Project Maverick Must Avoid the Missteps of Rainbow Six

It’s been quite some time since Ubisoft treated us to a new entry in the Far Cry series. For the better part of a decade, fans got used to regular releases from this FPS franchise, not unlike Ubisoft’s rhythm with its other flagship series like Assassin’s Creed or Tom Clancy’s. But since we saw Far Cry 6 launch in 2021, there’s been radio silence about where Far Cry might be headed next. No official word on new mainline games or even spin-offs. Instead, the only tidbits we have come from insiders like Tom Henderson.

Recently, Henderson spilled the beans that Ubisoft is reportedly working on two new Far Cry titles. One is said to be a standalone single-player game currently known by the codename Project Blackbird, while the other is a multiplayer extraction shooter tentatively titled Project Maverick. Far Cry, known for its open-world mayhem, hasn’t dabbled in the extraction shooter genre before, making Project Maverick quite the bold move if it’s indeed on the horizon. Remember how Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction turned out? Ubisoft will need to tread carefully to avoid similar missteps.

From what has made its way to the public so far, Project Maverick sounds reminiscent of Rainbow Six Extraction, another Ubisoft title. Launched in 2022 for all major platforms except Nintendo, Rainbow Six Extraction was a spin-off from the hit 2015 shooter Rainbow Six Siege. The setup? Players band together in teams of up to three to tackle alien-infested zones, focusing on gathering intel and completing extractions. Stealth is surprisingly a big deal, much like in Rainbow Six Extraction’s gameplay loop.

If you think Extraction’s concept rings a bell, that’s because it closely mirrors a limited-time game mode from Rainbow Six Siege called Outbreak. In fact, the similarities are stark, with overlapping operators, features, and skills from the original 2015 game. While sharing a universe might justify some overlap, the lack of fresh content in Extraction became a glaring issue, affecting its replay value and its ability to carve its own identity.

Initially, Rainbow Six Extraction drew in a massive player base, crossing the 3-million mark soon after release. Yet, excitement waned quickly, with player numbers dwindling to alarming lows. Ubisoft pulled the plug on support in under a year. Many attribute this to the sparse and monotonous content that the game offered.

So, if Project Maverick is indeed on Ubisoft’s drawing board, the company must prioritize a content-rich launch, setting it apart from the likes of Rainbow Six Extraction. It’s crucial for Project Maverick to distinguish itself from the single-player Project Blackbird as well, even if they share some assets. There’s potential for a Far Cry extraction shooter to falter, but there’s also an opportunity here for Ubisoft to surprise everyone with a fresh, engaging experience. Let’s hope they deliver big time!