Leaked footage suggests shelved assassin’s creed qin dynasty game
Unconfirmed gameplay footage, reportedly shared on social media platforms on March 21, 2024, hints at a second Assassin’s Creed Qin Dynasty China game. This alleged project, which some reports referred to as ‘Assassin’s Creed Destiny,’ was codenamed ‘Project Jade’ or ‘Codename Jade’ and appeared distinct from the mobile-exclusive title, Assassin’s Creed Codename Jade.
The leaked footage suggests Assassin’s Creed fans might have missed out on another historical adventure.
The 13-second footage suggests a console and PC title was in the works at Ubisoft Chengdu before it was reportedly shelved. This decision aligns with a strategic pivot by Tencent, which is reportedly scaling back its involvement in developing major Western franchises.
Leaked footage suggests assassin
The recently surfaced footage, originally unearthed by MP1st from developer portfolios, offers a tantalizing look at what ‘Project Jade’ might have been. It purportedly showcases a male protagonist in a dark outfit, performing parkour movements across rooftops and engaging in combat.
The combat sequences feature the protagonist using a hidden blade and a sword against multiple enemies. The game’s art style in the footage appears more realistic and detailed than the 2015 release, Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China.
The narrative of this alleged title was reportedly set in 206 BCE, placing its events during the tumultuous final years of the Qin Dynasty. This historical period, marked by widespread unrest and the Chu-Han Contention, would have provided a rich backdrop for the series’ signature blend of historical drama and covert operations.
Early glimpses also featured fighting animations within development testing environments, typical of games in their nascent stages. While Ubisoft has not officially confirmed the footage, its swift removal from various platforms due to copyright claims has fueled speculation about its authenticity and the project’s existence.
Tencent’s Strategic Realignment and Project Cuts
The alleged cancellation of ‘Project Jade’ appears to align with a significant shift in Tencent’s gaming strategy. This pivot, observed since late 2023 and early 2024, reportedly involves reducing the company’s focus on developing Western AAA franchises for mobile platforms.
Tencent’s chief strategy officer, James Mitchell, stated the company is “focusing on fewer bigger budget games” and making “biggest bets around games that either iterate on a successful IP… or games that are iterating around proven gameplay success within a niche and taking those to a more mass market.”
This strategy aims to concentrate resources on high-budget titles that don’t incur substantial royalty fees to external firms. This shift indicates a changing landscape for global game development partnerships, a trend seen across various sectors as companies refine their economic strategies.
This strategic move has already impacted other projects, including Assassin’s Creed Codename Jade. While Jade wasn’t canceled, its release has reportedly been delayed to 2025 from its original 2024 expectation. Hundreds of developers from its team were reportedly redeployed to work on Tencent’s recently launched party game, DreamStar, highlighting the company’s evolving priorities.
For Ubisoft, the potential loss of a console-focused Chinese Assassin’s Creed title signals a changing landscape in developer partnerships. Publishers may need to adapt their strategies when collaborating with major Asian developers like Tencent.
Ubisoft’s Broader Franchise Strategy
Ubisoft has a long-standing history of expanding its flagship Assassin’s Creed franchise across diverse platforms and historical periods. Since its 2007 debut, the series has explored numerous settings, from ancient Egypt to Victorian London.
This prolific output, however, has also been accompanied by a pattern of game cancellations and developmental shifts. In January 2026, Ubisoft announced a “major reset” of its operations, canceling six games, including the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake, and delaying seven others.
CEO Yves Guillemot cited rising development costs and increased market competition as driving factors. The company has explicitly stated a renewed focus on established franchises like Assassin’s Creed over risky new intellectual properties.
A History of Chinese Settings in Assassin’s Creed
While ‘Project Jade’ would have offered a full-scale console experience, it wouldn’t be the first Assassin’s Creed title set in China. In 2015, Ubisoft released Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China, a 2.5D side-scrolling platformer. That game, set during the Ming Dynasty, starred the Ezio-trained female assassin Shao Jun.
Then there’s the ongoing development of Assassin’s Creed Codename Jade, a free-to-play mobile title slated for ancient China, currently without a firm release date. It entered its second closed beta test in August 2023. These projects showcase the narrative potential Ubisoft sees in China for its flagship series, similar to the anticipation for upcoming new game releases.
The apparent development of a third Chinese-set title underscores the region’s narrative potential for the franchise. It suggests Ubisoft sees significant player interest in exploring different eras of Chinese history.
The Historical Canvas: Qin Dynasty China
The choice of the Qin Dynasty for the alleged ‘Project Jade’ presents a compelling historical backdrop. The Qin Dynasty, from 221 BCE to 206 BCE, was China’s first imperial dynasty.
It was founded by Qin Shi Huang, who unified the Warring States and implemented standardized systems for currency, measurements, and writing. This period, though brief, laid foundational elements for subsequent Chinese history.
The alleged game’s setting of 206 BCE places it directly in the turbulent aftermath of Qin Shi Huang’s death. This era was characterized by widespread rebellion and the Chu-Han Contention, a brutal power struggle between warring factions.
Warlord Xiang Yu’s Role in the Narrative
The leaked footage reportedly shows a male protagonist fighting his way into a sacred palace under siege by the real-world Chinese warlord Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu was a formidable figure, a nobleman from the former state of Chu, who played a pivotal role in the rebellions that ultimately toppled the Qin Dynasty.
Known for his military prowess and victory at the Battle of Julu, he declared himself “Hegemon-King of Western Chu.” His conflict with Liu Bang, who would later found the Han Dynasty, defines this era. Xiang Yu’s presence in the game would have offered a powerful, historically grounded antagonist.
What This Means for Future Assassin’s Creed Titles
The purported existence and subsequent cancellation of ‘Project Jade’ highlight the intricate dynamics of global game development. It underscores how publisher strategies and regional market shifts can dramatically influence a game’s fate. This situation is not unique in the industry, as evidenced by other major game launches and developments.
For fans, it represents a missed opportunity to explore a rich historical period with a full-fledged console experience. It also raises questions about Ubisoft’s future approach to leveraging historical settings in diverse regions, especially when partnering with major international developers.
The incident also reflects a broader industry trend where even established franchises must adapt to evolving investment priorities. The future of the franchise, however, remains active with upcoming game launches and continued expansions into new historical epochs. This ongoing development contrasts with the reported shelving of projects like ‘Project Jade,’ showcasing the varied paths games can take from conception to release, or indeed, cancellation.