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Assassin's Creed Mirage: TOWCB Spoiler-Free Review Reviews Share 1 Jan 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database ''A solid entry that recommits the series to providing a memorable stealth experience'' Assassin's Creed Mirage is here, and our admin team over at The Ones Who Came Before headquarters were lucky enough to play the game early thanks to the Community Development Team at Ubisoft! Taking players back to 9th century Baghdad, Assassin's Creed Mirage is a thrilling stealth game that will surely act as a turning point for the whole series. Recent entries delivered expansive narrative arcs that can be overwhelming for players, but Mirage does everything it can to d eliver a more focussed narrative experience, with a main storyline which can be completed in 15-20 hours. This is a breath of fresh air, and a much needed change, as the risk of getting lost in its own size was beginning to seep in. The biggest strength of Assassin's Creed Mirage is that it isn't afraid to embrace it's identity, proudly reclaiming control over it's own image. The series found itself in a period where it began to lose itself, but Mirage is AC rediscovering itself after an identity crisis, and once again finding what makes it special. The game acts as a very reflective piece of content, and shows great awareness from the development team over the recent issues fans have had in general. I t r eintroduces mechanics which should never have been removed, and builds on the past to deliver an extremely strong and well thought out story that feels like the ultimate culmination of what came before. There's no doubt that Mirage is a solid entry that recommits the series to providing a memorable stealth experience. It really is a special game, and fans around the world are in for an absolute treat. After a lackluster marketing campaign, the main driving force of the marketing pushing general interest has been the passion of the development team who have been vocal in their belief in the project through intervews and dev diaries. After the announcement back in 2022, the community immediately got behind the time period and main character, as Basim is someone who immediately generates interest after his intriguing appearance in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. More importantly though, Mirage promised to return Assassin's Creed to its roots, and it certainly delivered. Comparisons can be drawn to just about every other game in the series, most obviously AC1 and AC2, with a parkour system inspired by Unity. The charm of the game is how it acts as a prequel to the original, released back in 2007, but drives the series forward by reintroducing elements from later games such as a notoriety system. To spark interest, Mirage soesn't need to do anything too innovative, past games laid the groundwork for mechanics, and the game just needed to reintroduce rather than reinvent. Rather than trialling new systems, Mirage examines what worked in previous titles and brings them back in a triumphant blend of past and present, colliding to produce the future. ''A triumphant blend of past and present'' Graphics and Stability I was immediately impressed with how stable the game feels at launch, encountering no bugs or glitches whilst running the game on PC with Ultra settings. In what feels like the most stable release in recent memory, Mirage runs on PC at an uncapped framerate, meaning high-powered machines can deliver an incredible experience for gamers. Baghdad and it's surrounding area are incredibly impressive, with the game doing a great job at bringing a real sense of individuality to the Round City, with each district feeling different from the next, something which was also featured in the original game. It's noticable how poorer districts of Baghdad are run-down, and the living conditions for those living there are insufficient. It's clear that the team did their homework when creating the city, taking great care with its overall creation and delivery. Mirage re-introduces impressive crowds, and along with it, the notion that an Assassin is but a blade in the crowd, waiting to strike. One thing that makes the city feel alive is how NPC's react to Basim's presence when he raises his notoriety. You can hear guards discussing his acts, or comment on his likeness to the culprit they are searching for. Regular civilians will even report Basim to the guards, in the hope that he will be reprimanded for his crimes. This is a first for the series, and a really nice feature to be introduced. Baghdad is a living, breathing environment, and the regularly changing day and night cycle and quest opportunities keep it interesting through the playthrough. The controls feel familiar, something which will be a relief for long-time fans. Change can take a long time to adapt to, but the controls for Mirage feel right, with no remapping needed. Safe parkour routes can be navigated by holding down space, and parkour down returns by pressing 'C', a nice and simple system that is made more dynamic through the flair of freerunning the game adds. One thing I did spot however graphically is how the faces sometimes let the game down. I found that Basim's facial expressions can be comical at times, especially in cutscenes. making him look wide-eyed and youthful. This may be something which the team choose to address in future patches, as releasing a stable and issue-free game at launch is more important. I would be keen to see enhanced details on faces added in a future update later down the line. In order to capture the beauty of the game, Photomode has been available at launch, something which will no doubt thrill the virtual photography community, who are eager to dive in and explore the world. During my playthrough, I frequently found myself stopping to capture the moment with the familiar photomode tool. I can't wait to see what the community manages to produce. ''Mirage re-introduces impressive crowds, and along with it, the notion that an Assassin is but a blade in the crowd, waiting to strike.'' Parkour Parkour is encouraged at every turn in Assassin's Creed Mirage, and the city of Baghdad provides many paths to elevation that compliment the enhanced flair of Basim's movement, which takes inspiration from Assassin's Creed Unity. The dynamic new parkour system is a break away from the wooden, sluggish freerunning styles recent games have provided, opting for a complete overhaul that introduces a splash of intensity and charisma. It feels as if the team behind the parkour animations really wanted to give Basim some personality within his movement, moving away from an uninspired, dated system. Elevators can be found on the streets to take Basim to the rooftops in seconds, giving him the element of surprise over unsuspecting enemies. Movement across the city is aided by the return of the corner swing, which featured heavily in Assassin's Creed Revelations. Ropes bridge the gap between buildings, providing clear routes to navigate. Mirage introduces a new mechanic for parkour, the pole vault, a balanced piece of wood which can be used to cross gaps between buildings or even water. This is a particularly usefu l feature when Basim is being pursued by guards, as each pole has a one-time use, meaning he cannot be followed. Speed of movement is adjustable in the settings, meaning players can tailor their parkour experience. Basim is faster and more agile than Eivor, and animations were produced specially to give players a sense of speed when running, jumping, vaulting and free roaming. Players will notice how the new parkour system allows Basim to glide over objects, moving seamlessly with flair. Also noticable is Basim's ability to jump further than previously possible, leading to more opportunities when on the more. I actually found the new parkour system to be much more realistic than what Assassin's Creed fans have been working with recently, leading me to wonder if the team possibly took inspiration from real-life parkour artists / freerunners. The range of movement in this game is seriously impressive, and it's only a matter of time before we s ee masters honing their craft and navigating the city of Baghdad with creative variety. You can climb fallen trees, which I found to be incredibly useful to gain an aerial advantage. In what is certainly the first 'traditional' Assassin's Creed game in years, Basim certainly has the moves to match his status within the Brotherhood. The game brings back Open windows for Basim to climb through, like in Assassin's Creed Unity,making the game feel more open and lifelike. Overall I think the game lends itself well to parkour, hinting at it's existence at every opportunity. I felt that it was especially pushed within the layout of Baghdad, and missions seem to provide routes for parkour which make quests easier when followed correctly. A good example of this are the tailing missions which make their return. I think Mirage's parkour is way better than the sluggish system we saw in Valhalla, and the introduction of new animations and fluidity makes it interesting and useful rather than a painful hinderence. ''Basim moves seamlessly with flair.'' Stealth Stealth in Assassin's Creed Valhalla was a step in the right direction, but Mirage goes even further fixes all of the issues players had in the previous title. Social stealth has been restored to it's former glory, and feels more alive than ever before. Basim can blend with crowds, pay groups for cover, use benches and hay bales for cover, and finally, stealthily enter a roof garden to dispatch a nearby guard with a whistle. It feels like the series has come full circle, bringing back the original stealth mechanics in a more lively open world. I like how guards are inquisitive, but don't spot you straight away like in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The player can once again hide in long grass and bushes to keep out of sight, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Basim can hide in prayer booths, and use them to hide bodies. The same can be said for the roof gardens, which featured in Assassin's Creed I. The most noticable change from Assassin's Creed Valhalla though are the new kill animations. Whilst waiting on a corner, Basim will cleanly dispatch an enemy with the hidden blade to then calmly drag their body out of sight. It's an instinctive but deadly manouver, and it very often prevents other enemies from spotting a body. Basim also has 'Assassin focus', a rapid series of moves that take out enemies so fast, the Animus simply can't keep up, resulting in a glitch effect. This feature was heavily controversial at first as some fans felt it was a supernatural fast-travel power, but it has since been explained as Basim's lightning fast reflexes. It can be incredibly useful to get out of tricky situations. The system stems from a similar thought process to what we saw in Assassin's Creed Syndicate, where Evie Frye could practically turn invisible by controlling her breathing. Air assassinations are the best they have ever been in the series, aided by Basim's long distance jumps, you can take an enemy out from further away than usual. You don't have to be directly above the target, which makes it fun to run and jump down on a target, dropping in to deliver a killing blow. The game provides great variety when it comes to assassination animations, so with practice, fans will soon be performing incredible speed runs featuring a balance of parkour and aerial assassinations. Death from above is extremely satisfying, and it seems that