The initial plan was for an open-world with progression tied to an actual in-game economy. Then they made most of the progression systems optional (a good thing), but now that’s gone and there’s no details on what the point of the open-world will be if there’s no profession. We also have no real indication of whether or not this open world will even actually happen.

I’m pretty disappointed to hear that. IMO the career mode was the reason EVO seemed like an interesting title. Without it, I struggle to see why someone who prefers solo/offline play would buy it over the original AC.