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  • AC Community Questions: The Ælchemist | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    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

  • Assassin's Creed Shadows: Should We Be Worried by the Delay? | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    Assassin's Creed Shadows: Should We Be Worried by the Delay? Analysis Share 27 Sept 2024 Written By: Edited By: Finn Fletcher Colum Blackett Back To Database The news of Assassin's Creed Shadows’ delay has been coming for a while now, but the official announcement has got me worried. Over the past few weeks Ubisoft have been pulling out of planned press showings, causing fans to hypothesise that a delay was coming. Now, following an official announcement that it has been delayed until February 2025, the demo builds of the game have been pulled from other events like Pax Australia and I'm sure other planned previews will be cancelled in the coming weeks, such as EGX which is scheduled to take place in the UK at the end of October. This is only the second time an Assassin's Creed game has ever been delayed, though it's a lot more dramatic than Unity's two week push back. Now I want to say that I'm not opposed to delays. I'd rather see developers take their time to release the game they want, rather than be crunched or push out an unfinished product. But this isn't quite the same as Cyberpunk 2077, The Last Guardian or Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, nor can it really be compared to minor delays or release changes that many AAA games experience. While in those cases release schedules were being regularly pushed back months in advance, Ubisoft waited until the very last minute with Shadows. Refunds are being issued, DLC plans have been changed and retailers are scrambling as they try and figure out what's happening with larger collectors edition pre-orders. The fact the that the game's not even in a good enough condition to be previewed at what are usually highly tailored press events is worrying. If they can't get out a half an hour playable demo at this stage, what does it say about the final product? Assassin's Creed is Ubisoft's flagship franchise. It's maintained a winter release window since the first game came out 17 years ago and a delay isn't just going to affect finances now from refunds, but could lead to lower sales as people refuse to pre-order again and longer-term consequences from disruption to DLC release plans. This isn't to mention the new competition it will face with GTA 6 and Ghost of Yotei, a sequel to what was seen as Assassin's Creed’s spiritual successor set in the exact same location and period. Ubisoft wouldn't do this unless they were desperate, after all we've seen the state they've released games in before. From what I've seen I'm liking the look of Shadows, and it seems to be doing everything I want. But we've not seen a lot and I worry what this delay means for a game fans have been clamouring for. Official statement from Ubisoft, released 25th September 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoQKtUrMyIc Coverage by Gargudon comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Finn is a creative writer from Rotherham, UK who has previously supported TOWCB's Fundraising events, and raised awareness surrounding Men's Mental Health. Finn's writing covers a wide scope, with releases including reviews, interviews and stories. He is known in the AC Community for his 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website! In February 2026, he left the team to focus on real-world opportunities as a journalist, writing for a newspaper! We're thrilled to see Finn using his skills to build a career! Finn Fletcher

  • Maddie

    Maddie is a marketing analyst, known online for her in-depth breakdown videos covering marketing campaigns. In Summer 2026, she created social media accounts for Lore & Logos alongside her boyfriend Will, and came to the attention of TOWCB after releasing a series of videos dedicated to Ubisoft marketing campaigns. She is also the Director of a well-known large-scale frog community, which uses digital art to share funny messages and scenarios involving frogs. We look forward to working with Maddie, as her unique perspective, positive energy and friendly nature are all a welcome addition to TOWCB as we seek to inject more personality into our content. Starting with the 2026 AC Community Fundraiser, we will be working alongside Maddie to create unique and interesting content for the AC Community. Previous Next Marketing Analyst Maddie Maddie is a marketing analyst, known online for her in-depth breakdown videos covering marketing campaigns. In Summer 2026, she created social media accounts for Lore & Logos alongside her boyfriend Will, and came to the attention of TOWCB after releasing a series of videos dedicated to Ubisoft marketing campaigns. She is also the Director of a well-known large-scale frog community, which uses digital art to share funny messages and scenarios involving frogs. We look forward to working with Maddie, as her unique perspective, positive energy and friendly nature are all a welcome addition to TOWCB as we seek to inject more personality into our content. Starting with the 2026 AC Community Fundraiser, we will be working alongside Maddie to create unique and interesting content for the AC Community. TikTok | Instagram | ChibiGreen Work

  • Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Preview Event in Paris | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Preview Event in Paris Event Share 22 May 2026 Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team TOWCB Team Back To Database TOWCB Team Leader Col attended a preview event for Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced in Paris! The event featured exclusive early access to the game, interview opportunities with developers and voice actor Matt Ryan, and a glimpse at upcoming merchandise! Massive thank you to Ubisoft for the opportunity! Vlog Interview with Matt Ryan Interview with Julien Koch 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

  • Katrina Stark

    Kat is an Assassin's Creed photographer and artist who runs an online shop. By using an Ezio Auditore figure by McFarlane Toys, Kat created iconic images which could be purchased as posters or postcards. In late 2020, Kat left the project due to personal reasons. We wish her luck with her future projects! Previous Next Artist Katrina Stark Previous Partner Kat is an Assassin's Creed photographer and artist who runs an online shop. By using an Ezio Auditore figure by McFarlane Toys, Kat created iconic images which could be purchased as posters or postcards. In late 2020, Kat left the project due to personal reasons. We wish her luck with her future projects! --- Work

  • This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 15th to 21st May | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 15th to 21st May Community Share 23 May 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: Tattoos Seer Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ KeenEyeVP “You will never be rid of me. Accept it. Accept me.” A perfect quote for this capture. Eivor and her clan have always encountered acceptance issues since arriving from Norway. I love the way Eivor is deep in thought, possibly speaking with her gods. The facial tattoos are magnificent, enhancing Eivor face, especially against her pale skin. This shot to me feels very Seer like, it would have worked just as well with Valka. A truly captivating shot, be sure to check out the full set. Link to set: Berserker Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ TuridTorkil “When you hear thunder, it’s only thunder. But for me, it’s Thor, beating his hammer.” Words of Rollo a famous berserker. This shot is giving me huge Vikings TV show vibes. I admire the striking pose with an axe in each hand. It is nice touch to use the Egyptian bracers, probably one of the best in the game. With his shirt off the tattoos are on show and they could not look any more Norse. This Viking warrior is ready for battle, no one should get in his way. Link to set: Face Your Fears Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ NovA1990 This shot reminds me of Eivor’s expression when she is trying to resist the darkness Odin is offering her. He asks "what more can I give you power, glory and riches" but she just responds with “Everything else”. I really like how we can only see half of Eivor’s face yet it is full of details. The tattoo is so good, named 'Mjolnir sign' it reminds players of the duality of Eivor by representing both Pagan and Christian sybolism . The line through the middle separating the Church from the Danes. An excellent capture that embodies this week’s theme to perfection. Wolf Kissed Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Magsvarulv I love this portrait of Eivor. The beautiful contrast between dark background and pale body is so eye catching. For me it also symbolise the coming together of the Creed and a Viking. Her stance is perfect for showing off the werewolf tattoo set, which looks incredible. I think this tattoo selection fits her perfectly given the title of Wolf Kissed. “If your hell is real then I hope you shall find it” a fitting quote from a Viking who, without realising it, is doing the work of the Hidden Ones. Boar Warrior Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ artschoolglases We end this theme week with an outstanding capture of Eivor as a boar warrior. She reminds me so much of the wolf warriors in The Last Kingdom. The berserker look suits her well, with the face covered by both boar and shadow, her enemies will fear her rage. I appreciate the tattoos, the ones coming from her mouth represent a warrior and the one on her chest blends perfectly with her outfit. A capture that is both beautiful and menacing. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: Boar Warrior Judge: @ Cll3ar I really love how mysterious this picture is. The moody lighting instantly drew me to the facial tattoo. This is a lovley portrait overall and shows how gorgeous the designs of the tattoos are in this game. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

