Ubisoft Disputes Claims from Prominent Assassin’s Creed Leaker Following Viral Invictus Screenshot

Ubisoft Challenges Leaked Assassin’s Creed Invictus Screenshot as AI-Altered

In an unusual public exchange, gaming giant Ubisoft has directly confronted a prominent leaker over what it claims is a manipulated screenshot of the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Invictus, the multiplayer spin-off currently in development.

Earlier today, well-known Assassin’s Creed leaker xj0nathan shared what appeared to be a screenshot from a private playtest of the game on social media platform X. The image reportedly showed gameplay elements from the Fall Guys-inspired multiplayer title that has been in development at Ubisoft Montreal.

The official Assassin’s Creed account quickly responded to the post, claiming the image had been “heavily altered” and likely manipulated using AI tools. “Nice try… This might have started as an image from our private test, but it’s been heavily altered. Not great to spread misinformation,” the company stated, adding that official information would be shared “when the time is right.”

The leaker defended himself against the accusation, explaining that he had only altered some colors to remove the playtest’s watermark and “improve” the overall color balance. To support his claim, xj0nathan subsequently shared what he described as the unaltered original screenshot, which appeared nearly identical to the first image he posted.

This public confrontation follows xj0nathan’s recent claims about Assassin’s Creed Invictus receiving negative feedback during an April 30 playtest. According to the leaker, the game—originally targeted for a 2025 release according to industry insider Tom Henderson—may now be delayed until 2026 or possibly face cancellation due to poor reception.

Assassin’s Creed Invictus represents Ubisoft’s fresh approach to multiplayer within the franchise, being developed by a team that includes veterans from the company’s fighting game For Honor. Head of Content Jean Guesdon has previously confirmed the title will introduce “a new approach to multiplayer in the franchise.”

Based on information gleaned from the leaked imagery and previous reports, the game appears to feature iconic Assassin’s Creed characters battling in arena-style environments across multiple rounds. This format suggests a departure from the series’ traditional stealth-action gameplay toward more competitive multiplayer mechanics.

The controversy comes during a period of transition for Ubisoft’s flagship franchise. Earlier this year, the company canceled another Assassin’s Creed multiplayer project known as “AC League,” which was intended to be a cooperative experience. However, reports indicate the technology developed for that canceled title has been preserved for integration into future projects.

Industry observers note that Ubisoft’s public challenge to the leak is unusual for a major publisher, which typically ignores or issues generic statements about unannounced content. The direct confrontation may indicate the company’s increased sensitivity around project leaks, particularly as it navigates ongoing franchise restructuring.

Despite Ubisoft’s dismissal of the screenshot’s authenticity, xj0nathan maintains a strong reputation within the Assassin’s Creed community. The leaker has consistently provided accurate information about the franchise over several years, with many community sources considering his AC-related information highly credible.

Ubisoft has not shared an official release window for Assassin’s Creed Invictus, though if the leaked information proves accurate, the game may not arrive until 2026—potentially representing a significant delay from internal targets. The company’s flagship single-player entry, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is still expected to release later this year after its own delay from an original early 2024 launch window.