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About The Ones Who Came Before Assassin's Creed Fan Community was created on the 10th August 2014 as a place for AC fans to share their passion for the brand. We originally focused on sharing theories with the Community, but we now aim to provide interesting opportunities, news, and content for our fanbase. Although the franchise has changed dramatically over the last nine years, our passion for the games and the community has remained. We have always done our best to share community content on our social media channels, with campaigns such as Community Corner highlighting the talent and achievements of the fanbase. Our goal for 2019 was to launch two major projects that had never been done before: an Assassin's Creed fan magazine and a Partnership Program. You can find more information on The Animus Archives and The AC Partnership Program below. Meet the Team Colum (Col_96) Team Leader Hi Everyone. My name is Colum, and I'm the Team Leader of The Ones Who Came Before, an Assassin's Creed Fan Community. I'm also a former Community Builder for The Mentors Guild and have been playing Assassin's Creed games for over 9 years now. I have represented the community as a brand ambassador since 2014. I am very interested in the lore of the franchise, and I love how the Creed connects fans all around the globe. You can find me on social media platforms as Col_96. Michael Doyle Strategist Hi Everyone. My name is Michael, and I am the Strategist for The Ones Who Came Before Core Team. My main responsibilities include overseeing major campaigns, establishing internal systems and managing charity efforts for the group. You can find me on Twitter @MichaelDoyle03 The AC Partnership Program The AC Partnership Program is a community initiative created by The Ones Who Came Before which aims to promote and share content. The program is a great way for content creators to gain recognition for their work within the community and expand to a wider audience. You can learn more about the AC Partnership Program and our members here. History Back in August of 2014, The Ones Who Came Before was established as a place to host the theories of community member Col_96. The Assassin's Creed franchise has a lot of unanswered questions, so an AC Community was the perfect space to share ideas and potential future plot lines. Caroline (who has since departed the team) was brought on board to boost the profile of our community, and worked to create opportunities for our small group. We were initially affiliated with Your Assassin's Creed Fix (no longer in existence) and The Lore Pages of Assassin's Creed (now The Codex), which helped us to gain a small following. Towards the end of 2015, two more community members, Irakli and Sofija joined the team. In 2016, Col was selected as a Ubisoft Star Player, and attended Gamescom in Cologne. The same year, we joined forces with UbiCentral, a partnership which created a number of opportunities for the community such as giveaways, videos and articles. in 2017, Sofija was selected as a Ubisoft Star Player, and attended Gamescom. Also that year, Graphic Designer Irakli rebooted our graphics, and created our iconic Assassin Hood logo. In 2018, Irakli was selected as a Ubisoft Star Player and attended Gamescom. Towards the end of 2018, Ashlea joined the team as Editor, and reviews all of our work before publishing. 2019 - Launch of The Animus Archives and The AC Partnership Project Assassin's Creed Community Fundraising Campaign Launch of our new website AC Partnership Program Established 2020 - £1000 raised for various charities 2020: We established a network of Assassin's Creed fans known as the Isu Network / AC Partnership Program, a global team of content creators around the world. 2021: Col and Ash are selected to join The Mentors Guild Program. 2022: TOWCB reaches 40,000 follower s on social media platforms, and sits at the top of Google for the search Assassin's Creed Community. AC Partnership program expanded, 20+ members. Assassins in Need: Heart of the Creed fundraiser raises £1200 for heart causes. 2023: TOWCB reached 60,000 followers across all platforms. 2024: Ongoing

