Assassin's Creed Hexe Leaks Reveal a Dark Story of Witch Hunts and Family Secrets

Ubisoft first announced Assassin's Creed Hexe months ago, and fans still haven't had a proper look at the game. But documents that leaked in October have apparently revealed some interesting details about the characters, setting, and story. These leaks suggest Hexe could take the franchise in a new direction, shifting from a young woman involved in witch hunts to an older healer accused of witchcraft.

Keep in mind, Ubisoft hasn't officially confirmed these details. Some documents are also dated 2023, meaning some characters and gameplay mechanics may have changed during development. Still, it's an interesting glimpse of what the studio might be planning.

The newly released documents refer to the protagonist as Petra. She's said to be in her mid-20s, close to her family, and unwilling to play the role society expects of her. She was previously leaked as Anika Adler, but there's no indication these are two separate protagonists. They could simply be temporary names used during development.

What's interesting about Petra is the period she lives in. With witch hunts forming a major part of the setting, refusing to follow society's expectations could put her in danger. You wouldn't necessarily need to practice magic to become a suspect. Even acting differently or questioning accepted views could attract attention. If Ubisoft handles these themes well, Petra's fight may feel more personal than the standard Assassins vs. Templars conflict.

Her family could play an important role in that story. The documents identify Brigitte, believed to be Petra's mother, as a woman in her early forties who works as a midwife and enjoys helping others. Her father, Konrad, is described as deeply religious and authoritarian. Rumors also suggest he works as an executioner in Neustadt.

That contrast could create an interesting family conflict. Brigitte helps people and brings new life into the world; Konrad punishes. If Petra is accused of witchcraft, her father's beliefs may be tested in their relationship. He could be protecting his daughter, or he could be loyal to the system he believes in. Ubisoft has not revealed how this relationship will develop, but it could lend more emotional depth to the story.

Another remarkable character is Mother Gertrud, a woman about sixty-five years old who was once a village healer. According to the descriptions, villagers turned to her when someone fell ill. But when a sickness swept through town and she couldn't heal everyone, those same people began calling her a witch.

Gertrud was never officially convicted, but the accusations forced her to leave the village so she could survive. Her story reflects the fear and suspicion that can pervade Hexe's world. Rather than presenting witchcraft as something supernatural, the game could explore how ordinary people turn against someone when they can't explain a tragedy or find someone to blame.

Gertrud also reportedly knows Petra's family. She once taught Brigitte about medicinal herbs, although Brigitte abandoned that work after getting married. Now Gertrud is supposed to be providing Petra with a hiding place. Her relationship with the family could make her more than a side quest dispenser. She might know things about Brigitte's past that Petra hasn't found out; her experiences might help the protagonist understand the dangers around her.

Another important part of the leaks is the organization hunting Petra. The papers mention a group called the Order of the Lamb that Gertrud supposedly helped Petra escape. That sounds harmless enough, but it may be much darker. Given the franchise's history, comparisons to the Templars are inevitable, but there's no evidence the organization is connected to them.

Even more interesting is the possibility that the Order is using the witchcraft accusations to control the population. In a society where suspicion can ruin a person's life, a powerful group might use people's fears to remove anyone who challenges its authority. That approach would suit the setting and make the conflict more personal.

Several supporting characters could add to these social dynamics. Bruno is described as a hard man in charge. Anton seems respectable but is said to be up to no good. Johanna is wealthy and manipulative, Erika is deeply concerned with her social status, and Theo is portrayed as timid. The characters come from different levels of society, but their roles are unclear, suggesting the story may be about more than warriors and political leaders.

Wolfgang, meanwhile, is absent from the newer documents. Earlier rumors described him as a strict mentor who taught Anika how to become an Assassin. His absence could mean that he's been replaced, renamed, or that another character has taken over his role. Some documents are several years old, so it's hard to know which details still apply.

The setting could be as important as the characters. Augsburg is named as a city that Petra should not go to, but it's unclear why. The people hunting her could be waiting there, or the city might be connected to the Order. Earlier leaks also mentioned Würzburg, adding another possible location.

These references don't necessarily mean Hexe will feature an enormous open world. Narrow streets, secluded forest paths, and villages where everyone knows each other's business could serve its themes better than a massive map. In a place where rumors spread quickly, even a small mistake could have consequences long after Petra leaves.

The witchcraft theme could also influence how you approach stealth. Earlier reports suggested that Hexe might feature magic-like abilities, but April rumors indicated that Ubisoft scaled back some of those ideas. A mechanic involving a cat accompanying Petra may have been removed, with greater emphasis reportedly placed on chemistry-based tools.

One example mentioned in the reports is a smoke bomb. Petra could use it to disappear, but villagers who see the effect might believe they've seen real magic. It's an interesting way to connect traditional Assassin's Creed stealth with the game's central themes. Instead of introducing supernatural powers, Ubisoft could make ordinary tools appear extraordinary to people who don't understand them.

Previous leaks also mentioned NPCs who could report suspicious behavior, alongside an ability to jump from tree to tree. If rumors spread between locations and people start recognizing Petra, certain areas could become harder to navigate. You might have to abandon busy streets and use forest routes to avoid attention.

None of these mechanics have been demonstrated, so there's no guarantee they'll appear in the finished game. However, integrating fear and suspicion into the gameplay could help Hexe establish its own identity. A darker setting alone won't change the experience; the world needs to respond to your actions in meaningful ways.

Rumors also connect Petra to familiar characters. Previous reports suggested that Anika could be a descendant of Claudia Auditore, Ezio's sister, and that Ezio might somehow guide her through memories or Isu technology. The newer information has brought that theory back into discussion, but there's no confirmation that Ezio will appear.

A connection to earlier games could work if it serves Petra's story rather than relying on nostalgia. As a protagonist, she needs to stand on her own two feet, regardless of any family history that connects her to familiar characters.

Another name that appears in the documents is Anna, who is described differently than the historical characters. She is reportedly an impatient, ambitious woman in a competitive professional environment. Some speculate that she might be part of the modern-day story, possibly connected to Abstergo or the Animus. If she is real, she could be the link between history's events and today. She is still an unknown person.

Ubisoft's development situation has raised its own questions. In March, the company confirmed it was developing Hexe in Montreal as a darker, more story-driven Assassin's Creed experience. However, creative director Clint Hocking reportedly left the project and was replaced by Jean Guesdon, known for Black Flag and Origins. Game director Benoit Richer also departed, and reports suggest around 50 developers may have been reassigned to another team.

These changes don't automatically mean the game is in trouble. New leadership can improve a project's direction, although restructuring can also cost valuable development time. Without gameplay or a major official presentation, it's hard to tell how these departures have affected Hexe.

Ubisoft still hasn't announced a release date. Insider predictions point towards the second half of 2027, but that remains unconfirmed, and no verified gameplay footage has shown how these reported ideas fit together.

For now, Assassin's Creed Hexe appears to be a more personal, story-focused entry built around persecution, family conflict, and fear. The leaked details remain unverified, but they suggest a setting where suspicion could be just as dangerous as a hidden blade. Whether Ubisoft can translate these ideas into meaningful gameplay remains the biggest unknown as development continues.