Basim and his Eagle Enkidu have more in common than first realised, moving swiftly like an Eagle above the crowds. The notoriety system returns in Assassin's Creed Mirage, and will affect all players as it did in the Ezio games. Tear down Wanted posters or pay heralds to reduce Basim's notoriety, reducing the heat as he moves through the city. When the wanted level is at its peak, the city will turn on him, making it incredibly difficult to operate undetected. For the first time, civilians will inform the guards of Basim's actions, and call for them to intervene should you commit a public offence. Information gathering plays a crucial role in the game, with all assassination missions starting out with an investigation. This is a real throwback to the original game, where Altair also had to conduct investigations to discover information before he could act. This is because he was demoted to the rank of a novice, which Basim is at the start of Assassin's Creed Mirage. Eavesdropping returns, and is once again a clever way of gaining information. During my play sessions, I have found it quite rewarding to once again sit on a bench and listen out for intel which could aid a later assassination mission. Basim's tools are essential to unlocking the full potential of stealth, with each tool in his Assassin arsenal acting as a lifeline in the right circumstances. The smoke bomb provides cover, masking his actions. This can be useful for assassinations or even for disorienting targets in order to pickpocket. You can escape guards in a cloud of smoke, as was demonstrated in the first trailer for Assassin's Creed Mirage. The Trap is a bomb which condures a plume of gas that renders guards immobile, giving Basim the chance to swoop in and deliver the finishing blow. The blowpipe, which returns from Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag, can be used to either knock out or poison enemies from distance. Throwing knives are similar, providing clean kills from distance. As the game does not allow for Basim to carry a bow, this is the main option for long-range distance kills. The noisemaker is a distraction device that can create a diversion, moving guards away from certain areas or clearing the path long enough for Basim to move. Finally, the flame, to light dark tunnels. This is my least favourite tool as I have not yet found a way of making it work in a stealth situation. Ideally, I would like to be able to throw the torch to set oil spillages on fire or even tents, but so far they have simply burnt out. Overall, the tools are incredibly important to increasing Basim's chances of a successful stealth mission, so I recommend unlocking them all as early as possible when playing Mirage. Finally, Basim's Eagle Enkidu can be used to look for opportunities in the world, and highlight the presence of nearby enemies. After a while I found the eagle mechanic to be quite jarring, as it hones in on a particular point of interest, but it certainly gets better with upgrades. Overall, I found the stealth system in Assassin's Creed Mirage to be excellent, restoring old mechanics and making it deadlier than ever. Basim has the killer instrinct, and his actions feels decisive and calculated. I think fans will be extremely pleased that Assassin's Creed is once again focussing on its stealth roots, and is now pushing itself to be better than ever before. ''The player can once again hide in long grass and bushes to keep out of sight, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.'' Combat In Assassin's Creed Mirage, combat is a last resort for Basim. Before enhancing skills, the game provides a primitive combat system, which amplifies the overall commitment to providing a masterful stealth experience. Attacks are hit-for-hit, and stamina depletes quickly, so it can be tough for the players who wish to battle their way through Baghdad. It certainly can be challenging, especially when facing numerous adversaries. Basim will be cut down in the street as his stamina depletes. Some attacks cannot be parried, leading Basim with just one option, dodge out of the way, a move which heavily depends on stamina. On hard mode, it's frequent to die whilst trying to take on numerous enemies, something which was never a problem in the RPG games. I like that this is the case though, as it really encourages players to reconcide their method, and resort back to a stealth approach. Skills add another element to the combat system, introducing features that make it easier when facing opponents. 'Kick Back' is a skill which introduces a powerful kick attack upon completion of a successful parry, which can be used to disorientate or even cause the death of an enemy by kicking off buildings or even into wooden structures which can collapse. This skill is similar to the Sparta Kick from Assassin's Creed Odyssey. 'Counter Roll' allows Basim to quickly move out of the way as an unblockable attack is about to land, moving him into a strategist position behind the enemy where he can inflict damage. Finally, 'knife recover', which is also a useful skill for stealth, which adds auto-collecting throwing knives which have already been used. In close-quarters, throwing knives can be used to eleminate enemies who are charging towards the Assassin. Although combat is quite basic in comparison to previous entries, it does provide a real sense of progression, as Basim climbs the ranks within the Brotherhood. The once-charistmastic thief uses his new training to defend himself in a scrape, and that's what the game does well. It feels like Basim only uses combat if there are no other options, as a true Assassin should act as a blade in the crowd. Plot Assassin's Creed Mirage follows the transition of Basim from a street thief to a Master Assassin. Players begin the game in Anbar, where Basim the thief uses his skills to steal money and food to help those around him and him self. The early on pickpocket tutorial introduces players to the timing mechanic, which can be tricky to master, but essential if you wish to avoid conflict. He wants a better life for himself and others around him facing poverty. He is a conflicted character, carrying a family burden, as his father Ishaq was an architect who was simply forgotten after the construction of the Great Mosque of Samarra was completed, when another took credit for the project. Ishaq was exhiled, and died in poverty, scarring Basim foreve r. He also finds himself experiencing nightmares, where a Jinni torments his resting hours. This is the first time seeing recurring dreams in the series, showing their intensity and effect upon his life. Fueled by confidence in himself and his abilities, Basim seeks a better life for himself, setting his sights upon the Assassins, an illusive group who provide work for street thieves. Desperate to prove himself, but lacking discretion, a trait worthy of The Hidden Ones, and something which is noticed by Mentor Roshan, rejecting his initial advance s to join. Basim is aware of the existence of The Hidden Ones and aspires to aid them more, but not to help their cause, but to better his own position in life. The game quickly evolves from tutorial missions to a main mission which gives the player a reason to care about the enemy faction, The Order of Ancients, which Basim stumbles upon. The opening main mission, the Winter Palace infiltration sets this up nicely, introduces the organisation as a powerful faction operating from the shadows, controlling the leaders of the land, and through their influence, the people. The Order operates ina similar way to the version we saw in Assassin's Creed Origins, hiding behind masks and nicknames to keep their identities secret. Upon joining the Assassins, Basim must hunt them down one-by-one to aid the cause of the Assassins. Additional areas in the game are a nice surprise, as the game was purely advertised as Baghdad. In fact, players can also visit the outskirts and other areas such as Alamut and Anbar for plot purposes. Basim is moved across the map seeking information on his targets and reporting to various Hidden Ones Bureaus. In this sense, the game feels very much like Assassin's Creed I, where Altair would travel across The Holy Land. Although short, Mirage features one of the strongest Isu stories we have seen so far, and makes it more personal and import ant than ever, continuing the reincarnation narrative outlined in Valhalla. Unfortunately the game continues the trend of gradually stripping away Modern Day gameplay that has left players with very little since the Desmond games. The narrative pushes an interesting modern day story through cutscenes, which is certainly better than it's entire removal which would probably be easier for new players to understand. For fans following the ongoing Modern Day narrative, Mirage has a lot to be excited about. I like how the Modern Day seems to be once again moving towards making the threat for humanity , similar to what we saw in Assassin's Creed III, where momentum came to it's conclusion as Juno escaped her prison and unleashed herself upon humanity. Shorter stories work so well in the Assassin's Creed series when told correctly, and what I like about Assassin's Creed Mirage is that it feels like it found clever ways of connecting the past and future. Hopefully this trend continues one-day with the introduction of 'Assassin's Creed Infinity', a project which is set to introduce a launcher which features all past and future content. Mirage reflects Basim's clever and cynical nature in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, revealing his troubled past and journey tow ards becoming an Assassin. Basim's actions have consequences, and Mirage takes the time to remind players of what more recent games in the series have been missing. Conclusion Assassin's Creed Mirage delivers a strong narrative which serves as a poignant tribute to Russell Lees, a writer who sadly passed away during the development of the game. Immediately after booting up the game, the award-worthy music takes hold and doesn't stop, providing atmospheric and moving tracks and sounds throughout. Basim becomes the embodiment of the Brotherhood, acting as its blade from the shadows. He is the stealthiest Assassins yet, using his tools to take down targets, masking himself in the crowd and creating opportunities to lure out targets to strike. The Voice acting was excellent throughout, with highlights from Shohreh Aghdashloo ( Roshan), Lee Majdoub (Basim), and notable performances from the voice actors behind Fulash and Rayhan The stand-out performance from Mirage is Baghdad itself, a city which feels bustling with life and diversity. Each district has it's own personality, and the use of Arabic speaking voice actors abd script writers makes the experience feel more authentic. Finally, I think fans will be particularly impressed with how the team behind Mirage hits pause on the RPG direction of the franchise, and sets a new course, rediscovering what makes Assassin's Creed special and reintroducing cut features which feel familar and refreshed. The game feels extremely satisfactory for old fans of the franchise, and is a great place to start for new players looking to kick off their Assassin's Creed journey. I hope that the developers behind Assassin's Creed Mirage go on to work on future AC projects, and that we don't suddenly have a huge surge of rushed content after this huge step in the right direction. Assassin's Creed Mirage: 9.5/10 'A solid entry that recommits the series to providing a memorable stealth experience'' 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)

