If you read our last article, then you know that Ubisoft's next big game--Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag--will replace Assassin's Creed III's protagonist Connor Kenway with his grandfather, Captain Edward Kenway, and supposedly won't feature AC's ongoing current day protagonist Desmond at all.

Some more details were unearthed through Siliconera today, including the following information:

• EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITIES

Discover the largest and most diverse Assassin’s Creed world ever created. From Kingston to Nassau, explore 50 unique locations where you can live the life of a pirate including:

  • Loot underwater shipwrecks
  • Assassinate Templars in blossoming cities
  • Hunt for rare animals in untamed jungles
  • Search for treasure in lost ruins
  • Escape to hidden coves

• BECOME THE MOST FEARED PIRATE IN THE CARIBBEAN

Command your ship, the Jackdaw, and strike fear in all who see her. Plunder and pillage to upgrade the Jackdaw with ammunition and equipment needed to fight off enemy ships. The ship`s improvements are critical to Edward’s progression through the game. Attack and seamlessly board massive galleons, recruit sailors to join your crew and embark on an epic and infamous adventure.

Through an interview with GameInformer, the Assassin's Creed IV team revealed that the game will be opened up quickly and encourage sandbox gameplay, especially naval battles, exploring, and more. In another interview they revealed that they felt that pirates were a perfect theme for this game (which has been in development since 2011) because the types of things gamers are encouraged to do during the game--taking on other ships, exploring lands, looking for booty--is exactly what pirates are known for, so players will always be in character.

The game is set to release Oct 29th for the PS4, PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, and possibly the Xbox 720.