
Search
555 items found for ""
- The AC Experience: Being a Background Actor in the Assassin's Creed Movie | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
The AC Experience: Being a Background Actor in the Assassin's Creed Movie Events Share 4 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Preston Carbonaro Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks his genetic memories, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) experiences the adventures of his ancestor, Aguilar, in 15th Century Spain. Callum discovers he is descended from a mysterious secret society, the Assassins, and amasses incredible knowledge and skills to take on the oppressive and powerful Templar organization in the present day. My casting agent had called me one afternoon, in late July 2015, saying that extras were needed for an upcoming historical science-fiction movie. Would I be interested? Although I had no idea which one she was referring to at that time, I did have an inkling; rumours had already been spreading that scenes from the upcoming Assassin's Creed film were to be shot in Malta. So, of course, I jumped at the opportunity. Actor's note: At this early stage, very little information is given to extras, and they’re not informed of the film's actual title, so as not to give anything away in case they are not able to commit to the project. The following week I was called in for my costume fitting. By then the rumours had been confirmed, and when it came to putting on my costume, it struck me: I am actually a part of this! I am actually going to be in an Assassin’s Creed film! Actor's note: While the whole costume process can be tedious for some, it is actually very fascinating to witness first-hand. The colours, materials, textiles, different costumes and props. The amount of work that goes into making each costume (most of which are tailor-made) is nothing short of remarkable! Filming day arrived in early September, I recall. The scene being filmed that day was the one in which Aguilar and Maria are manacled to wooden posts, freeing themselves shortly afterwards and then engaging in an epic, fiery skirmish with the Spanish soldiers. Being on set truly felt like an escape from the real world. The 18th century Fort Manoel located in Gżira, Malta, was transformed into 15th century Seville. Hundreds of people were there. The attention to detail was phenomenal. The atmosphere was electric. And yes, I was there among the crowd, cheering on, as the two Assassins were about to meet their fate. Just like in the games, I felt as if I’d stepped into the Animus and been transported to an ancestor’s memory. I was physically and mentally there. Actor's note: Did you know? A typical working day for a background actor in a movie is around 13 hours long! Our task was fairly simple. Upon the director's call “ACTION!”, we were to start walking out from the middle of the wooden bleachers, while shouting, cheering, and jeering with fists raised high in the air, and slowly surround the middle platform. Upon which the main sequence took place. Clad in all that material, and with multiple takes being shot, on a scorching hot summer day in Malta, was rather gruelling. But despite this, it was one heck of an experience. After all, not everyone gets to say that they were in a movie based on their favourite video game franchise ever! How awesome is that?! Unfortunately, I didn't manage to exchange words with any of the main actors - Michael Fassbender and Ariane Labed - or with Fassbender’s stunt double, Damien Walters, who was also there. And of course, taking photos on set is prohibited. But I still consider myself privileged to have been in their presence, watching them work just a few metres away from where I stood. I am so thankful to have been given this opportunity! (And I’m hoping there will be more in the future.) A view of Fort Manoel from the sea Part of the piazza and chapel of Fort Manoel. The filming location. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Preston is a long-time Assassin's Creed fan of both the games and the soundtracks. He works as a primary school educator, and is also a part-time actor. He takes a keen interest in mythology, symbology, codes and puzzles. Some of his passions include writing, reading, art, gaming, football, and music. Preston Carbonaro
- Assassin's Creed Shadows World Premiere Cinematic Trailer Breakdown | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Assassin's Creed Shadows World Premiere Cinematic Trailer Breakdown Breakdown Share 17 May 2024 Written By: Edited By: UbiCypher (Joe) Colum Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to release our analysis of the recently released World Premiere Trailer for Assassin's Creed Shadows, highlighting some of the things you might have missed! Written by UbiCypher (@ Kenway_Joe ) from Isu_Network . From the Shadows The trailer begins with a target fleeing for his life through a forest. He knows that he is being pursued, but cannot see the identity of those hunting. We see the target remove a throwing star from his armour (Shuriken) . Next we get our first glance at Shinobi Warrior Naoe, who emerges from the shadows. She looks like she is wearing light armour, so should be able to move quickly in comparison to her counterpart, Yasuke. Iga: The land of Ninjas The Ubisoft logo appears over a cinematic representation of Iga, the land of Ninjas. Scattered across the countryside were remote villages training the next generation of Shinobi warriors. After coming into dispute with Military leader Oda Nobunaga over unification , Iga was attacked on two occasions, one of which occurred in 1579, the year in which the game takes place. It is said that the attacked came from three directions, giving the villagers little chance to respond. In Assassin's Creed Shadows, Naoe is the daughter of r eal-life shinobi Warrior Fujibayashi Nagato. Naoe's life is turned upside down when enemy forces bring the blade to her village, burning everything in their wake. Dual Protagonists The Fiery Shinobi and the Giant Samurai. It seems that the long rumored dual protagonism is due to make a comeback in this new iteration of the franchise. Missed by many and despised by others, it will most certainly blend well with the story Ubisoft seems eager to tell us in this game which revolves around unity. This concept is on the nose brought back from Assassin's Creed Unity, in this case being an alliance that will, by the looks of it, make you go to war against the ruthless opression spawned by Greed, Power and Vengeance all of them very familiar motives to this franchise. Naoe and Yasuke our protagonists are -according to the Game Director Charles Benoit- designed in a way that focus on their abilites is evident; Stealth for Naoe and Combat for Yasuke although "They can do a bit of both" confirming that you can even the gameplay between the two. Naoe Fujibayashi With a stealth & infiltration-oriented gameplay, you take on a quest of vengeance and honor that will show her cunning and skill in the Iga arts of the Ninja with a set of classic Japanese tools according to the trailer: Shuriken and a Kusarigama. Unexpectedly, she wields a dual-action Hidden Blade similar to the blade worn by Connor Kenway in Assassin's Creed III -which could make one wonder if the hunt mechanic is back- but I digress. Described as fiery she will probably leave her mark on the community. Yasuke the Samuari If you followed my thread on Yasuke a month ago and the countless videos out there that emerged ever since the first rumor leaked, then you should know who he is by now. If not, well, let's do a quick recap! Either from Ethiopia or South Africa, Yasuke was a slave or mercenary -depending on the sources- that was brought on board a ship with Alessandro Valignano a Jesuit that sought to extend the will of Catholicism across Japan in 1579. Due to his appearance and uncommon stature, he impressed the Shogun Oda Nobunaga who made him his vassal. With this in mind, we can understand his status as Samurai in this story and the possible motives behind his actions due to his turbulent past. He's evidently the action/combat oriented character with the ability to crush his enemies with ease, break doors and armor from tougher enemies and such, while the trailer did not show much of his weaponry we can but assume that he will carry what you would expect of a Samurai. Assassination Contracts or Theft missions Oldschool contracts might be back... At some point in the trailer, you can see Naoe passing on a piece of paper to Yasuke, if you translate the note it says "There is Tono Hakeda Catle" which can possibly be read as "It is at the Tono Hakeda Castle" possibly referring to a target or an object to steal. Since the Brotherhood has been established for 14 years by 1579 and many prominent members have been recruited into the Assassins as well, it would be safe to assume that a network of Assassins is already deeply rooted across the Islands, which would explain this informant here. Absence of Templars Nothing in my cross hairs for now... There is no trace of Templar activity in the trailer whatsoever, even though we know that the Tokugawa Clan and Nobunaga Clan have been fighting with Templar-backed clans in the past such as the Takeda Clan. I should add that according to the lore, the Templars were all but exterminated in Japan by 1615, having struggled against the Assassins during all their continued activity in the country ever since the Assassins arrived in between 1565 and 1571, maybe not entirely being present. Personal Commentary As far as I'm concerned, I found this trailer intense and different from other AC trailers, there is something I quite can't get a hold on but I like where this is going, at least according to the official Ubisoft website the game won't be RPG stating "Action/Adventure". Here are a number of other breakdowns of the trailer! Let us know your thoughts down below! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author UbiCypher (Joe) is an Assassin's Creed Transmedia expert who works as the Lead Admin for the Isu_Network social media team! He provides consistent social media content in the form of Assassin's Creed lore trivia, puzzles and news coverage, spending countless hours researching the series and real history. He has also been working on an AC events timeline to help fans of the franchise looking to learn more about the lore. UbiCypher (Joe)
