgotten, giving him credit that he didn’t earn. However, over the years, Sentry has earned his worth as one of the most morally complex heroes in Marvel Comics. His history as a meth-head-turned-superhero, his forgotten impact in the Marvel Universe, and his evil split personality, the Void, all make for interesting and unique stories and character explorations. His battles during World War Hulk and Siege are some of the best conflicts in recent Marvel history. Furthermore, his split personality, the Void, offers a powerful exploration into mental health issues and the nature of good vs. evil.

1) Cyclops

Scott Summers, aka Cyclops, is one of the most polarizing superheroes in comic book history. Despite being the leader of the X-Men and possessing awesome heat-vision powers, Cyclops has his fair share of detractors. Many readers complain, especially when comparing him to his teammate/rival Wolverine, that Cyclops is too boring and ruthless, and is overall a complete stick in the mud. What many readers fail to realize is that Cyclops has no choice in the matter. Not only did Professor X mold Cyclops from his teenage years into a fearless leader, but Cyclops is often forced to act as the leader of all mutantkind. Whenever mutantkind is on the verge of extinction, it’s Cyclops, not Professor X or Wolverine, who’s forced to make the tough calls for the sake of his people’s survival. Cyclops is also an incredible tactician who can quickly devise plans that leverage his teammates’ strengths and weaknesses. Whether he’s a warrior, teacher, or world leader, Cyclops is the ultimate X-Man.

What do you think? Leave a Comment below and join the conversation in the ComicBook Forum!

The next chapter in James Gunn’s Superman Saga, Man of Tomorrow, is already being filmed, and fans are loving what they’ve seen from the set photos and videos that have leaked. After their conflict in Superman (2025), Clark Kent (David Corenswet) and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) will be forced to team up and defend Earth from the alien threat of Brainiac (Lars Eidinger). That will require big new developments like Lex donning his iconic “warsuit” armor, and a helping hand from a vengeful Supergirl (Milly Alcock) and her dog, Krypto.

The big battle to save the world is certainly the main focus of Man of Tomorrow, but fans of Superman also want to see more of the red-hot chemistry between Corenswet and Lois Lane actress Rachel Brosnahan. During a recent interview, Brosnahan teased DC fans about how Man of Tomorrow continues the Superman and Lois Lane story arc, promising that there’s at least one scene that fans will be “very excited” about!

Man of Tomorrow Will Have A Major Superman & Lois Lane Moment – But What Is It?

The stars of Man of Tomorrow all showed up to support Milly Alcock at the premiere of Supergirl this week, and Rachel Brosnahan stopped to chat with Extra. During the interview, she was asked what fans can look forward to from Superman and Lois in Man of Tomorrow. Obviously, she couldn’t say much, but she did say that “I shot a scene the other day with David that I think people are going to be very excited about. That’s the most I can say! My bosses are here!”

So what kind of moment would make DC fans stand up and cheer for Superman and Lois Lane? A few good guestimates are circulating in the fan chat threads:

A Proposal (& Wedding) – One of the biggest (and now iconic) scenes in Superman (2025) is when the battle is won, and Superman sneaks off to an empty mall with Lois to share a passionate floating kiss in secret. Well, Man of Tomorrow could really up that same ante by having Superman propose to Lois Lane in a spectacular moment – or skipping right to the wedding day. It would give fans major feels, be a great set piece, and put the DCU franchise on track to introduce the couple’s son, Jonathan Kent, by the time a third film is released.

A Love Scene – Even Marvel Studios has pushed the boundary by including a “love scene” between two characters in Eternals, and the DCU is a franchise that is operating across a very wide range of maturity levels (see: Peacemaker, Lanterns, Creature Commandos, Clayface, etc.). Nobody thinks we’d get anything too explicit, but an intimate, PG-13, “love scene” isn’t out of the question. Richard Donner’s Superman II had a steamy moment where Clark (de-powered) and Lois spent a night together in the Fortress of Solitude; we wouldn’t put it past James Gunn to answer one of the longest debates in fandom by establishing that Clark and Lois have mastered the… logistics of their lovemaking.