In this article, community member Ubicypher explores the evolution of the Assassin's Creed Modern Day storyline, and the ways in which it has changed throughout different media formats. Community Lore Analysis Evolution of Modern Day storytelling and structure throughout the Assassin’s Creed franchise. By UbiCypher 27/9/21 Share Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" Top Stories The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today The Assassin’s Creed series is highly praised for beautifully recreated landscapes that allows players to experience the most convoluted eras of history and its major events, as we know all of this is possible due to a high-tech device called “The Animus”. The Animus is what makes it possible for the player to experience not just the modern day, but moments from the past. By stepping into the machine you are able to delve into the genetic memories of the modern day character's ancestor's and relive their memories through their eyes. Edited by Ashlea Buckley About the Author UbiCypher (Joe) is an Assassin's Creed Transmedia expert who has been working on an AC events timeline to help fans of the franchise looking to learn more about the lore. He is especially interested in the present day story, and by joining the program, Joe will have the opportunity to share his lore findings with a larger audience. Twitter UbiCypher (Joe Interview with Magnus Bruun - Eivor Assassins' Creed Valhalla Merchandise Guide Q&A with Abubakar Salim - Bayek of Siwa TOWCB Plans for 2021 Netflix announce upcoming live-action Assassin's Creed series Female Vikings: The Real History Building an Assassin's Creed Community: Getting Started Mentors Guild Announcement Interview with Benoit Richer: Valhalla Co-Dev Game Director Interview with Eric Baptizat: AC Valhalla Game Director Interview with Jordan Van Andel (JorRaptor) Colours in Assassin's Creed: A Short Review 6 ways to stay entertained in the Assassin's Creed Community during isolation Interview with Carlos Ferro - Da Vinci 5 ways you can support TOWCB Interview with Jesper Kyd Top Stories When the first iteration of this franchise came out in November 2007, it was revolutionary. The concept of having history as our playground whilst playing through a fictional plot based in historical fact was amazing, hence our love and passion for this franchise. However, it is important to note that not all of Assassin’s Creed is supposed to take place in the past. We have to remember and keep in mind that when the first entry came out, we were playing as a young man who was abducted by a multinational corporate conglomerate which serves as a front for the modern day activities of the Templars. Which means that they are still present in modern times. The first iterations of the franchise started somewhat bland on the character development of Desmond Miles, only using his persona as a tool for us to understand the modern day situation and what is to come and what to do then. But as the story progressed and hidden information starts to be discovered in the emails from Lucy Stillman’s personal computer, that’s when we could finally get a glimpse of how the modern day storyline was intended to be implemented in the game. It is no surprise that the most part of the modern day plot is revealed via E-mails, notes, messages left over by employees or within the database of the animus itself, due to the limited scope of exploration available to Desmond due to his imprisonment . This method of information discovery is reutilized in future games for the development of the characters knowledge surrounding the brotherhood and Abstergo. When we take a look back at the first games, Desmond was not very well explored until Assassin’s Creed II, where we could see his personality and skills develop in terms of response to danger, his coping with the bleeding effect and involvement after discovering his Assassin Heritage. The follow-up, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, allowed us to finally get out of that attic in Italy, and for the first time explore a small modern day environment that made us connect even more with Desmond’s ancestry when exploring the crypt of his ancestor’s family villa. Not to mention that the DLC for Brotherhood “The Da Vinci Disappearance” first implemented the ARG concept of mixing reality with fiction by adding a special set of coordinates that, when googled, would lead us to a random wooded area in upstate New York, which had the fans baffled for many years until Assassin’s Creed III was released shedding light over the mystery behind said coordinates. Assassin’s Creed Revelations picks up where Brotherhood ended, with the stressful cliffhanger (Desmond kills Lucy) making us wonder what would happen next, but instead of making us play an actual modern day section like in the prior installment, we received optional missions in which you navigate through Desmond’s life through the use of flashbacks while he is in the animus in a comatose state. This was actually refreshing as it was a good insight into how Desmond had to recover his past life’s memories, in order to separate the m from those of his ancestors which were overlapping with his and invading his mind, accompanied by those weird and cold yet attractive geometrical shapes and blocks emulating the core systems of the animus. Assassin's Creed III was the end of a cycle. Sadly the end of Desmond Miles’ story on behalf of what everyone expected. In this particular entry of the franchise, Desmond was now a capable Assassin having inherited all of the abilities his ancestors possessed through the Bleeding Effect. The modern day sections of this game are, to this day, considered by many fans as perfect, and what the balance between past & present sections ought to be in any Assassin’s Creed game. Unfortunately for them at the time, little did they know that it was just going to happen for one time only. Moving on to the next entry, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, that came out in 2013, was the turning point of it all, officially aligning the timeline of the modern day with the real word allowing players to better follow the chronology of the games, which was actually a smart move, as some years in the expanded universe are pretty tough to correctly organize in terms of dates and months. As Desmond’s cycle was now over, it was time for Ubisoft to start thinking outside the box and figure out a way to properly set future instalments without the need of Desmond himself. They had it all at their disposal to write whatever they wanted. That’s where Abstergo Entertainment joins the game. They shifted from the perspective of one character to be the center of a story to multiple points of view, characters and ways of exploring genetic memories. The creation of Abstergo Entertainment was really an incredible idea, the stories could now be “Infinite” because of the introduction of technology which allows you to relieve genetic memories without the direct descendant was genius. It opened up a door to what we would later know as “Helix”. However, Black Flag also started the lore-telling structure that we know today, which did not please everyone, as we went straight from the perspective of one single character experiencing everything continuously, to a lot of different stories and events happening simultaneously in the same game, poorly explained through Emails, files you’d have to find and recover and lots of notes scattered around the offices of Abstergo, thus, thwarting the quality of the Modern Day storytelling altogether. From there on, this procedure would last for every installment to come until 2015, switching between voiceless and non-playable characters, with the exception of Assassin’s Creed Unity and Syndicate which incorporated cinematic cutscenes as substitutes for playable sections. In November 2010, Karl Kerschl & Cameron Stewart in collaboration with Ubisoft, published through Ubiworkshop the graphic novel that would utilize a well known trend in the marketing sector when it came to promote storytelling through different platforms: The Transmedia. From 2010 to 2014 a total of 5 comic books plus reprints were made, besides the already existing novels based on the games written by Oliver Bowden. In which he added more background and lore to characters such as Altaïr and Ezio enriching the universe, but forcing others to buy books and comics in order to obtain knowledge that was supposed to be in the games in the first place. Of course this is not an uncommon tactic, there’s nothing wrong in expanding a universe of fiction which is meant to entertain. But the real problem begins when the very company responsible for annual releases of a franchise (which is supposed to continue expanding the stories set by previous entries, or at least finish what others started in the next one) starts wrapping up important story arcs and plot lines such as Juno’s revenge over the world (Charlotte de La Cruz Saga) - (2015-2018) in a specifically-made line of comics for their conclusion, introducing new characters which makes the Modern Day story even more difficult to get a hold on, as you don’t just have to discover new faces, but you also have to remember all that happened in the previous entries to understand the connections that tie the main games to all these new chapters within the expanded universe. Therefore, totally bypassing these interesting story arcs in the games to come, just as an excuse to apply new settings and expand the IP without any “Artistic freedom restriction tied to the already established lore”, which as we have been witnesses for the past five years, happened with the releases of the new RPG trilogy that according to a now divided fanbase, caused some lore retcon. See Assassin’s Creed Unity for instance. It’s one of the clearest examples of an Assassin’s Creed game being directly affected by the Transmedia in terms of Modern Day storytelling. The game is supposed to take place in November 2014, right when an Abstergo analyst finishes exploring a set of pre-loaded genetic memories belonging to a bodyguard of the Templar Grand Master Jacques de Molay, said to be a sage and thus, person of interest to Abstergo. That’s when the Assassin Technician Bishop comes in and convinces our voiceless, genderless character to work for her and explore a specific genetic memory set that she provides to them, which are those of Arno Dorian, protagonist of Unity. The Impact of Transmedia. (Comics, Novels & Info-Books). Right, let’s backtrack 7 months prior. According to the Abstergo Entertainment Employee Handbook, way more interesting things happened in the time frame of Assassin’s Creed Unity’s modern day. Starting from May, all the way to November, there was another person relieving Arno’s memories, a character named Robert Fraser, who the real-life book is supposed to have belonged to, who has his own story which is worthy of a thriller story on its own. Detailing aspects of the bleeding effect, never seen before in any other games, seeing an interesting character development as he goes mad by falling in love with Élise while he was relieving the memories of Arno, to the point that he was having hallucinations in which he believed himself to be Arno , struggling to maintain his identity separated from his. Why not just wait a little longer and make all of that playable as well? Or why not just make cutscenes in first person for that matter, during modern day, in which you see that character progression and the bleeding effect slowly affecting the character. I’m sure that would give a more in-depth look at how users are really affected by the secondary effects of the animus. So, for now, I’d say that the only way to improve modern day and make it more engaging for the public, would be to stop making comics and books with modern day sections in them. And maybe focus on making a full on game instead. Time changes, civilizations evolve, wars evolve, technology… Yes of course! Assassin’s Creed has always been a game of blades and steel. But let’s be honest, Ubisoft has the potential, gameplay references and tools in order to make a capable and polished modern day only game, with maybe a couple of interactions with the past to complete something in the present if need be. But that would more likely be a secondary thing as I’m talking about a modern day game and not a game focused only in the past. Splinter Cell Conviction and Blacklist have the perfect playability for that hypothetical game as does the recent Watch Dogs Legion (Which recently had an Assassin’s Creed Crossover) But that is something for another day. What about weapons? Well, according to the lore, Galina Voronina, Gavin Bank’s Cell, Jasdip Dhami and so on, use firearms in combat. And it’s not that awful, it’s actually realistic as we have seen in many films and shows where the character would ensue a fight with guns but when out of ammo use his/her fists to neutralize threats. We are too focused on the old fashioned Assassin weaponry which hinders the possibility of having a modern day game as we cannot ask fans make a united decision. I really think that is what we need in order to heal the storytelling or at least make it more appealing to people. Maybe implementing old plots that are yet unfinished or old characters that have disappeared for a while now, such as Harlan and Arend, Gavin, Galina, Kiyoshi, etc. This is all an idea of mine that comes from the analysis of the Modern Day’s lore of course. But I think we should consider pressing Ubisoft for this kind of game in the future. Though, I’ve noticed that all recent transmedia books are only focusing on the past.. Could that mean something? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Ubisoft have just released the World Premiere trailer for Assassin's Creed marking the dawn of a new era of the series Community The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today Analysis Cracking the Isu Code: Part 3 Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" Top Stories 16/12/21 By Preston Carbonaro Edited by Ashlea Blackett Share Assassin's Creed fans are working hard to crack messages written in the secret language of the highly advanced precursor race known as the Isu, and in the process, decode multiple hidden messages We here at TOWCB have joined the community efforts to try our hands at decoding these messages which are scattered around throughout the game; in Standing Stone puzzles, on Layla’s laptop, and even promotional content. We sincerely hope that none of you experience the Bleeding Effect during the decoding process … Interview with Magnus Bruun - Eivor Assassins' Creed Valhalla Merchandise Guide Q&A with Abubakar Salim - Bayek of Siwa TOWCB Plans for 2021 Netflix announce upcoming live-action Assassin's Creed series Female Vikings: The Real History Building an Assassin's Creed Community: Getting Started Mentors Guild Announcement Interview with Benoit Richer: Valhalla Co-Dev Game Director Interview with Eric Baptizat: AC Valhalla Game Director Interview with Jordan Van Andel (JorRaptor) Colours in Assassin's Creed: A Short Review 6 ways to stay entertained in the Assassin's Creed Community during isolation Interview with Carlos Ferro - Da Vinci 5 ways you can support TOWCB Interview with Jesper Kyd Col is the Community Admin for The Ones Who Came Before, and one of the Community Builders for The Mentors Guild. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player, and has spent the last 7 years working within the Assassin's Creed community on countless projects. Twitter About the Author Preston Carbonaro Article contains ads that support TOWCB. Top Stories Decoding Brendan of Clonfert’s passage on the Isle of Skye (AC Valhalla)