Assassin's Creed Copenhagen Quiz Night Event Photo Log Event Share 5 Apr 2025 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Colum Blackett Back To Database Here are our photos from the Assassin's Creed themed quiz night at Kappa Bar Copenhagen, hosted by Ubisoft Nordic to celebrate the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows! Gustav Poulsen ( Gargudon ) from The Ones Who Came Before's Core Team was in attendance, and came third in the quiz on his own! Big thank you to the Ubisoft Nordic Community Team for hosting such a great event! 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)

Q&A with Chris Wildgoose Interview Share 14 Aug 2019 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database To mark our 5th anniversary as an Assassin's Creed Community, we're proud to release a new Q&A featuring Chris Wildgoose, Weapons Concept Artist on the Assassin's Creed Movie! Col: Hi Chris, thanks for joining us for this interview! Could you please tell us about your most recent projects, and the part that you played in the development of the Assassin's Creed Movie. How did you find the experience? Chris: Thanks for having me! I’ve recently finished a couple of concept art projects for TV and film but sadly they are all wrapped up in NDAs, so I can’t name them just yet! When I’m not doing concept work, I’m illustrating comics. Earlier this year I finished a teen Batman book for DC called Batman: Nightwalker, which hits shelves in early October. Right now I’m getting stuck into the design work for a new comic series, which should be announced soon! For the Assassin’s Creed movie I was the weapons concept artist. It was my first concept art job of this scale and the weapons master was also my eldest brother, Tim, so it was a big job for me in a couple of ways. I’m genuinely a huge fan of the games and I really enjoy working with my brother, so I loved every day of it. We had a lot of freedom when it came to the design and it felt like our input as fans was listened to and encouraged. It was a great experience. Col: Have you worked with your brother on many projects before? Chris: I’ve worked with Tim for years. As a student I worked as an assistant in the props/weapons department when he was a maker. Back then I'd be more hands on, painting and basic making for a variety of films, TV shows, and theatre. After graduating I started working mostly in comics, so Assassin’s really brought us back together as a little team. Since then we've worked on a number of other projects recently together and hopefully more to come! Col: Did you find it challenging to work on a movie set in a long running video game universe? Chris: It was quite daunting at the beginning. It’s Assassin’s Creed! I was coming to it as a fan, so from the get-go I felt the pressure to do it justice. At the same time, Assassin’s is very open to interpretation with each new chapter or format, so you have space to bring in your own ideas. Ubisoft has such a wealth of existing material, so you can see what has worked before and that can be a reassuring thing to have as a guideline. Also, this wasn’t Tim’s first rodeo, so he knew how to keep me calm. What was the weapons creation process like? Was it trial and error? I think there's always an element of trial and error in concept art. When you're working on such a huge project, what works for you or within your department, doesn't always work within the grand scheme of the film. We're just a small piece of the jigsaw, so there's usually a few attempts to make that piece fit the big picture. On Assassin's, Tim and I would have a chat about the specific weapon’s brief, throw ideas and ref around, and I'd respond with some rough sketches. Tim gave me feedback on that first set and then, more often than not, we’d combine elements of different designs into something new. I’d then produce fully rendered versions of these and Tim would show them to Justin the director. He'd give us feedback and we'd make adjustments. If we were very lucky we'd nail it on the first design, but often we'd go through a few rounds of feedback and editing. For example, Benedicto’s Axe was picked from our first set of designs, but with Aguilar’s blade we went through 4 or 5 sets before we settled on the final design. Col: What materials were used to create Aguilar's hidden blade? Chris: Like all the Assassin’s blades, they reflect the specific culture and period of that assassin. For Aguilar it needed to fit the aesthetic of 15th century Spain, so it’s made from metal and ivory, with lots of asymmetric Moorish relief patterns and iconography. The ivory sections were 3D printed and painted to look like bone, then the metal sections were cut, shaped and I think acid etched with the patterns. Col: How many designs/ concepts did you have for Aguilar's gauntlet? Chris: We did roughly 4 or 5 sets of designs, from the first loose sketch to the final illustration. I think we actually did around 16 variations of his blade alone, if I gather every sketch and design sheet together. Col: Were any changes made over time? Chris: Yes, a fair bunch. Originally it was going to be all metal and a fairly different shape but as the design developed we added more intricacy and materials to make it more decorative. It’s one thing for me to draw a weapon, but Tim and his team then have to make it into a functional object. They needed to adapt bits to allow it to work and move etc. One big change that happened after the final design was the addition of the ivory eagle that sits where the blade retracts in. Tim then added pearl indents to give it some extra flare. I think it turned out great. Col: I saw that you recently purchased the Aguilar figurine by DamToys. How does it feel to own a detailed replica of items you helped to design? Chris: I did. I was secretly hoping for something like this to be made! DamToys really don’t spare on the detail and accuracy so it was great to see something so faithful. It’s a nice reminder of a job that I loved. I have it on a shelf overlooking my drawing desk and I’m so happy with it. Col: Did you work with Sammy Sheldon Differ (Costume Designer) when creating the gauntlet? Chris: Not directly. Tim would often have meetings with Sammy and the director, Justin. I would be passed feedback and notes from Tim. Sammy’s costume team popped in to our studio now and then and we’d swap designs and update each other. I remember feeling gobsmacked when they first brought in the actual Aguilar gauntlet as it has so many intricate patterns running through it. It was a thing of beauty. Col: Which other pieces of equipment did you help to create? Chris: All the assassins’ blades, Cal’s dismantled blade, the smoke grenades, Aguilar’s throwing knives, Aguilar’s grappling hook (originally a separate wrist blade), the assassins’ ceremonial finger cutting blade, Benedicto’s axe, Shao Jun’s sword, Ojeda’s sword, the Abstergo guards’ batons, and the Templars’ 15th century swords, shields, and crossbows. Cal’s dismantled blade was especially fun, as I needed to figure out how different parts would be hidden amongst the disguised assassins. Col: Do you have a favourite item that you helped to create? Chris: Ooh, it’s genuinely hard to pick. I was really, really happy how Cal’s father’s blade turned out. They wanted it to look like it was a blade from the 70’s, as if Travis Bickle had made it. That got a few really nice close-ups in the film. If I could pick a couple of cheeky others, then Benedicto’s blade turned out gorgeous and retracted the blade really nicely. Also, Shao Jun’s sword was really fun to draw and is a nice Easter egg. Col: Do you have a favourite item that you helped to create? Chris: Ooh, it’s genuinely hard to pick. I was really, really happy how Cal’s father’s blade turned out. They wanted it to look like it was a blade from the 70’s, as if Travis Bickle had made it. That got a few really nice close-ups in the film. If I could pick a couple of cheeky others, then Benedicto’s blade turned out gorgeous and retracted the blade really nicely. Also, Shao Jun’s sword was really fun to draw and is a nice Easter egg. Col: Back in 2017, Tim (Damage Inc) generously donated three throwing knives used by Maria in the movie for our three year anniversary giveaway. Did you help to create them? Chris: I did. I worked on them alongside Aguilar’s blade when I first started. I think we settled on that particular design from the first set of design variations. Col: Quite a few of the AC Movie items can now be found on Prop Store. How do the production team decide which items to keep or sell? Chris: I don’t really know. I’m usually long gone from the project when that stuff gets handled. I think props usually go back to the studio once it’s completed. Col: Do you have any pieces from the AC Movie set lying around your studio? Chris: Sadly, no. However, Tim did let me keep a spare cast of the head on the pommel of Ojeda’s sword. Col: If a sequel was to be announced, would you like to be involved in its creation? Chris: Straight up yes, especially if Tim and I got it again. Col: Where would you personally like to see the franchise go next? Chris: Since the very first game I’ve hoped for Japan. A film of that would be incredible. I loved the comic that was set in 20’s Russia, so I’d love to see more of that outside the platform game and book. As for somewhere not really considered before? Perhaps any era of New York. What a city to play with! Col: What are your overall thoughts on the movie? Chris: Obviously I have severe bias towards the film but I honestly, really liked it. It’s not without issues, but what film is? I would’ve liked to spend more time with Aguilar in his period, known more about him and Maria, or learnt more about the group of old Assassins. Personally, I also think it would’ve benefited from a touch more light-heartedness. However, it was a very respectful adaptation while trying to handle a new setting. Not an easy thing to balance. From being behind the scenes I know there was a lot of love and consideration for the fans thrown in from everyone involved, which goes a long way with me. To me, it’s easily one of the most faithful game-to-film adaptations. But like I said, I’m biased. Col: Do you have any designs from the movie that we can share with the community? Chris: I have! I’ve sent you: Shao Jun’s sword. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Easter egg but she has a bigger appearance in a deleted scene and Jin fights with her sword in the big escape from Abstergo. As a fan, I was so happy to work on this one. I also designed the dragon that was etched into the blade of the sword, but I couldn’t find that particular design sheet. Super early, rough sketches for Maria’s blade, plus the final design. It has a very similar design theme to Aguilar’s, but she had the double thin blades and a different mechanism action. Design sheet for Benedicto’s wrist blade. The final design used was a combination of the second blade to the left’s back spinning mechanism with the blade on the far right. Smoke Grenades. These were the very last thing I worked on for the film. The design used was the bottom left one. Though again sightly adapted as we changed it to look as though it contained two liquids that when combined would create the smoke. Again, Tim adapted it when actually making it, I think the end result was a more metal looking piece rather than ceramic. Col: Thank you so much for joining us Chris! You can find more from Chris on Twitter and Instagram and Tim on Twitter Blogspot Damage-Inc 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)

Ashlea is the Editor/ Charity Project Coordinator for The Ones Who Came Before on its wide variety of social media platforms. ​Her main responsibilities for TOWCB involve creating and editing articles, organisation of events and coordinating our charity fundraising, as well as hosting the Rally The Creed Podcast. Previous Next Ashlea Blackett Editor Previous Partner Ashlea is the Editor/ Charity Project Coordinator for The Ones Who Came Before on its wide variety of social media platforms. Her main responsibilities for TOWCB involve creating and editing articles, organisation of events and coordinating our charity fundraising, as well as hosting the Rally The Creed Podcast. Twitter Work STARTED TO COMPLETE Quick-Fire Community Questions - Round 1: Dave Woodward Community Interview Quick-Fire Community Questions - Round 2: Damian (Damo_Kb8) Community Interview Quick-Fire Community Questions - Round 4: McHeisenburglar (Irakli) Community Interview Quick-Fire Community Questions - Round 6: Daniel Nagy (AC Hungaria Admin) Community Interview Quick-Fire Community Questions - Round 8: Ashlea (TOWCB Editor / Charity Project Coordinator) Community Interview Ubisoft Secures Multi-Year Partnership With Funko and Good Smile For Assassin's Creed and Rainbow Six Siege News Assassin's Creed Mirage Fanart by Yasmin Page Art Rally The Creed Podcast: Episode 2 - October Round-up Podcast Rally The Creed Podcast: Episode 1 - Introducing The Ones Who Came Before Podcast Announcement: Two of our admins are joining The Mentors Guild! News Load More

