Ubisoft has officially pushed back against a recent Assassin's Creed multiplayer leak, calling out the use of AI-generated alterations in a supposedly leaked screenshot from Assassin's Creed Invictus.

The controversy began when leaker j0nathan shared an image claiming to reveal the first look at the much-anticipated multiplayer spinoff. The franchise project, which was announced by Ubisoft back in 2022, has been shrouded in silence for years. While the initial image featured a character in historical attire within an arena setting, it was immediately clear that the environment was far from polished.

Ubisoft Labels Leaked Screenshot as Misinformation

The official Assassin's Creed social media account wasted no time responding to the post, explicitly labeling the content as "misinformation." According to Ubisoft, while the image may have originated from a private test, it had been significantly manipulated.

"Nice try... This might have started as an image from our private test, but it's been heavily altered (most probably with AI)," Ubisoft stated. The developer went on to discourage the spread of false information, promising that more official details would be shared when the time is right.

Following the backlash, j0nathon admitted to using AI tools to manipulate the image. The leaker claimed the intent was not to deceive but to "liven up" the visuals, though they subsequently posted a version claiming to be the original, unedited screenshot. However, fans noted significant discrepancies between the two versions, including:

  • Lighting adjustments
  • Color shifts in the character's clothing
  • Texture changes on the arena floor

Fan Backlash Over AI-Manipulated Leaks

The revelation that the Assassin's Creed multiplayer leak relied on AI editing has sparked a heated debate within the community. Many players expressed frustration, arguing that using AI to alter development builds only serves to muddy the waters and damage the credibility of future leaks.

"Kinda ruins the credibility," noted fan RGisOnline. "Like what's the point in changing the clouds and ground if the core of the screenshot is similar?"

Other community members questioned the logic behind altering a leaked asset in the first place, with user lcvebyers asking, "Why do you think you were doing them a favour by changing the characters robes? Why would you want the leak to appear any different if the whole point is to leak it."

The Uncertain Future of Assassin's Creed Invictus

The leak arrives at a tense moment for the franchise. Rumors have been circulating that early builds of Invictus were recently shown to small testing groups, with reports suggesting the gameplay was underwhelming. While testing unfinished builds is standard practice, the lack of concrete news has left fans anxious.

Ubisoft currently has a massive slate of titles in development, including:

  • Assassin's Creed Shadows: Already released to the public.
  • Assassin's Creed Hexe: A witchcraft-themed entry expected next year.
  • Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced: Set to debut on July 9.

As of now, there is no official release window for Assassin's Creed Invictus, and the project remains deep in the development cycle.