Assassin's Creed Mirage: Assassin Cat designs shared by Ubisoft 3D Character Artist News Share 2 Mar 2024 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) TOWCB Team Back To Database Assassin's Creed Mirage: Patch 1:0:7 introduced a very special character to the game, in the form of an Assassin cat which seems to spawn at random throughout the game. It was recently sighted wandering the streets of Ukbara, a small town found on the North bank of the Tigris river, but I was unable to find it myself. In a special post on ArtStation by Valentin Yovchev , 3D Character Artist at Ubisoft, new details about the design and close-up images were shared which will benefit those looking to create costumes for their own Assassin cats at home. ''It was a great honor for me to work on Assassin's Creed Mirage, and I'm happy to share that I had the pleasure to design and create this outfit for the latest Easter egg in the game that was introduced in patch 1.0.7. Congrats on Lieven Ledegen , he was the first one to find this new purr assassin (the video is from him). Also since I saw in some posts on reddit that people will want to make a real outfit for their cat, I've decided to share the raw measurements of the outfit for people to use as guides if they ever want to build this outfit for their cat in real life And for everyone curious how to find this furry assassin in the game. Just walk around, and look for cats and eventually you'll run in to him, just be prepared to pet him Cheers! Valentin'' The first set of character models shared by Valentin Yovchev show a number of key details such as a snake-inspired knife belt and engraved Assassin collar. The next set of designs are for those looking to create the costume at home. Let us know if you plan on taking on this challenge! Have you found the new Assassin cat in Assassin's Creed Mirage yet? Share your captures @ ACFirstCiv for a chance to feature on the website! comments debug Comments (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest Guest Mar 22, 2024 🤑🤑🤑 Like Reply 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)

The Ultimate Photo Mode Guide released by FrameHoldPhotography Breakdowns Share 4 May 2024 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Back To Database TOWCB Core Team member FrameHoldPhotography is pleased to release the Ultimate Photo Mode Guide! This video combines a love for virtual photography with experience working in TV and film to explain what all of the settings in Photo Mode do. Described by TOWCB Virtual Photography member Turið Torkilsdóttir as an ' AMAZING PhotoMode Guide for Assassin's Creed, explaining each setting in detail', this video is an essential tool for fans looking to enhance their skills. We guarantee that this comprehensive breakdown of the photo mode tool will make a huge difference within the community, as it provides both confidence and knowledge to take their skills to the next level. Be sure to subscribe to FrameHoldPhotography on Youtube for more in-depth videos. 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)

Searching For The Creed - Rome Breakdown Share 12 Sept 2024 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Gargudon Back To Database The legendary and iconic Italian capital, has a special place in our hearts here at The Ones Who Came Before. It is where founder Colum got engaged, and a city others from our team also have fond memories with from when visiting. In continuation of our articles, showcasing and comparing the landmarks of London and Florence, portrayed in-game versus real life counterparts, we now shift focus towards the heart of the world’s first superpower, the streets wandered of in Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, Roma. Note any real life pictures of Rome’s landmarks, have been taken between 2018-2020, and may therefore be slightly outdated. Text, in-game and select Rome pictures by Gargudon. Select Rome pictures by Col_96. Pantheon Kicking off the list we’re taking a look at the Pantheon, the iconic Roman temple located in the heart of the city, famous for its roof with an always open oculus. Not much to say about the temple itself, other than Ubisoft Montréal did a great job replicating it. It’s more the area outside where the game takes its liberties, featuring a much wider and more open space, with much different looking buildings surrounding the temple. Construction of the temple originally began in 27 BCE, with it standing finished in the early 2nd century under Emperor Hadrian. The Pantheon is open from 9:00-19:00, every day of the week year round with the exception of 1st January, 15th August for Ferragosto, as well as 25th December. Entry is 5€ for tourists, free on the first Sunday of each month, as well as for Roman residents, worshippers and people under 18. Piazza Navona The famous square in the heart of the city, more or less looks the same as it did 500 years ago. Only major differences being the game’s portrayal being moderately downsized, the addition of the Sant’Agnese in Agone church, as well as the Quattro Fiumi / Four Rivers fountain surrounding the obelisk in the 17th century. The place has certainly also seen a further uptick in crowds with the centuries, coming to house a number of restaurants, bars and street performers among other things. You can visit Piazza Navona almost any time of the day, witnessing its unique, vibrant life and atmosphere. The square was founded in 86 AD, under the commission of Emperor Domitian, with the purpose of serving as a stadium for athletics competitions, with stands where there are now buildings. Campidoglio There are a few notable differences, between the game’s portrayal of one of the seven hills of Rome, and its real life counterpart. The overall look and structure of the Senatorial palace, the Palazzo dei Conservatori, as well as outside square is pretty spot on, but there is some slight downsizing, and most notably this is prior to Michelangelo’s rework of the whole place starting in 1536, commissioned by Pope Paul III. While the game’s version houses a fountain in the middle of the square, part of Michelangelo’s renovation project included adding a statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius instead in 1537. Not only did he completely redesign and rework the facade of both existing palaces, but a third one, the Palazzo Nuovo, was added opposite the Conservatori. Today all three buildings serve as the Capitoline Museums, and can be visited from 09:30-19:30 for 32€. Santa Maria In Ara Coeli The small church of Santa Maria In Ara Coeli, located right besides the Campidoglio, is with the exception of its size, another landmark there isn’t much to say about, other than Montréal did a great job replicating it; both the outside seen in 1503, and the inside explored during the Modern Day finale of Brotherhood. As far as we and historians are concerned though, there are no secret advanced mechanisms within the church, nor any ancient civilisation temples hidden beneath it. The church was built in the 5th century, technically still on the ruins of the “Temple of Juno”; the Temple of Juno Moneta, a temple in Ancient Rome used to mint Roman coins. The Santa Maria In Ara Coeli can be visited free of charge, and is open from 7:00-19:00 every day of the week. Foro Romano Although fairly downsized, the heart of Ancient Rome in the centre of the city, located right between Capitoline Hill and Colosseum, is otherwise as accurate as can be, and Montréal did a stellar job recreating it. From the overall look and feel of the area, to the remaining ruins of all the temples and arches it houses. In ancient times, the Roman Forum was home to everything from public meetings, trials, and gladiatorial matches, as well as housing a number of shops and markets, and being home to different religious ceremonies. The Roman Forum can be visited every day of the year, from 8:30-19:15 from January-September, and from 8:30-18:30 from October-December. Tickets start at 24,90€, also including access to Palatine Hill and the Colosseum. Colosseum Up next, we take a look at one of the city’s as well as the world’s most famous landmarks, the iconic gladiatorial arena of Il Colosseo. The exterior of the arena more or less looks the same as it does in-game, and has done so for hundreds of years now, with one half of the original iconic facade still standing, the other destroyed by an earthquake in 1349. Constructed in 72 AD, the original facade is believed to have been fully round, more white coloured, with statues in each window and flags on top. Inside of the arena, a few notable differences are prominent, most notably on the centre battlefield itself. Not only is the game’s version moderately downsized, but also has a flatter, greener surface, and is a more open space, with the absence of the big walls standing there today. The area above with the old stands, then holding thousands and thousands of spectators is as spot on as can be. The Colosseum can be visited every day of the year, from 8:30-19:15 from January-September, and from 8:30-18:30 from October-December. Tickets start at 24,90€, also including access to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Castel Sant’Angelo Penultimately on this list, we shift focus towards the massive and iconic fortress of Castel Sant’Angelo, located right next and en route to The Vatican. Constructed between 135-139 AD, originally serving as the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, then converted into a fortress in the 5th century. Although absent in-game, a note worthy aspect of the castle, the atop statue of the archangel Michael, has quite the story behind it. Legend has it, in 590, Pope Gregory The Great, praying for the end of a plague, had a vision of said archangel sheathing his sword over the castle, signifying the end of the plague. Hence, the castle got its modern name, and said statue to symbolise it. Other than this statue, Brotherhood’s portrayal of the iconic castle is more or less spot on, including Ponte Sant’Angelo crossing the Tiber, leading to it. Militant use of the place ceased in 1901, the castle underwent restoration, and serves today as a military history museum. Castel Sant’Angelo can be visited every day of the year, with the exception of Mondays, 1st January, 1st May and 25th December, from 9:00-19:30, with tickets starting at 22,90€. Basilica Di San Pietro And last but not least, the iconic basilica of St. Peter’s, one of the most sacred sites in Christianity, has seen its fair share of change, from first being founded in 326 under Roman Emperor Constantine, to Pope Julius II in 1506, laying the first stone of the massive church standing today. As portrayed in Brotherhood, the original basilica was nowhere near as big as its successor, but based on a 19th century drawing, showing the place as it is believed to have looked mid 15th century, it is safe to say Montréal did a great job replicating it. From the basilica itself and its facade, the atrium, and most of the surrounding area. Only exception and where the game’s portrayal has free styled a bit, is the iconic dome, which technically wasn’t designed until mid 16th century by Michelangelo, with construction being finished from 1588-1590. The basilica stood fully finished in 1626, a whole 120 years after construction began. St. Peter’s Basilica is open and can be visited free of charge, every day of the week, all year round from 7:00-19:00. Going up in the dome costs 8€ using the stairs, and 10€ using the elevator. It is open from 7:30-18:00 in the summer months, closing one hour earlier in the winter months. And that concludes this comparison, of yet another iconic city, portrayed in-game versus its real life counterpart! Make sure to stay tuned as we shift focus towards other towns and cities in the future, and check out our other articles comparing London and Florence, as well as our video comparing Monteriggioni, available on our YouTube channel and TikTok page! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016, but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews & composing. By joining The Ones Who Came Before in 2019, originally reviving 'The Memory Corridor' podcast, which had been offline for nearly a year, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further develop his skills. 

