Darby McDevitt Explains How Black Flag Resynced Re-Anchors Edward's Story Without Modern-Day Framing
The announcement that the upcoming remake is built with zero code from the 2013 original has already sparked intense discussion. However, the most significant shift in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced lies not in its updated Anvil engine, but in its narrative structure. In a recent developer interview, lead writer Darby McDevitt confirmed that the remake completely removes the modern-day Abstergo Entertainment sequences, redirecting the story’s focus entirely to the Golden Age of Piracy.
This structural overhaul changes how the pacing of Edward Kenway’s journey is managed. To compensate for the lack of modern-day interruptions, the narrative team has reorganized and expanded the emotional core of the historical campaign.
Expanding Caroline Scott’s Role
In the original game, Edward’s wife, Caroline Scott, served as his primary motivation for leaving Wales to seek fortune in the West Indies. However, her presence was limited to roughly five short flashback scenes scattered across the lengthy campaign.
To ensure her influence is felt more consistently, McDevitt revealed that he wrote three entirely new scenes featuring Caroline for the remake. Furthermore, the team has repositioned the sequence of the original flashbacks. The memorable “chocolate scene,” for example, has been moved much earlier in the narrative. Spacing these moments differently ensures that players remain connected to Edward’s personal ties at home as he descends further into the pirate lifestyle.
Rewriting the Climax with Bartholomew Roberts
In the 2013 version, the historical pirate plot and the modern-day framing were heavily intertwined through the character of Bartholomew Roberts, also known as Black Bart Roberts. As a Sage—a reincarnation of the First Civilization figure Aita—Roberts served as a vital link to the modern-day Abstergo investigation.
With the modern-day elements completely excised, the climax of Roberts’ arc required a substantial rework. McDevitt explained that the final exchange with Roberts has been reformatted to reintroduce Caroline’s presence. Rather than focusing on lore connecting to the modern day, the interaction now emphasizes Edward’s personal journey, bringing his motivations full circle as the campaign draws to a close.
A Tighter Focus on the Golden Age
These narrative adjustments align with other updates targeting a more immersive historical experience. From deeper characterizations of famous figures like Blackbeard, detailed in the recent developer deep dive, to mechanical changes like reworked stealth mechanics, the remake aims to tell a more cohesive story.
For players who found the Abstergo office hacking sequences disruptive to the pirate fantasy, these narrative changes present a streamlined alternative that keeps the spotlight on the deck of the Jackdaw.
Sources
← Back to News