A fresh wave of rumors has surfaced in the racing game world, suggesting that Ubisoft may be working on a new entry in The Crew series. While nothing has been officially confirmed, multiple sources close to the studio report that a new installment possibly titled The Crew 4 is in early development.
Interestingly, it’s said that this new project will move away from The Crew Motorfest’s festival-style gameplay and instead return to the formula that defined the original The Crew. For long-time fans of the series, this could be a very welcome shift.
Released in 2014, the original The Crew stood out by offering a massive open-world recreation of the United States. Players could drive coast-to-coast, taking part in street races, story-driven missions, and free-roam exploration.
In 2018, The Crew 2 expanded the experience by adding boats, planes, and more arcade-style gameplay. While it was praised for variety, some players felt it lost the grounded feel of the first game.
Then came The Crew Motorfest in 2023, clearly inspired by Forza Horizon, shifting the focus to festival-based racing on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaii. Although stylish and fun, many long-time fans felt the game had strayed too far from the series' original identity.
According to reports, Ubisoft’s next project under The Crew franchise is aiming to bring back what made the first game unique:
A continent-spanning map with long-distance driving
More grounded, realistic driving physics compared to Motorfest’s arcade style
A potential return to urban street racing and cross-country missions
An emphasis on freedom, exploration, and journey-based progression
The rumored game is said to be in early development, and most likely being handled by Ubisoft Ivory Tower, the studio behind all three previous entries in the series.
According to the same sources, The Crew 4 is unlikely to release before the late 2020s. That means players may have to wait until at least 2027 or later to get their hands on the next installment.
There are several possible reasons for this long timeline:
Ubisoft already has multiple large-scale projects in development (like Assassin’s Creed Red and Star Wars Outlaws)
Motorfest is still relatively fresh and continues to receive updates and live content
If the new title involves building an even larger and more detailed map, it could require years of production
While Motorfest was well-received by fans of arcade racing, many veterans of The Crew series missed the cross-country freedom and immersive open-world feeling of the first game. That "road trip across America" vibe was what set the original apart.
If Ubisoft manages to bring back this experience using modern technology, improved visuals, and deeper mechanics, The Crew 4 could satisfy both nostalgic fans and newcomers alike.
If The Crew 4 is truly in development, the fanbase has high hopes. Here are some of the most common community requests:
A full USA (or global) map with seamless transitions
Dynamic weather and traffic systems
Deeper car customization
Optional simulation-style driving modes
Co-op or multiplayer story campaign
With the racing genre more competitive than ever, Ubisoft has a real opportunity to deliver something fresh by learning from past feedback.
While Ubisoft hasn’t made an official announcement yet, the rumors around The Crew 4 are gaining momentum. If the studio truly intends to return to the series’ original identity long road trips, realistic cars, vast maps it may finally recapture the magic that made the first game so beloved.
That said, it looks like we’re in for a long wait. Until then, players can enjoy Motorfest and speculate on what the next era of The Crew might bring.