His unique skill set made him the perfect candidate for our team. Among other things, he is known in the community for the Sounds Of History project - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental music project, featuring five tracks inspired by as many different games - other original fan themes plus covers of iconic AC tracks, as well as video interviews with a number of high profile names in the world of AC, from Roger Craig Smith, Jesper Kyd and more. Fun fact, among his growing colourful tattoo collection, Gustav is the only member of our team to have the TOWCB logo inked. Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)

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)

TMC Episode 23 Released Podcast Share 14 Jan 2023 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Back To Database Our latest episode of The Memory Corridor is now available for listening. Join Guest Host @ACLetsTalk (Declan) , and @Isu_network members @Gargudon (Gustav Poulsen) and @TheLordReylus (Michael Smith) on a retrospective of the original #AssassinsCreed game. On Episode 23 of The Memory Corridor, returning guest Michael Smith from TOWCB joins guest host Declan from the Let’s Talk AC podcast for the final retrospective look at older Assassin’s Creed titles, focusing on the game that started it all over 15 years ago, Assassin’s Creed. At the centre of focus is everything from the plusses and minuses of the game, its legacy, how it laid the groundwork for the franchise, to the other pieces of film and game media it helped inspire and much more. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016, but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews & composing. By joining The Ones Who Came Before in 2019, originally reviving 'The Memory Corridor' podcast, which had been offline for nearly a year, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further develop his skills. 

His unique skill set made him the perfect candidate for our team. Among other things, he is known in the community for the Sounds Of History project - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental music project, featuring five tracks inspired by as many different games - other original fan themes plus covers of iconic AC tracks, as well as video interviews with a number of high profile names in the world of AC, from Roger Craig Smith, Jesper Kyd and more. Fun fact, among his growing colourful tattoo collection, Gustav is the only member of our team to have the TOWCB logo inked. Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)

Best quotes in Assassin's Creed Unity Share Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Back To Database 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)

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 28th May - 3rd June 2022 Community Share 12 Jun 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the new weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week, we 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 capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 1) Caveman Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey This week’s first capture comes from @CosmosThief over on Twitter. I am not sure if Alexios has been featured yet in our weekly showcases, however this shot makes a great debut for him. I am a fan of how this capture has been put together, such a small snapshot yet so striking. A fantastic silhouette of the Eagle Bearer brought to life by the light pouring in from above. 2) Eagle Vision Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Photo number two comes from @ kingforever008 , member of our Assassin's Creed VP Twitter community. For me this is photo of the week in our community. What an incredible capture of Ikaros and Kassandra. The striking thing about this is the positioning. It’s not always easy to line these sort of shots up. The subtle colour added to the eyes really make this capture something special. I think Bayek and Eivor should be next to complete the set. 3) Birdman Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins This week’s third shot comes from @ IshaanMishra05 over on Twitter. There had to be an Assassin’s Creed Origins capture in this week after the release of the 60fps patch. Continuing with the theme of hero and their pets, we see Bayek and Senu watching over the land. I love the colours in this picture, they really make the silhouette of Bayek stand out. The white pouring in also makes it feel like there is a sandstorm blowing in. 4) Landscape Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP number four comes from @ jules_vp_ over on Twitter. The fourth capture of the week actually comes from an amazing set of environmental shots. This picture really shows off how stunning the landscape is in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The positioning of this capture is beautiful. Your eyes are just drawn down to the rocks and the amazing reflections in the water. I have been blown away by the details and the design of England in Valhalla. I think it was a nice change of pace after two very sun-drenched entries. 5) Night in Venice Game: Assassin’s Creed II The final capture of the week comes from @ Sirnotbanndwulf , member of our AC VP Twitter Community. For our final shot of the week we return to Italy and roll back the years to Assassin’s Creed two. I love this capture it is full of nostalgia for me. I would adore to play this game again with improved graphics and Unity movements. This is a fantastic capture showcasing the rooftops of Venice, I am mostly liking the light coming from the moon. 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

Ubisoft release Assassin's Creed Mirage PC Features Trailer News Share 19 Sept 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Back To Database Ubisoft has released the 'PC Features' trailer for Assassin's Creed Mirage, for the first time showcasing the game outside of console release! Check out Baghdad and the surrounding areas, along with crystal clear details enhanced by an uncapped frame rate! Also released were the minimum requirements needed to run Mirage! Here is a chart comparing a few possible hardware configurations, and what performance specs to target with them. Finally, here are some captures from the trailer! That's all for now! Stay tuned for more updates on Assassin's Creed Mirage! 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)

Discovery Tour by Ubisoft: The Educational Software and Books for Exploring History Breakdown Share 14 Sept 2021 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Assassin’s Creed was first introduced to the gaming world in 2007 with the release of its titled release “Assassin’s Creed”. The game told a fictional story of two warring factions seeking an artifact of unknown power during the real historical setting of the Third Crusade in the Holy Land (modern day Jerusalem). Throughout the game, players were provided information via game dialogue and recaps from the perspective of the protagonist to provide historical insight of the world around them. This idea of historical education embedded in an action stealth video game would progress further as the series continued, adding codex libraries of reference data for historical locations, people, and various additional subjects. Ubisoft, the publisher of the Assassin’s Creed games, decided in 2017 alongside the launch of Assassin’s Creed Origins, to release a new game mode titled Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt where players and those interested in history would be able to control a character within the digital representation of Egypt and participate in walking tours that educated them on the history that influenced the flagship series. This was successful enough that a second entry of the new mode was released the following year with Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece. In 2020, Larousse (a French publishing house) released a physical print of the Discovery Tours via the Discovery Book by Assassin’s Creed Series, titled Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece. Within these reference books, 1001 facts about the eras were collected with their pages. At the time of this review, these books have only been released in French, but are advertised on the Great Britain and French Assassin’s Creed Stories publishing sites. For this article, the Ancient Greece version of the Discovery Tour and Book will be examined after completing the full game mode, and reading the book with Google Translate. In both the book and the game, the history of Ancient Greece is broken down into “Themes” and within those themes are the “Tours” that educate on one of 30 different subjects. Within the game mode, the player can select a character from a list of fictional and historical persons, such as the main protagonist Kassandra/ Alexios or a simple farmer from that era, some of the characters must be unlocked by completing a set number of tours or themes, as well as a horse to travel from location to location without having to worry about combat and stroll through the vibrant environment designed by the Assassin’s Creed team while listening to a narration of the history of Greece. The player is greeted at the start of the tour by one of a small handful of tour guides, such as Herodotus and Aspasia. The player can ask the guide questions about themselves to learn of these historical figures/characters from the game. From here, the game's narrator will highlight numerous stops that players will traverse the environment by following a lighted pathway to get to a stop and interact with it to play the audio information about the subject of that stop. Once completing the tour, players will return to the tour guide at the end of the guided pathway and take a short multiple choice quiz to see if the player remembers what they just learned. There is no failure to the tour quiz as the guide will correct you and reeducate about the correct answer if necessary. Players can discover new tours by Fast Traveling to the starting location or exploring the map at their own pace and tracking their progress via in-game menus and checkpoints on the Map. Each tour informs of the number of checkpoints, known as Stations, and the estimated time it should take to complete that tour. Tours can take anywhere from 5 minutes to half an hour, but are filled with visuals, camerawork, real pictures and sketches of the subject to compare to the ingame models. Players of the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey title will notice that locations in the Discovery Tour are different than they were in game as the developers adjusted the locations to be more historically accurate and less focused on integration with game mechanics. Players that would like to experience the history of Ancient Greece also have the option of taking the tours in order of the timeline available in the menu. This option is partially how the Discovery Book is organized. The book is sectioned into 9 sections of interest and within those are 42 subjects over 95 pages. The information provided in the book is the same information provided in the game mode, arranged alongside images of items from the real world or screenshots of the game. As you can see in the images below, the information provided is similar, appearing differently due to translation and where said information is provided on the page. The book, while providing the same information as the game mode, provides a better sense of educational value as it reads like a traditional encyclopedia, with the downside of being currently available in French only. However the gamification of unlocking additional characters and mounts as well as traversing the beautiful landscapes of Greece make the adventure of finding and going through the tours more entertaining. With children these days generally more intrigued by computer screens than books, this software provides a great way of educating children and classrooms in a new way. The potential of coming into class and playing a Discovery Tour game versus watching a film would be beneficial to students absorbing information and talking more about what they learned and found while exploring the Greek World. This could also be a great format for museums to expand exhibits and offer new experiences from home via live service updates similar to that of the main Assassin’s Creed games. Both the Ancient Greece and Egypt Tours and Books are a great way to learn about the history that inspired the Assassin’s Creed series and a great addition to any collection. For those that are not interested in purchasing the full games that include the Discovery Tour, the tours are offered as a stand alone product for PC users and videos of the tours are available on the Discovery Tour by Ubisoft website. Previous fans of the game mode will be happy to know that the next entry Discovery Tour: Viking Age for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will be releasing in the fall of 2021 (October 19th) . In this new era, locations from around the Valhalla game will be explorable, such as Englad, Ireland, France, and even the home of the Norse Gods, Asgard. Players will be able to play as favorite characters and NPCs from the game and explore the real world influences in depth. Information provided by the Ubisoft team working on this mode confirms that it will be more immersive than the previous iterations. This could mean new mechanics such as puzzles to learn secrets of the past, or possibly the introduction of a more interactive tour that is more than a stop and admire version that players are used to with museums and games like this. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Michael Smith

