Hitman is a phenomenal GaaS title. And that's because Hitman lends itself exceptionally well to the episodic structure. Every level in Hitman is its own sandbox. For IO, it made sense to get a lot more out of this sandbox by adding new content to every level. It works so well in Hitman because the gameplay systems is on point in Hitman. Hitmans big problem was the problems it had out of the gate which scared a lot of people away. The game is ridiculously good. It's almost absurd how good it is, contra how few are playing it.
I believe Asssassins Creed could use a similar structure. AC itself is a trojan horse excuse to have one IP where the game makers can go to all these eras, but still have a financial security through a renowned IP. The games are similar, used in different versions of the same engine, and there are a lot of core mechanics that are the same across the game. I think AC should be one cohesive universe, where the Templars and Assassins (or whatever pre-factions that proceed them) are fighting, recruiting people, sending them on missions, trading (Black Flag) and where you're able to upgrade your characters gear, looks, skills across the game. Many AC games have unique feature sets and gameplay systems you could expand to the others and bring them up to the latest best practices in Origins.
AC1/2/3 are really really simple now. If you go back and play it.. It could really benefit from the visual upgrades, gameplay and quests upgrades and more. Go back and make the real-life story less intrusive like in the newer game, make some branching storylines. Kiwami the shit out of those old games, add the refined combat, RPG and story elements from Origins- re-release everything as a digital hub, where you can seamless jump from time period to time period and play all the games at once. Unlock things in earlier games, and get things in the later one. Have those shared gameplay systems like the assassin brotherhood across the games. So it's like one big meta-game. And then add a second campaign/story to all the games where you play the game from an opposite templar/assassin perspective. What would it be like to be a templar in AC1 who is trying to do good in the holy lands and stop assassins who sought to destabilize the region and kill the people who tried to make peace? There is a lot of possible intrigue to explore in the earlier games.
I think they need to go all in on AC as GaaS. Learn from Hitman and Yakuza. Origins (and Odysee) it looks like are major steps forward- Cannot go back and play the old games. I'm totally fine with AC taking that Witcher 3 inspiration. Embrace it- Go further with it. I'd love to see Syndicate/Unity/Black Flag be remastered in similar fashion.