  • What we want from the AC Franchise in 2020

    Article by Mieke Dix - What we want from the Assassin's Creed Franchise in 2020. Community The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today Articles What we want to see from the Assassin's Creed Franchise in 2020 Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" Top Stories 29/12/19 By Mieke Dix Edited by Ashlea Buckley Share 5. Assassin’s Creed 1, Version 2.0 This is effectively a repeat from last year’s list which is why it’s first on this one, but it’s just as relevant. The game that started it all has yet to receive a remaster on current-gen platforms, unlike every other previous-gen title. Sure, there are plenty who dislike it due to its gameplay being simplistic and repetitive, particularly in comparison to the later games, but that doesn’t make Altaïr’s story any less compelling. It’s definitely a game that would benefit from a significant technical overhaul instead of merely an aesthetic one, which may well explain why they haven’t remastered it yet - or just won’t bother. However, whether we’ll be seeing this anytime soon or not is unclear, so all we can do is once again cross our fingers that it’ll feature in the upcoming UbiE3 lineup. 4. Next Instalment Announced With all the leaks and rumors that have been abounding on the internet this year, it’s somewhat inevitable that Ubisoft’s E3 press conference in June will feature a teaser trailer for the next game, at the very least. What’s less certain is whether Ubisoft will announce the game for release this year on current-gen only, or wait until 2021 when they can release it on the new Xbox and PS5, whether that’s a dual-release or next-gen only. This is where we can only hope that, if they are planning a dual-release, Ubisoft thoroughly learned their lesson following the disaster that was Rogue/Unity’s release. Whatever the case, we fully expect there to be a new main series title announced at some point in the coming year. 3. The Symphony on CD The Assassin’s Creed Symphony was a wonderful celebration of the many composers who have been a part of the franchise since its inception and their beautiful, emotive music. I personally attended the performance in London (and probably cried 90% of the time). Each game’s soundtrack was arranged into an excellently-composed suite which showcased the music at its best. What would be greatly appreciated, doubly so by those who couldn’t get a ticket for whatever reason, is an album of the arrangements for us to enjoy at our leisure. Of course, what would also be appreciated is an announcement that the Symphony will become an annual event visiting more locations worldwide, or even a series of concerts that would allow for even more arrangements of each soundtrack….! Wait, where was I? 2. Creed-Con 2020? Something that was evident by the response to the Symphony - mainly the rapidity at which it sold tickets - is that there really is a market for official Assassin’s Creed events and experiences. That’s not to say that we demand an official Assassin’s Creed convention or anything, but there is plenty of scope for other events. (I mean, a convention also sounds freaking awesome). The community already organises a fair amount of events of their own accord, but to be able to pull all that passion under one, officially-endorsed roof would be grand. For example: the Symphony becoming a regular event could be a good start. It could be the perfect headline act of a convention, or even a one/two-day festival of celebration for the franchise, especially if it was then streamed live for all to enjoy. 1. A Return to its Roots I plan on getting a bit more in depth about this at some point, but let’s face facts: the series is nothing like it was in the beginning. This isn’t actually a bad thing, and Origins and Odyssey are both fantastic games. However, the criticism that neither game feels like Assassin’s Creed is entirely fair, and there is a good deal of worry that the series will just continue to stray further and further from where it began, until it’s purely Assassin’s Creed by name only. Hopefully we can see a return of the rooftop-skulking, shadow-lurking assassins that we all came to love, and less of the colossal maps half-full of empty space. We love naval combat because it’s fun, fast-paced and exhilarating, but we also love balancing precariously on window ledges four storeys up as we stalk a Templar far below, ready to dive gracefully into the nearest hay bale and wait for the perfect moment to strike. Now that is Assassin’s Creed at its heart, and we desperately want that back. By using our Amazon Links About the Author Mieke is a huge fan of the Assassin's Creed franchise, and is looking forward to creating regular content for the AC community as an online article writer. She has previously written articles for Cultured Vultures and currently runs an online gaming blog. By joining the program, Mieke will be able to write articles on a wide variety of topics for the community. Her work will soon be available in the Community Hub . You can find her on Twitter Mieke Dix Save 15% with the code 'TOWCB' Interview with Magnus Bruun - Eivor Assassins' Creed Valhalla Merchandise Guide Q&A with Abubakar Salim - Bayek of Siwa TOWCB Plans for 2021 Netflix announce upcoming live-action Assassin's Creed series Female Vikings: The Real History Building an Assassin's Creed Community: Getting Started Mentors Guild Announcement Interview with Benoit Richer: Valhalla Co-Dev Game Director Interview with Eric Baptizat: AC Valhalla Game Director Interview with Jordan Van Andel (JorRaptor) Colours in Assassin's Creed: A Short Review 6 ways to stay entertained in the Assassin's Creed Community during isolation Interview with Carlos Ferro - Da Vinci 5 ways you can support TOWCB Interview with Jesper Kyd

