London, 18 June 2026: History Hit, the podcast, SVOD and content platform network founded by Dan Snow, has partnered with Ubisoft to launch Sail Like a Pirate, a new YouTube-first documentary that brings the world of piracy to life ahead of the highly anticipated release of Assassin’s Creed™ Black Flag Resynced.
Premiering on the official Assassin’s Creed YouTube channel on 18 June 2026, the documentary follows historian and broadcaster Dan Snow and double Olympic sailing champion Ruggero Tita as they embark on an immersive voyage aboard a traditional tall ship in the English Channel. Together, they experience first-hand the gruelling teamwork, intense discipline and ever-present danger that defined life at sea during the Golden Age of Piracy, the iconic setting that inspired one of gaming’s most beloved adventures.
Originally released in 2013, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remains one of the most celebrated entries in Ubisoft’s multi-million-selling franchise. Thirteen years later, the arrival of Assassin’s Creed™ Black Flag Resynced reflects the enduring fascination with the age of sail and high-seas adventure among audiences worldwide.
Filmed aboard the Royal Navy Cadet vessel TS Royalist in September 2025, Sail Like a Pirate combines immersive storytelling, historical expertise and hands-on maritime challenges to reveal what life was really like aboard a ship during piracy’s golden era.
While modern audiences are often drawn to the romance and mythology of pirates, Sail Like a Pirate reveals the reality behind the legend. Through the challenge of learning to sail a real traditional tall ship, Dan Snow and double Olympic champion Ruggero Tita experience first-hand the teamwork, discipline and resilience required to both survive and thrive at sea as successful pirates. Through Tita’s perspective as one of the world’s most accomplished sailors, the documentary highlights how many of the core demands of seafaring, from leadership and collaboration to managing risk under pressure, remain remarkably unchanged centuries later.
The project forms part of the wider multi-year co-production partnership between History Hit and Ubisoft, which seeks to connect contemporary audiences with the real history behind some of the world’s most popular historical games.
Dan Snow, Founder and Creative Director of History Hit, said: “I’ve been fascinated by the age of sail for as long as I can remember, both as a historian and as someone who loves being out on the water. What made Assassin’s Creed Black Flag so special was that sailing wasn’t simply a backdrop to the story, it was at the heart of the experience. Millions of players fell in love with the game because it captured the freedom, danger and adventure of life at sea in a way few others have managed. Filming Sail Like a Pirate gave us the chance to explore the reality behind that fantasy, stepping aboard a traditional sailing vessel to experience first-hand the teamwork, discipline and courage that life on the ocean demanded. It’s a brilliant example of how popular culture can inspire people to discover the real history that lies beneath it.”
The documentary also highlights History Hit’s commitment to bringing history to new audiences through innovative partnerships and digital-first storytelling. By exploring the historical realities that inspire some of the world’s biggest entertainment franchises, History Hit continues to position itself as the definitive destination for history fans everywhere.
Sail Like a Pirate marks the latest chapter in the ongoing partnership between History Hit and Ubisoft, which has seen the two brands collaborate across podcast, video and original content since 2024. Building on the success of the Echoes of History podcast, the relationship reflects a shared belief that history and entertainment are at their most powerful when they work together. By combining Ubisoft’s globally recognised Assassin’s Creed franchise with History Hit’s expertise in accessible, authoritative storytelling, the partnership continues to bring the real stories behind history’s most iconic eras to audiences worldwide.