Tag-Team Fight – Superman (2025) established that Brosnahan’s Lois Lane isn’t a sideline Damsel in distress: she’s an active player in the game. Man of Tomorrow has every chance to bring Lois into the fight: she can don her own suit of armor, like Lex, or, since we know James Gunn takes inspiration from the All-Star Superman comic, we could see one of its most famous segments adapted, wherein Lois gets Superman powers for a limited time. Seeing Corenswet and Brosnahan in a superpowered throwdown together would certainly be new. And we’d be here for it.

Superman: Man of Tomorrow is currently filming for release on July 9, 2027. Talk DCU with us on the ComicBook Forum below!

Valve has teased that it’s getting much closer to the creation of the Steam Deck 2. Although the impending launch of the Steam Machine is the current priority of Valve, a successor to the Steam Deck is confirmed to be on the horizon as well. That being said, Valve has stressed in the past that it won’t release the Steam Deck 2 until the hardware can represent a sizable upgrade from the current model. And while that jump in technology is slowly beginning to take shape, it sounds as though Valve is still waiting for some greater leaps in power to come about.

Speaking to IGN, Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais provided a new update on the company’s current work on the Steam Deck 2. Griffais had previously teased that he had an idea of when the second-generation model of the Steam Deck would release, but didn’t provide specifics. Now, in the wake of this statement, Griffais has said that Valve is inching toward the point when its expectations for the Steam Deck 2 can be met by the components that are available.

“I’d say we’re closer than we were the last time we talked,” said Griffais. “We’re definitely getting there.”

Griffais went on to also talk about recent changes in the PC handheld space, particularly when it comes to Intel’s new Arc G3 series processors. These processors are some of the most powerful that have been seen in PC handhelds so far, and represent a sizable upgrade from previous devices. Still, even with these “next-gen” processors starting to hit the market, Griffais said that Valve is still not seeing the leap forward that Valve wants with the Steam Deck 2.

“I would say that the new chips that are coming out are still in power envelopes that are not quite the right segment that you’d want for a true handheld experience,” Griffais said. “I think a lot of them are more low-end laptop chips or playing in that sort of form factor that are then repurposed for handhelds and maybe not leading to, I guess the trade-off that we would’ve chosen in terms of power and better life and that and all that.”

Looking forward, Griffais made clear that Valve’s current focus is on the Steam Machine. Beyond this, it will then release the Steam Frame later in 2026, which will be its latest VR headset. Only after these products hit the market will the Steam Deck 2 then become a larger priority at the company. As such, the absolute earliest that we may start to see the Steam Deck 2 would be 2027, with the platform’s release potentially being further off.

Regardless of when the Steam Deck 2 releases, though, Valve is certainly going to find new complications when it comes to manufacturing it. Ongoing component shortages that have plagued the tech market don’t seem like they’re going to end any time soon, which could result in the Steam Deck 2 being much further down the road than previously anticipated. Still, if nothing else, it’s apparent that Valve is still developing a new model of its beloved handheld, which should satisfy fans for the time being.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

When it comes to launching a new indie game, many studios opt for a PC-only release. Specifically, many of the most exciting new games arrive on Steam long before they’re available anywhere. That’s the case for a highly rated sandbox RPG and farming sim hybrid from PixelCount Studios. This team, which includes veterans from the team that brought us the original Fable series, launched Kynseed on PC via Steam back in 2022. Now, four years later, it’s gearing up to arrive on multiple consoles at once.

Kynseed is a sandbox RPG and life sim that is basically a fairytale-coded Stardew Valley. If that sounds like a winning formula, you’d be right. Since Kynseed launched on Steam back in 2022, it has achieved a Very Positive rating from PC gamers. PixelCount Studios has also put out several free updates, adding more content to an already solid base game. Most recently, that includes a new Tavern Update that lets you run your own inn. This latest update comes alongside even bigger news. After four years on PC, Kynseed will release for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on August 4th.

Kynseed Sets August Console Release Date for All Major Platforms

Whether you prefer console gaming or just missed Kynseed the first time around, the console launch is pretty exciting news. This pixel art RPG lets players farm, run their business, and explore a vast fantasy world. And yes, like any good life sim, you can start and raise a family, as well. In fact, the game is intentionally designed to span generations, letting you craft a legacy in the beautifully hand-crafted world of Quill.

