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- Opinion: AC Brotherhood didn't know what to do with Ezio | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Opinion: AC Brotherhood didn't know what to do with Ezio Analysis Share 15 Apr 2024 Written By: Edited By: Finn Fletcher Colum Blackett Back To Database I recently visited Rome and so - as a nerd - replayed Assassin's Creed Brotherhood in preparation. It's the first time I've revisited the Ezio trilogy properly since 2017, when I marathoned the first five games before the release of Assassin's Creed Origins. I'm having a great time, the music swells a pure childish excitement in me, and Roger Craig Smith is amazing. Unfortunately, I've found the story this time through (my third or fourth playthrough now) quite lacklustre, especially the characterisation of Ezio. He's the charming Assassin hero we all remember, but has little extra depth. He's unstoppable, and since in this game he became the face of the franchise moving forward, feels more like a traditional gaming protagonist such as Master Chief or Doom Guy. Here, he's a white hood and hidden blades, who's smooth with the ladies and an effective killer. But a lot of the self-doubt and anger that plagued him in Two - and I think made him so interesting to begin with - has been stripped back for him to become the ideal Assassin Mentor. It's a shame really, especially considering the story the game sets up. The prologue of Brotherhood recaps Ezio facing the man ultimately responsible for his father's death, realising revenge isn't the answer, before learning that he's not even the main character of his own story. He starts the game finding out his actions don't matter, and that he's nothing more than a messenger or middle-man in a wider story. Following this he loses his home and uncle, a man who had previously given him purpose in the brotherhood. At this point, he'd logically be adrift, homeless, without a guiding figure and burdened with the knowledge that he's nothing more than a pawn in another's story. Mario, the only person who could probably reassure him at this moment and give him a new purpose, is gone, he's more alone than ever. That's a really interesting place for a narrative, and based on his behaviour in Two, would push him to seek revenge. Forgiveness didn't work is a conclusion that would be easy for him to reach after the Borgia’s invaded his home and Rodrigo chose to not repay Ezio’s kindness. Now it's time to take no prisoners. Brotherhood doesn't tell that story, Ezio barely mourns Mario's death or the loss of his home and quickly begins taking down Borgia strongholds across Rome. He's cool, calm and collected, and rarely if ever makes a mistake. The game tries to add intrigue by questioning Machiavelli’s loyalties, but Ezio stays neutral throughout that subplot before exposing the truth. This again could've been interesting, after Mario's death Ezio could become more paranoid, seeing enemies everywhere and calling for the death of Machiavelli before discovering the truth. He's a leader now, with a lot more responsibility, and his mistakes have larger consequences. It could be a moment of reflection pushing him to be better, but instead it's just another situation Ezio swiftly fixes. This is even reflected in his new robes, now pristine white and red, looking as if they were carved in marble. Ezio is statuesque, a perfect figure of Assassin morality and skill. They've lost the rugged swagger of Giovanni’s (far superior) robes, or the put together feel of Altair's armour, which show him putting his own stamp on the brotherhood's legacy. I don't HATE these robes by any means, and they've become the archetype for the series moving forward for good reason, but they're easily my least favourite of Ezio's selection (other than the armour of Brutus but I try and forget that exists). Brotherhood is still an excellent game, it holds up in many ways and as previously mentioned Roger Craig Smith's performance doesn't falter even if the script does. I just feel on reflection it tells a flat story, taking an interesting character and turning him bland. Ezio's other stories are far more interesting, questioning his reasoning and determination. I wish there was more about that here, a mid-life crisis for Ezio as he has to move from student to master and all responsibility rests on his shoulders. This is a time for him to make mistakes, before becoming the ideal mentor in Revelations, who then has to accept he's too old to carry on while reflecting on what made him choose this path to begin with. Instead it's an unquestioning tale of a flawless hero, who now drives tanks, flies bombers, and leads an army. What are your thoughts on Assassin's Creed Brotherhood? Were you happy with the evolution of Ezio? Let us know in the comments below! comments debug Comments (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest nobodycares Jan 05 Great article, perfectly described my feelings after finishing the game for the first time. Like Reply About the Author Finn is a creative writer from Rotherham, UK who has previously supported TOWCB's Fundraising events, and raised awareness surrounding Men's Mental Health. Finn's writing covers a wide scope, with releases so far including reviews, interviews and stories. He is known in the AC Community for his 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website! Finn Fletcher