How the Community Celebrated AC Day 2019 Events Share 23 Dec 2019 Written By: Edited By: Lauren Harris Ashlea Blackett Back To Database December 21st is an important day in the Assassin’s Creed community. It was the day a solar flare was due to engulf the planet. It was the day Desmond Miles sacrificed himself to save the world. It was the day Juno was released into The Grey. And, of course, outside the AC universe, it was the day the Assassin’s Creed movie was released in the United States. It is a big day for fans of the franchise – affectionally dubbed ‘AC Day’ – and fans all over the world have been celebrating in their own ways. In this article, we will take a look at how the community embraced #ACDay 2019. Image by The Mentor's Guild The official Assassin’s Creed Twitter account kicked off the celebrations with a tweet asking the fandom for their favourite in-game moment of all time. The responses were varied. Twitter user @DCourteneySmith said his favourite moment was “Spartan kicking anything in Odyssey” whilst @LRidgeway14 said his was “everything Ezio has ever done”. Anouk Bachman , a member of the Assassin’s Creed marketing team, said her favourite was the ending of Black Flag, where Anne Bonny sings The Parting Glass. Other popular choices were Ezio and Federico’s scene on the roof just before the titles of ACII, Connor sharing a drink with Charles Lee before stabbing him in ACIII, and Bayek and Aya’s final scene on the beach at the end of Origins. However, the scene that appeared most in the replies was the scene where Ezio found Altair’s body in the library at the end of Revelations. With so many fantastic moments to choose from, it’s not surprising that the fans all have different opinions on which is the best. Other fans took the opportunity to use AC Day to raise money for charity. Twitter user @Blutkatze raised $720 for Child’s Play, a charity which seeks to improve the lives of children in pediatric hospitals through the power of play, through her #ACRaceforCharity which saw her play AC Origins on Twitch and give prizes to fans. Loomer, host of the Assassin’s Den Podcast, admitted that he did not make anything in honour of AC Day – but he did share a very cute photo of his cat, Aya – the Kitten One. Many of the AC fan pages celebrated with competitions and giveaways. Here at The Ones Who Came Before, fans had the chance to win one of five Assassin’s Creed prints courtesy of @katx_404 on Twitter. Access the Animus hosted a giveaway with prizes including 3 copies of The Rebel Collection for the Nintendo Switch, 2 copies of AC Odyssey, 5 Odyssey Season Passes, and 7 copies of the Odyssey novelisation. ATA also shared a review and analysis of chapter 2 of the AC China Manga. Image by Access the Animus The Mentor’s Guild declared a MEGA giveaway, including 5 copies of Odyssey, 5 Odyssey Season Passes, an Alexios statue, and 5 copies of The Rebel Collection. To win in this competition, the Mentor’s Guild asked what setting fans wanted to see in the next game. Responses varied from Central America during the Mayan era, Japanese Samurai era, Germany, Russia during the time of Rasputin, China, Ireland, Ancient Rome, and Medieval England. The cosplay community were embracing AC Day too. @bluemarinvo on Twitter shared her impressive Persephone cosplay, @KeiraSera520, @EvilCleverDog and @jesskerrcosplay posted photos of their respective Kassandra cosplays, and @Shiva_Abarai shared a collage of all her AC cosplays to date – which are really mounting up! Others were sharing their own AC Day inspired art, like @adriennczene who shared her painting of Desmond Miles, @kotorimitz who posted his festive Ezio and Leonardo comic strip, @riicemochii who gave us a picture of Ezio perched on a building, and @bbsketches who shared a collection of AC artwork from several different AC titles. @MlleBellec also created a new tribute video titled ‘Bloodlines’ to honour the occasion. All in all, it has been another incredible AC Day, bringing the fandom together and allowing them to share their creations, their passion, and their memories from twelve years of Assassin’s Creed. With so much to look forward to in 2020 in the world of Assassin’s Creed, who knows where the franchise will take us next. One thing is for sure, though. Wherever the Brotherhood goes, the fans will always follow with love in their hearts and a blade on their wrists. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Lauren is a online article writer who joined the program in 2019, which allowed for her work to be viewed by a larger audience. She is especially interested in Assassin's Creed lore, and wrote a number of thought provoking articles which you can find here in the Community HUB. Lauren left the program in 2021 shortly after the 'Assassin's Creed Infinity' announcement, which understandably left many fans feeling uneasy. We wish her the best of luck with her future projects. Lauren Harris

Assassin's Creed: Valhalla Merchandise Guide - Part 3 Updated 20/3/21 By Colum Blackett Edited by Ashlea Buckley Share Here we will be logging all of the merchandise we find for Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. Please note that this guide contains Amazon affiliate links, Learn more The ultimate guide for Assassin's Creed Valhalla Merchandise. Literature Assassin's Creed Valhalla Official Novel by Matthew J Kirby (cover not final) Discover the epic adventure of a legendary Viking warrior in this new novel set in the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Pre-order now from Amazon UK Waterstones The Art of Assassin's Creed Valhalla (cover not final) This masterfully designed oversized hardcover art book invites the reader on a visual journey through the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: A world defined by the harsh beauty of Viking life, rich with fascinating characters and breathtaking landscapes. Ubisoft and Dark Horse Books offer this enticing collection of art and commentary that is sure to attract returning fans and newcomers alike. Pre-order now from: Xzone Cz Amazon Amazon UK (Kindle Edition) Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Song of Glorycomic book series by Cavan Scott, Martin Tunica, and coloured by Michael Atiyeh. Published by DarkHorse #1: Eivor, a Viking warrior, observes a village raided by a neighboring kingdom. Bloodshed and mayhem erupt as she seizes the attack in her own favor—but will her victory be a blessing to her clan or a terrible curse? Elsewhere, another Viking searches for a different kind of prize, one of crucible steel . . . Hardcover version available on Amazon Discover the epic adventure of legendary viking Geirmund Hel-hide in this new novel set in the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Mid-9th century. The Viking attacks and invasions are shattering England's kingdoms. Born into a royal lineage of Norwegian kings, Geirmund Hel-hide sets out for adventure to prove his worth as a Viking and a warrior. A perilous journey across the sea brings him into contact with a being out of myth and grants him a mysterious ring that promises both great power and bitter betrayal. As Geirmund rises in the ranks of King Guthrum's legendary army, he will have to use all his cunning to face the many dangers of a land ravaged by war . . . Fighting alongside his band of loyal warriors, his path will soon lead him into a conflict as old as the gods themselves. Available on Amazon The Art of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Deluxe Edition This masterfully designed oversized hardcover art book invites the reader on a visual journey through the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: A world defined by the harsh beauty of Viking life, rich with fascinating characters and breathtaking landscapes. The Assassin's Creed series is renowned for its skillful blend of historical fiction, epic environments, and exciting action. This art book offers an insider's look at the immersive art direction of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the first title in the franchise to explore Norse culture and the Viking invasion of England in the 9th century. Featuring iconic artworks ranging from stunning settings to brutal weapons, as well as developer insights. This deluxe edition includes: • An exclusive cover • A decorative slipcase • A gallery-quality lithograph print Pre-order now from Amazon Mugs Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mug by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mug by GBEye Eivor Mug by GBEye Valhalla Assault Mug by GBEye Valhalla Assault Mug by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mug Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla Raid Mug Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla Eivor Mug Available from Zavvi Photos/Prints Eivor Print by GBEye Eivor and Wolf print by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Poster by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Print by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla poster by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Print by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Print by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla poster by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla poster by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wall Art Available from the Ubispft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wall Art Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Other Assassin's Creed Nordic Backpack Available from the Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Raider's Backpack Available from the Ubisoft Store Pin designs by PinClub Assassin's Creed Valhalla Backpack by Difuzed. Available from XZone Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Eivor Keyring by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: 3D Shield Keyring by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: 3D Axe Keyring by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Gamlery , Xzone Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wristband by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Hammer Necklace by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Ladies Zip Wallet by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Bifold Wallet by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Bifold Wallet by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Akedo high top trainers, Sold out from Zavvi. (Limited to 100 pairs) Assassin's Creed Valhalla Stickers Available from the Ubisoft Store Retailers Brloh.sk and Jrc.cz are offering an #AssassinsCreedValhalla F ace mask by Difuzed as a pre-order bonu s Limited edition #AssassinsCreedValhalla lithograph by Raphael Lacoste available when you pre-order the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Bundle from PureArtsLimited . Assassin's Creed Valhalla Goblet Available from Ent247 Assassin's Creed Valhalla Tankard Available from Ent247 Eivor 1/4 scale statues Available from PureArts Assassin's Creed Jigsaw Puzzles by DarkHorse Available from Derive Figurine Assassin's Creed Valhalla Axe/Crest backpack by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mousepad by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Keyring by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Collector's Box Available exclusively from WooBox Assassin's Creed Valhalla 2020 Calendar Currently Unavailable Assassin's Creed Valhalla Axes Towel Available from the Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Club C Revenge Shoes by Reebok Available from the Reebok Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla CL Legacy Shoes by Reebok Available from the Reebok Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Zig Kentica Trainers by Reebok Available from the Reebok Store Various Assassin's Creed Valhalla Phone-Case designs can now be found on eBay Assassin's Creed Valhalla Comics Packpack Available from Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Headset by Astro Assassin's Creed Valhalla Backpack Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Backpack Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Slides Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Water Bottle Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Lanyard Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Notebooks Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Jewellery Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Pillows Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mug by Jinx Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wallet by Jinx Are we missing anything? Let us know and we'll update the article Did you buy anything from the Merchandise Guide? Let us know in the comments! PART 1 PART 2 Assassin's Creed Valhalla Holdall bag. Available July 2021 via GroovyUK Assassin's Creed Valhalla Runes Zippo Available now from the Zippo website Merchandise

Ask the VP Episode 15: Interview with TOWCB Virtual Photography Team Leader Aaron Young Interviews Share 5 Nov 2023 Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team Colum Blackett Back To Database On the 4th November 2023, The PhotoMode invited our very own Aaron Young // FalconVP (Team Leader for TOWCB Virtual Photography Team) for an interview on Twitter Spaces, as part of the 'Ask the VP' series, covering hi s VP Style and process, being a part of The Ones Who Came Before // Isu_Network team, his love for Assassin's Creed and more! Check it out here! 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

