Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced reached 99,451 concurrent players on Steam within just a few hours of its global release on July 9, 2026. This figure marks the highest peak concurrent player count for the series on Steam to date.

Record-Breaking Numbers

This milestone surpasses the previous record set by Shadows by over 34,000 players and exceeds the original 2013 Black Flag's peak by more than six times. While some major titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla arrived on Steam years after launch, making direct comparisons tricky, no other game in the series has come close to Black Flag Resynced's day-one numbers.

Why So Successful?

This remake of Ubisoft's 2013 classic has been rebuilt from the ground up, earning praise for its updated combat system, enhanced naval battles, and reworked stealth mechanics. Matt Ryan, the original voice of Edward Kenway, returned to record new scenes. The game also completely removed the present-day Animus segments, which many players previously found off-putting. IGN rated the game 9 out of 10, highlighting how it brings one of the series' best entries up to modern standards.

Mixed Steam Reviews

Despite high player numbers, Steam reviews are mixed, with positive ratings ranging from 45 to 67 percent depending on the source. The main criticisms target the controversial Denuvo DRM, as well as $85-90 worth of additional mostly cosmetic ship and character outfits, even for Deluxe Edition buyers. Ubisoft has also confirmed a known issue where cutscenes are locked at 30 FPS on certain graphics settings, offering a temporary fix and promising a permanent solution soon. Some players have also reported a bug that can roll back save files by several hours.

An Ironic Backdrop

This record-breaking launch coincided with news that many developers behind Black Flag Resynced were laid off amid Ubisoft's ongoing restructuring. While the game's commercial success is considered a breath of fresh air for the publisher after a challenging period, the achievement is bittersweet as part of the original team is no longer with the company.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the record number final?

Not yet. Since the game launched Thursday morning US time, the player count is expected to rise further over the weekend.

Why are Steam reviews so mixed?

Main reasons include Denuvo DRM, pricey cosmetic DLCs, and the 30 FPS cutscene issue on certain graphics settings.

Does the game work on Steam Deck?

Yes, the game is Steam Deck Verified and runs by default on Steam Machines.