  • The Ones Who Came Before - 2025 Highlights | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    The Ones Who Came Before - 2025 Highlights Community Share 28 Dec 2025 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Colum Blackett Back To Database 2025 has been another big year for us here at The Ones Who Came Before. Assassin’s Creed Shadows at last released in March, we got to interview true legends in the world of AC, launched new and built upon existing ventures, welcomed new members to our team and more, all while continually growing and becoming one of the leading and most followed platforms for everything Assassin’s Creed. With only a few days of the year left, let us look back at some of the highlights and our biggest moments from throughout the year! Thanks to all of our followers for your continued support, whether you have been with us from the beginning, hopped aboard just this year or anywhere in between! We look forward to releasing more content on everything AC in 2026, and hope to see all of you stick around for it! Interview with Roger Craig Smith Let’s kick off the list with one of our coolest and biggest landmark projects to date. At the beginning of the year, we had the opportunity to sit down with one of the most popular and in-demand voice actors, as well as one of the most iconic and legendary names in the world of Assassin’s Creed for a chat; the one and only Mr. Roger Craig Smith - the voice of Ezio Auditore - talking everything from Roger’s career, the role of Ezio and preparation for, the character’s legacy and more. We are so glad we could finally make it happen and put it out there for fans to listen to, after what actually ended up being months of trying to plan it. Thanks again Roger for taking the time to do it and being awesome! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qjMRKFHaWo AC Shadows Launch & Original Music Fan Theme Inspired By One of the major highlights in Assassin’s Creed this year, was of course the launch of AC Shadows, after two delays and one of the most intense and controversial marketing campaigns in gaming history, at last taking players to a fan favourite location over many years, 16th century Feudal Japan. Maybe, maybe not against all odds, the game quickly turned out one of the biggest and quickest successes in the history of the franchise, accumulating 1 million players in under 24 hours, with more joining every day. The last stretch of road leading to as well as official launch in March, saw us putting out an array of special content, from early access gameplay and first impressions, exclusive interviews with the game’s directors, as well as launch week community streams among other things. Continuing our entry into the world of music, for the occasion, we also put out another original fan theme inspired by - The Wind Between The Cherry Trees - capturing the peace and tranquility of the vast natural landscapes of Japan, written and produced by our team’s musical brains Gargudon . Available wherever music is streamed; listen on Apple Music or Spotify ! Original track promotional banner The occasion also saw different members of our team attend launch events across multiple countries, representing the site, networking, talking to other fans and content creators, and overall having a fun time. Founder and Team Leader Colum (Col_96) was invited to the Assassin’s Creed UK community launch event, and on the other side of the North Sea, Gargudon attended the fan event at Kappa Bar in Copenhagen arranged by Ubisoft Nordic, enjoying fresh and ice cold “Samurai Sip” cocktails, and even finishing third in the ultimate AC quiz, winning a game code and super cool Shadows themed t-shirt. Colum at the AC Shadows UK launch event The Ultimate Assassin's Creed Quiz kicking off at Kappa Bar CPH Ice cold (0,0%) Samurai Sip cocktails at Kappa Bar CPH AC Shadows Photo Contest In Collaboration with Assassin’s Creed UK Directly following the launch of this newest instalment, we teamed up with our friends over at Assassin’s Creed UK, for a photography contest using the new game’s Photo Mode, them also serving as judge. We received dozens of entries from followers, and every one of them were nothing short of breath-taking! From shots magnificently capturing Naoe and Yasuke in moments of peace, the beautiful and scenic landscapes of Japan, moments of distress and more, there was a bit of everything, and narrowing it down to but a few winners was a real challenge, the top winner received an exclusive AC Shadows themed Displate. Thanks to everyone who participated and sent us their incredible captures, and congratulations to the winners and runner-ups. Stay tuned for more photography contests in the future! Winner photo "Samurai" by AlexKonstantin Launch of Rally The Creed LIVE Podcasting has been an average venture of ours over many years, with (discontinued) discussion based show The Memory Corridor and community hangout Rally The Creed, but both were very occasional, sometimes months passing between episodes. In the summer, looking to produce and put out episodes more consistently and frequently, the latter underwent a bit of rebranding, turning it into livestreams on our TikTok every Sunday evening. Despite still being a very new format, it has quickly turned fairly successful, accumulating a couple hundred viewers every Sunday, and has already featured a number of high profile names from throughout the community, from video creators, cosplayers, fellow team members and more. We hope to keep the show going on this basis in the new year, also having an array of new faces come on, and we hope to see as many of you join us for the streams on our TikTok ! All existing episodes are available wherever you get your podcasts and our YouTube channel , and head to the latter for a number of highlight clips from across the episodes as well! 11th Anniversary In August, it was our anniversary once again, our site this time turning 11 years old. Throughout the month for the occasion, we put out an array of special content, from our version of the legendary Ezio’s Family track, our take on the classic Celtic folk song The Parting Glass famously featured at the end of Black Flag, “The Music Of Assassin’s Creed” community listening stream with Gargudon & Laury_Runs and more. We are immensely grateful for and proud of what our site has and continues to become. From founder Colum (Col_96) , then only a kid, starting it as a place merely to share cool AC theories with next to no followers, to first being recognised by Ubisoft, becoming a three-man, then the 25+ members team we are today and 65K+ followers later, our site has certainly seen its share of growth and expansion, continually becoming one of the leading Assassin’s Creed fansites and communities out there. Coven - Original Music Fan Theme Inspired by Codename Hexe As part of our 11th anniversary celebrations, one of the newest members on our team - Charlie Cooper / TheAssassinLord - composed an original music fan theme, inspired by the upcoming Codename Hexe. Charlie has many different skills under his belt, and has taken on the role of everything from composer, video editor and narrator, graphic designer and more, and is a fresh and valuable new addition to our team. The track described in the composer’s words; “Coven is a reimagining of Ezio’s Family by Jesper Kyd and the Assassin’s Creed III theme by Lorne Balfe, two of my favorite franchise scores. I blend them into a haunting piece inspired by the dark tone of Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe, drawing on my love for composers like Hans Zimmer who fuse nostalgic melodies with tension and scale.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYTPLRu7V-I Assassin’s Creed Syndicate 10th Anniversary Content Turning a decade this October was the final instalment of what could now be considered the original era of the franchise, 2015’s Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. For the occasion, we put together special retrospective looks at the Victorian London epic, looking back at everything from the story and characters, the lively and vibrant open world, the Jack The Ripper DLC, 5 overall things the game nailed to near perfection, as well as what it could have improved and more. Both were a lot of fun to write and edit, and ended up decent successes, and were met with praise from viewers. AC Syndicate - The Grand End Of An Era and 5 Things AC Syndicate Did Right… & Wrong as well as a number of short clips from both videos are all available on our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQFCavk2AIk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxL9c673kik Black Flag Main Theme / He’s A Pirate Classical Guitar Rendition For the occasion of Black Flag’s anniversary in October, Gargudon picked up a classical guitar once again, for an extended and remastered arrangement of the game’s iconic main theme originally written by Brian Tyler, that we originally released a rendition of for the game’s 10th anniversary in 2023. This new version saw the second half of the theme with a different and increased tempo added, as well as its main twist being the fusion with another legendary Pirate theme; the iconic He’s A Pirate from Pirates Of The Caribbean, originally written by Klaus Badelt. Making this guitar arrangement ended up a bit of a challenge at points, but was a lot of fun and the ultimate crossover between the two most legendary Pirate captains, and was met with praise from viewers and community members. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gfdadWrt9c Assassin’s Creed / Ubisoft Halloween Community Showcase For the occasion of Halloween, we looked to the cosplayers among our followers and in the community, for an Assassin’s Creed and Ubisoft themed costumes showcase. We reached out to cosplayers and friends of the site, called upon our own, and were sent incredible photo shoots by followers, showcasing costumes ranging from the most legendary Assassins, to major characters from Far Cry and Watch Dogs. Featured in the showcase on our Instagram were Rick Boer as Edward Kenway, Krishna Dammert as Ezio Auditore, Line Chambet and Blade.Of.Blackheart as Arno Dorian, NeonCosplays as Faith Seed from Far Cry 5, UnknownWrench as Wrench from Watch Dogs 2, and last but not least our own Laury_Runs as Eïvor. New Additions to the TOWCB Team And last but not least, this year of course also saw us welcoming a number of new content creators of many talents to our ever evolving team. Our Art Team was brought new life and taken to completely new heights, with the addition of several new super talented artists; from Jebs’ manga inspired style, Aita_Sageblood’s unique 2.5D leaning style, to incredible portraits by Serajeddine who ultimately came and went, but left quite the enduring mark! On other fronts, our video team welcomed James Davis (TopChef1288) - video narrator/editor, streamer and secondary host of Rally The Creed Live - as well as mentioned multi-talent Charlie Cooper / TheAssassinLord , both key figures in helping our growing video venture further take off. We look forward to building our team even further in the new year, and we want you on it! Are you passionate about AC with a knack for writing, video creation, art or social media managing among other things? Get in touch with us by sending us a message on any of our social media platforms and we’ll take you into consideration, we are excited to hear from you! The TOWCB team, December 2025 And that more or less sums up the best and most significant highlights throughout 2025 for us here at The Ones Who Came Before. There are of course still a few days of the year left, and we still have bits and pieces of content we are excited to share before the new year. Once again, thanks to everyone one of our followers for supporting us yet another year! We look forward to welcoming new followers, team members and creating new content in 2026, maintaining our place as one of the leading fansites and communities for everything Assassin’s Creed. We hope everyone had a magnificent Christmas and holiday season, and happy new year Assassins! 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 and versatile content creator, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016 - hosting the discussion based show “The Memory Corridor” - but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews, writing and composing. He joined The Ones Who Came Before in 2019 for a merger, publishing new episodes - and reviving the show following nearly a year of inactivity - on our platforms, until phased out in 2023. Today, his landmark projects include 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)

  • Assassin's Creed Fans Launch Isu - English Dictionary | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    Assassin's Creed Fans Launch Isu - English Dictionary News Share 12 Feb 2021 Written By: Edited By: ActualSpider-Man Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Data compiled by Colum Blackett. Assassin's Creed fans have managed to crack the secret language of the highly advanced precursor race known as the Isu, and in the process, decode multiple hidden messages. A new Assassin's Creed Isu to English dictionary has been released thanks to a collaborative community effort to decode secret messages. Fans first noticed the strange symbols on the collector's edition of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, as well as in the game, and set about trying to decode them. The team over at Access the Animus managed to successfully crack the code, and in the process, discovered the legitimate way to unlock the Isu bow, which had been found in the game due to a clever save hack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze-7t7TRjy0 The decoded messages led the team to an iron ore deposit on a small island surrounded by a lake in Northumbria, which could only be destroyed using the Excalibur sword at sunset! Following the discovery, the creator of the language, Antoine Henry (Associate director at Ubisoft Singapore) joined RockPaperShotgun for an interview detailing the creation process. ''The idea of creating a language for the Isu came about during a casual discussion with [narrative director] Darby McDevitt, where I was telling him about my passion for languages and creating them. When he mentioned creating one for the Isu, I thought it was just one of these crazy ideas you come up with in a discussion for the fun of it. Even though we were both excited, I didn't think he was serious at all. Months passed and I thought that would be the end of it. Then one day, out of nowhere, Darby contacted me to see how we could make it happen!" "The process of creating the Isu language was writing in reverse a history of how humans learned it from the Isu, and how it then evolved over time to become Proto-Indo-European. I started from old languages in that family (Latin, Ancient Greek, Sanskrit, etc.) and academic reconstructions of what Proto-Indo-European could have been like, and worked my way backwards from there." ''We completely intended for the community to decipher some of the language, but I would have never imagined that they would go as far as they did. They managed to break down words and rules that I didn't even think could be identified! I am amazed by their passion and dedication. As a creator when you see this, it really makes the effort worth it." It's fair to say that fans have impressed the Assassin's Creed Valhalla development team with their codebreaking skills, but the community has now gone one step further by compiling all of the translated words and phrases to form an Isu- English dictionary! This new community resource will no doubt be an indispensable tool for helping fans unlock even more secrets in future codebreaking efforts, and can be found here on Reddit thanks to the work of user IMHOZen1. '' Codex Transferendum is now a full-fledged Isu language guide, from writing, to translating, to now even speaking every single bit of Isu text we see in Valhalla!'' IMHOZen1 details in his post. With the help of Reddit user / bool0011 , the Isu vocalizations for each character were successfully decrypted. The 25 page document is available for free, and will no doubt be a central resource for all those wishing to learn the mysterious language of the Isu. We would like to extend our admiration to all the fans who helped in this incredible community effort. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Author of the all-encompassing timeline, Codex Temporis, and the Isu-to-English dictionary, Codex Transferendum, Your Friendly Neighborhood Mentor is here to help unweave the confusing web of AC! ActualSpider-Man