Since its initial PC launch, the game has received a whopping 10 updates that add even more to explore. And all of those major game updates will be included when Kynseed arrives on every major console on August 4th. Along with the prior major updates, the Kynseed port will also feature optimized controls and UI designed to run on consoles. If you’re eager to get a first look at this game on console, you can check out the Kynseed console release date trailer below:

As you can see, Kynseed has packed in the best aspects of any good life sim. There’s turn-based combat, farming, socialization and relationships with the locals, and of course, plenty of mini-games. And let’s not forget the ability to run shops, including your very own tavern, as of the latest update. I am one of those unfortunate souls who has missed out on this one on PC, and now I am immediately in need of a Nintendo Switch copy, stat.

Those who have already enjoyed Kynseed on Steam praise the game’s more realistic take on the Stardew Valley model. It has a crafting system and sense of humor that will no doubt feel familiar to OG Fable fans, while still being its own unique thing. And a very important detail I’d be remiss not to mention is that you can, in fact, ride a pig. As one review puts it quite simply, Kynseed is “way better than Fable” and “will probably run on a potato.” But now, your potato PC can rest easy, because Kynseed is coming to previous- gen and current-gen consoles in just a few short months.

Are you excited to see Kynseed coming to consoles? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

Kagurabachi might have gone on hiatus from the pages of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, but the anime is moving forward with a new teaser showing off the next major addition to the cast. Takeru Hokazono has been working through Part 2 of Kagurabachi’s manga run, but ended up facing some surprise issues this Summer as Shueisha announced that the creator would be taking the next few weeks off with a planned return in a couple of months. But there’s still plenty of new things to celebrate for Kagurabachi’s fans around the world.

Kagurabachi is now in the works on making its official anime adaptation debut next Spring, and has been steadily revealing more of the production team and voice cast behind the upcoming series. This includes the newest addition to the cast, Tomokazu Seki as Chihiro’s father Kunishige Rokuhira. Highlighting the second major addition to the anime, you can check out the new teaser Kagurabachi shared for his debut below.

Kagurabachi Anime Adds Chihiro’s Father Kunishige to the Cast

Kunishige Rokuhira is a legendary swordsmith, but at the same time he is also a warmhearted father,” Tomokazu Seki began in a special message celebrating his joining the Kagurabachi cast. “I voiced the role with the aim of conveying the charm of both of those sides naturally. I would be happy if viewers could feel the bright and fun nature of his everyday humorous side, as well as the weight behind every single word in the scenes where he speaks of his convictions as a swordsmith.” He’ll be joining Taihi Kimura, who leads the anime as Chihiro Rokuhira.

Kagurabachi is gearing up to make its debut next April as part of the Spring 2027 anime schedule, but has yet to confirm a more concrete release date as of the time of this writing. Tetsuya Takeuchi will be directing the new anime for Cypic with Keigo Sasaki providing the character designs, but additional members of the anime staff have yet to be revealed. That will likely change soon enough as the anime prepares to kick off a new world tour later this Summer.

What’s New for Kagurabachi This Summer?

Kagurabachi has gone on an extended hiatus as the manga won’t be returning for new chapters until later this August, but there’s still plenty planned for the franchise before that point. Kagurabachi will be taking the stage during Anime Expo 2026 this July as the first stop on a wider world tour planned ahead of its full premiere next year. With Chihiro voice star Taihi Kimura and director Tetsuya Takeuchi in attendance, there could be all sorts of updates revealed for the coming series.

With the first stop on this world tour behind Anime Expo 2026 on July 3rd, future appearances include stops on Thursday, July 9th at Japan Expo, Saturday, August 1st at AnimagiC, and Saturday, August 22nd at AnimeNYC. This upcoming tour will be showing off the first 20 minutes of Kagurabachi’s premiere episode, so fans will get to see much more of the series before anyone else at these limited opportunities. We’ll just have to see how it works out.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

As the release date for Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced gets closer, new details are emerging about how the game will run on various systems. This has included a number of features required to boot up the game, from both recommended specs to verification details within Ubisoft’s framework. Despite heavy criticism surrounding how Ubisoft restricts their titles through layers of identification, Black Flag‘s remake seems to include one of the worst examples of this from the company’s past.