- Assassin's Creed Fans Launch Isu - English Dictionary | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Assassin's Creed Fans Launch Isu - English Dictionary News Share 12 Feb 2021 Written By: Edited By: ActualSpider-Man Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Data compiled by Colum Blackett. Assassin's Creed fans have managed to crack the secret language of the highly advanced precursor race known as the Isu, and in the process, decode multiple hidden messages. A new Assassin's Creed Isu to English dictionary has been released thanks to a collaborative community effort to decode secret messages. Fans first noticed the strange symbols on the collector's edition of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, as well as in the game, and set about trying to decode them. The team over at Access the Animus managed to successfully crack the code, and in the process, discovered the legitimate way to unlock the Isu bow, which had been found in the game due to a clever save hack. The decoded messages led the team to an iron ore deposit on a small island surrounded by a lake in Northumbria, which could only be destroyed using the Excalibur sword at sunset! Following the discovery, the creator of the language, Antoine Henry (Associate director at Ubisoft Singapore) joined RockPaperShotgun for an interview detailing the creation process. ''The idea of creating a language for the Isu came about during a casual discussion with [narrative director] Darby McDevitt, where I was telling him about my passion for languages and creating them. When he mentioned creating one for the Isu, I thought it was just one of these crazy ideas you come up with in a discussion for the fun of it. Even though we were both excited, I didn't think he was serious at all. Months passed and I thought that would be the end of it. Then one day, out of nowhere, Darby contacted me to see how we could make it happen!" "The process of creating the Isu language was writing in reverse a history of how humans learned it from the Isu, and how it then evolved over time to become Proto-Indo-European. I started from old languages in that family (Latin, Ancient Greek, Sanskrit, etc.) and academic reconstructions of what Proto-Indo-European could have been like, and worked my way backwards from there." ''We completely intended for the community to decipher some of the language, but I would have never imagined that they would go as far as they did. They managed to break down words and rules that I didn't even think could be identified! I am amazed by their passion and dedication. As a creator when you see this, it really makes the effort worth it." It's fair to say that fans have impressed the Assassin's Creed Valhalla development team with their codebreaking skills, but the community has now gone one step further by compiling all of the translated words and phrases to form an Isu- English dictionary! This new community resource will no doubt be an indispensable tool for helping fans unlock even more secrets in future codebreaking efforts, and can be found here on Reddit thanks to the work of user IMHOZen1. '' Codex Transferendum is now a full-fledged Isu language guide, from writing, to translating, to now even speaking every single bit of Isu text we see in Valhalla!'' IMHOZen1 details in his post. With the help of Reddit user / bool0011 , the Isu vocalizations for each character were successfully decrypted. The 25 page document is available for free, and will no doubt be a central resource for all those wishing to learn the mysterious language of the Isu. We would like to extend our admiration to all the fans who helped in this incredible community effort. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Author of the all-encompassing timeline, Codex Temporis, and the Isu-to-English dictionary, Codex Transferendum, Your Friendly Neighborhood Mentor is here to help unweave the confusing web of AC! ActualSpider-Man
- Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag and Addiction: Remembering Dad | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag and Addiction: Remembering Dad In Memoriam Share 1 Sept 2022 Written By: Edited By: Finn Fletcher Ashlea Blackett Back To Database It's 2013, you're 13 years old and waiting for what would become one of your favourite games. You've always loved pirates, spent your childhood watching the Pirates of the Caribbean films so obsessively you nearly know them word for word. You could tell people the difference between a schooner and a brigg, and have visited the last remaining sailing ship of the era docked in London. It's 2013, you're 13 years old and you learn you'll never see your dad again. He introduced you to Pirates of the Caribbean when you were probably too young. He'd bought history books for you, and had plastic sword fights throughout the house with you when you were younger. He's gone now, and you don't know why. 9 years have passed and you still think of that strange autumn, the wild month around your birthday which went from excitement to depression. You remember being too young to really understand what's going on, what account documents you're being told about and the will you've been left with. In all honesty you don't care, what does stuff matter now, just leave me to play my games. 9 years have passed and you still replay Black Flag, no game has ever come close to completely absorbing you since. You remember swimming between islands just to see if you can, and finding a glitch to keep your hood up (because honestly who wants it down). The story progresses, and you realise that it's got more to teach you than you thought. Suicide , you've heard the word before but never really understood it. It was mentioned in bible class when you were younger, but like everything it just washed over your head, a word without any real meaning. Alcoholic is said now and again, you get the concept but now why people end up like that. "Just stop drinking," you'd think, "it's not that hard." Edward Kenway hits rock bottom, he's pushed away all his friends, his families halfway across the planet, hope has disappeared. He tumbles through the memory corridor, an area that's become symbolic for beginning your journey, and the success of defeating another target. Now, it's nothing but the falling ground for a man with nothing but a bottle. It's strange how art can affect you, what it teaches you without you ever expecting. No one went in to Black Flag for an emotional revelation about what it feels like to be hopeless, to give up and turn to bad habits to survive. The fun swashbuckling adventure has slowly peeled away to reveal the sad truths of the heroes of children's books and films, the reality of feeling without a place in a growing world. I struggled to understand my dad, he was distant and strange, without any explanation. He lived in a village in the middle of nowhere, he was part of a church whose rules he didn't follow, and seemed rudderless in everything he did. It's hard to express what being a child and seeing that feels like, trying to comprehend emotions you're too young or naive to experience feels like. That confusion can become resentment, misplaced anger or endless sadness. It's easy to repeat the cycle, act out without reason and continue the self destruction. If it weren't for an odd little game about Pirates and hooded Assassins. This month marks the 9th anniversary of that tumultuous year, and a lot definitely happens in your teen years. You go through your own heartbreak, learn your own lessons, get to experience sot medium, Darby McDevitt, Matt Ryan, and all the other actors, writers and developers made something that can, at least for one gamer, be life changing. It's soppy and melodramatic sure, but these fun corny games can be so impactful. They can last for nearly a decade in the minds of players by trying something, by trying to make a statement or express an emotion. I don't want to interfere in the lives of developers, but there's something so personal to the