In May 2026, I interviewed Paul Fu, creative director of ‘Black Flag Resynced,’ at Ubisoft Singapore. As the developer who led the initial announcement of the original ‘Resynced,’ Fu is considered a key figure for this project, and our interview focused primarily on the narrative shifts in ‘Black Flag.’
The event was held for gaming media and creators from Korea and Japan, featuring a limited build demo and interviews with key developers.
The announcement trailer suggests a reduced focus on the modern-day segments. With recent entries in the series also scaling these back, what is the direction for the modern-day portions in ‘Resynced’.
“It’s more accurate to say the direction has shifted rather than the scope being reduced. This title focuses on naturally continuing the modern-day story established in ‘Shadows.’ However, we aren’t just focusing on elements like industrial espionage. We’ve added new scenes for fans who enjoyed the original modern-day segments, including entirely new sequences involving Olivier Garneau. It was a story many fans found significant in the original, and we felt it couldn’t be overlooked.
Since this is a remake with significant system changes, I’m curious about shifts in the narrative or world-building. Edward Kenway’s story is linked to Connor Kenway’s—are there any notable changes there.
“I never wanted to change the original story itself. The first thing we did when starting the project was play through the original from start to finish to determine what to change and what to keep. We conducted extensive analysis and review, and the conclusion was that we must remain faithful to the original story. That said, we did expand upon the existing narrative. We added new dialogue, scenes, and cinematics to almost every mission, and further fleshed out character relationships.
Edward Kenway is portrayed as a very human and desire-driven character within the series. Have there been changes to character expression or direction in this remake.
“From the early stages, we worked closely with the narrative team to explore how to expand Edward’s emotional arc. The key was adding new scenes without compromising the original. In fact, the original writer, Darby, participated in the development process and personally wrote two new scenes. We added scenes dealing with his relationship with his family in London, which we believe is a crucial pillar of Edward’s emotional journey.
The original captured a sense of free, romantic pirate adventure alongside themes of downfall, betrayal, and loss. Looking back, what core themes did the development team prioritize.
“The most important themes for this project were greed and friendship. Edward left his family in London for the Caribbean in pursuit of gold, but in the process, he lost many friends and comrades. Looking back at the original, I felt the core of ‘Black Flag’ was that sense of loss and the evolution of relationships. We structured the new scenes and chapters to connect with those emotional threads.
You mentioned that original chapters are being added for ‘Resynced.’ Without revealing specific details, are these an extension of the main story or side content.
“They are a direct extension of the main narrative. The length and production quality are on par with existing chapters. The new chapter is titled ‘A World Without Gold,’ and it centers on Edward’s associates and Robert Maynard. Fans of the original will likely grasp the significance just from the title. It’s not just a simple side mission; it’s a chapter produced as official canon.
Is the original content in ‘Resynced’ just fan service, or does it hold significance for expanding the lore.
“I believe it holds significance beyond simple fan service. The new officer characters and figures like Robert Maynard are all integrated into Edward’s official canon. Characters like Milo, who were only mentioned by name in the original, now appear in person with full modeling and events. These elements are official expansions that connect with the original lore.
One of the elements that defined the original’s atmosphere was the sea shanties and the sailing experience. How have you reinterpreted this for a modern audience.
“We knew sea shanties were vital to the fans. We re-recorded some tracks and produced new ones. Some include lyrics and lore directly connected to the new content. Working with our audio director, we approached this by maintaining the original vibe while tying the music more closely to the characters and narrative.
With major changes to the game systems, I imagine the world structure and quest progression were also adjusted. Could you share a representative example.
“The basic structure hasn’t changed much. The story still progresses through 13 sequences, and content like assassination contracts and Templar hunts remains. We didn’t want to turn this into an RPG. Instead, we added new mission structures that can be completed naturally within the open world. A prime example is the officer-related side quests, some of which connect directly to the new chapters.
Are there any new end-game elements included in the game?
“We have introduced new collectibles and world events that unlock fresh stories and cinematics, rather than just being simple pickups. These additions provide players with more depth and engagement in the end-game content. Moreover, the ‘A World Without Gold’ chapter offers a higher level of difficulty compared to the main storyline, enhancing the challenge for players seeking more intense gameplay experiences.
How has the total playtime been impacted by the new content?
“Previously, the game offered a playtime of approximately 20-40 hours. With the addition of about 6 hours of new content, players can expect a total playtime ranging from 26 to 46 hours. This increase in content provides a more immersive and extended gaming experience for players to enjoy.
How have relationships with key characters like Adéwalé been enhanced in the game?
“While ‘Freedom Cry’ content is not included in the game, we have introduced new scenes and interactions with Adéwalé to strengthen the bond with players. Through new mission stages and dialogue events, players will experience a deeper connection with Adéwalé as they navigate through the game together. These additions aim to enrich the storytelling and character development within the game.
What changes have been made to the world composition in terms of the map structure?
“While the world size remains the same as the original, we have increased the density by adding new islands and handcrafted areas. Additionally, some major cities have been expanded, and DLC areas from the original game have been integrated into the Caribbean world. These changes enhance the exploration and immersion for players within the game world.
Were there any development ideas that couldn’t be implemented in the game?
“Throughout the development process, there were numerous ideas for additional storylines, systems, and combat elements that we considered. However, after three years of development, we realized the importance of polish and refinement in maintaining the scope of the project. While ambitious ideas were present, prioritizing a well-rounded and focused experience for players was paramount.
Do you have any messages for your Korean fans?
“Having a special connection to Korea, I fondly remember the warmth and support of Korean fans and industry professionals during my visit to Seoul in 2013. The reception was truly memorable. As ‘Resynced’ comes to fruition, I hope that the game resonates with our Korean fans and provides them with an enjoyable and immersive gaming experience.
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