Understanding the Isu Language: Particles and Affixes Analysis Share 1 Oct 2024 Written By: Edited By: Edenoi ActualSpider-Man Back To Database For this article we'll be looking at particles and affixes in the Isu language. In English as well as many other languages, we have prepositions which help to describe how words or phrases relate to the rest of the sentence, such as "inside" or "above" or "for." Isu has essentially the same class of words, but because they come after the word they refer to instead of before, we call them postpositions. Postpositions in Isu can also be used as prefixes for verbs to modify the meaning of the verb. Think of the difference between the words "act" and "enact" or "communicate" and "excommunicate." The postpositions known to exist in the Isu language, along with their Proto-Indo-European "descendants," are as follows: Postpositions/Prefixes Apo, meaning "from," related to the PIE *apó Arhz, meaning "out," related to the PIE *éǵʰs Az, meaning "at," related to the PIE *ád Bṛ, meaning "before," related to the PIE *per- Chaz, meaning "toward," related to the PIE *ḱe- + *ád Chṇ, meaning "with," related to the PIE *ḱóm Chṇtæ, meaning "against," related to the PIE *ḱómteros (*ḱóm + *-teros) Hṇ, meaning "in," related to the PIE *h₁én Hṇdṛ, meaning "amidst," related to the PIE *h₁entér (*h₁én + *-tér) Ṇ, meaning "not," related to the PIE *n̥- Ṛ, perhaps meaning "for" and also used to form infinitives, related to the PIE *r̥ Ubo, meaning "below," related to the PIE *upó Wṛ, meaning "again," related to the PIE *wert- Zo, meaning "concerning," related to the PIE *do Notes The suffixe -tæ forms a contrast to a postposition (e.g. "with" becomes "against"). The prefix ch- alters the meaning of a postposition in a way that adds contextual information, known in linguistics as deixis (e.g. "in" becomes "with", "at" becomes "toward"). Presumably, the Isu word for "above" would be ubṛ, related to PIE *upér Isu also has a number of suffixes that can turn a word into a different but related word, like how "congregate" can become "congregation" or "wonder" can become "wonderment" in English. The known suffixes and their functions are as follows: Suffixes -æs forms an action noun from a verb (similar but not related to English "-tion") -dach forms an agent noun from a verb (supposedly a more archaic alternative to -ér below) -drṃ forms an agent noun from a verb (specifically used for tools, e.g. zḷvdrṃ "shovel") -ér forms an agent noun from a verb (virtually identical but not necessarily related to English "-er") -mṇ forms a result noun from a verb (equivalent to English "-ment") -ṇd forms the gerundive (possibly also gerund) of a verb (similar but not related to English "-ing") -nos forms an adjective from a noun or verb (equivalent to English "-en" in wooden, golden) -os forms a noun from an adjective (similar but not necessarily related to English "-ness") -rhú forms a collective noun (so far only confirmed to describe groups of people, e.g. komhaæzrhú "council") -to forms the past participle of a verb (similar but not related to English "-en" in stolen, proven) An action noun refers to the process of doing an action, an agent noun refers to the person or thing doing the action and a result noun refers to the result of doing an action. The gerundive is a form of a verb that acts as an adjective describing someone or something doing the action, such as in the phrase "howling winds." There are a few known conjunctions in Isu, which are as follows: Conjunctions Hṇu, meaning "but" Ig, meaning “or" -kwat, meaning "and" when suffixed to the second of two words, related to the PIE *-kʷe Ḷ, meaning "and," used for joining clauses rather than individual words Other Particles De makes the preceding verb progressive (meaning that the action is ongoing) More Isu Studies You can find more articles on the Isu language linked here: Understanding the Isu Language: The Basics comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Eden is a codebreaker who joined The Ones Who Came Before during the Assassin's Creed Shadows promotional campaign, helping the team to decipher numerous codes and puzzles used for marketing. She is also a high school Maths tutor, and has previously published a few short TTRPG's with more projects in the works. She first started playing Assassin's Creed in 2010, and is especially interested in the glyphs and puzzles, and platforms such as Assassin's Creed Initiates that expand the lore in creative ways. Edenoi

Assassin's Creed Valhalla Starter Guide: Norway Guide Share 2 Feb 2021 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Buckley Back To Database Assassin’s Creed Valhalla can seem like a daunting game at first. When you start in Norway the map is already a decent size. The amount of collectables and content to discover can feel slightly overwhelming, especially with most of the main game set in England. In this article I will try and set you up for your Viking adventure, with hints and tips for your beautiful starting location, Norway. I am going to keep away from the story aspects of the Norway arc, as it is best you discover this yourself. The only thing I will say is that the story can drag you in, and before you know it you will be sailing off to England without exploring everything Norway has to offer. Take time in-between quests to have a look around. Important to note, you will be able to return to Norway at any moment once you are in England. When you begin the game you will immediately start levelling up, however this is only the beginning. Norway is a snowy playground that you can use to set yourself up for your adventures in England. XP and the Map You will notice many icons scattered around Norway on the map. They range from gold (wealth), blue (mysteries) and white (artefacts). These are often separate from the main story and are here to enrich the experience. Completing the main quest will always be your best way to level up as the XP reward is high. The little gold markers have less of an impact on completing an area but offer valuable XP and resources. If you are a completionist like me then these small loot boxes are worth it even if they don’t seem like it at the time. For anyone who played Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Mysteries may come as a welcome addition. I found Odyssey a tad repetitive, but Valhalla’s Mysteries help diversify the world and keep things fresh. They often come with a small bit of problem solving, but be sure to check your surrounding area for clues. Mysteries are great for XP too, but don’t feel compelled to complete them all as some are power dependant. Gear and Skill Points Unlike Odyssey, don’t expect to find loads of gear throughout the world. Norway does not have many gear items and you can find yourself in the same outfit for quite some time. Personally I enjoy this, as I find I use each piece way more than I would in Odyssey/Origins. Your best way to scout out these gear pieces is to find the synchronization points. This will open up the world, and although Valhalla is less click and go, waypoints will become clearer after syncing with the world. Upgrading your gear can be done in multiple ways. The major upgrades will not be available until you reach England (Settlement Blacksmith), but runes and resources can be applied to your gear right from the start. I did this sparingly but if you follow the guidance above then you can use resources such as iron and leather to upgrade your gear as often as you like. Try not to get overloaded with skill points. The maximum power in Valhalla is 400, but this level will be increased during future DLC expansions. The points can be added to 3 different routes, however you do not have to specialise as by the end of the game you will most likely have filled all of the skill tree. Red is the way of the bear (Melee), yellow is the way of the raven (Stealth) and blue is the way of the wolf (Ranged). The game lets you view what is available under each section, so just find a skill you wish to acquire and work towards it. Combat Combat will take some getting used to but with perseverance you will prevail. I don’t tend to make the strongest builds or use that many different weapons, as I prefer to keep to the pure Viking simulator. If you take the time, you can make your character very powerful, even in the early stages of the game. When in Norway, I preferred the axe and the shield combination for close up fights and then switching to the bow for anything at a distance. There are not a lot of weapons to choose from in Norway, but there are enough to get you started. Once in England you will gain many more abilities which will tie in with your weapon choices. Health and stamina play a larger role in Valhalla. You will not have the luxury of health regeneration and must forage for food to store in a rations bag which can then be used during combat. Your stamina bar will deplete when running/fighting, so it is important to slow things down from time to time. Traveling and Discovering When navigating Norway it is best to use your longship. This will help you to discover fast travel points for easy access later in the game. It is also a great way to view the beautiful scenery Norway has to offer. On land you will find yourself on horseback. I found it a tad slow due to the mountain ranges. Try if you can to keep to the main paths, as this is a lot quicker and will not deplete your stamina. Quite often you will find items in the world that are trapped behind locked or barricaded doors. Sometimes it can be frustrating to find a way in. Remember, locked doors will always have a key nearby and Sýnin your raven can help. Sýnin cannot tag everything in the environment like Senu or Ikaros could, but your bird will still be useful for finding things. If that fails you have Odin’s sight (Eagle Vision) which will give you a glimpse of the environment around you. Anything that is barricaded will just be a small puzzle to solve. Keep an eye out for gaps in windows, or weakness in walls/roofs for a way in. Hopefully these tips will help you get started on your Viking adventure. Valhalla is a wonderful game full of intrigue and mystery with a story that sucks you in slowly. Be patient and take your time, you will not regret it. 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

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. Previous Next UbiCypher (Joe) Social Media Previous Partner 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. Twitter | Instagram Work Assassin's Creed Shadows Spoiler-Free review & personal impressions. Review Assassin's Creed Hideouts Across the Franchise & How it Led to Shadows' New Construction System. Analysis Assassin's Creed Animus Hub Teaser Analysis Theories Assassin's Creed Shadows is delayed yet again to March 20th Ubisoft announces News What is going on with the Assassin's Creed X Netflix Live Action Series Prediction Assassin's Creed Shadows Teaser Analysis Breakdown Assassin's Creed Shadows: Developer Insights on Story Details & Naoe Background Analysis. Analysis Assassin's Creed Shadows: Reddit AMA session highlights Breakdown Marc-Alexis Côté and Assassin’s Creed’s narrative paradigm shift Analysis Assassin's Creed Shadows Stealth Article Breakdown Breakdown Assassin's Creed Shadows World Premiere Cinematic Trailer Breakdown Breakdown Assassin's Creed Codename Red confirmed for 2024 release by Ubisoft Employee News Evolution of Modern Day storytelling and structure throughout the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Analysis Assassin's Creed Nexus VR Non-Spoiler Review Reviews Ubisoft Launches Educational Discovery Tour for Assassin's Creed Valhalla News Load More