narrative of Black Flag, a passion to its presentation and themes that shines through. If we don't discuss depression, addiction, greed and imperfections, we're doomed to leave people clueless. Entertainment and art can teach so much, and even without realising, can help improve our understanding of the human experience immeasurably. I love Assassin's Creed, I love it's gameplay, philosophy and history. I just hope to see more stories from more creative, that touch upon something with such raw truth as Black Flag did all those years ago. me of the emotions that once seemed so alien. The best part of growing up is being old enough to hear the full story, to learn details that were understandably kept secret. But that journey, surprisingly of all, started with Assassins Creed showing a real, human and flawed character. It's strange to look back, after games with demigods and narrative choices, to think about how personally impactful watching a pre-written story about a Welsh dude with a few too many guns was in comparison. I know that to many Assassins Creed is pulpy historical fun, like marvel with dysentery. But it can't be understated, especially now in the age of "content" and "games as a service", how important it can be to include these darker moments and themes in your games. Black Flag was undeniably a fun romp, and the team behind it were exceptionally successful in making a great sandbox that you can jump back into after a long d ay. If you are concerned that you or someone you care about has a problem, there are people you can talk to. You can find some useful phone numbers and links here for free and confidential advice. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Bagikan Pemikiran Anda Jadilah yang pertama menulis komentar. About the Author Finn is a creative writer from Rotherham, UK who has previously supported TOWCB's Fundraising events, and raised awareness surrounding Men's Mental Health. Finn's writing covers a wide scope, with releases so far including reviews, interviews and stories. He is known in the AC Community for his 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website! Finn Fletcher
- Product Reveal: Secretlab Unveil Stunning New Assassin's Creed Collection | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Product Reveal: Secretlab Unveil Stunning New Assassin's Creed Collection News Share 15 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database JULY 15 2022 - Secretlab have today unveiled the incredible new Assassin's Creed Collection, a collaboration between the award-winning gaming chair designers and Ubisoft, marking the 15th Anniversary of the iconic AAA fan-favourite franchise. The stunning collection features the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition gaming chair and MAGNUS desk accessories, created with fans in mind, paying ultimate homage to the series. Press Release: Inspired by the Animus and the characteristic colours of the assassin's robe, the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition is upholstered in Secretlab Neo Hybrid Leatherette and features a tonal red checkered pattern and futuristic Animus detailing on the side wings. The sigils of the Assassin's Creed series are embroidered on the backrest as a timeless ode to its legacy, designed specially for fans who have followed the series since 2007. Built on the award-winning Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 series and available in sizes Regular and Xl, fans can enjoy world-class comfort as they revisit their favourite elements of Assassin's Creed or take a deeper dive into the lore of the highly-acclaimed series with the ongoing 15th Anniversary celebrations Alongside the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition gaming chair, Secretlab are also launching MAGNUS desk accessories, which contains the following products, created specially for the Secretlab MAGNUS Metal Desk. Secretlab MAGPAD Desk Mat Assassin's Creed Edition. Secretlab MAGNUS Cable Management Bundle Assassin's Creed Edition. Alaric Choo (Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Secretlab) ''The compelling plotlines, stunning visuals and unique soundtracks have earned Assassin's Creed its countless awards and nominations. As one of the best-selling games of all time, we wanted to create something timeless to celebrate the 15-year legacy of the franchise by integrating its most iconic elements into the chair. With numerous new titles coming up, I can't wait to jump into the Assassin's Creed universe and this time, in my own Secretlab Assassin's Creed edition chair.'' Addie Dorsey (Global Consumer Products at Ubisoft) ''The 15th Anniversary of Assassin's Creed is a huge milestone for us. We wanted to make it extra memorable for fans in every way, and creating a real-life chair inspired by the Animus ticked all the boxes. We've always admired the attention to detail Secretlab puts into their chairs, and with over 50 awards under their belt, they were the obvious choice when it came to bringing this idea to life. This chair, along with the MAGNUS desk accessories, is a must-have for any fan to complete their Assassin's Creed set up'' Available now for pre-order now from Secretlab.com , estimated release date 9th September. The Secretlab x Ubisoft collaboration brings to life a dream for many fans. To own an Animus. The TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition gaming chair acts as the ultimate form of escapism, providing award-winning comfort and support for players as they lean back and follow in the footsteps of Desmond Miles and dive into history. We are also excited to announce that we here at The Ones Who Came Before will soon be teaming up with Secretlab! Keep an eye on our social media accounts (listed below) for more information! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)
- Interview with Lee Majdoub - The Role of Basim, Arabic Authenticity, Acting in Games VS Films & More | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Interview with Lee Majdoub - The Role of Basim, Arabic Authenticity, Acting in Games VS Films & More Interviews Share 11 Oct 2023 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Colum Blackett Back To Database Gargudon from our team had the opportunity to sit down with Lee Majdoub, the man behind the voice of protagonist Basim in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, for a chat about everything from the road to and preparation for the role, authenticity in acting, the AC community, acting in games versus shows and films and much more. Video edited by FrameHoldPhotography. Thank you again Lee for making space for this and being awesome! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav is an active community member who specialises in Podcast Hosting & Composing. By joining the program, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further his skills, even helping to revive 'The Memory Corridor' series, which had been offline for nearly a year. His unique skill set made him the perfect candidate for our AC Partnership Program, of which he has been a part of since it began back in 2019. He is known in the community for the Sounds Of History music project; an original instrumental project featuring five tracks inspired by AC, written and produced by him, and more recently, video interviews with Jesper Kyd and Lee Majdoub. Fun Fact: Gustav is the only member of our team to have a tattoo of TOWCB logo! Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)
- Wales Comic Con 2024: Wrexham Log | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Wales Comic Con 2024: Wrexham Log Events Share 9 Apr 2024 Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team Colum Blackett Back To Database We had a ton of fun at Wales Comic Con in Wrexham! It was great to see a life-sized statue of Ratonhnhaké:ton (Connor) on display in the Main Hall! Colum Blackett (@ Col_96 ) & Michael Doyle ( Michael_Doyle03 ) from TOWCB core team were practicing hidden blade techniques. Check out our video log on Tiktok or Youtube ! Until next time Assassins.. Safety & Peace. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. TOWCB Team
- Louise // TheNerdyArcher
Louise (TheNerdyArcher) is a UK Assassin's Creed community ambassador and former member of The Mentor's Guild and 'Scholars of the Creed' community. She is an Archaeology graduate and passionate historian. By joining TOWCB Writing Team, we aim to provide her with structured guidance, early access to transmedia, and a platform for her written works. Throughout 2024 and beyond, TOWCB will be working on a variety of projects covering the series. Previous Next Louise // TheNerdyArcher Writer Louise (TheNerdyArcher) is a UK Assassin's Creed community ambassador and former member of The Mentor's Guild and 'Scholars of the Creed' community. She is an Archaeology graduate and passionate historian. By joining TOWCB Writing Team, we aim to provide her with structured guidance, early access to transmedia, and a platform for her written works. Throughout 2024 and beyond, TOWCB will be working on a variety of projects covering the series. Blog | Twitter | Instagram Work