Many players have voiced complaints against development groups like Ubisoft and Bethesda for forcing people to sign up for individual accounts before gaining access to a game’s content. For example, the single-player Doom: Eternal required players to create a Bethesda account to play the game, an annoying obstacle reflected in several Ubisoft titles too. This hurdle mainly exists for the PC versions of some company’s games, not only to prevent piracy, but also to restrict modding of any kind.

Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced Officially Confirms Denuvo DRM Software Features

Making an Ubisoft account is required to play Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced, just like it was back in 2013 with the original. Even though both games can technically be played offline, Ubisoft has made console and PC players need to register their game key through a login to an official Ubisoft client, much to players’ disappointment. Although this was expected, considering Ubisoft’s titles over the years doing the same thing, some were hopeful that the condensed nature of the remake could avoid this. However, the inclusion of Denuvo DRM software is something players were even more optimistically hoping against.

Denuvo DRM is an Anti-Tamper tech that adds layers of protection between a player’s system and the game itself, meant to prevent pirating and modding entirely. Mainly set up to prevent hacked versions of Black Flag Resynced from appearing online days after its release, this system has its pros, but unfortunately, many cons as well. For starters, players have to link their Ubisoft account to their Steam account to activate this software on PC, adding extra steps before they can play the remake.

At the same time, they must agree to third-party licensing terms during the game’s setup, delaying access to the title yet again. The game also has a 5-per-day activation limit through Denuvo DRM, preventing the title from being installed on more than five machinces per day. Although this won’t affect everyone, problems with uninstalling and reinstalling the game over time due to storage space or hardware issues could lead to some very annoying obstacles for a select few. This doesn’t even cover all the new verification programs Denuvo DRM implements, which build an identification minefield players have to navigate.

Ubisoft Account Requirements & Other Verification Hurdles Add Layers Of Obstacles To The Game

The always-online demand tied to Black Flag Resynced could pose a problem for many players, especially ones who don’t have access to the Internet consistently. PC players are in an even greater predicament, having to push past Denuvo DRM’s harsher work arounds to actually play the game. This gets extra frustrating when you realize that Denuvo DRM doesn’t always work as intended anyway, with titles like Pragmata, Monster Hunter Wilds, Far Cry 6, or even Assassin’s Creed Valhalla not being safe from piracy or modding the software tries to prevent.

While an argument can be made that some of those games were only broken by reversing entire code engines, the fact remains that no title is completely safe. This results in Denuvo DRM being less necessary than perhaps Ubisoft intends, with the company unwilling or unable to use an improved program that fulfills the same function. Instead of using software that deliberately introduces obstacles, Ubisoft could be developing something similar to Denuvo DRM that makes it easier for players to access a game. For now though, this past system is the unfortunate direction of Ubisoft cracking down on digital copyright.

Anti-Pirating Systems Do More Harm To Assassin’s Creed’s Community Than Good

There’s a strange irony to implementing so many anti-piracy systems to the Assassin’s Creed game known most for letting you become a swashbuckling pirate. Ubisoft’s variety of past mistakes likely led to this outcome, but it is frankly indicative of a trend all major publishers are doing to some degree. Cracking down on modding scenes, creating stronger account verification features, and using programs like Denuvo DRM is prevalent across AAA games, adding to the corporate-favored idea that companies own games more than players do.

Understandably, fans and players tend to have the opposite opinion when it comes to the systems studios are integrating. For Black Flag Resynced, players are already criticizing Ubisoft for taking such a harsh approach to the game’s systems, as it could cause problems tied to ownership and availability of the title based on lengthy verification agreements. Most players simply want to buy the game and play it, and not have to go through multiple identification steps designed to force themselves into Ubisoft’s larger data ecosystem.

By shutting down modding too, Ubisoft prevents players eager to see behind the curtain of the remake’s development, striking down any chance of a healthy community forming through the game’s modification. Games like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Stardew Valley tend to grow even more popular through mods, so locking down that option altogether isolates players in some ways. Even though Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced is once again a mostly single-player experience, Ubisoft’s use of restrictive software systems directly clashes with player desires, just as it did over a decade ago.

What do you think of the verification software Ubisoft is using for the Black Flag remake? Leave a comment below or join the conversation in the ComicBook Forum!