Celebrating 10 Years of The Ones Who Came Before Community Share 14 Sept 2024 Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team Colum Blackett Back To Database August 10th marked ten years since the creation of The Ones Who Came Before (@ ACFirstciv ). What started out as a passion project set up at home in 2014, TOWCB today is a recognisable brand within the AC Community which has gained momentum around the globe, today acting as reliable source of information for over 60,000 fans. Today we are officially recognised by Ubisoft as leaders within the community, and we want to thank each and every person who has contributed towards our journey. Here is our round-up as we celebrate the creation of The Ones Who Came Before, and a decade of Assassin's Creed content and community moments! Graphics by MoonChildGecko We kicked off our celebrations with a new wave of graphics thanks to our very own Thea Marie Rivedal (@ MoonChildGecko ) We wanted to replicate the style and colour scheme of the official Assassin's Creed 15th Anniversary but with our twist, and Thea delivered on the brief. We had numerous options so selecting a favourite was incredibly difficult. Which variant is your favourite? Let us know in the comments! Interview with Jesper Kyd We are proud to present our interview with veteran composer Jesper Kyd, hosted by Gustav Poulsen ( Gargudon ). This truly unique discussion covers all things music creation, influences behind the Assassin's Creed soundtracks and more! Additionally to go with the interview, we also put out covers of "Wetlands Combat" & "Flight Over Venice" - arranged and produced by Gargudon also - from Jesper's legendary Assassin's Creed II soundtrack, and two more covers are still to be released coming very soon! Celebrating 10 years of TOWCB as well as 15 years of Assassin’s Creed II, a few weeks ago our team’s fellow musician Gargudon, had the opportunity to sit down with renowned composer Jesper Kyd - the man behind the soundtracks of Assassin’s Creed I, The Ezio Trilogy & Valhalla, and some of the most iconic tracks of the franchise - for a chat about everything from Jesper’s journey in music, writing process and influences, capturing the sound of AC, sound design and production, advice for aspiring composers and more. Rally the Creed #10 : 10 Years Of The Ones Who Came Before In this special tenth episode of our community podcast Rally The Creed, site founder Colum and Gargudon reflect on 10 years of The Ones Who Came Before. From the site’s origin and growth, the evolution of our team, our hosts’ 9 years of friendship, looking to the future and much more. Enjoy listening! Thanks for 10 years to every single one of our followers, whether you have been with us from the beginning, have just hopped aboard, or anywhere in between. Cheers Assassins and here’s to 10 more! Assassin's Creed Mirage Giveaway Finally, to conclude our 10 Year Anniversary Celebrations, we gave away an Assassin's Creed Mirage Collectors Case (without game code), courtesy of Ubisoft UK! Congratulations to our winner! The Isu Network Expands ''It's an absolute privilege to work alongside such a creative group of content creators each day as we seek to produce an array of unique and interesting content for our audience members around the world. The Isu_Network is the heart and soul of The Ones Who Came Before, and I'm thrilled to be working alongside such an incredibly talented team. In the final months of 2024, I'll be working alongside the team to identity our strengths and weaknesses, and recruiting even more members to our ranks to ensure that TOWCB remains the home of AC Community content.'' Colum Blackett (The Ones Who Came Before Team Leader) 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

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: October 12th - 18th 2020 Community Share 19 Oct 2020 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the second article of a new weekly virtual photography initiative hosted by Gustav Poulsen from The AC Partnership Program. Each week, five Assassin's Creed shots will be showcased here on TOWCB website, in order to promote virtual photography and community contributions. Gustav is a seasoned pro when it comes to virtual photography, and has a keen eye for special shots. Look out for more Photo Logs over the coming weeks, some of which may include Assassin's Creed Valhalla! Familiar Shore The first picture from this week’s recap is from Assassin’s Creed Rogue Remastered. Taken by Instagram user @ shaysredemption , it brilliantly captures the beauty and photogenic landscapes of the North Atlantic. With everything from cute penguins, a clear ocean, cliffs & ice mountains, a beautiful night sky and more in the frame, this picture easily makes the top of this week’s recap. Ghost Rider This week’s second picture has been taken in AC Origins by Instagram user @ assassinscreed_shots. Amongst its many elements, it features a beautiful photogenic sunset and blue sky, but most importantly it features Bayek riding in to the sunset accompanied by a… Mysterious companion to say the least. Whether this is an actual ghost, a result of Bayek hallucinating from the desert’s heat or something third, it sure does look freaky. Finally, the photographer has also paid attention to the picture’s depth of field, choosing to focus on Bayek, making the sunset even prettier by blurring it. For this week’s third select, we have another capture from AC Origins; this one taken by Instagram user @x___stardust_gaming___x. In it we see Bayek underground, exploring what looks like a sort of temple; only Anubis would know how old this place is. The photographer has really paid attention to camera placement, as Bayek looks so small compared to the massive ancient site surrounding him. Above him, we see but a fragment of a clear night sky and an opening, securing Bayek’s freedom can he find a way to reach it… The second last picture on this week’s list is from Assassin’s Creed Unity, and is taken by Instagram user @ zbanko_yt. This pictures’ main quality is its timing, as it perfectly captures Arno mid-air doing a wall eject, jumping backwards from one ledge to who knows where. Other than Arno simply looking cool, a beautiful blue sky can be seen in the background, along with but a portion of Paris. With all these factors as well as a cinematic vibe to it, this picture just had to make this week’s recap. Fading Faster, Falling Further Down a Hole That’s Absent of Light For the final capture of this week’s recap list, we have yet another one from AC Rogue Remastered, also taken by @ shaysredemption . This one captures Assassin gone Templar Shay Cormac, masked and geared up with dual swords, running through one of the beautiful, green landscapes of New England. You would think this picture mostly is peaceful, given the beautiful skies colored by the imminent sunset, and all the majestic tall trees surrounding Shay. But as the title suggests, the picture has a dark tone to it. The mix of the lack of brightness, dry saturation, and Shay furiously running away from… Who really knows what, makes this picture too good to not take up the fifth and final spot on this week’s list. Thanks for checking our this weeks's photo log, and to all of the virtual photographers who contributed torwards this article! Until next time, look out for #TOWCBPhotoChallenge on Twitter to take part in our weekly challenges! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016, but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews & composing. By joining The Ones Who Came Before in 2019, originally reviving 'The Memory Corridor' podcast, which had been offline for nearly a year, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further develop his skills. 