- This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 21st to 27th August | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 21st to 27th August Community Share 29 Aug 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ misthiosvp “I am fire, I’ll use that, a beacon to the order” Kassandra the Eagle-Bearer, a mercenary who’s fortunes changed dramatically over the course of her story. Kassandra’s combat mastery and charm built her a reputation across the Greek world, one that would put fear in the hearts of her enemies. She may not have been an Assassin, however she did carry out their work by removing the Order in Greece. This is black and white virtual photography at its finest. Fantastic use of shadows, and light to create a prestigious portrait of the Misthios turned Assassin, Kassandra. The Fire Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Shadmehrphoenix “Is it from here we launch our attack” The shieldmaiden responsible for the eradication of the Order in England must always be remembered. Eivor’s tale is long and less straightforward than some of her predecessors, but like Kassandra she has an important role within the Hidden Ones, even if she isn’t directly an Assassin. Just like the previous capture this shot exudes class, and once again the shadows play an important role dramatizing the shot. I love the torch though, the projection of light across Eivor’s face brilliantly showcases the Jormungandr tattoo. Fantastic virtual photography of the Norse raider lighting the way. Set Sail Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ RenanVP_Alt “An ocean lies before us, Eivor. And on its far side, a new kingdom awaits” Sigurd and Eivor’s relationship with Styrbjorn weakens after he seeks peace with his enemies. They grow tired of his lack of ambition and set sail for England to find wealth and glory. Eivor believes this to be a simple plan but little did she know Sigurd is being manipulated by Basim in the background. For me this capture epitomises Valhalla and the fact it is a Viking game at heart. The Longship looks beautiful here with the colours a delight on the eye. The scenery and the water is breath-taking, it takes me back to that moment in the game. Excellent timing to get Sýnin in the shot too. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: Colum Blackett ( Col_96) : Community Admin for TOWCB For me, this shot takes me back to the Assassin's Creed Valhalla marketing campaign, and looks like an official promo shot for the game. I love how it shows Eivor during a peaceful moment in her life, before all the chaos that follows. Norway was particularly spectacular in Valhalla, and this dynamic capture brings it to life. There is so much momentum in this snapshot, all happening below the wings of Eivor's faithful companion Sýnin. The Raven Clan travelled far and wide, but home always calls them back in the end. Great shot all round. Valkyrie Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ m_nt_13 “You are unworthy” The Valkyrie were a selection of female combatants who took fallen warriors to Valhalla once they had fallen in the real world. When the warriors arrive in Valhalla they are turned into Einherjar for Odin to utilise. It is quite fitting that Eivor should wear this outfit as she herself is somewhat a servant to Odin through fate. This epic shot of Eivor in the Valkyrie mask is perfectly framed highlighting the faceless Viking walking through England with purpose. In some ways I am getting real Order of the Ancients vibes from this. I adore the detail and saturation on the mask, it just looks incredible. Sword of Destiny Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Sarokeye “Eivor. On our journey here, I had much time to think. On the ecstasies and agonies of our friendship” The brothers are a formidable partnership but Sigurd’s greed and Basim’s poison words are enough to leave this once solid relationship in tatters. Depending on your choices throughout the game you could reconnect but it would never be the same. This mind-blowing capture of Sigurd’s sword in the ground typifies the descent into madness. A once strong-willed leader of the Raven Clan, now broken by fate. The details here are stunning and the ambiance is so moody, really gives you the sense of doom. The details of the rust and dirt are so good, symbolizing that Sigurd has seen better days. A truly phenomenal capture. Link to Set: And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Deine Meinung teilen Jetzt den ersten Kommentar verfassen. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young
- This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 22nd to 28th May | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 22nd to 28th May Community Share 30 May 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed Paradise Game: Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag VP Artist: @ TheLordReylus This letter box capture is such a perfect way to kick start this week’s showcase. For a 9 year old game this shot looks great, a testament to the quality of Assassin’s Creed games. On first glance I was sure that this was from Odyssey it looked that good. The colours here are so relaxing and the shot is very peaceful. I adore the sun bouncing off the sea, and the seagulls in the distance. The gem of the shot has to be the ship's sail just poking up on the horizon. The Ancient World Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ Birgamerinalbu1 We are now off to Odyssey for some truly mesmerising shots of the Greek landscapes. Check the link below for the full set, I picked this particular shot due to the incredibly colourful scenery. That water flowing against the shore is stunning. I also like the palm trees and the beautiful statue in the distance. The mountains and the beach are so picturesque and the whole ambience of this shot is so captivating. Link to set: The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: The Ancient World - Picked by Oliver (Aged 5) ''I like this photo because it is very peacful and calm. I really like the palm tree and the beautiful colours. I would really like to be on this beach having fun.'' Mirage Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ missroseplays In the week where we finally saw some gameplay from the much anticipated Assassin’s Creed Mirage, I thought it fitting to feature a shot that looks like it could be straight from Baghdad. This beautifully minimalistic photo captures the essence of a weary traveller crossing the desert in search of his next target. I admire how the shadow line splits the shot with the delightful image of Bayek on his horse just off-centre. A truly wonderful piece of virtual photography. Norse Warrior Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ reddeadgem This is an awesome portrait of Eivor as he stares into the distance. The depth of field is faultless, allowing Eivor to stand out amongst the scenery. Attention to detail is on point. The hair looks almost real and the tattoos impeccable. This capture would have fit nicely with our tattoo themed week. I really believe Ubisoft did a fantastic job with both character models for Eivor, and they are one of my favourite protagonists to capture for sure. Duo Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ NIKOOO-WOLF The final shot of the week is spectacular. I cannot believe how good this capture looks. The level of detail on both Sýnin and Eivor is immaculate. The fog-like hue that surrounds them adds so much mystery. Such a well-timed shot with both characters looking in the same direction, I wonder what it is they have seen. A perfect pick for #Thorsday with Synin representing Odin’s eye, even if he is a Falcon here. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young
- What we would like to see in Assassin’s Creed Shadow’s Photo Mode | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
What we would like to see in Assassin’s Creed Shadow’s Photo Mode Community Share 27 Jul 2024 Written By: Edited By: Renzo // CapturesByRenzo Colum Blackett Back To Database Written by Aaron Young and Renzo . The newest Assassin’s Creed game is set to be released towards the end of the year, and a Photo Mode is already confirmed. In this article we will discuss how this tool could improve compared to its predecessors. On May 15th 2024, AC Codename Red was finally revealed as Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Developed by Ubisoft Québec, the game will release on November 15th on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and other platforms. According to rumours, this will be the last RPG-style entry in the franchise. Set in the Sengoku period, AC Shadows will allow players to explore feudal Japan through the eyes of two playable protagonists: the Shinobi Naoe Fujibayashi, and the legendary African Samurai Yasuke. As it was shown in different trailers, these characters will provide different playstyles and ways to approach exploration and quests. Among other features, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will certainly include a Photo Mode (PM). The official Ubisoft website states that the game’s Ultimate Edition, as well as the AC Shadows Ultimate Pack, will include the Red Dragon Photo Mode Filter. This is great news for the Virtual Photography (VP) enthusiasts