Summary
Following a period of relative silence about the franchise’s future following the mixed reception to 2021’sFar Cry 6, it’s been announced that Drew Holmes, the series’ former narrative lead, is stepping into the role of IP Director forFar Cryat 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 ofthe nextFar Crygame.
Bursting onto the first-person shooter scene in March 2004 with the launch ofthe originalFar 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 theFar Cryfranchise.
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As first reported by VGC, veteran series writer Drew Holmes accepted a new position at Ubisoft as the IP Director for theFar Cryfranchise. 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 theFar Cryfranchise. Prior to stepping into the new role, Holmes had previously worked as the story lead onFar Cry: New Dawnand thefan-favoriteFar Cry 5.
News of Holmes’ new position comes just days afterUbisoft Toronto hinted at a newFar Crygamewhen it made a recruitment post on Twitter seeking applicants for multiple high-level positions on theFar Cryteam. Holmes brings a wealth of narrative experience to his role as IP Director beyond just his work on theFar Cryfranchise, having also served as the lead writer for Irrational Games’ critically acclaimedBioShock Infinitebefore 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’sFar Cry 6.
While it will take more than some corporate reshuffling to return theFar Cryfranchise 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 theFar CryIP could be a very good thing for the franchise.