His unique skill set made him the perfect candidate for our team. Among other things, he is known in the community for the Sounds Of History project - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental music project, featuring five tracks inspired by as many different games - other original fan themes plus covers of iconic AC tracks, as well as video interviews with a number of high profile names in the world of AC, from Roger Craig Smith, Jesper Kyd and more. Fun fact, among his growing colourful tattoo collection, Gustav is the only member of our team to have the TOWCB logo inked. Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 20th - 26th August 2022 Community Share 27 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 capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 1) Kassandra & Ikaros Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey This week’s first capture comes from @ thewolfkissedVP a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. First up we have a delightful shot of Kassandra and Ikaros having an intimate moment. The timing to achieve such a capture is impeccable. This has to be up there with one of my favourite photos from Assassin's Creed Odyssey. I have to mention the use of colour, it really is done to perfection. The photo looks almost painting like in how it is presented. I think Kevin has really captured the bond between Kassandra and Ikaros, beautiful work. 2) Scenic Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Photo number two comes from @ Huldera1 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Next up we have a wonderful shot of the sun reflecting off the water in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. At first glance this photo could be mistaken for real life. The details and ambiance are so magnificently captured. I really like the person out on the boat, and the snow topped mountains in the distance. It is worth checking out the full set using the link below. These are some of the best atmospheric shots I have seen. Link to set 3) Brotherhood Game: Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood This week’s third shot comes from @ FrameHoldPhotos a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. It is Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood week for the AC15 celebration, and it felt wrong not to include a shot from that game. Lucky for me we have someone who is great at capturing moments in the older games. What I love about this shot is how it represents playing the game. We are in the perspective of the player and that is something not often seen in the newer games. The deep colours in this shot are splendid and the red of Ezio’s outfit really stands out. A classical capture from a legendary game. 4) Altair Game: Assassin’s Creed VP number four comes from @ Subject_72 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Photo number four continues the themes of the previous shot. Traditional in style, we see the Assassin who started it all. This is a beautifully constructed shot that amplifies a game that is 15 years old. You can see why a remake is so sort after. The colours here are fantastic and I love how Altar stands out amongst the crowd. It is great to see lots of captures from the older games, I hope it continues after the celebrations come to an end. 5) Ice Cold Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla The final capture of the week comes from @ Spiggy_Smalls over on Twitter. The final shot appeared on my feed this week and I could not help but admire it. There is so much to like about this photo. Obviously the positioning of this shot is the standout with the camera looking through the trees. However that is not the only thing I love about this capture. I really like that Eivor’s sat on the horse atop a rock, looking out over the lands. The church in the distance, masked by the fog is a fantastic addition. What a stunning photo, worthy of being on a canvas. 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

Cracking the Isu Code: Part 2 Analysis Share 22 Jan 2022 Written By: Edited By: Preston Carbonaro Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Have you read Part 1 of our codebreaking series? Ready for more? Well, good news! We’re back with some brand new Isu codebreaking goodness for you all! 10th March is steadily approaching, and everyone here at TOWCB is gearing up for Ragnarok! ... No, there won’t actually be a catastrophic end-of-the-world event. Don’t worry. We're referring to the upcoming DLC, Dawn of Ragnarok. The much-awaited expansion for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. In this article we’ll be looking at the Isu text engraved into the stone gate leading to Muspelheim, the realm of fire; home of the fire giants, and guarded by the fierce jötunn Surtr wielding his massive fiery blade. Deciphering the Ragnarok Gate Alongside the Dawn of Ragnarok Cinematic World Trailer, Ubisoft have also been promoting an image of a gate which could lead to another realm. Fans were quick to notice the strange symbols that surround it, which are in fact written in secret language of the highly advanced precursor race known as the Isu. Here is our step by step guide to decoding it! Underlined in blue above is the Isu word for ‘blind’ (wàrh). The character underlined in white denotes that the word is in its singular form. With this information, we can conclude that the word in the yellow box translates to ‘Blind One’ (referring to Havi / Odin), who is missing his left eye after sacrificing it in exchange for newfound wisdom gained by drinking water from Mimir’s well. Note: In Access The Animus’ video, ‘blind’ is replaced with ‘mad’. This is a direct reference to when Loki called Odin the “Mad One” in the game’s Isu era cutscene. As you can see, both words can be used interchangeably without affecting the meaning of the message. The final step, as always, is to form a comprehensible phrase using all of our findings. Thus, the Muspelheim gate message translates to: “Blind One, what did you do?” or “Mad One, what have you done?” But the work doesn’t stop there, as we still have one more symbol left to decode. The one at the very top of the gate. And as most of you could probably tell, this is not in the Isu language. Odin by Mentor Of The Creed Dawn of Ragnarok will be the third story expansion for the game, and is set to be released on 10th March 2022 worldwide on all platforms. The new DLC will further expand upon Norse mythology, and will allow players to travel to the dwarven realm of Svartalfheim where Eivor must step back into the role of Havi (Odin) to rescue his son Baldr from the fire giant Surtr. Link to Access The Animus video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLyG52L3S1c Link to the free downloadable Codex Transferendum 2.0.1, written by ActualSpider-Man from TOWCB's Writing Team: https://www.docdroid.net/wommaEU/codex-transferendum-201-pdf 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 Codename Red confirmed for 2024 release by Ubisoft Employee News Share 31 Jan 2024 Written By: Edited By: UbiCypher (Joe) Colum Blackett Back To Database It seems that Assassin's Creed Codename Red has been officially confirmed for a 2024 release by a Ubisoft Employee on LinkedIn! In a post created last year advertising marketing opportunities between Ubisoft and potential partners, Arisa Lagunzad, (Business Development and Brand Partnership at Ubisoft Shanghai), stated that ''Assassin's Creed Red is set to be the biggest blockbuster of 2024”. The post has since been edited, removing the release date, suggesting that this confirmation of a release window wasn't supposed to be shared yet. According to numerous LinkedIn profiles related to employees currently assigned to Assassin's Creed: Codename Red, it would seem that the game's marketing campaign is currently being worked on behind the scenes in preparation for a full reveal, given the role of Philippe Bellemare Fraser; ''promotional trailers and announcement video editor.'' Another developer's profile suggests that the game may include naval elements, a key detail spotted by eagle-eyed Assassins. According to history, the Samurai were also seamen. It is well documented that they had their fair share of piracy as well, with the Japanese pirates roaming along the coast of China under the name of Wokou. One of the most famous examples of Japanese naval warfare supremacy was Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga had six iron-covered Ō-atakebune (Great Atakebune) made in 1576. These ships were called Tekkōsen, (iron armored ships), armed with multiple cannons and large calibre rifles leaving no quarter to the wooden enemy vessels he mostly faced). Finally, Ubisoft Shanghai revealed at their Annual Meeting 2024 meeting that they are working on Assassin's Creed Codename Red! #AssassinsCreedCodenameRed . We can't wait to learn more about Assassin's Creed: Codename Red! Stay tuned for more news and updates on Assassin's Creed here at The Ones Who Came Before. Credits Updates by Assassin's Creed News ( @ _L3vi3 ) Translation by NerdLad 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 worked as the Lead Admin for the Isu_Network social media team, providing 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. In 2025, he stepped back from his social media duties to pursue other opportunities. UbiCypher (Joe)