  • This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 26th March -1st April 2022 | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 26th March -1st April 2022 Community Share 12 Apr 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the new weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week, we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 1) Wildlife Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This week’s first capture comes from @ GeeketteAna over on Twitter A first wildlife capture for our weekly roundup. I really like the Autumnal feel of this shot, with the fox as the main focal point. This truly is a beautiful photo. I feel like Valhalla really nails the design of foxes in the game. After playing Ghost of Tsushima I never thought this possible. 2) Cave Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Photo number two comes from @ _Jellybird over on Twitter. Sticking with Valhalla and we have a wonderful shot of Eivor exiting a cave ready for battle. I love the details on this one with the rippling water and the egg shaped cave entrance. The lighting is on point to, giving a window like feel. Not quite sure where this is on the game but I would like to find it. 3) England’s Beauty Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This week’s third shot comes from @ Chris25551 over on Twitter. I picked this shot because of its beauty. Valhalla has such great scenery, and this showcases it. A fantastic, almost painting like capture that encompasses the range of colours in England. The sun breaking through the clouds creating a misty haze adds to the mystery of this shot. 4) Nefertiti’s Throne Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP number four comes from @ ophierian_vp over on Twitter. A change of game now for capture number four. This tilted image gives a great sense of depth to a sun-drenched imagine of Nefertiti’s Throne. It’s been a long time since I played the Curse of the Pharaohs, but I might just need to make a return after this. I especially love the small details in this shot. 5) Companion Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey The final capture of the week comes from @ Elvira04289 over on Twitter. I like this capture for two reasons: one it showcases Kassandra and Ikaros brilliantly, and in such fine detail. However secondly it made me smile. Ikaros definitely looks like he is photobombing here. I miss Senu and Ikaros so much, as they were great additions to their respective games. 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 News Recap: 7th - 20th August 2022 | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    Assassin's Creed News Recap: 7th - 20th August 2022 News Share 21 Aug 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to a new Assassin's Creed News Recap series, hosted by Colum Blackett (Col_96) from The Ubisoft Star Players Program (Formerly Mentors Guild). Every week, we will be rounding up Assassin's Creed News and sharing it here on The Ones Who Came Before website. Keep an eye on the site every Sunday for more weekly recaps, or check out our social media links down below to stay updated on everything Assassin's Creed. 1) We have quite a lot to cover in this Assassin's Creed news round-up, this time spanning a fortnight instead of a week due to the launch of our Assassin's Creed Community Fundraiser! In collaboration with various community members and organisations, we here at TOWCB are raising funds for The British Heart Foundation and The American Heart Association, two incredible organisations providing critical cardiovascular medical research and education to facilities around the world. To increase donations, we are currently hosting an art sale! Lisa Zaman from the Assassin's Creed Partnership Program has kindly donated prints which we are selling via GoFundMe donations! To purchase a print, simply donate £15 for one, or £25 for x2, and message the admin team with your selections and details! Please donate if you can and help the fundraiser reach it's target of £1500! All donors receive a special thank you pack containing a surprise, and will be entered into raffles depending on donation amount. 2) Antheum Studios released new images of the Assassin's Creed Whisky, and it looks incredible! ''Crafted in the hill country of Texas and finished in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, this 4 year old straight bourbon whiskey carries a rich flavour with rye spice, wheat character, and hints of cherry, vanilla and oak. Appealing to spirit connoisseurs and fans alike, this iconic selection is a worthy addition to any bar. Game hard, drink responsibly.'' Look out for the Assassin’s Creed 15th Anniversary Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which is available now from various retailers in the US! 3) The teaser trailer for the Assassin's Creed event coming to PUBG Battlegrounds dropped! Never did we expect to see Master Assassin Ezio Auditore using a frying pan to knock out enemies, but here we are. In fairness, the crossover has done a good job at replicating Abstergo Industries and Ezio's robes. It also looks like the game features a number of core pillars sacred to the identity of the brand like the leap of faith and the Hidden Blade, so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out in-game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLKrYrcHi4Q 4) Mike Smith from the AC Partnership Program (Isu Network) released his fascinating new interview with Kate Heartfield, author of The Magus Conspiracy novel. In the interview, we discuss her book and working with publisher Aconyte Books on a new trilogy for the Assassin's Creed universe; The Engine of History. For the first time ever, we also released the interview transcript, so you can enjoy this interview on Youtube , or here in written form! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOTzu4g5P2E 5) We were happy to release a Q&A with Michael Doyle, an online article writer who recently joined the AC Partnership Program (Isu Network). Michael is a close friend of TOWCB admin team and has provided support behind the scenes for many years. In the interview, we covered everything from the Netflix Assassin's Creed TV show to the upcoming Ubisoft Forward Assassin's Creed event. Check it out here! 6) Ubisoft shared three new creations for the weekly social media series titled Wallpaper Wednesday. To mark the 15th Anniversary of Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft have been commissioning community artists. The first image, featuring an Assassin underneath the AC15 logo, and the second, showcasing settings from the games were created by artist Valorianru , formerly of The Mentors Guild! We love the use of colours in these two creations! The third image, by Assassin's Crweed , shows Desmond Miles in a powerful stance holding the Apple of Eden, surrounded by shattered glass fragments featuring the faces of Assassins. Look carefully and you'll notice that even the tiny fragment closest to Arno has an Assassin looking back. It's great to see community artists getting opportunities like this, and we are very much enjoying all of the creations. 7) We celebrated 8 years since the creation of The Ones Who Came Before. The main focus for this year's celebration was to launch the Assassin's Creed Community Fundraiser, but we still have one or two celebratory projects to release later on in the month. To mark our anniversary, we reflected on our history in a new article titled 8 Years of The Ones Who Came Before: Looking Back. Check it out here! 8) Hugo Sahuquet, Former Associate Narrative Director at Ubisoft Bordeaux shared some of his notes from the creation of the Wrath of the Druids DLC! We love stuff like this, showing the inner thought processes of the devs, and also how ideas change over time. Look carefully at the notes and you'll notice early dialogue ideas for a quest featuring Barid and Ciara! 9) Ubisoft shared a cryptic image featuring Morse Code on their Weibo account which reveals the phrase “coming soon” The second translation roughly says 'retrace the past, improve the present, define the future.' What do you think they are teasing? 10) Voice actor Roger Craig Smith (Ezio Auditore) shared an image of himself outside of the Ubisoft Montreal studio in Canada! This image sparked speculation that he could he be working on an Ezio project with Ubisoft, and we actually can't rule that out just yet. It could just be a fun tweet by Roger, but then again, it could be something more. The purpose for the visit remains a mystery, but with a new platform based Assassin's Creed project titled 'Infinity' currently in development, it may be that we start to see small chunks of content for older characters, so it may be possible to see Ezio again, or even get a conclusion for other characters such as Connor or Arno. Fingers crossed, the Mentor will return one day! 11) Several retailers including Amazon and IndieBound listed an upcoming novel titled 'Assassin's Creed: The Golden City', written by Jaleigh Johnson & published by Aconyte Books! The novel is set to release February 7th 2023! A young emperor’s life hangs in the balance, and only the Brotherhood of Assassins can save him, in this action-packed historical adventure from the award-winning Assassin’s Creed universe. Which Empire do you think it could it be referring to? 12) Ubisoft announced that CJ Allan (CJthegeek) would be host presenting the #AC15 Cosplay Competition by @CosXpo at Insomnia Gaming Festival! ''As a legendary host of past cosplay competitions, his expertise will benefit this amazing #AssassinsCreed event on Saturday 27th August'' Although we are unable to attend the event ourselves, we are very much looking forward to seeing all of the entries! Good luck Assassins! 13) Check out this incredible Assassin's Creed 15 Year Anniversary sand art project by @fallinginsand This impressive creation is one of many art projects commissioned by Ubisoft to mark the 15th Anniversary of Assassin's Creed It's interesting to see all the ways Ubisoft are thinking outside of the box to mark the occasion, and we love seeing unique creations such as this. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/06e6c8_ab23c8d43d6042dd9a85e0e197955572/480p/mp4/file.mp4 We hope that you enjoyed this Assassin's Creed News Recap! You can look forward to more articles like this, dropping every Sunday! What was your highlight of the week? Let us know in the comments! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

