Highlights
- Former narrative lead Drew Holmes is now the IP Director for Far Cry at Ubisoft, hinting at potential changes for the franchise's future.
- The announcement did not provide any new information about the next Far Cry game, possibly confirming earlier leaks suggesting a longer wait for its release.
- Drew Holmes brings significant narrative experience to the role, having worked on Far Cry: New Dawn and Far Cry 5, as well as acclaimed games like BioShock Infinite.
Following a period of relative silence about the franchise’s future following the mixed reception to 2021’s Far Cry 6, it’s been announced that Drew Holmes, the series’ former narrative lead, is stepping into the role of IP Director for Far Cry at Ubisoft. No new information was given about the series’ next entry as part of the announcement, possibly lending credence to a leak from earlier this year suggesting that gamers may be in for a bit of a wait before the release of the next Far Cry game.
Bursting onto the first-person shooter scene in March 2004 with the launch of the original Far Cry, Ubisoft’s open-world series has undergone some significant changes over the years. While largely retaining the first title’s core gameplay loop of pitting players against hostile forces in a large, open environment, subsequent entries in the franchise placed a stronger emphasis on story. Despite receiving praise from players over the years for its entertaining and increasingly over-the-top antagonists, complaints about repetitive gameplay and occasionally frustrating mechanics have plagued many recent entries in the Far Cry franchise.
As first reported by VGC, veteran series writer Drew Holmes accepted a new position at Ubisoft as the IP Director for the Far Cry franchise. News of Holmes’ promotion first appeared on his LinkedIn page, where the series’ former narrative lead wrote that he was happy to take on the role of IP Director and teased that there are “big things in store” for the Far Cry franchise. Prior to stepping into the new role, Holmes had previously worked as the story lead on Far Cry: New Dawn and the fan-favorite Far Cry 5.
News of Holmes’ new position comes just days after Ubisoft Toronto hinted at a new Far Cry game when it made a recruitment post on Twitter seeking applicants for multiple high-level positions on the Far Cry team. Holmes brings a wealth of narrative experience to his role as IP Director beyond just his work on the Far Cry franchise, having also served as the lead writer for Irrational Games’ critically acclaimed BioShock Infinite before joining Ubisoft. This may come as reassuring news to gamers who felt let down by what some considered to be an underwhelming story in 2021’s Far Cry 6.
While it will take more than some corporate reshuffling to return the Far Cry franchise to its former glory, this promotion could bode well for the series’ future. And even though it may be a while until gamers learn what exactly Holmes has in mind for Ubisoft’s popular shooter series moving forward, having someone with his level of experience in charge of the Far Cry IP could be a very good thing for the franchise.
A new Far Cry game is believed to be in development.
Source: VGC