It’s been a while since we last saw a new addition to the Far Cry series, a staple in Ubisoft’s gaming lineup. For much of the past decade, Ubisoft has been rolling out new titles in this first-person shooter franchise almost annually, similar to their approach with heavyweight titles like Assassin’s Creed and Tom Clancy’s. However, since Far Cry 6 dropped in 2021, we’ve had radio silence from Ubisoft regarding the series’ future. No whispers about new entries or even spin-offs have surfaced officially, with the only hints coming from industry insiders like Tom Henderson.
Recently, Henderson shared that Ubisoft might be brewing not one, but two Far Cry games. The first, a mainline single-player experience, goes by the codename Project Blackbird. The other, called Project Maverick for now, ventures into multiplayer territory as an extraction shooter. This marks new ground for the Far Cry universe, potentially making Project Maverick a gamble for Ubisoft. They’d do well to steer clear of the missteps seen in other games within this genre, such as the ones encountered with Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction.
From what’s been leaked, Project Maverick bears a strong resemblance to Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Extraction. Launched in 2022 across various platforms excluding Nintendo, it’s a twist on the fan-favorite 2015 FPS Rainbow Six Siege. The premise had players navigating alien-invaded zones, working in small teams to tackle missions often revolving around gathering crucial intel or successfully extracting data. Interestingly, stealth played a surprisingly significant role in Extraction’s gameplay.
If the setup sounds a bit déjà vu, you’re not alone—it closely mirrors a short-lived mode called Outbreak in Rainbow Six Siege. Some players argued that Extraction didn’t really carve out its own niche, instead recycling a lot of operators, features, and skillsets from its predecessor. This connection to the Siege world is understandable but perhaps made Extraction feel less innovative, ultimately impacting its longevity.
Initially, Rainbow Six Extraction saw an impressive start, drawing over 3 million players across all platforms in its first week. However, its shine wore off rapidly, with player numbers dwindling significantly just a few months post-launch. By the end of the year, Ubisoft had ceased support, likely due to its limited content and repetitive nature, as many fans speculated.
Looking ahead, if Project Maverick is indeed on the horizon, Ubisoft would be wise to ensure its launch brims with engaging content to sidestep a fate like Rainbow Six Extraction. Additionally, Maverick needs its own identity, distinct from its single-player sibling, Project Blackbird. While sharing assets is fine, overlapping gameplay mechanics and weaponry could blur the lines between them. With careful planning and creativity, Ubisoft can rise to the occasion, delivering a Far Cry extraction shooter that’s both compelling and packed with fresh content.