Weekly Assassin's Creed News Recap: 24th - 30th July 2022 News Share 31 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to a new weekly Assassin's Creed News Recap series, hosted by Colum Blackett (Col_96) from The Ubisoft Star Players Program (Formerly Mentors Guild). Every week, we will be rounding up Assassin's Creed News and sharing it here on The Ones Who Came Before website. Keep an eye on the site every Sunday for more weekly recaps, or check out our social media links down below to stay updated on everything Assassin's Creed. 1) We begin this week's Assassin's Creed recap by sharing another collaborative project by community members Arshak ( AC: Landmarks ) , Zark ( Master Hekate's Ceremonials ) & Science_creed, who once again came together to host a 2-hour long virtual tour and trivia, this time for Assassin's Creed Unity! In this week's stream, the team covered everything from the Palace of Versailles to Napoleon Bonaparte, and dived deeper into the bloody history behind the French Revolution. You can find the AC Unity Virtual Tour / Trivia here 2) We here at TOWCB released a new article titled Aztec Empire: Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game The article, written by new Isu Network member Finn Fletcher launched on Wednesday this week, and has already broken one of our own personal records! The sensational piece is now the biggest debut article to launch in the history of our website, attracting thousands of new readers to the site! In the article, Finn pitches an Assassin's Creed game set during the Aztec Empire, along the way creating an original character and unique storyline! We will certainly be exploring this era and other potential settings further in future articles. You can look to more articles by Finn, which are set to launch 3) This week, Aaron Young from the Writing Team launched a special edition of our ' This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography ' series. For the first time ever, we featured six shots, to mark six months worth of articles! The theme for the article was Black and White, showcasing incredible captures by community members. A big congratulations to Aaron for reaching the milestone, and to all of the community members featured in the article! You can look forward to more articles in the series, which release every Saturday, or head to the VP Hub to see everything in the series so far. 4) Ubisoft revealed that an Assassin’s Creed 15th Anniversary Community Cosplay Championship event would be taking place at Insomnia Gaming Festival #i69 in August! In a short video shared on social media, cosplay projects, including those created and worn by our good friends Kim Beacham and Jamie Oakley from Assassin's Creed United Kingdom advertised the upcoming event. According to the Insomnia website, the winner of the event will win a 'true Assassin’s Creed VIP Experience'. More details will be shared on this at a later date, but the prize will be a 'fantastic moment' for any Assassin’s Creed fan! Good luck to all the participants! 5) Some disturbing news to share this week. According to Axios's Stephen Totilo former Assassin's Creed creative director Ashraf Ismail (terminated by Ubisoft in 2020 after an internal misconduct investigation) has been quietly working for Tencent's TiMi studios since 2021 as "a consulting creative director". Here is the statement provided to Axios by TiMi's company rep : “During our work with Ash, he has carried himself in a professional manner and has consistently shown an eagerness to learn and grow as both a team member and person," The news broke on Twitter and sparked an uneasy feeling within the community. The wound is still fresh, and for many, the disgraced figure gaining a position at another gaming company simply feels like abusers can be recycled to other companies. The other worrying factor for many is that this individual could potentially be working with fans again one day. A link also remains, as Ubisoft and Tencent are working together on various projects, including Assassin's Creed mobile games launching in Asian territories. As this is a difficult topic, we have opted to share our message to the community from 2020 instead of a photo of a person which we deem to be highly toxic. We stand with the victims and our fans 6) New State Mobile announced an unexpected collaboration with Assassin's Creed. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, a free battle royale game available on Steam will soon be launching an Assassin's Creed crossover event, beginning August 17th and running until September 22nd. According to PC Gamer , the following items will be available: Costumes (x2 sets) Bag Skins (x2 sets) Parachute Skin Emote Gun Charm Spray Item (x2 sets) PUBG's Haven map will also be transforming a main building into an Abstergo Industries facility, featuring an Animus machine and Leap of Faith ledges! Although this crossover came completely out of the blue, it sounds like a ton of fun for gamers. We look forward to seeing the community response to the event! 7) Sad news to report this week, as Assassin's Creed Community Developer Sebasteann Barradas announced that he would be leaving the position. In a closing statement posted on Twitter, he reflected on his 'rewarding, transformative, and utterly unbelievable time working on Assassin's Creed.'' ''I will always remember the warmth and passion of this community, how AC acts as a unifier, and how every detail matters. I need to thank you all. Thank you for your ambition. Thank you for your wonder.'' Although Sebasteann only joined the AC dev team in January 2022, he demonstrated great community engagement and passion for the brand. Our own experiences with Seb were extremely positive. Most recently, Seb was one of the team members who hosted the Assassin's Creed 15 Year Anniversary Celebrations stream. We wish him good luck on his future endeavours. 8) Finally, we close our recap by revealing that this week, Ubisoft announced the release date for Assassin's Creed Valhalla: The Forgotten Saga, along with the launch of the 2022 Sigrblot Festival! The Forgotten Saga is a free roguelite game mode which is set to launch August 2nd, and take players to Niflheim, the Norse Hell. Odin will battle the forces of Niflheim, making critical decisions along the way which will determine the outcome. Challenges will take place throughout the four regions of the realm, with the end goal being to defeat all of the enemies, and return to the realm even stronger with upgraded weaponry. This mode is perfect for speedrunners, (also known as Creedrunners), who will no doubt discover the best ways of slaying dragons and other forces of Hel. Also announced was the return of the Sigrblot Festival, which last year introduced a number of new activities and rewards to Ravensthorpe. We understand that the 2021 festival brought with it some major technical issues, so we hope that the 2022 version is much smoother for players. What are your thoughts on Assassin's Creed Valhalla's post-launch content so far? Let us know in the comments below! We hope that you enjoyed this Assassin's Creed News Recap! You can look forward to more articles like this, dropping every Sunday! What was your highlight of the week? Let us know in the comments! 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)

