There's been at least one new entry in the Assassin's Creed series every year since 2009 (or 2007, if you want to count some of the portables most would rather forget), but 2016 might finally be the year we get a break.
Take this with as many grains of salt as you see fit, but a rumor originating on 4chan suggests the next Assassin's Creed game will be set in Egypt, and it won't be released until 2017. Why? According to the supposed insider who leaked the news, "It will be a complete revamp of the series. The game is going for a Witcher feel, with player progression, freeform combat system. Horse is back, and boats too. It's made by the Black Flag team." It will supposedly take place before the Assassins and Templars existed, serving as a prequel to all other Assassin's Creed games.
Meanwhile, Kotaku claims to have heard the same from as many as three other sources last year. We'll have to wait for E3 to see if it turns out to be true. Let's not forget there's an Assassin's Creed movie coming out this year, so it's either very strategic or very strange to not have a game come out this year.
Ubisoft, for their part, has issued this blanket statement on the rumor:
We can’t comment on rumor or speculation. We’re always happy when players are excited about our games, past, present and future. In the meantime, we hope that the latest images from the Assassin’s Creed movie set will keep fans of the franchise happy and eager to find out more!
Very informative, Ubisoft.