Far Cry 7 and 8 leak reveals ambitious franchise overhaul

Published 3 August 2026. Words like "tonight" or "next week" refer to that date.

A major leak from insider Tom Henderson reveals Ubisoft's ambitious plans for the Far Cry franchise, including details about Far Cry 7's troubled development, a full reveal of Far Cry 8 codenamed Kodiak, and the cancellation of a separate extraction shooter project that had been in development for years.

Far Cry 8: Kodiak and the Future of the Franchise

The most surprising news from the leak concerns Far Cry 8, codenamed Kodiak, which is being developed at Vantage Studios, Ubisoft's newly consolidated creative house that now houses Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow 6 under one roof. Kodiak just passed the conceptualization stage and entered active development earlier this month.

Described as an open-world first-person shooter where "player interactions and player-driven stories take center stage," Kodiak sounds significantly different from traditional Far Cry entries. The specific emphasis on player interactions suggests Ubisoft may be building multiplayer or co-op elements into the experience in ways the franchise has never attempted before. The game is reportedly still years away from release, likely not arriving before 2029 at the earliest.

The Death of Maverick and Extraction Shooter Plans

The leak also confirms that Ubisoft has cancelled Maverick, a separate Far Cry extraction shooter set in the Alaskan wilderness that was previously planned. The project, which would have featured players fighting each other, wildlife, and weather while surviving in a snowstorm engine, never gained traction internally. According to Henderson's report, some staff members felt Maverick had only been greenlit to chase a trend that failed to deliver expected player numbers.

Rather than waste the work, Kodiak has been built on the foundations of Maverick's development. This decision suggests Ubisoft learned from the over-saturated extraction shooter market and decided to redirect resources toward a more innovative Far Cry experience instead of chasing industry trends.

Far Cry 7 Blackbird: Development Issues and New Details

Far Cry 7, codenamed Blackbird, has faced multiple internal delays due to complex development challenges. However, the report indicates the game is now on a solid development path. A critical detail from internal interviews at Vantage Studios reveals that Charlie Gilamont, co-CEO, described Blackbird as "act one," not simply the next Far Cry game. This phrasing suggests Ubisoft is positioning Far Cry 7 as the opening chapter of a new era for the franchise, with conceptually mapped follow-ups planned if it receives strong reception.

The report confirms that Far Cry 7 will feature a multiplayer component allowing multiple players to experience the world together, making co-op an official feature. This aligns with previous statements from Ubisoft leadership about making future Far Cry games more multiplayer-focused.

The Controversial Time Mechanic

One of the most debated aspects of Far Cry 7 is the time mechanic, where players have 72 in-game hours to rescue their family, with a countdown reflected by an in-game watch. This feature sparked backlash from fans concerned about mandatory time limits in an open-world game designed for exploration at your own pace. While the mechanic remains unchanged in current reports, it's likely that Ubisoft has already observed community feedback. Given multiple internal delays, the developers may already be adjusting the system, possibly making it optional rather than mandatory.

When to Expect Reveals and Release Dates

Ubisoft was confirmed as an exhibitor at Gamescom Opening Night Live on August 25, hosted by Jeff Keeley. While a full gameplay reveal is unlikely, a teaser or short cinematic footage announcing Far Cry 7 would make sense given that the franchise has been silent since 2021. Far Cry 7 is predicted to release in 2027, roughly six years after Far Cry 6, while Kodiak is expected no earlier than 2029.