- Children of Danu: A History | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Children of Danu: A History Breakdown Share 14 Apr 2021 Written By: Edited By: Lauren Harris Ashlea Buckley Back To Database We are moving ever closer to the release of Assassin Creed Valhalla’s first story expansion DLC, Wrath of the Druids, which is due to release on the 13th May. The new content will see Eivor travel to Ireland where she will forge alliances with Gaelic Kings and battle a druidic cult known as the Children of Danu. But who were the Children of Danu and how might they factor into this new piece of the Valhalla story? Wrath of the Druids is the first downloadable content expansion for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and is set to launch May 13th 2021. Danu is a goddess in Irish mythology – though she is a bit different to what we may assume when we think of mythological gods. Danu is a hypothetical god and functions as a mother goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann, which translates roughly as “the people of the goddess Danu”. We can assume that the Tuatha Dé Danann are the cult Eivor will be fighting, or at the very least it will be worshippers of the Tuatha. Interestingly, there are no surviving myths or legends associated with Danu in the medieval Irish texts, though Danu is sometimes assumed to be an alternative name for Anu who is another Irish goddess. It is possible that Danu was inspired by Dôn from Welsh mythology, who was a mother goddess in the Mabinogion. It is also possible that Danu is actually Danand, daughter of Delbáeth and mother of Brian, Iuchar, and Iucharba, though this is disputed. According to some interpretations of the myth, Danu had a relationship with a sacred oak tree which grew two giant acorns. The acorns fell to the ground and out came The Dagda and Brigid, who would later become important figures within the Tuatha Dé Danann. Another interpretation is that Danu is actually the Greek goddess of the sea, Eurynome. Eurynome was once known as Danae or Dana, which could suggest a connection between her and Danu. Eurynome is usually represented as a mermaid with bright red lips, piercing blue eyes, pale skin, and long blonde hair. It is also theorised that Danu may represent the Danube River, further connecting her to water. The Tuatha Dé Danann were a pantheon who have appeared throughout Celtic mythology in various forms. They were a supernatural race rather than a cult in Irish mythology, which could suggest that Eivor will meet human followers of the race rather than the race themselves due to Assassin’s Creed generally not including supernatural phenomena. According to legend, the Tuatha Dé Danann live in the realm of the deities known in Celtic mythology as the Otherworld. In other legends, it has been known as Annwn, Avalon, and Tír na nÓg. Despite living in the Otherworld, the Tuath Dé often visit the human world and interact with humans. Their rivals were the Fomorians, who the Tuath Dé defeated in the legendary Battle of Mag Tuired. Over the years, the legend surrounding the Tuath Dé has evolved and been altered by those who have interpreted it. The pantheon have been regarded as ancient kings and queens with supernatural abilities, as fallen angels, or even as gods themselves. Eventually, the Tuatha Dé Danann came to be known as the aes sídhe in Irish and Scottish mythology. The Tuath Dé are generally associated with nature and each member is connected to one aspect of life or nature. Some of the more well known members of the Tuatha Dé Danann pantheon include The Dagda, god of fertility, agriculture, strength, magic, Druidry and wisdom; The Morrigan, a crow who was associated with war, fa te, death and doom; Manannán, god of the sea; and Brigid, goddess of wisdom, healing, protection and animals. Concept art for Ireland coming from the Assassin's Creed Valhalla Season Pass Trailer. Legend tells that the Tuatha Dé Danann hailed from four cities in Ireland’s north: Falias, Gorias, Murias. and Finias. The Tuath Dé taught their skills in sciences, the arts, architecture, magic and necromancy to the humans in Ireland. According to Lebor Gabála Érenn, the Tuath Dé arrives in Ireland “in dark clouds” and “brought a darkness over the sun for three days and three nights” before burning the ships they sailed in on. According to the Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland, the Tuatha Dé Danann arrived in the country in 1897 BC. They almost immediately became caught up in a battle with the previous settlers, the Fir Bolg. The Tuath Dé overthrew the Fir Bolg but their king, Nuada, lost his arm in the battle and could not continue to rule. He was replaced by Bres who was a tyrant. Dian Cecht managed to replace Nuada’s arm with a prosthetic. Dian Cecht’s son Miach used a spell to force flesh to cover the prosthetic and essentially give Nuada his arm back, but Dian Cecht was furious at being upstaged and murdered his son. Nuada became king again, but this enraged Bres who ended up bring the Fomorians to battle the Tuath Dé. In the Second Battle of Magh Tuireadh, Nuada was killed and Lugh took over as king. It is said that a third battle