New Game from Assassin’s Creed Creators Entering Early Access in Two Weeks

Patrice Désilets, the creative mind behind the original Assassin’s Creed and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, is set to bring his latest project, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, to early access on the Epic Games Store on August 27, 2019. This launch marks a significant milestone for Panache Digital Games, the independent studio founded by Désilets in Montreal, as it invites players to experience a survival evolution game that spans millions of years of human history.

The game, which was first announced in 2015, challenges players to navigate the African landscape of the Neogene period, beginning roughly 10 million years ago. According to the official studio communications, the core gameplay loop focuses on clan management, exploration, and the complex process of biological and cultural evolution. Players must guide their lineage through hostile environments, managing needs such as hunger, thirst, and sleep, while discovering tools and expanding their territory.

For those tracking the development of this title, the transition to early access allows the development team at Panache Digital Games to gather community feedback while the game remains in active production. This strategy is common for survival-focused titles, enabling developers to refine mechanics related to the game’s unique “evolution” system, where player choices influence the development of their species over generations. The studio has confirmed that the PC release will be exclusive to the Epic Games Store for its initial launch period.

Evolutionary Mechanics and Gameplay Design

At the heart of the experience is the concept of passing down knowledge. As players explore the world, their clan members gain experience and learn new skills, which are then cemented into the genetic code of the species when the player triggers an evolutionary leap. This mechanic is intended to simulate the slow, often brutal, progression of human development. In various developer diaries, Désilets has emphasized that the game is not a traditional action-adventure title, but rather a “survival-evolution” simulation that prioritizes the player’s curiosity and ability to adapt to a changing world.

The environment itself acts as a primary antagonist. Players must learn to identify edible plants, avoid apex predators, and navigate complex terrain. The game utilizes a third-person perspective, allowing for a focus on traversal and environmental interaction. Because the game covers such a vast timeline, the character models and the world environment shift as the player progresses, reflecting the physical changes that occurred in early hominids over millions of years.

Industry Context and Independent Development

Patrice Désilets’ return to the spotlight with Ancestors is closely watched by the industry, given his history at Ubisoft Montreal. After departing the company in 2010 and navigating a high-profile legal dispute regarding his employment and intellectual property rights—which was eventually settled in 2013—Désilets established Panache Digital Games to pursue more experimental projects. The studio’s focus on Ancestors represents a departure from the AAA, narrative-driven structure of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, moving instead toward systemic, player-driven storytelling.

The choice of an early access model is particularly relevant for a project of this scope. By involving a dedicated player base early, Panache aims to balance the game’s difficulty—which has been noted in previews for being intentionally opaque—with the need for a rewarding player experience. The studio has indicated that they intend to use this period to observe how players interact with the game’s survival mechanics and to adjust the pacing of the evolutionary progression accordingly.

What to Expect at Launch

As of the August 2019 release window, players should expect a title that is still in development, meaning certain features may be subject to change or refinement. Prospective players can monitor the official Panache Digital Games website and their social media channels for updates regarding patches, roadmap milestones, and technical support. The studio has previously stated that the early access phase is essential for ensuring that the game’s complex systems, such as the neural network skill tree and the generational evolution mechanics, function as intended.

For those interested in the technical requirements or the specific gameplay features available on day one, the Epic Games Store page serves as the primary hub for official information. As the industry moves toward more transparent development cycles, the success of titles like Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey often hinges on the studio’s ability to maintain a consistent dialogue with the community while remaining true to the original creative vision.

The next major update for the game will follow the initial early access feedback cycle, with the development team expected to provide a roadmap for future content additions later this year. Readers are encouraged to share their experiences and questions in the comments section below as the community begins to explore the origins of the human story.