around the world and, as members of the VP Team at The Ones Who Came Before (TOWCB), we could not be more excited about it. AC Shadows’ Ultimate Edition features a “Red Dragon Photo Mode Filter” (image credit: Ubisoft websi te) Virtual Photography has increased in popularity in recent years due to the implementation of a PM in most modern games. It is a way for people to showcase their creativity, but also acts as a way of promoting the game through various social media platforms. Accessibility and a sense of community through this medium have contributed to the rise of VP. The sheer volume of competitions ran throughout the year, from both studios and fans, furthers the coverage of this relatively new phenomenon. VP isn't just a great tool for players, it is also a fantastic way for developers to achieve free advertising of their games. Virtual photographers are now starting to gain a reputation as being content creators, with some of these artists working with studios and publishers on promotional material. Ubisoft held a Photo Mode Contest during the first half of 2024 (image credit: Ubisoft website) Since the release of AC Origins back in 2017, Ubisoft’s Montréal (Origins, Valhalla), Québec (Odyssey) and Bordeaux (Mirage) studios have consistently delivered solid Photo Modes across the latest entries in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. These include a Composition Mode (free camera and camera tilt) and an Edit mode (frames, filters, depth of field, exposure, contrast, and many other features). Although the Assassin’s Creed PM hasn’t changed much since 2017 it is still a solid foundation, especially for people new to virtual photography. We believe that AC Shadows’ Photo Mode will be no exception compared to its predecessors. However, there are some features that we think would enhance Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed PM. It’s time to discuss them. Edit Mode - Assassin’s Creed Mirage Photo Mode (photo credit: Renzo C.) Time of day / Weather / Switch seasons When it comes to Photo Modes, Time of Day is one of the most requested features by virtual photographers. This allows for many possibilities in terms of lighting and colour palettes, and we think it would make for an excellent addition to the Assassin’s Creed Photo Mode. Ubisoft has successfully implemented this feature in games like Far Cry 5, Far Cry 6, The Crew Motorfest and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. On the other hand, changing Weather can completely affect the mood of a shot. This could be an interesting feature to have in Shadows, since other Ubisoft games like Far Cry 6 and The Crew Motorfest already have it included in their PMs. To wrap up this section, we’d like to talk about Seasons. Ubisoft has released a few trailers that showcase in-game footage, confirming that players will be able to experience the beauty of Japan during different times of the year. Having the ability to switch seasons in the AC Shadows Photo Mode would be a game changer in terms of virtual photography. AC Shadows’ features dynamic seasons (image credit: Ubisoft Creator Program) Camera range and camera collision One of the aspects that Ubisoft could improve in their AC Photo Mode is the camera. Having a free camera instead of one that orbits the character is always appreciated, but this should be accompanied by a better camera range than the one we currently have available in games like AC Valhalla and Mirage. With the confirmation that we will no longer have a bird companion in Shadows, this option becomes even more paramount if we want to showcase the beauty of Japan in all its splendour. In addition to this, fixing the camera collision is very much needed. As virtual photographers, we’ve seen characters like Eivor and Basim disappear when we try to get too close to them for a portrait shot. Getting rid of this issue would allow players to take magnificent close-up captures of Naoe and Yasuke. Unlike previous titles, Assassin’s Creed Shadows won’t feature a bird companion (photo credit: Renzo C.) Spotlights There is no photography without light, and the Assassin’s Creed games are known for their beautiful environmental lighting. However, when it comes to virtual photography, there might be a struggle over not having full control of light in certain situations. The addition of Spotlights could come in very handy, especially for portrait pictures. Being in control of the light is something that helps to achieve a great photo. Regarding indoor environments, AC games make it tricky to accomplish the desired lighting. It is also noted that Mirage has incredible lighting when a cinematic sequence plays but this does not translate to the scene once the player retakes control of Basim. Some games feature a three-point lighting system in their official Photo Modes, like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor and Marvel’s Spider Man 2; and Alan Wake 2 recently got a PM that includes a single spotlight, as well as a camera flash and a flashlight. Custom lighting can boost an artist’s creativity, and we’d love to see some of these features in the upcoming AC Shadows Photo Mode. Hellblade 2 allows players to place spotlights within the PM (photo credit: Aaron Young) Depth of Field This feature is something we don’t feel requires an upgrade. Of all the depth of field functions we have used over various games, the Assassin’s Creed one is the most intuitive. That being said, there are people who don’t quite like it. It is important to find a balance, as it is easy to over complicate a DoF and that could be detrimental to new photographers, especially with the ease of how this feature works in the Assassin’s Creed titles. Depth of Field in action - Assassin’s Creed Mirage Photo Mode (photo credit: Renzo C.) Frames One of the few downgrades in AC Mirage’s Photo Mode, compared to previous entries, was the removal of the Frames tab. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Valhalla included thematic frames in their respective Photo Modes, with the former also featuring a black letterbox frame that allowed for a cinematic feeling when capturing horizontal shots. We think that the Frames tab should make a return in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The inclusion of letterbox frames with different aspect ratios (1:1, 2.39:1, 4:5, 5:7, etc.) would be a step up from previous Photo Modes, giving virtual photographers many possibilities to showcase their style and skills. Thematic frames would also be an interesting addition to the AC Shadows Photo Mode. Frames - Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Photo Mode (photo credit: Renzo C.) Character poses and position / Facial expressions These could be useful tools to have in AC Shadows’ Photo Mode, especially for portrait photographers. Changing a character’s pose and/or position can do wonders for a shot in terms of composition and, why not, when it comes to working with lighting. On the other hand, switching the character’s facial expressions can come in handy for close-up shots and other kinds of portrait pictures. Character poses and facial expressions definitely add variety and individualism to a capture. It broadens the horizons, allowing players that extra option to put their own stamp on a moment. Games such as Marvel’s Spider-Man and Horizon Forbidden West have used this to great effect in recent years. Spider-Man 2 allows players to change facial expressions and poses (photo credit: Aaron Young) The Competition Photo Modes have definitely seen some advancements since Assassin’s Creed Mirage released. Ubisoft themselves have shown this with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, while Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 has really pushed the boundaries of what is possible from a PM. Full cutscene control and high camera range revolutionise the way we can capture a game. It is interesting that games like A Plague Tale: Requiem and Hellblade 2 have invested so much into their PMs, given these were developed by smaller studios. Are they seeing the promotional benefits of virtual photography or is it just an understanding they have of what the players would like? It’s probably a combination of the two. So now, we hope that bigger studios will start to take note of this trend. However, it would be unfair of us not to mention Insomniac and Guerrilla, who have provided an awful lot to their respective PMs. Features such as photo mode are instrumental in order to achieve longevity, keeping a game in the public eye way past its release date. Horizon Forbidden West being a great example, yet it’s interesting to see that another popular Sony game like God of War: Ragnarök doesn’t have the same exposure despite its huge fan base. In part, maybe this happened because Sony Santa Monica didn’t invest a lot in their photo mode. It’s important to clarify that we speak from a place of love here, since one of the authors of this article regularly posts shots from that game, but there are many artists in the virtual photography community who didn’t pick it due to its PM. GoW Ragnarök suffered from lack of advancements to the PM (photo credit: Aaron Young) We believe that if Assassin’s Creed Shadows added a few features from the ones we mentioned above, it would go a long way to improving the PM and showing a commitment to the fans that they value this part of the game. As we have stated, the AC Photo Mode is a great entry level that covers the basics well, but now it’s time to raise the standard and bring the Assassin’s Creed PM to the same level as the competition. AC Shadows’ releases November 15th 2024 (image credit: Ubisoft website) comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Renzo is a virtual photographer from Argentina who began sharing his work on social media in October 2022. Over time he has captured many games, with Assassin's Creed being the franchise he's shot the most! He has a love for Ubisoft games like Far Cry 5 and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and is looking forward to playing more in the future. Renzo is a positive influence in the VP community and is helping TOWCB team establish itself as the home of Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography Renzo // CapturesByRenzo
