Beyond Good & Evil 2 Gets a New Creative Director Amid Continued Development

Despite nearly 20 years in development limbo, Beyond Good & Evil 2 is still alive at Ubisoft, now with a fresh creative lead. The long-anticipated game now sees company veteran Fawzi Mesmar stepping in as the new creative director. Mesmar, who has been with Ubisoft for two decades, brings extensive experience to the project, having previously collaborated with the Beyond Good & Evil 2 team as VP of Editorial. He’s expected to continue building on the vision left by the late Emile Morel, the former creative director.

The project has faced a tumultuous journey, with staffing changes, departures, and even the unfortunate passing of Morel in 2023. Additionally, the game’s original creator, Michel Ancel, departed Ubisoft in 2020 following allegations of workplace misconduct, marking a significant transition for the team. Despite these shake-ups, Ubisoft’s recent commitment to appointing a new leader demonstrates its dedication to seeing Beyond Good & Evil 2 finally completed.

Mesmar’s background includes launching over 20 video games, making him a well-seasoned hand at guiding complex projects like Beyond Good & Evil 2. Ubisoft remains confident that his leadership can finally push the title across the finish line, although no concrete release date has been given just yet.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Beyond Good & Evil 2?

This news follows Ubisoft’s efforts to keep the Beyond Good & Evil franchise in the spotlight. The company recently released a polished 20th Anniversary edition of the original Beyond Good & Evil, which features extra behind-the-scenes content and story elements that bridge the gap leading up to the second game.

Additionally, reports indicate that several members of the Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown team have also joined the project, further bolstering development. Fans of the franchise are hopeful that these moves signal Beyond Good & Evil 2 finally approaching a more tangible release window.

The Road So Far

Originally announced all the way back in 2008, Beyond Good & Evil 2 has been stuck in an on-again, off-again development cycle for over a decade. The game’s ambitious scope has contributed to its prolonged timeline, with it being pitched as a massive open-world space opera prequel to the beloved original. While the game made waves at E3 in 2017 with a cinematic trailer, concrete gameplay details and updates have remained elusive.

Ubisoft’s latest move with Mesmar could be the spark the project needs to regain momentum and meet fans’ high expectations for a game nearly two decades in the making.