What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
No: 1666: Amsterdam is not a sequel to Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. It is a fantasy action-adventure and a separate intellectual property by Patrice Désilets and Panache Digital Games. The connection is creative: the project began after Désilets’ work on Assassin’s Creed, and it shares an interest in adventures set in richly imagined historic cities. Its idea dates to 2011, but Panache restarted and substantially reworked it in 2020. As of October 4, 2026, the game was available in PC Early Access on Steam. TechRadar reported Désilets describing the journey as “It’s been a long journey.”
Is 1666: Amsterdam an Assassin’s Creed sequel?
No. Despite comparisons to Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, 1666: Amsterdam is its own game and is not part of Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise. The comparison is best understood as creative lineage: Désilets worked on Assassin’s Creed, and the new project also draws on a historic city as the setting for an action-adventure.
Coverage of the early project sometimes called it a spiritual successor to Brotherhood. But in a 2013 report, Désilets described it as a new intellectual property, and in a later interview he distinguished the current fantasy game from Assassin’s Creed. GameSpot’s 2013 report explains the original new-IP framing; Désilets’ later comments appear in Respec’s interview.
Why did the game take so long?
The 15-year figure counts from the first idea in 2011 to the reported 2026 Early Access release. It does not mean Panache spent 15 uninterrupted years making the current version. The project was interrupted after THQ’s collapse, passed through a rights dispute, and later returned in a substantially different form.
#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.
From an Amsterdam inscription to a THQ project
Désilets has said a 2011 visit to Amsterdam sparked the idea. At a building, he saw the inscription “Anno 1666” and imagined a game about the Devil set in the city. The project took shape as a new IP at THQ Montreal. In 2013, Désilets said the first year had gone toward assembling a team, studying the period, and developing the IP.
THQ’s collapse and the rights interruption
THQ went bankrupt in 2013, and Ubisoft acquired the studio and assets. Development stalled, and Désilets left Ubisoft. He says he regained the rights in 2016. The early premise did not immediately become the game now in Early Access.
Panache’s redesign
Panache Digital Games resumed work in January 2020 and rewrote much of the concept. The original Devil-centered pitch evolved into a witch-led story with a dual timeline. Désilets described the current game’s production period as six years at Panache in a September 2026 interview. That is a different measure from TechRadar’s 15-year framing, which starts with the 2011 idea.
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.
For the original project’s development history and the early concept, see TechRadar’s October 2026 coverage and GameSpot’s 2013 report.
What is 1666: Amsterdam about?
The current game is a fantasy action-adventure set in a historical period, not a strict historical simulation. Its story connects Amsterdam in 1666 with a 1999 timeline and an additional library layer. Witch Noa is central to the 1666 story; a cat and the human character Aaron connect the timelines. Désilets calls it “a personal story” and describes it as “a fantasy game inside an historical period” in Respec’s interview.
Magic, stealth, and exploration
The game combines traversal, investigation, stealth, combat, and magic. Désilets describes Noa as a city witch who can fly, possess people, and use magic. He has also said that after failure, players can shuffle abilities and change their approach on a subsequent attempt.
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.
The cat’s role
The cat is more than a link between storylines: Désilets describes it as a playable scout with its own traversal role. Respec reports that the Early Access structure is divided into “Esbats,” described in the interview as full-moon episodes. These are developer descriptions of the design, not a substitute for an independent evaluation of how the systems play.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →How historical is the game?
The setting draws on historical research, but the story deliberately mixes history and fantasy. Désilets has said the team researched witches and visited Amsterdam to understand the city’s atmosphere and architecture, while also emphasizing that the game invents magic. The witch hunt depicted in the game is fictionalized; in an interview reported by Wccftech, he said the Netherlands’ last witch-hunt trial was in 1608. That historical detail is attributed to Désilets in the interview. The studio also invented a street to serve the game’s design.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is 1666: Amsterdam out?
As of October 4, 2026, the game was in PC Early Access on Steam. Early Access means the available build is not the same as a confirmed final 1.0 release. Désilets said in September 2026 that version 1.0 was at least a year away; that was his estimate, not a confirmed release date. Check the Steam listing for current availability and platform details, which can change after that date.
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
When asked about the release approach, Désilets said “it fits with Early Access.” His comments about a possible 1.0 timeframe are a developer projection, not a scheduled launch announcement. Panache Digital Games’ official site identifies the title.
What the Assassin’s Creed comparison does—and does not—mean
The comparison helps explain why the project attracts attention: it comes from a designer associated with Assassin’s Creed and turns a historic city into an action-adventure setting. But the current game’s witchcraft, fantasy premise, connected timelines, and separate IP identity make it more than a continuation of that series. Players do not need to play Brotherhood to understand it, and it does not continue Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed story.
Quick Recap
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.