  • Searching for the Creed: Assassin's Creed Florence Landmarks | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    Searching for the Creed: Assassin's Creed Florence Landmarks Other Share 18 Feb 2024 Written By: Edited By: Yasmin Page Colum Blackett Back To Database Banner by Thea Marie Rivedal ( Moonchildgecko ) Florence. The 15th century. The cobbled streets are bustling with merchants selling their wares — wools and silks dyed in bright colours, cheeses and breads, carpentry and armour. Bankers and nobles dressed in the finest velvet pass shops displaying artworks painted in the studios of the masters. Doctors call out their cures, masked in white and smelling of herbs and spices. This world comes alive half a century later in Assassin’s Creed 2. As the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Florence was a city of economic and cultural development, but hiding behind the mask of wealth and beauty was the political tension and violence of medieval Italy. Through Ezio, players get to interact with key figures (Leonardo da Vinci, Caterina Sforza, and Rodrigo Borgia, to name a few), experience historical events (such as the Pazzi Conspiracy, the Siege of Forlì, and the Bonfire of the Vanities), and explore Florence as it would have been in the 15th century. The Assassin’s Creed series has always done this well; weaving the war of the Assassins and Templars into the game’s chosen time period to create an exciting narrative. History is rich with stories — with intrigue and murder, betrayal and honour — and through the medium of gaming we are able to experience them. It is as close as you can get to time travel. Although some important locations in Assassin’s Creed II don’t exist, such as Leonardo’s Workshop, La Rosa Colta and Palazzo Auditore, many of the locations that players can visit exist in real life. Here are several of the real/modern day versions of those places! Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore/the Duomo The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known as ‘The Duomo’, is the most famous landmark of Florence. It looms over the city, the gold tip of the dome peaking over rooftops and between buildings, a constant reminder of its presence. Construction on the cathedral was begun at the end of the 13th century. The next hundred years saw it pass between several architects, who enlarged it from the original design and began planning for the dome. There was a problem however: the technology hadn’t yet been invented to build and support a dome of that scale. The city’s leaders decided to hold a competition to find an architect willing to take on the challenge and it was won by Filippo Brunelleschi. Considered an unconventional choice, both in how he was primarily trained as a goldsmith and sculptor instead of an architect, and for his unique suggestions of how to go about the construction, Brunelleschi’s design was nevertheless successful and has since been considered one of the greatest feats of engineering. The dome was finally completed in 1436, 140 years after the cathedral was begun. In Assassin’s Creed II, just like in real life, the cathedral is a central part of Florence’s history and culture, and as such it’s fitting for there to be a story section set here. As Ezio, players have to try to stop the Templar plot to assassinate the Medici brothers. Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici really were attacked during Mass by the Pazzi conspirators, Ezio’s Templar targets in game, who wanted to the Medici family out of power. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore also holds one of the game’s six Assassin tombs. Ezio has to navigate the scaffolding inside the unfinished cathedral and climb high inside the dome to reach the tomb of Iltani. The Cathedral is free to enter, but visitors can also buy tickets to climb the bell tower, the dome, and visit the the museum and baptistry, starting at €15. Palazzo Vecchio/Piazza della Signoria For Ezio, this is where everything goes wrong. The tower prison cells that historically held people such as Cosimo de’ Medici and Girolamo Savonarola, now trap Giovanni, Federico and Petruccio. In the morning they are executed. It is here, standing in the Piazza della Signoria, that Ezio sees the darkness his city is capable of, and it is here, that he is set on his journey of revenge and justice. Originally called Palazzo della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio was where the governing body of renaissance Florence (the Signoria, or Priori) ruled from. The name was eventually changed to what it is today (“the Old Palace”) when the Medici family who were living there at the time moved their primary residence over the river to Palazzo Pitti. There are a several story points set here. The murder of Ezio’s father and brothers is the most poignant, but Palazzo Vecchio is also where Ezio assassinates Francesco de’ Pazzi, and where part of the ‘Bonfire of the Vanities’ DLC is set. In-game, Francesco de' Pazzi is the only one of the Pazzi conspirators Ezio assassinates in Florence, but historically several of the other conspirators were captured and executed at Palazzo Vecchio alongside him. The rest were hunted down and killed in the years that followed — some were hiding as far away as Constantinople. The old stone building has an imposing presence, towering high over the piazza in front of it. It’s easy to imagine it being a place of power all those centuries ago, a place that inspired fear in those who rose up against the city, and a place that gave hope for change to others. The Palazzo Vecchio museum is €17.50 to visit, plus an additional €12.50 to climb the tower and battlements. Ponte Vecchio Ponte Vecchio is easily another of Florence’s most famous landmarks. So much so that when the German army retreated from the city at the end of the Second World War, it was the only bridge that wasn’t destroyed. This is where players are first introduced to teenage Ezio, as he taunts, then fights, Vieri de’ Pazzi’s gang and gains his signature lip scar. During Ezio’s time Ponte Vecchio would have been lined with butchers and fishmongers, but nowadays the shops crossing the bridge sell jewellery. Another feature of the bridge is the Vasari Corridor, which the Medici family commissioned Giorgio Vasari to build in the mid 1500s. They wanted a way to travel safely between Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti without having to ride through the city streets. The resulting passageway stretches one kilometre, crossing Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery on the way to its destination. Ponte Vecchio is free to visit. Palazzo Medici Riccardi Palazzo Medici was the primary residence of the Medici family in the 15th century until it was bought by the Riccardi family in 1659. The Medici were one of the prominent banking families of renaissance Florence. Their power grew through the success of their bank and their involvement in the city’s politics (after the time period of Assassin’s Creed 2 some of the family members were even elected as Pope, as well as marrying into royalty), until they were the rulers of Florence in all but name. As a result, there were many attempts through the decades to remove them from power. As well as being key figures in Florence’s leadership, the Medici family were passionate patrons of the arts, commissioning works by artists such as Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo Buonarotti and Leonardo da Vinci. Their support of artists was one of the reasons that Florence flourished as the cultural centre of the Renaissance. There is a Templar side quest set in Palazzo Medici where Ezio has to save Lorenzo from the soldiers who have invaded his home. The quest gives players a glimpse into the interior of the building, including the courtyard, gardens, and several rooms. Nowadays the palace is a museum, displaying some of the many artworks owned by the Medici. Palazzo Medici Riccardi costs €11.50 to visit Basilica of Santa Maria Novella Built in the mid 13th century, the church of Santa Maria Novella is home to sculptures and frescos by some of the most renowned Renaissance artists (such as Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Filippo Brunelleschi and Giorgio Vasari.) In Assassin’s Creed II it hides one of the Assassin tombs (the tomb of Darius), and is also where Ezio overhears the Templars’ plan to assassinate the Medici in Sequence 4. Tickets cost €7.50. Basilica of Santa Croce Another of Florence’s churches, Santa Croce is the burial place of some of the most famous figures of the renaissance. Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli are all buried here. In the game, this is where Ezio kills his first target: Uberto Alberti, the Gonfaloniere of Florence, Templar, and the man responsible for the murder of his father and brothers. Tickets cost €8. Church of Santa Trinita The church of Santa Trinita is a far smaller church than the others on this list, but no less important. This was the church that featured the opening credits sequence of Assassin’s Creed II, when Federico challenges Ezio to race him up the bell tower. Looking out at the city in front of them, the world at their fingertips, anything feels possible. And for us as players, it is. Santa Trinita is free to visit The Uffizi Gallery Another place that may be of interest is the Uffizi Gallery. Originally it housed artworks from the Medici family’s private collection, including a wide selection of Roman sculptures, and it has since expanded to become one of the most famous art galleries in the world. Nowadays the gallery is home to more than 300,000 artworks, including several by Leonardo da Vinci such as the Annunciation (1472-1476) and Adoration of the Magi (1481). Leonardo’s Annunciation is one of the paintings players can buy for the Auditore Villa in Monteriggioni. Also, the gallery’s courtyard is lined with statues of key figures from the city’s history, several of which Assassin’s Creed fans will recognise — Leonardo da Vinci, Lorenzo de’ Medici, and Niccolò Machiavelli. While the Uffizi Gallery doesn’t feature in the game — it was built almost a century after when Assassin’s Creed 2 is set — it is definitely worth a visit. Tickets are €12, or €18 for combined access to the Boboli Gardens and Palazzo Pitti. Conclusion This is by no means a definitive list of all the Florentine landmarks that are featured in Assassin’s Creed, but these are the most important to Ezio’s story. Fans can walk the streets Ezio walked, steal through the narrow alleyways, climb the towers he scaled (albeit not throw themselves into a conveniently positioned hay bale) and enjoy the stunning views of Florence and the surrounding Tuscan landscape that Ezio scanned from his vantage points. Ubisoft has done a wonderful job of re-creating renaissance Florence, leaving fan’s eager to trace Ezio’s steps. Rich with history, culture and beauty, Florence should be at the top of the list of places to visit for every Assassin’s Creed fan. Sources: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore: Vasari, Giorgio, and George Anthony Bull. The Lives of the Artists . Penguin, 1971. “ The Duomo. ” Encyclop edia Britannica , https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Duomo “The Brunelleschi Dome.” Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, https://duomo.firenze.it/en/discover/dome Ponte Vecchio: “Ponte Vecchio.” Visit Florence, https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-monuments/ponte-vecchio.html “The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) in Florence.” Flanigan, Theresa. Smart History, https://smarthistory.org/ponte-vecchio-florence/ Medici family and Palazzo Medici Riccardi: Hibbert, Christopher. The Rise and Fall of the House of Medici . Penguin, 1979. “ The Palace.” Palazzo Medici Riccardi, https://www.palazzomediciriccardi.it/en/the-palace/ Palazzo Vecchio: “The Palazzo Vecchio Museum and Tower.” Visit Florence, https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-monuments/palazzo-vecchio.html Santa Croce: “Tombs and Memorials.” Santa Croce Opera, https://www.santacroceopera.it/en/themed-tours/tombs-and-memorials/ “Santa Croce.” Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Santa-Croce Santa Maria Novella: “Santa Maria Novella & Museum.” Visit Florence, https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-churches/santa-maria-novella.html Other articles in the series: Searching for the Creed: Assassin's Creed London Landmarks Banner by Thea Marie Rivedal ( Moonchildgecko ) comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Yasmin is a Digital Artist based in Melbourne, Australia who discovered the Assassin's Creed series in 2019. Since then she has fallen in love with the franchise and created beautiful realistic digital artworks of several of the main characters. By joining TOWCB, we hope to introduce Yasmin to the AC Community by collaborating on a number of exciting projects such as art releases and podcasts. Yasmin Page