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 10th - 16th September 2022 Community Share 17 Sept 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) Gunnar Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This week’s first capture comes from @ TheWInterCzar a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. First up this week we have Gunnar the Smith of the Raven clan. This may be the first time I have seen a shot of this pivotal character. Voiced by the brilliant Thomas W.Gabrielsson and also known for his role as Guthrum in The Last Kingdom. He is one of my favourite characters to talk to when visiting the settlement. This magnificent shot showcases him brilliantly, the black and white style really amplifying his beard and tattoos. Excellent use of the black background resulting in a perfect portrait. 2) Mythical Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Photo number two comes from @ GeeketteAna a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Next up we have Kassandra exploring Atlantis from the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey DLC. I must admit I have never played this section of the game, but after seeing @GeeketteAna’s virtual photography I might just give it a go. I really like the colours of this capture, so vibrant and powerful. I love how you can see the waterfall coming through the eyes in the distance. The armour set also links well with the rest of the shot thanks to the white and gold elements. A very fitting photo for the mythical setting. 3) Odin’s Raven Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Edits: Frans Bouma & Lightroom Classic This week’s third shot comes from @ NovA1990 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Photo number three brings the chill with a nice shot of a raven in the snow. I always like to feature animal photography if I can, and this is the first for a raven. Even though it isn’t the focal point, I do adore the mountains in the background. There is a real haunting feel to this with the dark skies, cold snow and wind swept trees. I believe the shot is in Northumbria as that is the only place with snow in the English part of the game. Either way this Raven looks very happy sat in the snow. As the saying goes Odin’s eyes are everywhere. 4) The Saga Begins Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP number four comes from @ reubenblades1 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community . For our penultimate shot this week I thought I would feature this exceptional capture of Eivor and the long ships. The sepia style of this photo makes it so unique, as it is a colour tone not often seen. The attention to detail is amazing, with the use of vignette and depth of field really bringing the shot to life. I love the old vibes of the capture as it feels fitting of the time period. I wonder where Eivor is heading next? 5) Sunset Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins The final capture of the week comes from @ YouSpoonyBardd over on Twitter. The final shot of the week is part of an awesome set entered into the Ubisoft Photo-Mode contest. Be sure to check out the whole selection below. However this photo stood out the most to me due to the jaw dropping positioning. Even with the sun going down you can see so much in this capture. I love the sun setting between the two pyramids, it is just breath-taking. I also like that you can see a third pyramid to the left and the rocky landscape surrounding it. What a beautiful use of colour and shadows to create this perfect sunset. Link to set And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Assassin's Creed Rogue Merchandise Guide 17/3/18 Written by Colum Blackett Share To celebrate the release of Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered, we put together a Merchandise Guide for the Community! A number of Templar items have also been added! (Ubisoft Store and Amazon Links used due to international shipping) May The Father of Understanding Guide Us Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered for Xbox One Amazon Link Ubisoft Store Link Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered for PS4 Amazon Link Ubisoft Store Link Assassin's Creed Rogue: Collector's Edition Amazon Link Assassin's Creed Rogue Wristband Amazon Link Assassin's Creed Rogue: Prima Official Game Guide Amazon Link Assassin's Creed Rogue Keychain Amazon Link Assassin's Creed Rogue Hoodie Amazon Link Templar Jacket Gamerabilia Assassin's Creed Rogue T-shirt Amazon Link Assassin's Creed Rogue Soundtrack by Elitsa Alexandrova Amazon Link Assassin's Creed Rogue T-shirt Amazon Link Assassin's Creed Rogue T-shirt (White) Currently not listed to Amazon Gamestop exclusive (Rare) Assassin's Creed Rogue T-shirt Available on Ebay Merchandise Shay Cormac figure by Mcfarlane Toys Amazon Link Assassin's Creed Rogue: The Renegade Amazon UbiShop Forbidden Planet Custom Made Shay Cormac Lego Figure Available on Ebay Shay Cormac's Templar Robes! Available on Oasis Costume Shay Cormac Figure Available in the Assassin's Creed Mini set (Lucky Dip) Assassin's Creed Templar T-shirt (Technically a Black Flag T-shirt) Amazon Link Assassin's Creed Rogue: Turn Against T-shirt Ubisoft Store (Out of Stock) Assassin's Creed Rogue Official Pin Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Rogue: Turn Against Hoodie (Female) Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Rogue Wallet Currently Unavailable on Amazon Shay Cormac Figure Available in Assassin's Creed: The Official Collection Issue 7 Templar Merchandise Unleash your inner Templar with these great products! Knights Templar Tie Amazon Link Templar Cufflinks Amazon Link Templar Stickers Show your allegiance to the world! Amazon Link Knights Templar Watch Amazon Link Templar T-shirt Amazon Link Templar Pin Amazon Link Templar Mug Amazon Link Templar Pin Amazon Assassin's Creed Movie sticker pack (contains a Templar one) Amazon

Wales Comic Con 2024: Wrexham Log Events Share 9 Apr 2024 Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team Colum Blackett Back To Database We had a ton of fun at Wales Comic Con in Wrexham! It was great to see a life-sized statue of Ratonhnhaké:ton (Connor) on display in the Main Hall! Colum Blackett (@ Col_96 ) & Michael Doyle ( Michael_Doyle03 ) from TOWCB core team were practicing hidden blade techniques. Check out our video log on Tiktok or Youtube ! Until next time Assassins.. Safety & Peace. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. TOWCB Team

Assassin's Creed: Valhalla Merchandise Guide Updated 20/3/21 By Colum Blackett Edited by Ashlea Buckley Share Here we will be logging all of the merchandise we find for Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. UbiCollectibles Please note that this guide contains Amazon affiliate links, Learn more The ultimate guide for Assassin's Creed Valhalla Merchandise. Eivor's Hidden Blade Be like Eivor in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla by wearing this faithful and size-adjustable replica of the Hidden Blade or display it in your collection. Available from Ubisoft Store Xzone Cz Amazon Game Game Mania Eivor The Wolf-Kissed Figurine Eivor is a devoted and confident Viking clan leader, who is not scared of dying to protect his people. Despite his deep love for his clan, he is a lone wolf. Available from: Xzone Cz Ubisoft Store Amazon Eivor and Drakkar Figurine (30cm) Only available with the Assassin's Creed Valhalla Collector's Edition. A Viking Statuette of Eivor with her raven and Dane axe (height: 5cm). Exclusively sold on the Ubisoft Store. Apparel Assassin's Creed Valhalla 2020 Announcement T-shirt Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Northern Lights T-shirt (available in Black, White, Black Heather, Athletic Heather and Ash) Available from the Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Axes T-shirt (available in Black, Black Heather, Athletic Heather and Ash) Available from the Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Eivor T-shirt (available in Black, Black Heather, Athletic Heather and Ash) Available from Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Aurora Hoodie (a vailable in Black and Carbon Grey Available from Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Berserker Hoodie (a vailable in Black and Carbon Grey Available from Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Nordic Hoodie Available from Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Vikings Long Sleeve T-shirt (available in Black, Dark Grey Heather, Navy and Athletic Heather. Available from Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Axe Snapback Hat (available in White or Charcoal Grey) Available from Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Long Sleeve T-shirt (available in Black, Dark Grey Heather, Navy and Athletic Heather) Available from Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Hoodie Available from Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Viking Snapback Hat (available in White/ Charcoal grey) Available from Ubisoft Store Raven's Face mask Available from Ubisoft Store Axes Face mask Available from Ubisoft Store Nordic Face mask Available from Ubisoft Store Northern Lights Face Mask Available from Ubisoft Store Berserker Face Mask Available from Ubisoft Store Valhalla Face Mask Available from Ubisoft Store Viking Face Mask Available from Ubisoft Store Valhalla Crest Banner Hoodie by Difuzed Available from from Merchoid , Xzone Cz , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Raven T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from Xzone Cz , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Wolf: Raven T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from , Xzone Cz , Gamlery, Fantasy Welt Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Shield T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from Xzone Cz , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Shield Hoodie by Difuzed. Available from Merchoid , Xzone Cz , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Teddy Women's Hoodie by Difuzed. Available from Xzone Cz Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Nordic T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from Xzone Cz , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Crest T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from Xzone Cz , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Axes T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from EMP , Xzone Cz , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Eivor T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from Xzone Cz , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Women's Teddy Hoodie by Difuzed. Available from Xzone Cz , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Metal Badge Snapback by Difuzed. Available from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Logo Beanie by Difuzed. Available from Xzone Cz , ActionFiguresItalia Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Tribal Baseball Hat by Difuzed. Available from Merchoid , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Logo Baseball Hat by Difuzed. Location unknown Assassin's Creed Valhalla: T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from FantasyWelt De Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Snake T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from HMV , FantasyWelt De Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Wolf T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from HMV , FantasyWelt De Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Woodcut Dragon T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from FantasyWelt De Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Eivor T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from FantasyWelt De Assassin's Creed Valhalla: T-shirt by Difuzed. Available from FantasyWelt De Assassin's Creed Valhalla Snapback by Difuzed. Available from Xzone Assassin's Creed Valhalla Tie Die T-shirt Available from Xzone Assassin's Creed Valhalla Longsleeve T-Shirt. Available from Merchoid Assassin's Creed Valhalla Viking Hoodie Available from Merchoid Ubisoft Heroes: Female Eivor Chibi figure, inspired from Eivor in the Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla. Available from the Ubisoft Store Ubisoft Heroes: Male Eivor Chibi figure, inspired from Eivor in the Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla. Available from the Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Leggings Available from WildBangarang Assassin's Creed Valhalla Leggings Available from WildBangarang Assassin's Creed Valhalla Pencil Skirt Available from WildBangarang Assassin's Creed Valhalla Snood Available from WildBangarang Assassin's Creed Valhalla Snood Available from WildBangarang Eivor T-shirt Available from GraphMkt Limited edition Assassin's Creed Valhalla T-shirts by Charli Cohen , featuring augmented reality technology Glow in the dark Assassin's Creed Valhalla T-shirt Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla Face Mask by Volante Design Assassin's Creed Valhalla Snapback Cap by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla T-shirt by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla T-shirt by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla T-shirt. Available from ASDA Assassin's Creed Valhalla T-shirt. Available from ASDA Assassin's Creed Valhalla T-shirt. Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla long sleeve T-shirt Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla Sweatshirt Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wolf T-shirt Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla Hoodie Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla Character T-shirt Available exclusively from HMV Assassin's Creed Valhalla Green Wolf T-shirt Available exclusively from HMV Assassin's Creed Valhalla Logo Cap Available exclusively from HMV Assassin's Creed Valhalla Beanie Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Logo T-shirt Available exclusively from HMV Assassin's Creed Valhalla Raven & Symbol Hoodie Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Hooded Sweater (Womens) Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Raven & Symbol Hoodie (Womens) Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Hooded Sweater Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Medium-length dress Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Hammer and Symbol Hooded Sweater (Womens) Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Hooded Sweater (Womens) Previusly available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Axe and Hammer Long-sleeved T-shirt (Womens) Available from EMP Grey Assassin's Creed Valhalla Shield T-shirt Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Feather T-shirt (Womens) Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Hammer and Symbol T-shirt Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Raven and Logo T-shirt Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Hammer and Symbol T-shirt (Womens) Available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla / Reebok Hoodie Available from the Reebok store Assassin's Creed Valhalla / Reebok Hoodie Available from the Reebok store Assassin's Creed Valhalla / Reebok Socks Available from FootLocker and the Reebok store Assassin's Creed Valhalla / Reebok Cap Available from the Reebok store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Dragon Hoodie. Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla Raven and Symbol Tracksuit Trousers, available from EMP Assassin's Creed Valhalla Logo Cap Available from EB Games Assassin's Creed Valhalla Crew Socks Available from EB Games Assassin's Creed Valhalla T-shirt by BioWorld Available from EB Games Assassin's Creed Valhalla Face Masks Previously available from Geek Store Officially licensed Viking wraps by Volante Design Officially licensed Viking belt by Volante Design Officially licensed Viking cloak by Volante Design Eivor Hoodie Available from the Ubisoft Store Sigurd and Eivor Sweatshirt Available from the Ubisoft Store Will Never Die T-shirt (4 colour options) Available from the Ubisoft Store Valhalla Comics Sweatshirt Available from the Ubisoft Store Valhalla Comics Bomber Jacket Available from the Ubisoft Store Valhalla Comics Hoodie Available from the Ubisoft Store Will Never Die Hoodie Available from the Ubisoft Store Valhalla Comic Premium T-shirt Available from the Ubisoft Store Valhalla Comic Crop Top Available from the Ubisoft Store Valhalla Raid T-shirt (4 colour options) Available from the Ubisoft Store Valhalla Comic Face Mask Available from Ubisoft Store Valhalla Face Mask Available from Volante Designs Valhalla Vintage Cap Available from Alza Assassin's Creed Valhalla Christmas Jumper Available from EMP and Impericon Assassin's Creed Valhalla Christmas Jumper Available from Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Raven Cap Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla T-shirt Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla T-shirt Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Previous Guides AC Odyssey AC Movie Funko Pops AC Origins AC Rogue Black Flag PART 2 PART 3 Are we missing anything? Let us know and we'll update the article Did you buy anything from the Merchandise Guide? Let us know in the comments! Merchandise