- Assassin's Creed Day - The 21st of December | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Assassin's Creed Day - The 21st of December Analysis Share 20 Dec 2019 Written By: Edited By: Thea Marie Rivedal Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Why do we celebrate Assassin’s Creed (AC) Day, and why exactly the 21 st of December? Like every other person, firm, land, event etc. each have their day of celebration, why should our beloved franchise be any different? To have a specific day to celebrate something thousand of people have in common is a great way to reminisce the games, the characters and the stories they tell. Why then the 21st of December? Image by The Mentor's Guild The Winter Solstice – Early Human Tradition and Celebration The 21 st of December is commonly known as the Winter Solstice when the Earth’s North pole reach its furthest point away from the Sun, and for the people in the North the days grow longer again, and the darkest time of the year is finally coming to an end. The same thing happens in the South in June. The Winter Solstice have been celebrated by humans for thousands of years, both as a way of remarking the Sun’s lowest point on the horizon, as well as it’s rebirth and new rising. As far as 10,000 years ago, humans witnessed the Sun’s fall and rise on the sky, and celebrated it thereafter with religious and burial grounds being built to mark the turning Sun. Throughout the World, humans have made monuments according to the Sun and its movements. Both advanced civilisations, like Ancient Egypt and Greece, as well as more primitive ones like the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age civilisations in the North of Europe built their tombs based on the placement and the importance of the Sun. Some even studied the Sun and used it in their calculations. In 240 BCE. the scholar Eratosthenes used the Summer Solstice and the measurement of the angle of a shadow cast by a stick to calculate approximately just how big the Earth is. The Sun have also been used as one of the first symbols created by humans. The Spiral is considered one of the earliest symbols made by man, and although the meaning of it varies from place to place, the worship of the Sun has left its mark on many civilisations through time. As a symbol of growth, strength, rebirth and new life, we have discovered in modern times just how ferocious and dangerous the Sun really is. In Assassin’s Creed, solar flares followed by a massive coronal mass ejection was the doom of the First Civilisation in 75 000 BCE. It wouldhave been our doom again was it not for the Assassin Desmond Miles and his team in 2012. Desmond Miles – the Little-Known Ultimate Sacrifice As we know from the Assassin’s Creed franchise, the 21 st of December isn’t all about the fall and rise of the Sun. The first modern world protagonist we meet in the franchise, Desmond Miles, sacrificed his life on December 21st in 2012 to save the Earth from the disaster that would occur, saving billions of people. The Number 72 – Both a Password and a Puzzle 72 isn’t a number that is strikingly astonishing alone, and unless you’ve kept your eyes and ears open, it’s even illusive in the franchise. The number first appears in 45 BCE when the Vault in Rome was opened by Marcus Junius Brutus, then again later by Ezio Auditore in 1506 and his descendant Desmond Miles in 2012. The number’s importance becomes evident when it reveals to be the very password for the Vault. As explained by Shaun in AC: Brotherhood: The Tetragrammaton. The 72 names of God. You see? They're all contained within three verses: Exodus 19 through 21. And, get this, you'll like this. If you arrange the four Hebrew letters in God's name within an equilateral triangle, their numerical values add up to the same number: 72. Although Assassin’s Creed may be quite fond of the number 72, it can also be found outside the franchise. If you dig into the amount of occasions 72 have been mentioned through time, the list grows longer and longer the further you dig. From the 72 sicknesses, the 72 steps from Earth to Heaven in the Bible, the 72 old men of the Synagogue, the 72 Immortals in Taoism, the 72 evil disciples who enclosed the god Osiris in a coffin, the list, to say it short, goes on forever. If it’s God’s little joke, a human made coincidence or just Nature having fun with the number, it’s not a number to be throw under the carpet. It is an important number, both in history and in Assassin’s Creed. Before the release of AC: Origins and Odyssey, every main game from Ubisoft have been released within the time frame October 10th to December 21st. Whether it be intentional or not by the developers, it’s a funny coincidence nonetheless. From October to December, the franchise celebrates the growing amount of beloved games. Everyone has their own favourite, their first game or the one that touched a special place in our hearts. For the community, to have a day of celebration simply adds to the joy (and make an excuse for giving gifts). Image by Assassin's Creed Wiki The Community – a Day of Celebration, Charity and Reminiscing AC Day may have multiple meanings and significant facts behind the date, but first and foremost it’s a day for the fans, for the community and the hardworking people behind the games we all love. Sources: Britannica: Winter Solstice Images: AC Day Wallpaper Pack by The Mentor's Guild AC Wiki comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Thea is a full time student studying archaeology at the University of Bergen in Norway. She is a huge fan of the franchise and enjoys writing both fictional and academic texts. In her spare time, Thea is a passionate artist, creating detailed pencil sketches and watercolour/acrylic paintings. She has even created tattoos and replica historical props/ clothing before! In Summer 2022, Thea joined TOWCB's art team, where she will have the chance to work on a variety of projects and expand her art portfolio. Thea Marie Rivedal
- HomeCon 2020: Bringing the Comic Con to your Home | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
HomeCon 2020: Bringing the Comic Con to your Home Events Share 12 Apr 2020 Written By: Edited By: Lisa Zaman Ashlea Blackett Back To Database What happens when the world goes into lockdown and comic cons around the world are postponed? The actor Paul Amos known as the voice of Jacob Frye from Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (also Lost Girl and The Murdoch Mysteries ) teamed up with his friend Rachel Skarsten (Lost Girl, Reign, Batwoman) to create their very own and unique, stay at home Comic-con, the aptly named HomeCon which debuted on April 10th-11th 2020. From the moment Paul Amos went live on Instagram on the 30th March and declared a new project he’d created alongside Rachel Skarsten, we knew he had something big up his sleeve and it would be a game changer. A few days later via Instagram Live HomeCon was announced and a comic con like no other had been born. With the world on lockdown and comic cons being postponed or cancelled left right and centre, Paul and Rachel had the genius idea to create HomeCon, as the name suggests a comic con at home. But how would it work? What would it entail? And who would be there? With everyone at home, HomeCon literally had a captive audience and with many of the voice actors in the same boat as the fans, they were available to participate. Like with any Comic-Con, there would be panels, Q&A’s and the chance to have 1to1’s with your favourite actor. So with less than two weeks Paul, Rachel and many other incredible people behind the scenes pulled an incredible feat and HomeCon was ready to go live. HomeCon would take part on April 10th and 11th. All panels would be live via Twitch and with a subscription of $4.99 (or free of you had an Amazon Prime account) you could view it all. HomeCon’s Social Media platforms ( Facebook ) informed us frequently with panel information and guests. As the HomeCon website went live, it provided fans with schedule’s and allowed them to book their 1to1 sessions. Of course, there were a few teething problems, as there always is with technology and the rapid interest