occurred, this time between the Tuath Dé and the Milesians. The Milesians met three Tuatha Dé Danann goddesses Ériu, Banba and Fodla, and their husbands Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine. The three husbands were kings at the time and called a truce between the two groups – however the Tuath Dé broke the peace by creating a magical storm. In the end, the Milesian Amergin was called on to split the land between the two peoples. He gave the land above ground to the Milesians and sent the Tuatha Dé Danann to live underground in the Sidhe mounds, thus ending their reign in Ireland. One of the most interesting pieces of the Tuatha Dé Danann legend is the Four Treasures. According to the myth, the Tuatha Dé Danann brought four magical treasures to Ireland, one from each of their home cities. These treasures were a cauldron, a spear, a stone, and a sword. Is it possible that we will see these treasures in Wrath of the Druids? After all, each treasure sounds like the perfect basis for a Piece of Eden. The treasure from the city of Falias was the Stone of Fal. The stone itself is real and still stands in Ireland today. It is now known as the Lia Fáil, meaning Stone of Destiny, or as the Speaking Stone. It can be found on the Hill of Tara in County Meath. The Lia Fáil was said to have supernatural powers. Legend states that the stone would “roar” when the rightful High King of Ireland put his feet on it. It was also said to have the power to rejuvenate the king and bless him with a long reign. According to Lebor Gabála Érenn, the stone can no longer do this due to being split by Cú Chulainn, the Irish demigod and Lugh’s son. The stone also provides the origin of the name Inis Fáil, an ancient name for Ireland. Journey to Ireland and unravel the mysteries of an ancient druidic cult. Fight your way through haunted forests and dazzling landscapes while gaining influence among Gaelic kings. The second treasure was the Spear of Lugh from the city of Gorias. The story of the spear has been told several ways, but generally it involves Lugh demanding the spear which belonged to the King of Persia. The spear was said to be impossible to overcome and would answer to spells. One of these spells was “Ibar” which caused the spear to always hit its mark, and another was “Athibar” which caused the spear to return to its owner. Some writers have also suggested that the spear was alive and thirsted for blood and only a pile of fresh poppy leaves could prevent it from killing everyone around. It also may have been able to shoot flames or even lightning. It is starting to sound like a Piece of Eden we have seen before. The treasure from Findias was the Sword of Light and it belonged to Nuada, the king. Much like the Holy Grail in Arthurian legend, the Sword of Light frequently appears as a quest object in Irish and Scottish mythology. It is thought that the Sword of Light and Cú Chulainn’s sword Cruaidín Catutchenn may be one and the same. The sword is also described as a “fiery and bright lightning weapon” which could emit sparks. The final treasure is the Cauldron of the Dagda which came from the city of Muirias. The Dagda could control life and death, the weather and crops, as well as time and the seasons. He was skilled in magic and Druidry which may explain his connection to the cauldron. The cauldron was known as the coire ansic and was said to be bottomless and left no man unsatisfied. It was also said to have a ladle so big that two people could fit in it. According to the Annals, at least ten members of the Tuatha Dé Danann were High Kings of Ireland at one point. These were Nuada, Bres, Lugh, Eochaid Ollathair, Delbáeth, Fiacha, Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine. However, as all of these kings reigned before the Common Era, it is unlikely we will see them in Wrath of the Druids. All that said, what can we expect to see in Wrath of the Druids? As many scholars of Irish mythology have pointed out, Danu is essentially a blank slate. With no concrete myth or legend surrounding her, any writer is free to do what they wish with the goddess. As such, the writers of the DLC really do have the freedom to interpret Danu and her influence on Ireland however they like. As for the cult itself, that is harder to anticipate. It is unlikely that the cult will be the Tuatha Dé Danann themselves. Instead, it will probably be a cult who either believe themselves to be the Tuath Dé or who worship them. What kind of fight will they put up? They are druids who follow a supernatural race, so it is likely they will be using potions and mysticism in their battles. What is perhaps most interesting is whether the Four Treasures will appear? Considering how important Pieces of Eden are to the Assassin’s Creed mythos, and how many fantastic weapons appeared in the main story of Valhalla, it would be very disappointing to not see at least some of the treasures in the DLC. Who wouldn’t love to fight using the Sword of Light or the Spear of Lugh? Or to visit the Stone of Destiny or drink from Dadga’s bottomless cauldron? In any case, focussing the DLC on the Children of Danu seems like the perfect move after a game full of cursed objects, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and potions which take you to Asgard. If you enjoyed the more mystical elements of Valhalla, it seems like Wrath of the Druids will be right up your street. Could the DLC introduce Pieces to Eden to Assassin's Creed Valhalla? comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Deel je gedachten Plaats de eerste opmerking. About the Author Lauren is a online article writer who joined the program in 2019, which allowed for her work to be viewed by a larger audience. She is especially interested in Assassin's Creed lore, and wrote a number of thought provoking articles which you can find here in the Community HUB. Lauren left the program in 2021 shortly after the 'Assassin's Creed Infinity' announcement, which understandably left many fans feeling uneasy. We wish her the best of luck with her future projects. Lauren Harris
