In a press release detailing its third-quarter 2008-09 financial results and 2009-10 outlook, publisher Ubisoft confirmed the development of Assassin’s Creed 2. The title will be released during the company’s next fiscal year, which begins on April 1 and runs through March 31, 2010. Platform specifics were not divulged.
Also slated for a release during Ubi's 2009-10 fiscal year is I Am Alive, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Red Steel 2, a new yet-to-be-announced Ghost Recon title, and four license titles based on the universe of James Cameron's Avatar. Additionally, three brands are slated to be introduced and Ubisoft says a continued focus will be placed on expanding their casual label.
Ubisoft is forecasting a rise in R&D costs based on the current lineup, but is a expecting an overall increase in gross profit margins due to a wider portfolio of high-profile titles.