in HomeCon meant that the website traffic sent it into a mini meltdown. With all new ventures, there were a few teething problems, but personally speaking I felt that the HomeCon support teams did a phenomenal job in handling issues prior and during the event. A few questioned the cost ($53 for 5 mins) for the 1to1, some feeling that they couldn’t justify the spend during these uncertain times, but as Paul explained very diplomatically that many actors had dedicated their time free of charge to be available and that 10% of proceeds were going to the charity First Responders First.What I felt was impressive it that they devised an almost perfect timetable, the different time zones taken into account, allowing those around the world to tune in.Day 1 started strong, with a live introduction and welcome by Rachel and Paul.Assassin’s Creed fans eagerly awaited the AC panel at 6pm BST. I noted as I tuned in to watch that over 26,000 people were watching. Suddenly all the familiar faces (or should that be voices) appeared on screen and the discussions began. I felt the moderator Ming Chen did a great job in keeping the pace and allowing each person to talk. However, as is the way with this incredible bunch of people, the conversation steered off course in the best possible way, usually led by Paul himself. It was great to see the interaction between them all, each one giving a little insight into their character and sharing anecdotes. As the hour long panel continued it was a joy to see fans sending questions and even communicating with one another as the message board scrolled furiously. Image source: Cas Anvar Before Day 1 came to an end, Paul popped back on to Instagram to send love and thanks to all involved and teased us with the hint that there could be a HomeCon 2.0. Victoria Atkin (Evie Frye) also hosted a quick Instagram live with Melissanthi Mahut (Kassandra), and then siblings Alexios and Kassandra did the same over on Michael Antonakos’s Instagram. It was evident at this point that everyone was having the best time and that HomeCon really was bringing everyone together. Day 2 and Assassin’s Creed was represented in the Motion Capture Panel which featured Elias Toufexis (Federico Auditore da Firenze - AC 2), Melissanthi Mahut (Kassandra - AC Odyssey) and Kris Holden-Ried (Crawford Starrick - AC Syndicate), alongside Greg Bryk (Joseph Seed - Far Cry 5) and Adam Croasdell (Ignis Scientia - Final Fantasy XV) The panel was insightful and again thoroughly amusing. Meanwhile remaining AC actors were busy meeting and greeting fans via the 1to1’s. I myself had the pleasure of talking with Victoria Atkin all whilst being photobombed constantly by my excited son! Image Source: Lisa Zaman As Day 2 drew to an end for the Assassins Creed fans, Michael Antonakos went live on Instagram with HomeCon’s co creator Paul, who we discovered, was sat in his shower with a beer and a box of kitty litter. Would we have expected anything less from the Welshman? As the conversation passed between the two it was obvious that there had been another lightbulb moment for Paul and that perhaps another HomeCon would focus solely on Assassin’s Creed.As HomeCon came to an end it became clear that it had been a great success. Not only in bringing excitement and entertainment to the fans at such a tumultuous time, but it allowed those who have been unable to participate in Comic cons previously (be it mentally, physically or simply geographically) to enjoy and embrace the atmosphere that so many of us cherish. Yes, it was a fabulously entertaining 2 days, but what I took away from this experience is, as Paul highlighted, it allowed us as humans, to connect with others, something that is so important in these current times. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Lisa is a talented portrait artist specialising in graphite work. Back in May 2018, she turned her attentions to the world of Assassin's Creed art, and began creating lifelike portraits of key characters. By joining the program, Lisa's work will be viewed by a larger number of community members, allowing her to build a captive audience. The partnership also means that we will be working closely with Lisa for upcoming art giveaways and competitions for the community. Lisa Zaman
- TOWCB Team
A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. Previous Next TOWCB Team A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. Work
- Reevaluating Assassin's Creed Valhalla | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Reevaluating Assassin's Creed Valhalla Analysis Share 19 Jul 2024 Written By: Edited By: Finn Fletcher Colum Blackett Back To Database Despite being the best-selling Assassin's Creed game Valhalla definitely doesn't have the best reputation. This makes sense in a lot of ways, the game's bloated and unstructured, with weaker characters than its predecessors. Even the stellar gameplay foundations from Origins feel like they've been diluted between games. Yet, I've got a bit of a soft spot for this messy Norse adventure. At launch, I considered Valhalla one of my favourite games in the series, and was enthralled by England, Eivor and the Raven Clan. The disappointing ending, lacklustre DLCs (I've still not even bothered picking up Dawn of Ragnarok) and updates that I think genuinely made the game feel worse to play, went to destroy that excitement, and soured the far too many hours I'd put into exploring this world. I'm not sure exactly why, maybe watching Duke of Whales’ excellent new ACII narrative breakdown gave me the hood bug again, but I felt the need to return to England, picking up on a save I abandoned a while back just after completing my first alliance arc. And, to be honest, I can see why I liked it so much. Now, straight off the bat, it's worth saying that I don't hold it in as high a regard as I did back at launch. The game is clunky, it has so many moving pieces that rarely flow well together. While likeable, Eivor is neither as fun as Kassandra or as well-written as Bayek, making her strangely forgettable. So you get this oddity, a mish mash of things constantly fighting for the spotlight. But paved over those issues, is a brilliant atmosphere, enjoyable exploration and a compelling gameplay loop sending you on adventures across the country before returning to spend your spoils at your settlement. It doesn't overcome these core issues, and at times the cover will crack and you're reminded of its flaws. Yet, in those moments between, when the mask is on firmly and you can fall into this Viking assassin fantasy, the game works. Boarding the longboat, setting a target and listening to your crew tell tales is just so immersive. It makes you want to take things slow, soak in the funny and obtuse tales from Eivor’s band of Vikings or just listen to Jesper Kyd’s stellar score. Rather than a constant swarm of loot filling your HUD, you can forget about gear hunts for miniscule upgrades and just enjoy your time in this beautifully produced - if a bit over the top - recreation of England. Even things like the regional arcs and small narrative tales add to this sense. Eivor isn't Kassandra or Bayek, jumping between thousands of quests at once with an endless list of goals and targets. She's single minded. Everything is about the settlement, and while the arcs will see you spending a lot of time getting attached to the people of each of England's many regions, your targets remain contained and allow that immersive atmosphere to take priority. I really wish this is what the game put all its time into, sharpening the narrative arcs, preparing a satisfying conclusion where we see Aelfred form the Templars and cutting out the needless high fantasy elements. There's a game here that could take the strengths of the RPG trilogy, and make it work within the fantasy set out by Assassin's Creed I. Eivor's a constantly hunted outsider, taking down a corrupt political and religious order, being forced to face both the merits and failures of her beliefs - she's a precursor to Altair in many ways. Unfortunately, that story and game was drowned out by indecisiveness, misdirection and bloat. I only hope that Shadows doesn't make the same mistakes, but knowing Ubisoft Quebec… comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Finn is a creative writer from Rotherham, UK who has previously supported TOWCB's Fundraising events, and raised awareness surrounding Men's Mental Health. Finn's writing covers a wide scope, with releases so far including reviews, interviews and stories. He is known in the AC Community for his 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website! Finn Fletcher
- Kevin (Going Viking)