- Assassin's Creed Movie: Trailer 2 Breakdown | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Assassin's Creed Movie: Trailer 2 Breakdown Breakdowns Share 18 Oct 2016 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Minor Plot Spoilers below. (Our admin Col_96 has seen the first 20 minutes of the film, so has inside knowledge on the trailer) In this article, we look at the bits you may have missed in the new AC Movie Trailer. Joseph Arrested: At the start of the Trailer, we see Joseph Lynch being arrested for the murder of his wife. (Fun fact. The young Joseph Lynch is played by Brian Gleeson, whilst his father Brendan Gleeson plays the older version) Abstergo Pin: Alan Rikkin is wearing an Abstergo Pin. Abstergo Guards using Batons: The scene where Cal takes on the Abstergo Guards reminded me of AC2, where Desmond and Lucy are in a similar situation. The guards use Batons to immobilise. Familiar Weapons: The first weapon is the Star, used by Maria. This weapon was on display at Gamescom. The second weapons are Edward Kenway's Flintlock Pistols, from AC4. The third items on display are bombs, similar to those used by Ezio Auditore in Assassin's Creed Revelations. The fourth weapon on display is Jacob Frye's Cane Sword. The cane itself is missing, but the Eagle blade remains. Assassin initiation: This part of the trailer looks like an Assassin initiation ceremony. Could it be for Aguilar? Other subjects: When Cal is running around the Abstergo facility, you can see the other subjects watching him. Return of Lin: Lin is another subject being held by Abstergo. "Lin, a Chinese Assassin linked to an ancestor who "is well travelled and hardened by the struggles of life for a woman in 16th century China". Source Could Lin be a descendant of Shao Jun? Return of Moussa: Moussa is another subject being held by Abstergo. Games Radar previously revealed that he is the descendant of Baptiste, seen in Assassin's Creed Liberation. Abstergo Belts: All the Security Guards are wearing Abstergo Belts. Altair's Short Blade: If you watch the trailer in slow motion, and stop it at exactly 56 seconds, you can see a short blade that looks very similar to the one used by Altair in AC1. Could it be Altair's Short Blade? AC2 Animus: At 1 minute and 4 seconds into the trailer, you can clearly see the Animus from AC2 behind Sophia! Animus chord: We finally saw the Animus chord clip into Callum's neck. Looks painful! It also explains the marks on his neck we previously saw. Aguilar's Finger: We can clearly see that Aguilar is missing a finger on his right hand. Other images from the film show him with all 5 on his right hand. This means that a finger has been removed in an Assassin initiation ceremony at some point in the film. It also means that the poster showing Aguilar syncing a vantage point is wrong, as it shows him with four fingers on his left hand. Rope Launcher: Aguilar has a device hidden inside his gauntlet that looks very similar to the rope launcher used in Assassin's Creed Syndicate. What could it be? New Assassin: The Trailer introduced a new Assassin. Could he be a member of the Spanish Brotherhood? Throwing Knives: The Trailer showed us Maria using throwing knives several times. She's pretty accurate with them! Moussa uses smoke bombs: Blink and you'll miss it! Watch the trailer in slow motion at exactly 2 minutes in, and you'll see Moussa using smoke bombs on the guards. Likely the start of the prison break that occurs later. Assassin Insignia: At the very end of the trailer, Cal and Sophia are talking. Behind Sophia you can see the Assassin Insignia on the wall. Did you spot anything we missed? Let us know! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Compartilhe sua opinião Seja o primeiro a escrever um comentário. 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)