TOWCB Website - One Month Since Launch News Share 10 Sept 2019 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database It has been exactly a month since we launched the new website, and we're pleased to say that it has been well received! Here's what we've been up to since launch: 1) Adding content from the old website. Every day the website grows, as we are slowly adding all of our old articles and projects. As you can imagine, this is an extremely time consuming process, as we first created our community in 2014. This means that 5 years worth of content will soon be available on the website. You can track our progress here 2) Navigation As we are continually adding new pages, navigation of the site becomes a priority. In order to improve this, we have added a grid to the bottom of every page, so that our fans can find the current top stories on the site. This will be updated regularly using google analytics. We are also improving navigation on the site by frequently testing hyperlinks, and changing their colour to green when they are working. You may stumble upon a few red links when browsing the site. This is most likely because the page does not yet exist. We are hoping to have all our old articles and projects on the site very soon! 3) SEO We are also frequently updating our SEO (Search engine optimization), so that we can increase traffic on the site. The website can now be found on Google, but eventually we would like our pages to be ranked higher. This is done by updating the SEO, which allows search engines to show relevant content that users are searching for. Keywords, snappy page descriptions and more content will surely help us to improve traffic, and help the website become the #1 location for fans searching for Assassin's Creed Community content. 4) Launch of Mobile Version Shortly after the launch of our new website (10/8/19), we launched the mobile version! Using the same URL, the site should now work on mobile devices! We have tested it many times on mobile phones and iPad, and it seems that many hours editing the site were well spent! We currently have a majority of users viewing the site on mobile devices, so it's a good thing we managed to launch the mobile version so quickly! Let us know if you have any tips on how we can make the site even better on mobile devices! We have a ton of new content planned for the site, so make sure to add it to your bookmarks and check back regularly to see what we've been working on! 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: 23rd to 29th January 2023 Community Share 31 Jan 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the # TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed + Ezio Legacy 1) Make the Square Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Jonnybubs First up this week we have an excellent shot of Eivor in a duel with what looks to be another Viking. I love the positioning of this capture, and how it portrays the fight. Highlighting Varin’s axe with all those amazing details is a genius move. It is also a nice touch adding the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla logo, as it make s the shot feel like a movie poster. 2) Parkour Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ ophotongame Photo number two is simplicity at its best. For me this shot exudes class. The silhouette of Bayek, Senu and the statues are all perfectly captured . It takes fantastic timing to catch Bayek mid jump, as it's not always easy to enter the photo mode at the right time. Origin’s parkour wasn’t too bad, but I can’t wait to see what this artist can do with Mirage. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: Peter Strat - TOWCB Video Content Creation Team This shot is just wonderful! Such a different type of screenshot too with the white background contrasting the focal points of the image. Excellent timing with the shot of Bayek flying gracefully through the air and Senu ever present. And if you've ever tried to take a perfect shot with one of the birds as a part of it, you'll know how much of a pain this is! :D Truly exemplifies simplicity! 3) England Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Platform: Xbox VP Artist: @ Chris25551 No matter what you say about Assassin’s Creed Valhalla the scenery and the world building is top draw. If there is one VP artist who captures it brilliantly it's CBVP. This capture is from a set that are all equal in beauty. I picked this particular shot because the mist combined with the rays of light make for one stunning photo. I really like the water details here. It looks ridiculously realistic. Link to set 4) Out for a Stroll Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ FrameHoldPhotos FrameHold deserves this shoutout. One for helping me put together the Ezio Legacy weekend, but also for her thoughtfully put together Ezio shots. I can instantly see the love and care that has been put into this capture. It is very Ezio , the background could easily be Italy. I must say that I am very impressed with the little details too, notably the lack of beard and that lovely shadow across Eivor’s body. 5) The Goat Game: Assassin’s Creed II VP Artist: @ Prophets_Codex We end this week with a classic Ezio shot from one of our new Community members. It is difficult to produce excellent shots in the older games where cameras cannot be manipulated as freely. What’s striking about this shot is Ezio’s outfit. The white pops so much, drawing your eye to every unique detail of this legendary outfit. 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 Jan 31, 2023 Thanks for the words Aaron! I'm the creator to second shot :) 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

Assassin's Creed Mirage Roshan Cosplay Project by Rick Boer's Fantasy Productions Community Share 22 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Here are some photos from the Roshan Cosplay Project currently being created by the team over at RBF-productions-NL ( Rick Boer's Fantasy Productions), a company dedicated to delivering high-quality custom-made props and costumes. Although Assassin's Creed Mirage has not yet been released, we can't wait to learn more about the former-slave turned Hidden One we first met in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The Assassin's Creed Mirage reveal trailer made it clear that Basim's Mentor, voiced by the wonderful Shohreh Aghdashloo would be a hit within the community, and it's been great to see this project come to life through regular social media posts. Back in September, we rounded up images for the Basim Ibn Ishaq cosplay project, which you can find here. We will be updating this page as the team over at RBF-productions-NL release more images. Links to their social media channels can be found below. Original release: 8th May 2023 Updated with new photos 22nd June 2023. Website | Instagram | DeviantArt comments debug Comments (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest Guest Oct 15, 2023 Merci Colum, from France 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)