  • Product Reveal: Secretlab Unveil Stunning New Assassin's Creed Collection | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    Product Reveal: Secretlab Unveil Stunning New Assassin's Creed Collection News Share 15 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database JULY 15 2022 - Secretlab have today unveiled the incredible new Assassin's Creed Collection, a collaboration between the award-winning gaming chair designers and Ubisoft, marking the 15th Anniversary of the iconic AAA fan-favourite franchise. The stunning collection features the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition gaming chair and MAGNUS desk accessories, created with fans in mind, paying ultimate homage to the series. Press Release: Inspired by the Animus and the characteristic colours of the assassin's robe, the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition is upholstered in Secretlab Neo Hybrid Leatherette and features a tonal red checkered pattern and futuristic Animus detailing on the side wings. The sigils of the Assassin's Creed series are embroidered on the backrest as a timeless ode to its legacy, designed specially for fans who have followed the series since 2007. Built on the award-winning Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 series and available in sizes Regular and Xl, fans can enjoy world-class comfort as they revisit their favourite elements of Assassin's Creed or take a deeper dive into the lore of the highly-acclaimed series with the ongoing 15th Anniversary celebrations Alongside the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition gaming chair, Secretlab are also launching MAGNUS desk accessories, which contains the following products, created specially for the Secretlab MAGNUS Metal Desk. Secretlab MAGPAD Desk Mat Assassin's Creed Edition. Secretlab MAGNUS Cable Management Bundle Assassin's Creed Edition. Alaric Choo (Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Secretlab) ''The compelling plotlines, stunning visuals and unique soundtracks have earned Assassin's Creed its countless awards and nominations. As one of the best-selling games of all time, we wanted to create something timeless to celebrate the 15-year legacy of the franchise by integrating its most iconic elements into the chair. With numerous new titles coming up, I can't wait to jump into the Assassin's Creed universe and this time, in my own Secretlab Assassin's Creed edition chair.'' Addie Dorsey (Global Consumer Products at Ubisoft) ''The 15th Anniversary of Assassin's Creed is a huge milestone for us. We wanted to make it extra memorable for fans in every way, and creating a real-life chair inspired by the Animus ticked all the boxes. We've always admired the attention to detail Secretlab puts into their chairs, and with over 50 awards under their belt, they were the obvious choice when it came to bringing this idea to life. This chair, along with the MAGNUS desk accessories, is a must-have for any fan to complete their Assassin's Creed set up'' Available now for pre-order now from Secretlab.com , estimated release date 9th September. The Secretlab x Ubisoft collaboration brings to life a dream for many fans. To own an Animus. The TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition gaming chair acts as the ultimate form of escapism, providing award-winning comfort and support for players as they lean back and follow in the footsteps of Desmond Miles and dive into history. We are also excited to announce that we here at The Ones Who Came Before will soon be teaming up with Secretlab! Keep an eye on our social media accounts (listed below) for more information! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

  • UbiCypher (Joe)

    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 Social Media UbiCypher (Joe) 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 Valhalla Officially Announced | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    Assassin's Creed Valhalla Officially Announced News Share 29 Apr 2020 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Ubisoft have officially announced Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the next game in the series set during the Viking era. The reveal was in the form of an 8 hour long art demonstration, an innovative and creative way of showing fans the setting of the next Assassin's Creed game. For the project Ubisoft hired talented concept artist BossLogic to create something special, which he did exceptionally well. Although the reveal took 8 hours to complete, it's fair to say that it was one of the most unusual game reveals of recent times, showing incredible initiative during lockdown. Below you can see the finished piece in HD. New wallpaper perhaps? We can't wait to learn more about the next game, and you can stay up to date on everything AC with our social media accounts! 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)