- Music Preview: East Again - An Original AC Mirage Inspired Instrumental by Gustav Poulsen | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Music Preview: East Again - An Original AC Mirage Inspired Instrumental by Gustav Poulsen Other Share 17 Feb 2024 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Colum Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to announce East Again, an original instrumental track inspired by Assassin’s Creed Mirage, out 24th February on music streaming platforms and The Ones Who Came Before’s YouTube channel with a special ambient visualiser! The Assassin’s Creed inspired track was created by Video Content Creation Team Leader Gustav Poulsen ( Gargudon ), and was inspired by and acts a tribute to the newest instalment in the franchise, returning East where everything began. Here is a 30 second preview for the track, which releases 24th February! We can't wait for you to hear it! Gameplay captured by UbiCypher: Twitter Kenway_Joe Instagram UbiCypher comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Compartilhe sua opinião Seja o primeiro a escrever um comentário. About the Author Gustav is an active community member who specialises in Podcast Hosting & Composing. By joining the program, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further his skills, even helping to revive 'The Memory Corridor' series, which had been offline for nearly a year. His unique skill set made him the perfect candidate for our AC Partnership Program, of which he has been a part of since it began back in 2019. He is known in the community for the Sounds Of History music project; an original instrumental project featuring five tracks inspired by AC, written and produced by him, and more recently, video interviews with Jesper Kyd and Lee Majdoub. Fun Fact: Gustav is the only member of our team to have a tattoo of TOWCB logo! Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)
- This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 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
- Assassin's Creed Nexus VR Non-Spoiler Review | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Assassin's Creed Nexus VR Non-Spoiler Review Reviews Share 21 Nov 2023 Written By: Edited By: UbiCypher (Joe) Colum Blackett Back To Database I have always loved when a videogame that I like becomes much more than a simple matter of sitting in front of a TV and playing it. The universe in which the game itself is rooted in, that’s what appeals to me. I love exploring the deepest corners of such worlds and all their possible adaptations and literary works that would help me expand on those very worlds. This is exactly what Assassin’s Creed Nexus does, being a VR title and also a lover of virtual reality ever since it was a thing, having the opportunity to be in the world of my favourite video game franchise ever makes me feel so satisfied and it will most likely be a point of no return in terms of experience, as after several hours of gameplay this is without a doubt, the true Assassin’s Creed experience, in which YOU are the Assassin, and it all depends on you. First and foremost I should say for the record that this is truly an amazing experience. The fact that you can climb and assassinate in first person is simply a dream come true. I know that this is nothing new and there are certainly mods that some adventurous souls dared to make for games like Boneworks or Blade and Sorcery, however this is of course executed much better, on top of the fact that it comes from Ubisoft’s hand itself. Assassin’s Creed Nexus behaves itself mostly as any other VR action/adventure title available on the market, with the ability to choose between smooth movement or teleportation, which comes in handy to reduce motion sickness. When it comes down to movement and traversal, this is where the game really shines and allows you to freely interact with the world around you however you like. You need to grab ledges and climbable surfaces with your controllers without losing grip, otherwise your character falsl flat on their face, which is pretty cool, adding an extra feel of immersion/stress, constantly reminding you that you are about to take a long fall if you somehow think it is ok to release the grab button for some reason. Of course, this comes with some cons that I find are a bit draining at times while playing the game for a long session. However I would say this is somewhat compensated by the feel of actually being able to scour through the streets of Monteriggioni and revisit the iconic church of the village or the Auditore Crypt with a now 1:1 scale of how the statues really look, it is simply a constant rush of those sweet 2009 memories when you first ventured into the villa’s main hall, and where I felt at home, just as if I picked up right where I left it back in the day with a complete knowledge of the villa’s room distribution. But I digress. Don't be afraid! In the game menu you can swap to the option of one press of the grab button to make the climbing easier, allowing you to forget the danger of falling down and focus on the next anchor point for your hands but honestly, I recommend for you to try and train yourself into actually manually climbing walls for extra immersion. Even though you can customize your climbing experience, since the climbing system is a constant movement of your arms in real life, you will most likely end up tired the longer and more aggressively you play the game as there is no speed limit to how you can actually climb surfaces, which is a nice feature on its own but it may encourage players to take a more proactive approach while starting your game and ending up tired and walking in the streets rather than rooftops the longer you play. While the grab and climb system is mostly accurate and effective, due to the clunky nature of the yet underdeveloped VR technology, you may have a hard time actually climbing on surfaces. As for the pull-up you need to pull yourself up as if