AC Community Questions: The Ælchemist Interview Share 5 Feb 2025 Written By: Edited By: TheÆlchemist Colum Blackett Back To Database Hi The Ælchemist , thank you for joining me for this introductory interview. Please could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your role within the Assassin's Creed Community. Col: In January 2025, you joined The Ones Who Came Before's Assassin's Creed Partnership Program, known as the Isu_Network. Are you looking forward to working alongside the team during the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows? The Ælchemist : : Yes! I'm very much looking forward to working alongside the team. AC Shadows will be a lot of fun. I've been waiting for this instalment since I first started playing Assassin's Creed. Col: How excited are you to get your hands on the upcoming instalment? The Ælchemist : As a person born and raised in the region where the game takes place, that has only increased my hype further. Col: Which Assassin's Creed game have you been playing recently, and which game are you playing next? The Ælchemist : I'm currently playing Syndicate on my Xbox due to its 60 FPS update. I'm having a lot of fun with it and will likely play AC Shadows next. Col: Have you visited any of the locations from the games? The Ælchemist : I have visited London many times and love the Elizabeth Tower. I enjoy visiting historical locations. Col: Which Assassin's Creed game is your favourite and why? The Ælchemist : don’t really have a favorite AC game, but the closest to my favorite is Black Flag, as I love the naval combat and the Moby Dick mission. Official Promo Image for Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag Col: Have you attended any events within the Assassin's Creed Community? The Ælchemist : I haven’t attended any AC events specifically, but whenever there’s a convention I’m at, I make sure to check out their displays. Col: Do you have a favourite Assassin's Creed community moment/ story you would like to share? The Ælchemist : My favorite moment was meeting Desmond's voice actor, Nolan North, and hearing him talk about voicing Desmond Miles. Col: What would be your dream setting for the upcoming AC Netflix TV show or future game? The Ælchemist : My dream setting for upcoming AC content would be WW2 or the Inca empire. Col: Do you have any personal AC goals you would like to achieve? The Ælchemist : My personal AC goal is to someday become involved in some way with the making of a AC game, (voice actor, writer, Mocap Actor etc). Animus Hub: The new home of all things Assassin's Creed Col: What would you say is your most significant community achievement to date? The Ælchemist : My most significant community achievement would probably have to be, becoming a partner with, The Ones Who Came Before. Col: What is your favourite part of being a community member? The Ælchemist : My favorite part of being a community member is being able to talk to and make friends with people who have similar interests. Col: Do you collect AC merchandise? If so, what is your favourite item? The Ælchemist : I do collect AC merchandise, mostly books, but my favorite is a behind-the-scenes book of the movie. Col: What advice do you have for people looking to get into social media management? The Ælchemist : My advice for people looking into social media management is: Work hard, show kindness to your community, and never take anything personally. As long as you work hard and are kind, good people will follow you. Sadly, there will always be bad people on the internet. Don’t engage with them—they want a reaction. Ignore them, and either they will go away, or if they don’t and start talking about you on their accounts, it’s free advertising. As an Asian person on the internet, I’ve seen my fair share of racism. I strive to keep my communities free from discrimination and racism, and I have a zero-tolerance policy for it. So in short, just be nice, be kind, be smart, and work hard—you will grow as a person as well as your following. It’s always slow in the beginning, but once you get things rolling, it will start to pick up speed. Never give up and always work hard. Col: Where can our community members find you online? The Ælchemist : You can find me on: Youtube: @ TheÆLCHEMIST Twitter: Master Shinobi comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author TheÆlchemist is a passionate social media manager based in Japan who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in January 2025 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. He is known for providing in-depth detailed analysis on all things Assassin's Creed, something which we here at TOWCB always strive to provide. He is also a keen video creator, a skill which we hope to nurture through collaborations with our video content creation team. By joining the partnership program, we will be sharing content created by TheÆlchemist with a larger audience, and he will help our fan community surpass 70,000 followers across all platforms. TheÆlchemist

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 13th to 19th March Community Share 21 Mar 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 Mirage Vibe Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ _ItDoesMatter We start this week’s showcase with a ni ce Assassin's Creed Mirage style shot. The position of Kassandra looking down on the pile of flowers really resembles some of the key art we have seen for the new game. Likewise the colours are very on point. I am a fan of these type of shots, as they have such a classic Assassin’s Creed feel. Hopefully it won’t be too long now before we see some more from Mirage. Link: https://twitter.com/_itdoesmatter/status/1635313665183485953?s=46&t=rIujpeSq9644fgpRWA_xMA The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: Judge - Mike Smith (TOWCB Core Team) When I first saw this photo, I thought I was looking at Aya and not her ancestor, Kassandra. The recognition of a signature assassin (pre-assassins brotherhood) is strong in this shot and the similarities to what we have seen from Assassin's Creed Mirage show the strength of this series' lasting style in gaming. Kudo's to @ _ItDoesMatter for this image. The Blacksmith Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ frips Next up we have an elegant black and white portrait of Gunnar the blacksmith. I love the thoughtful look on his face. I also like how this photo captures his awesome Viking beard and face tat too. He could n ot look anymore Viking if he tried. I wish we had seen more of Gunnar in Valhalla, he and Eivor shared a close bond and it would have been nice to see him get more screen time. Raids in Paris Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ ZombieVision A nice simple but elegant shot for photo number three this week. I really like the warm tones of this capture, as it reminds me of a pleasant summers day. If you look closely the details are just perfect. The water and the greenery are particularly beautiful. I am loving the washed up longship, and the rowing boat that I assume Eivor arrived in. I did love the after battle look of Frankia, as it really gave me Viking vibes. Constellations Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ soulsurrender I actually do not have any words for this capture. A few years ago I saw a piece of artwork similar to this and loved it. It represents Origins so beautifully. The stars were always a connection between Bayek and Khemu, which brought so much emotion to the game. I adore the silhouettes of Bayek and Senu but also have to applaud the colours. The sky and the sand, especially with that shadow are impeccable. Eivor Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ dede_wijayanto3 We end this week’s showcase with a superb portrait of Eivor. I admire the style of this shot . There is something so eye-catching about it. It is almost like a piece of art rather than a video game capture. I really like that you can only see Eivor’s head and hand. It adds so much mystery to the photo. For me though the facial expression coupled with the colours of the face tattoo are just faultless. 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 Mar 22, 2023 Soulsurrenders shot is insane! Wow, such a beautiful shot 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

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 7th to 18th October Community Share 8 Dec 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Renzo Back To Database Welcome to the biweekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from the AC Partnership Program. Every two weeks 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. This theme has been run by the TOWCB VP team. We have been monitoring the hashtag and the community hub to see all your wonderful shots. Keep an eye on the site as more shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to #ACFirstCivVP for a chance to be featured. Theme: Halloween Spirit Slayer Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @Its__Gurly The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @TuridTorkil Turid I was immediately captivated by the composition of this shot. The combination of tattoos, clothing and weapons make a dark warrior out of Eivor, and you can sense that he is not afraid of the monster that lurks in the dark. Smoke and fog create an eerie mood, perfect for our theme this week. Aaron One of my favourite games to play in October is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, especially the Wrath of the Druids DLC. The mood and tone of that expansion perfectly lends itself to the spooky vibes. The hallucinations Eivor experiences such as in this creepy capture from Mel really added a new element to the game. The shadowy figure looks so ominous, while Eivor stands there with axe and flail in hand. I think his dark hair and tattoos add to that eerie feel. Everything kind of aligns in this shot to make it a worthy winner for our Halloween theme. The Mask Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @Cll3ar Selected by @Falconswift87 Spooky theme weeks always offer up some inventive photography. I think Raven’s VP style fits effortlessly with this. Once again, the variety of outfits in Valhalla help to cater for all types of shots. Here I am getting some real Order of the Ancient vibes with the white mask on Eivor’s face. The hood is so large that it is resembling the grim reaper. I am such a fan of the foggy white background as it marries beautifully with the blacks. The feather like features that are entering the shot from the right make me think of Odin. Maybe Eivor is Odin’s messenger of death. Draugr Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @m_nt_13 Selected by @_VirtualTourism Once again, we find ourselves in Valhalla but this time it is the Draugr who have been sent to haunt us. These creatures of Norse mythology don’t have a huge part to play in the story but the outfit for Eivor is a real fright. This disturbing shot of the Draugr appearing in the darkness brings the scares for sure. I love the lighting here, the bones on the arm and the teeth coupled with those freaky yellow eyes work so well together. You can really see that this creature is not of this world, I would have very much liked to see Eivor face off against this beast. Ghost Ship Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @Yumejin2416 Selected by @TuridTorkil Assassin’s Creed Odyssey isn’t really known for its spooky nature, although you do come up against some mythical creatures. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed the ship in this shot wasn’t from Valhalla. I adore the composition of this photo, especially the placement of the ship in relation to the moon, and how the light is reflecting on the water adding to the mood. The eeriness brought on by the ship's silhouette and the bluey/purple fog make for a very atmospheric photo. It reminds me a little of the pirate movies where the ship just appears out of nowhere. Frozen Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @WonDerNooB_VP Selected by @CapturesByRenzo There is nothing like a bit of Greek mythology to bring the spooky. This shot gives me massive Jason and the Argonauts vibes. At the same time, it is going to expose my age, sorry everyone. Once again, the use of fog is so critical creating that creepy atmosphere. I think the orange and black tones, along with the architecture make this feel like a graveyard. Furthermore, the people frozen as statues elevate the sinister sensations. It is when you wander through this section of the game that you realise how impressive the level design is. RS has showcased that so well here. Mists Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ cyriellevp.bsky.social Selected by @CapturesByRenz o I have spoken before about how great the fog function is in the Assassin’s Creed photo mode. By adding it you can immediately change a photo's style and feel. This capture by Cyrielle is so hauntingly beautiful. It reminds me of the concept art you see, mostly due to the composition and the placement of Alexios. The path disappearing into the water and the marsh land that surrounds it gives off immense ghostly vibes. The trees covered in fog help to bring a sense of impending doom. I am not sure what Alexios is walking into, but it gives me the creeps. Skull Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @saskiaemmischVP Selected by @Falconswift87 Everyone knows I am a massive fan of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and especially the portraits that you can produce. Added to that the game lends itself perfectly for the Halloween theme. Here Saskia has knocked it out of the park with this super ominous shot of Eivor in the Druid mask. I just love how the white of the mask pops, and with the dark hood it looks so cool. Eivor has the appearance of one of Odin's undead horseman sent to collect souls of the unworthy. It even appears like the fog is exiting the eye hole, giving a real menacing aura to the portrait. I would not immediately think this is from Valhalla and that is a testament to how good the shot is. And that sums it up for this Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out the photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next time 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