  • Funko Pop Merchandise Guide | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    Merchandise Guide: Assassins Creed Funko Pop! Vinyls By Ashlea Buckley Updated 11/1/21 Share This article looks at the wide range of Assassin's Creed Funko Pop! Vinyls currently available. The majority of these Pop! figures are widely available to purchase, however there are several Pop! figures which are more rare and can be priced much higher than standard Pop! figures. Aguilar de Nerha Pop! Figure This pop figure is among some of the easiest Pop! figures to get hold of. It is accessible in most Pop! stores and online through sites such as Ebay and Amazon. Amazon: Link Assassin's Creed Movie Callum Lynch Pop! Figure As with the Aguilar Pop! Callum is fairly easy to find in stores and online from Ebay, Amazon and Pop In A Box. Amazon: Link Maria Pop! Figure Maria can be found along with other Assassin's Creed Movie Pop! vinyls in stores such as Forbidden Planet as well as online from Pop in a Box, Ebay and Amazon. Amazon: Link Ojeda Pop! Figure Ojeda can be found in pop stores and online from Pop in a Box, Ebay and Amazon. Amazon: Link Crouching Aguilar Pop! Figure This Pop! figure is becoming increasingly more accessible. This figure was initially released as a loot crate exclusive, however the number of these Pops being sold through platforms such as Ebay and Amazon is increasing. Amazon: Link The Games Ezio Auditore da Firenze (aka Col_96's main man) Pop! Vinyl This pop figure is fairly accessible online from Ebay and Amazon which is unsurprising due to the popularity of the character. However, as seen below, the different variations of this pop vinyl are more rare. Amazon: Link Merchandise Ezio Pop! Figure - Eagle Vision This Ezio Pop! shows the use of eagle vision and therefore is a little more rare than the Original Ezio Figure. However it is still fairly accessible on Ebay and Amazon, and the average price does not appear drastically more expensive than the standard Pop! vinyls at around £15-20. Amazon: Link Ezio Pop! Figure - Black Robes This Pop figure is much less readily available and therefore would be a prize piece in any avid Assassin's Creed fan's collection. However having this gem in your display will not come cheap as this Pop! figure sells for anywhere between £70-£130 on Ebay, and cannot be found on many other sites. Plague Doctor Pop! Figure This is a rare figure from the Assassin's Creed multiplayer mode in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood. Due to the niche nature of this Pop! there are fewer available to buy. This pop is often only found on sites such as Ebay and for prices around £35-70. Connor (Ratonhnhaké:ton) Pop! Figure Connor's Pop! figure is a little more difficult to find on main sites such as Amazon where the figure will cost around £50-60. However more appear to be available on Ebay for a slightly lower price of around £20-40. Amazon: Link Aveline De Grandpré Pop! Figure This Assassin's Creed Liberation figure is again a little more difficult to locate and will often fetch a higher than standard price. This figure can be found on Ebay for around £30+ and on Amazon for anywhere between £40-£120! Amazon: Link Edward Kenway Pop! Figure This Pop! figure is one of the more difficult to obtain, Edward can be located on sites such as Pop in a Box, Amazon and Ebay however for a high price. Amazon lists this Pop at around £90 whilst on Ebay it can be found for closer to £60. Amazon: Link Arno Dorian Pop! Figure This figure is much easier to access than those from AC3, however it is priced slightly higher than a standard pop vinyl at around £18-27 on both Amazon and Ebay. Amazon: Link Élise de la Serre Pop! Figure Again, as with Arno, this figure is not too difficult to find but the price is a little higher than the average Pop vinyls on Amazon at around £23. However, Ebay does show some pops priced at closer to £10 as well as some at £20-25. Amazon: Link Evie Frye Pop! Figure This pop figure is easy to find and reasonably priced at around £10-15 on both Ebay and Amazon. Jacob Frye Pop! Figure As with Evie, this Pop! figure is easy to locate on both Amazon and Ebay, as well as sites such as Pop in a Box and in pop stores. This figure is usually sold for around £10-£15. Amazon: Link Jacob Frye - Uncloaked This Pop! figure is harder to locate than the standard Jacob Frye Pop and as with the variations of Ezio, this pop fetches a higher price than the original model but the price is still only slightly higher than standard at around £20. Amazon: Link Which Pop! Figure would you like to see next? Bayek concept art by Deviant Art user Undi3sss Eivor Standard Edition This Funko Pop was revealed during the virtual FunkoFair 2021 that aired during the annual ToyFair event. It features one axe and a hidden blade, so you can summon your inner Viking, or work alongside the Hidden Ones for a stealthier approach. Amazon: Link Eivor (Gamestop Edition) The double axe variant of Eivor is exclusive to Gamestop, and was also revealed at FunkoFair2021. This version of Eivor demonstrates the duel wielding ability, that was a key focus of the game's marketing campaign. Two axes are better than one!

  • Sopphi

    Sopphi (@Sopphiasco) (she/her) is a variety Twitch streamer who first began streaming as a casual hobby during lockdown (2020). She generally covers a variety of different topics and games, but joined The Ones Who Came Before in September of 2026 to take her passions for content creation and Assassin’s Creed to the next level. Self described as a 'yappy ADHD streamer from the UK', Sopphi was first discovered by TOWCB when she released the second part of her 'I 'scientifically' ranked my Assassin’s Creed husbands and now I have opinions...' series, a fun but detailed analysis overview outlining potential love interest candidates. She also spent many hours streaming Black Flag Resynced after launch, building a self described little chaotic corner of the internet to unwind and explore new games. In 2026 and beyond, we look forward to working with a number of projects connected to the Assassin's Creed series, starting with a fundraising campaign! Interests: Video games, Fantasy book lover, PLANTS, Marvel, LOTR, The Legend of Zelda, and Assassin’s Creed Jobs: Ex Archaeologist, now Marketing (lol) Zodiac: Sagittarius Sun, Cancer Moon, Capricorn Rising Fun facts: I’m 5’7, an introvert and BIG homebody. I love a good yap, especially about food! Previous Next Video Content Creation Team Sopphi Sopphi (@Sopphiasco) (she/her) is a variety Twitch streamer who first began streaming as a casual hobby during lockdown (2020). She generally covers a variety of different topics and games, but joined The Ones Who Came Before in September of 2026 to take her passions for content creation and Assassin’s Creed to the next level. Self described as a 'yappy ADHD streamer from the UK', Sopphi was first discovered by TOWCB when she released the second part of her 'I 'scientifically' ranked my Assassin’s Creed husbands and now I have opinions...' series, a fun but detailed analysis overview outlining potential love interest candidates. She also spent many hours streaming Black Flag Resynced after launch, building a self described little chaotic corner of the internet to unwind and explore new games. In 2026 and beyond, we look forward to working with a number of projects connected to the Assassin's Creed series, starting with a fundraising campaign! Interests: Video games, Fantasy book lover, PLANTS, Marvel, LOTR, The Legend of Zelda, and Assassin’s Creed Jobs: Ex Archaeologist, now Marketing (lol) Zodiac: Sagittarius Sun, Cancer Moon, Capricorn Rising Fun facts: I’m 5’7, an introvert and BIG homebody. I love a good yap, especially about food! Twitch | TikTok | YouTube | Instagram Work

  • Valley of Memory Art Released | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    Valley of Memory Art Released Community Share 15 Jan 2026 Written By: Edited By: Aita_Sageblood Colum Blackett Back To Database To celebrate the launch of the Assassin's Creed Mirage Valley of Memory DLC, our very own Aita_Sageblood from TOWCB Art Team released two new pieces of artwork inspired by AlUla and the journey Basim must take to search for his Father. The first piece of artwork has has many layers to it. The shape in the centre mirrors the pendant from AC Mirage which contains a piece of Basim's childhood home that his father designed, and acts as one of the triggers in the opening scenes of the DLC. It is one of the only possessions Basim has left belonging to Ishaq. In the centre of the pendant we see travel, which is the theme which connects both of the pieces created by Nate. Although Basim travels alone in this piece of artwork, we know that in canon he was accompanied by his friend and employer Dervis, but the piece reflects that the DLC is indeed a solitary journey for Basim. He travels a great distance of over 800 miles looking for answers. The blue inside the pendant contrasts to the dull desert landscapes which are almost blurred to focus on the centre-point, but the fuzziness of the desert could also reflect a loss of senses such as vision, which heat stroke can induce after prolonged exposure. The blue sky could also be a mirage in the distance, and the dull tones of the desert outside of the pendant represent reality. To me, it looks like one of the landmark recreation photos, where people go to sites of significance and hold up a photo of the past, or for Assassin's Creed, travel to a historical site and hold up a screenshot from the game. Finally, I particularly like the golden Assassin insignias which can be found on the handles of the pendant, with the larger one dangling beneath it. This is a really focussed piece of artwork with a story to tell. The second piece of artwork also reflects the theme of travel, and a solitary journey. I am immediately drawn to the clever use of silhouettes in this picture, which implies that the light is low and the sun is setting. To me though, the silhouettes also resemble shadows, gone from the modern world, only existing now as echoes on the sand. I love the shape of the camel, and the shadows cast by the cacti. This is a really creative and expressive piece which uses colours, blending and shadows to its advantage. What did you think of the artwork? Let us know in the comments below! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author In June 2025, Aita_Sageblood (Nathan) joined TOWCB's Art Team in an effort to widen the variety of art styles on the team. He is known online for his vibrant digital artworks, bringing colour and energy to each and every project. In January 2026, Nate was promoted to Art Team Leader, and throughout 2026 will be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects which range from creating art for fundraising to live art creation watchalongs! By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aim to boost his profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. Aita_Sageblood

