Patrice Désilets, the visionary behind the Assassin's Creed franchise and the recently released 1666: Amsterdam, has declared his intention to develop a sequel to the 2019 open-world survival game Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey. Désilets confirmed that the original game was conceived as "volume one" of a larger narrative, with plans for multiple subsequent installments.
Désilets revealed that he retains ownership of the Ancestors intellectual property, though he described the situation as "complex." This ownership grants him the creative freedom to pursue a sequel. "I will. I will. And people can believe me because I'm ready to wait 16 fucking years to finish what I started," he stated, referencing his long commitment to the development of 1666: Amsterdam.
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey offered players a unique journey through human evolution, spanning millions of years. The game tasked players with surviving and guiding their primate ancestors as they evolved into early humans. While praised for its ambitious concept, its execution drew mixed reactions. Eurogamer's review described the game as "ambitious and clunky and not much fun, and it's often quietly thought-provoking too." Despite these criticisms, the title achieved significant commercial success, selling 2 million copies as of April 2024.
However, Désilets' immediate focus remains on the ongoing development of 1666: Amsterdam. This title, also an imaginative project with an uneven execution according to early access reviews, is currently in an early access phase. Désilets indicated that "less than half" of his intended content for 1666: Amsterdam has been implemented, with an estimated year-long early access period, though precise timelines remain uncertain.
"The toughest part is done. Now it's all about production and making," Désilets said of 1666: Amsterdam's current stage. He emphasized that a clear plan is in place for the game's continued development, including community feedback, aiming for a 1.0 release. Despite these assurances, 1666: Amsterdam has garnered a "mixed" reception on Steam, with only 720 reviews. The eventual realization of an Ancestors sequel will likely depend on the successful completion and reception of 1666: Amsterdam.