Going Viking started as a page focused on everything relating to Vikings including history, archaeology, Norse Mythology, video games, books, TV shows, etc. Kevin then transferred his focus to the video game Days Gone, where he began doing virtual photography, and running a blog. In early 2021, Kevin began his new position as an Online Community Specialist at Sony, working for Bend Studio. We are thrilled to see Kevin joining a company that makes the franchise he loves, but will miss him deeply on the program. We wish him the best of luck in his new position! Previous Next Kevin (Going Viking) Writer Previous Partner Going Viking started as a page focused on everything relating to Vikings including history, archaeology, Norse Mythology, video games, books, TV shows, etc. Kevin then transferred his focus to the video game Days Gone, where he began doing virtual photography, and running a blog. In early 2021, Kevin began his new position as an Online Community Specialist at Sony, working for Bend Studio. We are thrilled to see Kevin joining a company that makes the franchise he loves, but will miss him deeply on the program. We wish him the best of luck in his new position! --- Work
- Music Release: East Again - An Original AC Mirage Inspired Instrumental by Gustav Poulsen | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Music Release: East Again - An Original AC Mirage Inspired Instrumental by Gustav Poulsen Community Share 22 Mar 2024 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Colum Blackett Back To Database We are thrilled to announce that a new original instrumental composed and recorded by TOWCB Team member Gargudon ( Gustav Poulsen ) inspired by the world Assassin's Creed Mirage is available now on streaming platforms! The track acts as a tribute to the newest instalment in the franchise, returning East where everything began. Here is the ambient visualiser video, featuring gameplay recorded in and taken directly from the game by Isu_Network admin UbiCypher ! Let us know your thoughts on the track in the comments, and stay tuned for more original music! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav is an active community member who specialises in Podcast Hosting & Composing. By joining the program, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further his skills, even helping to revive 'The Memory Corridor' series, which had been offline for nearly a year. His unique skill set made him the perfect candidate for our AC Partnership Program, of which he has been a part of since it began back in 2019. He is known in the community for the Sounds Of History music project; an original instrumental project featuring five tracks inspired by AC, written and produced by him, and more recently, video interviews with Jesper Kyd and Lee Majdoub. Fun Fact: Gustav is the only member of our team to have a tattoo of TOWCB logo! Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)
- This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 13th - 19th August 2022 | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 13th - 19th August 2022 Community Share 20 Aug 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s showcase is in collaboration with VPGamersUK . Each capture is my pick from the daily themes. Thank you to everyone who participated. 1) Columns Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Theme: Architecture This week’s first capture comes from @ 6VAC1 over on Twitter. First up we have a beautiful shot of some columns in Odyssey. When it comes to architecture the Assassin’s Creed games are some of the best places to take photos. The sheer volume of buildings within a single game is off the scale. I picked this shot due to the angle and colours. This capture really does give off a sense of height and grandeur. The saturation adding to the details, it’s no wonder Ubisoft have been commended for their building design. Link to set 2) Frigg Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Theme: Citizens Photo number two comes from @ dpruttz_vp a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Next up we have a Citizen of Asgard, who is also a former lover of Odin. I did enjoy Frigg and Havi’s team up at the start of the Dawn of Ragnarok DLC. It is a shame it is such a small section. This awesome shot really catches the eye, with the fiery background and the excellent pose from Frigg. I am very impressed with how the details of her outfit have been highlighted, mostly thanks to the blurring of the background. What an amazing piece of virtual photography. 3) Fox Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Theme: Wildlife This week’s third shot comes from @ PodToGo a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Photo number three was an easy choice, I love foxes and this photo is one of the best I have seen of that animal. As I have said before, Ubisoft have been perfecting the art of nature in their games of late. The pose of the fox in this shot is adorable and credit to PodToGo for finding this moment. I would love to know how long the Virtual Photographer waited to get this picture. I am really liking the portrait aspect for this capture as it encompasses the stance of the fox so well. A truly wonderful piece of wildlife VP. Link to set 4) Out of the Desert Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Theme: Assassins VP number four comes from @ Jakeste66386991 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community . What can I say about this capture other than, it is jaw-dropping. This gorgeous silhouette of Bayek has to be one of my favourite’s pieces of virtual photography since I have been running these articles. I never really add borders to my shots but I must say the white around the edges of this one just makes the photo pop. I love the way Bayek is walking across the dunes towards the sun with the rays casting shadows behind him. What an incredible shot. 5) Sickles Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Theme: Weapons The final capture of the week comes from @ petta_velan a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. This week's final shot depicts an Egyptian Viking readying his sickle swords. I remember when these weapons were added during the Wrath of the Druids DLC, they were a great addition to the game. I actually think they go very well with the Egyptian armour too which, of course, also released with that DLC. I really like how the sickles are showcased here, allowing us to see the engravings. It’s cool how they match the bracers and tattoos, giving Eivor a proper warrior feel. Link to set And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young
- TOWCB Statement on the Unacceptable Response to Assassin's Creed Shadows | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
TOWCB Statement on the Unacceptable Response to Assassin's Creed Shadows Community Share 20 May 2024 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) TOWCB Team Back To Database comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Deine Meinung teilen Jetzt den ersten Kommentar verfassen. About the Author Gustav is an active community member who specialises in Podcast Hosting & Composing. By joining the program, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further his skills, even helping to revive 'The Memory Corridor' series, which had been offline for nearly a year. His unique skill set made him the perfect candidate for our AC Partnership Program, of which he has been a part of since it began back in 2019. He is known in the community for the Sounds Of History music project; an original instrumental project featuring five tracks inspired by AC, written and produced by him, and more recently, video interviews with Jesper Kyd and Lee Majdoub. Fun Fact: Gustav is the only member of our team to have a tattoo of TOWCB logo! Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)
- TOWCB 5 Year Anniversary | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
TOWCB 5 Year Anniversary News Share 18 Sept 2019 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Check out the ways in which we celebrated our 5 year anniversary! New Website Launched On the 10th August 2019 we launched our new website! The site is one of our most ambitious projects to date, and provides an interactive platform for members of our passionate community. We will be working hard to provide regular content that is both interesting and engaging. Stay tuned for more. Brotherhood of Venice Interview We released an interview with Thibaud de la Touanne, Founder of Triton Noir, the Montreal based studio behind Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood of Venice. You can read it here. Follower of Romulus Giveaway We ran a giveaway for an exclusive Follower of Romulus Figure from the AC Brotherhood of Venice tabletop board game, kindly donated by the Triton Noir team! Congrats to our fan Shell from the UK for winning this limited edition prize! Bundle Giveaways To celebrate the launch of our new website, and 5 years as an Assassin's Creed community, Ubisoft kindly donated a range of items for a giveaway! Congrats to our fans Cole from the US and Nader from Egypt for winning the epic merchandise bundles! Assassin's Creed Movie Interview We released an interview with Chris Wildgoose, Weapons Concept Artist on the Assassin's Creed Movie! You can read it here Giveaway We teamed up with Lisa Zaman and ran an art giveaway! Three lucky winners received exclusive art prints to add to their collections! Congratulations to Peter from Denmark, Joseph from Michigan and Adrienn from Hungary! We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported TOWCB, and hope to see you all again in August of next year for the year 6 celebrations! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)