  • 10 Year Anniversary Hub | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    Community Assassin's Creed: 10 Year Anniversary Hub 17/11/17 Share Learn about how the 10 year anniversary of the Assassin's Creed Franchise is being celebrated around the world. (List in no particular order) Ubisoft released an updated Assassin's Creed Character image, featuring Bayek from AC Origins! Download it as a wallpaper here Four more images were also released, including a character image featuring Aya. Ubisoft commissioned artist Dino Tomic to create an Assassin's Creed image out of salt! Facebook Page Bioworld released two special t-shirts to mark the occasion. "Celebrate your love and passion for the Assassin's Creed franchise with this amazing 10-Year Anniversary Commemorative T-Shirt. Featuring a front design sporting all the logo's from the history of this popular series, whilst the reverse displays the names of all the main protagonists from across all the Assassin's Creed games." A 10 year edition T-shirt was spotted in Primark. Source GB Posters released a 10 year edition mug. GB Posters released a 10 year edition mug. BPR Gaming put together a video to mark the occasion. EB Games gave away 10 year anniversary pins as a pre-order bonus for Assassin's Creed Origins Release of Assassin's Creed: Reflections. To mark 10 glorious year of Assassin’s Creed, Titan Comics are bringing together the franchise’s best-loved characters for a celebratory series like no other! Get ready for four brand new adventures starring fan favorite Assassins like Edward Kenway and Altair, along with the series’ celebrated Renaissance roof-crawler, Ezio Auditore de Firenze! Four-part mini series written by Ian Edginton and illustrated by Valeria Favoccia! We collected stories from the Assassin's Creed Community! Zing Pop Culture have listed a 10 year anniversary Assassin's Creed snapback! Link IGDB created an image showing every game in the Assassin's Creed Franchise. See it here: Link Article Decalcomania released a range of Ten Year Anniversary Stickers. See them all here Merchandise Product Marketing Manager Andrien Gbinigie revealed an upcoming range of collectible pins.

  • The Perfect Protagonist: Edward Kenway | TheOnesWhoCameBefore

    The Perfect Protagonist: Edward Kenway Analysis Share 7 Nov 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database When Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag released in October of 2013, the game was a huge success and many fans pointed to the cast as a key aspect in the game being a huge hit for Ubisoft. Many loved the main protagonist, Edward Kenway, partially due to his major difference to past main characters and also his connection to the same bloodline that Ubisoft had created for several games in a row. The connection to past installments and an overall satisfaction for Edward was a huge factor into why the game became such an instant classic. His charismatic personality and the great story that accompanied him is a strong reason why many fans see this game as the best in the entire series. Promo image for Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag (2013) Many loved the main protagonist, Edward Kenway, voiced by actor Matt Ryan, because of how different he was as a character compared to previous leads. Edward was simply a very different protagonist, and still remains an outlier for the standard of all the great main heroes we have gotten in the series over the years. Edward was different because he was not a typical Assassin. In fact, he wasn’t really an Assassin at all, he was first and foremost a pirate in the West Indies who cared about nothing more than himself and personal gain. The Assassin’s Creed games had yet to feature a true protagonist that had basically zero ties to the famous Assassin Brotherhood. It was certainly a gamble from the developers, as they couldn’t have been sure that a character so far off from their standards would translate well to the fans. Some could see his resentment towards the main faction in the entire game as an insult. Some may have seen this as disrespectful to the main story, but that was far from the case, as instead it turned out to be a massive success despite taking a risk. Edward’s story followed a path of a husband who lives an unpredictable and albeit selfish lifestyle and goes to chase riches in the Golden Age of Piracy. Edward goes through a serious transformation from being a person who only cares about himself to a man who could leave behind a life of notoriety to become a loving father and devoted master of the Assassin Brotherhood. Edward showed he could be so lost and self-centered but still turn his life around and make his impact on the world. Edward meets many characters along the way in Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag that both help or deter his life and choices. In the end of his story, Edward shows one is never too far gone. Edward Kenway in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag Edward Kenway was proof that the Assassin’s Creed series could branch farther beyond the expected. Edward did not even join the Assassin Brotherhood until basically the final 45 minutes of the game. That means for almost the entire story he resented the brotherhood and even mocked them. It very easily could have gone sideways for Ubisoft, but their execution with storytelling made the difference. Many gamers like to see characters with development. Not just a protagonist that starts as a proven hero and ends as one. Instead, watching a character being so far from the expected that eventually turns into the hero, most gamers like to see. Unfortunately, writing a story for a game is much easier when you don’t have to add any character development, as it takes way more work to come up with a great character arc that eventually comes full circle. Ubisoft and the developers of Black Flag had an opportunity to turn a reckless and selfish pirate into a Master Assassin that we all know to expect. There was a challenge in creating that true character arc, and Ubisoft aced the chance at creating a memorable character with a memorable story. Many gamers loved the connection Edward Kenway had with past games and past characters. The Kenway family line went farther back than most would expect. Most of the family were the main focal points of the previous game, Assassin’s Creed III , and showed the main two playable characters as ancestors to Edward. His son, Haytham and grandson, Connor, were the two protagonists in the past game. Gamers enjoyed seeing a connection between games and bloodlines. Even the epilogue of Black Flag had a cameo of the young version of Haytham Kenway, who is the initial playable character in Assassin’s Creed III . Many enjoyed such a connected family line distributed among consecutive games in the series. Connor in Assassin's Creed III, Grandson of Edward Edward Kenway was loved for his differences and that was shown evident in Black Flag . The Assassin’s Brotherhood was mentioned and featured quite a lot in the game, but Edward the protagonist never joined or paid them any attention until the very end of the game. It was the first Assassin’s Creed game that was willing to take such a large risk and create a protagonist that had no initial resemblances to the main characters all the main games had seen over the years. The fan feedback could have gone either way, and potentially become an issue to the public opinion, but Ubisoft doubled-down on their storytelling ability and showed the players that they could create a protagonist so different and so unlike previous heroes the series has featured and still successfully pull it off. Much of the success Ubisoft found with their main protagonist owed credit to the story of the game, that showed anyone, no matter how different or how self centered, could come through in the end and make something of their life. Ubisoft showed that Edward, a man so occupied with personal greed and carelessness for those around him, could come home and turn his life around before it was too late. Giving him a true success and redemption arc all together. Ubisoft found true success by taking a risk to go out of their comfort zone and creating a character so unlike what the games in the past have featured, and for it to pay off shows how impressive the writing of the game, and the protagonist Edward truly was. Even today, many consider Edward Kenway to be the best main character of the entire series, and that says a lot given the fact the game is over a decade old and there have been many main protagonists before and after Edward’s story was told. Fans of the franchise consider Edward to be the main star of the franchise aside from the most popular and well known character, Ezio Auditore, who received three mainline games, which shows how good Edward truly was to only have had one game to tell his story and still be so fondly remembered even so many years later. It is safe to say Ubisoft knew what they were doing when taking a risk that they hadn’t attempted before and turning it into universal acclaim. The writing that Edward Kenway received was some of the best the entire gaming world has ever seen, and he remains such a fan-favorite main character to this day. Edward Kenway wearing the Mayan Outfit in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. In 2025, Hayden took on the position of Team Leader for TOWCB's Writing Team, overseeing article releases, assisting with recruitment and providing assistance with internal operations. Hayden Bird

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