Black Flag: The original RPG Assassin’s Creed Analysis Share 20 Sept 2025 Written By: Edited By: James Davis (TopChef1288) Colum Blackett Back To Database ''Black Flag was both a culmination of the franchise’s past and a blueprint for its future.'' When conversations turn to the “RPG era” of Assassin’s Creed, games like Origins, Odyssey & Valhalla often take center stage in this debate. Their sprawling worlds, layered progression systems, coupled with an emphasis on player freedom; are all seen as a drastic shift from the series “stealth” driven beginnings. Promo image for Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag But if you trace these mechanics back through the franchise’s history. Their roots don't begin in Greece or Egypt, or even England. They begin on the high seas, in the Caribbean with Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Black Flag introduced systems that would become the cornerstones of the “RPG era” identity. Ship upgrades that mirrored RPG-style progression, resource gathering that demanded grinding. A vast open world that gave the player masses of freedom, that sometimes came at the cost of narrative focus. For many, this blend of mechanics was exhilarating and cemented the game’s reputation as a fan favorite. Yet for me, it has always marked the beginning of a shift that I wasn't fully ready to embrace. In this article, I want to explore how Black Flag laid the foundation for the “RPG era” of Assassin’s Creed. Why those design choices resonated with some players but alienated others; and how my own frustration with Black Flag shaped the way I viewed the series’ evolution. Map Size & the Open World Part of the map in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag One of the striking features of Black Flag was the sheer scale of its world. In numbers alone, it's the second largest map at a whopping 235 kilometers squared; making it around 167 times larger than the largest pre-Black Flag Assassin's Creed title, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. It feels massive in comparison to previous titles in the franchise, not just in map size but also in player freedom. For the first time in the series, players were not confined to a single city or a tightly controlled landscape. Instead they could sail in any direction, uncover any island, even dive into ship wrecks and stumble upon secrets scattered around the Caribbean. This scale was groundbreaking at the time but it also came at a cost. The trade offs that would become more apparent in the “RPG era” Earlier entries like Assassin’s Creed II or Brotherhood used tightly designed cities to create density and focus, but Black Flag stretched its content out across an open ocean. Exploration was a massive thrill at first but long stretches of empty water & repetitive encounters often diluted the pace of the game. The same issue has now defined the debate around the RPG titles, like Valhalla & Odyssey. They are all undeniably vast but the size of their maps often comes at the expense of the narrative, urgency or variety. In this sense, Black Flag can be seen as the prototype for Ubisoft’s later obsession with this huge scale. The series shift towards enormous, open maps didn't start with Origins. It started the moment players first hoisted the sails of the Jackdaw. Combat Promo image for Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag Combat in Black Flag also marked the turning point in the series. Earlier entries, particularly the Ezio trilogy, emphasized counters, timing and the Assassin tools of stealth. By contrast, Black Flag leaned more into the cinematic, action orientated approach. Edward’s dual cutlass & pistols made open conflict more viable than ever before. Naval combat also became a central gameplay focus, pushing combat even further into the grand spectacle. This shift away from stealth first design, mirrors the trajectory of the “RPG era” in the RPG three, stealth remains an option but the systems in place increasingly reward direct confrontation. Through leveling, skill trees and loot driven combat upgrades. What was once a series defined by patience and subtlety, gradually transformed into one where combat is not only encouraged but often required to progress. For players who prefer the Assassin fantasy of striking unseen, this shift can feel like a loss of identity. Black Flag may not have had damage numbers popping up above enemies heads, but it was already moving into the same direction; away from the intimate, surgical strikes of an assassin & towards the broad, action heavy systems that would define and dominate more of the “RPG era” Modern Day Concept art for the Abstergo Facility in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag If the early games were built on two parallel stories, the historical adventure and the ongoing modern day conflict. Black Flag is that balance which begins to unravel. In previous entries, particularly the Desmond saga, tied the modern day narrative directly into the core of the experience. Players weren’t just reliving history, they were part of something much larger; a contemporary struggle that gave weight to the Animus sequence. In Black Flag however, the modern day storyline was pushed to the background. The player becomes a faceless Abstergo employee wandering around an office building, with most the modern day relegated to scattered notes, email or optional interactions. While some found this approach refreshing or less obtrusive, it signalled again a larger shift in the balance of Assassin’s Creed. The modern day was no longer an essential part of the narrative. The sidelining only deepened in the “RPG era” where modern day narrative often feels fragmented or secondary compared to the sheer scale of the historical sandbox. Just as Black Flag made open world the star of the show, later RPG entries doubled down on the idea that history itself was the primary draw, while overarching Assassin vs Templar conflict faded into the background. For fans who valued the duality of the series, this was a significant turning point in the franchise. Levelling and Stats through Outfits Mayan outfit in AC IV Black Flag. Image source: SVG Progression in Black Flag also hinted at the RPG elements that would later define the series. Whilst the game didn't have formal levelling systems or skill trees, it quietly introduced the idea of character stats being tied to gear. Edward could unlock new outfits that provided tangible bonuses for him. Outfits like the Mayan armor grants a bullet-deflecting effect, the Stealth outfit reduces his detection rate, and the Hunter outfit decreases his detection range by animals. These weren’t just cosmetic, they added a layer of progression that nudged the player towards thinking in terms of builds and stat advantages. In retrospect, Black Flag’s outfits system feels like a prototype. A small test to whether the player would embrace progression through gear. By the time the “RPG era” arrived, that experiment had evolved into the series' core identity; with loot, rarity tiers & detailed stat management becoming central to the players experience. For players who prefer the simplicity of the earlier titles, this shift can feel bloated, but the roots of that design philosophy were already present in Edward’s wardrobe. Ship Upgrades Promo image for The Jackdaw in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag If there's one system that Black Flag clearly foreshadows in the “RPG era” it has to be the Jackdaw. The ship wasn't just a vehicle, it was a character in itself.one that needed to be upgraded, reinforced and customised in order to take out stronger enemies. Players had to gather resources, invest in improvements and grind for the materials necessary to survive late in the game’s naval battles. This loop at its core is an RPG progression system. The Jackdaw acted as Edward’s “character level” with each upgrade unlocking new possibilities in exploration and combat. Just as later RPG titles would gate certain areas or enemies behind level requirements, Black Flag tied access to tougher ships, legendary encounters and hidden rewards to how much time players had invested in the upgrading of the Jackdaw. For many fans, this system was the highlight of the game, an addictive cycle of risk and reward; that gave this vast open world a sense of purpose. Yet for many others, it introduced a reliance on grinding that would become a major criticism for the RPG titles. What felt fresh in Black Flag became a formula in Origins, Valhalla & Odyssey; progression tied less to narrative achievements and more to how much you were willing to repeat tasks in order to grow stronger. Conclusion Promo image for Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag via Ubisoft Looking back, it's clear that Black Flag was more than a pirate game, it was the testing ground for the mechanics that would become the defining elements of the “RPG era” of the franchise. Its vastly expansive open world, action orientated combat, gear based progression & ship upgrades. They all foreshadowed the design model of the RPG games. At the time, these changes felt thrilling to most; offering unprecedented freedom and depth. Yet the same elements that drew players in also introduced the very frustrations that players voice now about the new era of Assassin’s Creed. Sprawling maps that sometimes feel empty, combat that is prioritised over stealth. And never ending progression loops that encourage over story. In this sense Black Flag was both a culmination of the franchise’s past and a blueprint for its future. Whether you love or dislike the RPG titles, it's impossible to ignore the legacy of Edward’s Caribbean adventure. Black Flag wasn't just a high seas odyssey, it was the prototype that quietly reshaped Assassin’s Creed before our very eyes; charting a course that would follow for years to come. Clip from Rally the Creed Live #2 , which explores the topic further comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author James is a video creator based in the UK who joined TOWCB's Video Content Creation Team in June 2025. James was brought onboard to help TOWCB with news coverage on TikTok, and creating a consistent Twitch streaming schedule. He is a big fan of the Assassin's Creed series who will be helping TOWCB grow in late 2025, with a particular focus on TikTok, Youtube and Instagram. By joining the partnership program, we aim to provide James with opportunities to grow and further his relationship with the AC Community and Ubisoft. James Davis (TopChef1288)

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 19th to 25th June Community Share 27 Jun 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 The Legend of Siwa Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ PodToGo “Let me tell you of him. The legend of Siwa. The shadow who is Bayek” The journey from Medjay to Hidden One is something I will always look back on with great satisfaction. For mem Origins fills the brief of its title and delivers us the beginning of the Creed. This capture exemplifies Bayek and the turbulent time he endured to become an Assassin. I really like the alignment of this shot, and the way it encapsulates the Egyptian feel. I love that Bayek is in the Hidden Ones outfit and that moon peeking out behind the pyramid is sensational. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week selected by @ Gargudon ''Brilliantly framed, beautifully filtered and colourgraded, and with a very certain cinematic vibe to it. This shot is perfectly capturing Bayek's lethality, stealthiness and overall badass-ness.'' Alfred the Great Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ NIKOOO_WOLF “The heathen cares only for personal gain” How could I not include this shot in the weekly selection? The man who saved England and who does not feature in the virtual photography world nearly enough. An excellently handled adversary in Valhalla who just lacked a bit more screen time. NIKOOO has managed to capture him beautifully in both posture and surroundings. The light shining through the stain glass window is both incredible and poignant, given Alfred’s devotion to God. Jackal Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ COSMICVISIONSVP “The Lizard. The priest who cursed Memphis” Whenever I see this set it always reminds of the Lizard questline. He wears a very similar attire to this, and for good reason. The Lizard and his regime in Memphis is despicable, but also what you would expect from a member of the Order of the Ancients. This capture is so menacing, if Bayek is going for the Batman scare factor then he is on to a winner. Perfect use of depth of field function to showcase the magnificently detailed mask. I would not want to come face to face with Bayek wearing this. Link to set: Beautiful England Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ cop_filip “The Land is my Church” This beautifully taken shot sums up why I adore riding around with Eivor in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. It reminds me of the art prints you could get with the collector’s edition. I am really loving the autumnal feel of this capture, with the patches of snow this surely must have been taken in the Northern part of the game. The Church appearing from behind the trees is quite breath-taking. For a game that tells the story of a Viking raider this picture is so serene. The Cyclops Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ horace0816 “Did he call you Cyclops? Did he hurt your feelings?” What a spectacular action shot to end this week’s selection. These boss battles were a lot trickier than the ones in Origins. Although not always loved by the fans they are great showpiece events. The capture impeccably catches Kassandra at the feet of the beast, trying not to be wiped out by his massive club. Great timing to achieve this, especially with both characters in motion. I am liking the teal colour of the water and the vapour rising off the beast's back. Be sure to check the whole set as they are all as polished as this one. 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 (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest Guest Jun 27, 2023 Great Article fantastic job that you all do for the VP community Like Reply 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