Patrice Désilets, creator of the 'Assassin's Creed' series, officially unveiled his new project, '1666: Amsterdam,' at Summer Game Fest 2026 (SGF 2026). The announcement has garnered significant attention, as it marks the long-awaited revival of one of the gaming industry's most famous 'lost projects.'

'1666: Amsterdam' was originally in development at THQ Montreal in the early 2010s. At the time, Désilets was preparing the title as his next major project following 'Assassin's Creed,' describing it as an entirely new IP that blended historical reality with supernatural elements. However, the project was shelved when THQ went bankrupt in 2012, and the IP rights were transferred to Ubisoft along with THQ Montreal's assets.

The complications began thereafter. When Désilets left Ubisoft again, development on '1666' stalled, and the project remained effectively dormant for over a decade. While the game was occasionally mentioned in interviews with industry insiders, it was never publicly shown. The situation changed in 2019 when Ubisoft returned the IP rights to Désilets, allowing him to restart the project under his own studio, Panache Digital Games.

The trailer released at the event was brief but offered a glimpse into the game's core atmosphere. Set in 17th-century Amsterdam—the heart of the Dutch Golden Age—the footage depicted a city where religion, commerce, and politics collide. The inclusion of devil-worship rituals, supernatural entities, and mysterious monsters hints at a unique world that blends historical drama with dark fantasy.

According to its Steam page, players must survive in a city entangled in conspiracy, fanaticism, and power struggles. The game adopts a narrative-driven structure where players build relationships with various characters and factions, with the story evolving based on their choices. Exploration, stealth, and social interaction will play key roles, suggesting an experience that prioritizes player judgment and decision-making over traditional action game mechanics.

Désilets has previously described '1666' as the most ambitious project he has conceived since 'Assassin's Creed.' His approach of layering fiction and supernatural horror over historical settings is also being viewed as a callback to the elements that defined the early 'Assassin's Creed' series.

While an exact release date has not yet been announced, '1666: Amsterdam' is set to go down as one of the most dramatic comebacks at SGF 2026, finally emerging after a 14-year journey marked by bankruptcy, legal disputes, and development limbo.