you were climbing an imaginary ledge and the subsequent jump performed by the character in-game can sometimes eject you or simply not mantle over the spot you would like to land on, leading to a very frustrating experience and sometimes even more tiring for your arms. (It's as if this bug follows Assassin's Creed everywhere it gets ported to!). You can manually jump but only in the vicinity of actual surfaces that require mantling or vaulting over them to perform the jump itself, which at times can be inconsistent and you might find yourself not reaching some specific ledges or roofs and having to start over and climb your way up again which is rather annoying. The fact that they made jumping only available when near objects that trigger the action often causes the game not to register the input properly and it can lead to the alternative of taking a ladder instead, which you can find conveniently placed around the map as if developers knew of this problem. Movement aside, the combat however is really something that needs to be reworked completely. The game encourages you to act as a real swordsman but the hits and parries don’t register that well either. You will often find yourself leaving your hand held up with your sword to automatically block the enemy’s attacks. The game allows you to use multiple weapons from ranged weapons like Bows and Throwing Knives to close-quarter combat ones like Swords, a Tomahawk and the iconic Hidden Blade. Even though the combat might feel inconsistent at times, the blade feels very satisfying to use when you engage in combat and land successful finishers. This can be an instakill if the enemy is weakened before performing a Hidden Blade attack depending on the enemy type which range to basic, medium and professional (elite) NPC’s carrying a wide variety of weapons in the likes of ranged and close quarter weapons. (Bows, Spears, Heavy Swords etc..). In some sections you are given the option to use Throwing Knives but there is no HUD or indicator as to where your knife will end up, resulting in a random throw with the hopes of actually hitting the target, which I missed on multiple occasions hitting the wall next to the enemies and of course since the game has a noise detection system if you miss you will attract uninvited NPCs. For my first walkthrough I immediately decided to set the difficulty option to hard to see what the game has to offer and to add another level to that feel of immersion. To my surprise, the game is relatively easy. As for my first few hours of gameplay, the game doesn’t throw too many NPCs at you and their AI is somewhat dull, similar to that of the franchise’s main games showing once again Ubisoft’s lack of dedication to their NPC’s AI. Most of the levels can be passed easily using stealth which is highly encouraged, distracting enemies by throwing objects or whistling behind cover, putting your fingers in a circle position at the height of your mouth which the game automatically recognizes as a whistle, which in itself is amazing, but again as many of the other features that are on-point and add an extreme level of immersion to the game, you will sometimes find yourself attempting to perform the whistle, and in the heat of the moment, were it adrenaline or simply excitement of getting past guards undetected while crouching, you will most likely hit your headset with your controller’s detection ring once or twice. Be careful with that. Also I should add that while in combat with your Hidden Blade deployed, if you get your hand close to your headset while in a defensive stance you might get distracted by a whistle sound that the headset mistakenly recognizes for some reason. Don’t do that either. The levels are fairly open and nicely merged with linear sections for what the VR has to offer in terms of power and rendering capability, obviously not as good as the main open world titles but still visually impressive for the regular VR titles available out there. In the levels, you can take the time to perform various activities like free running challenges or looking for hidden objects scattered across the small open world as well as during the linear-levels pretty much like in Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood’s Romulus Lair missions where you had to look for hidden chests. It isn’t something too rewarding as there isn’t anything substantial rewarded to you for obtaining them, but you still can access special historical database entries that you can find across the levels sharing some juicy historical facts supplied by Shaun Hastings, and let’s be honest, we all love Shaun. They also included some puzzles in a good old fashioned AC II style, with parkour puzzles and secret rooms pretty much like what you would find in the original Resident Evil games. But I won't spoil them. Overall Assassin’s Creed Nexus is a dream come true for long-time fans who craved to be in the shoes of their favourite Assassins. The Hidden Blade actually retracting and extending at will with a flick of the wrist is one of the most satisfying feels the game has to offer. From the soundtrack to the level of details on the maps I would say Assassin’s Creed Nexus surely deserves some praise, especially for the amazing soundtrack composed by Christ Tilton, who managed to capture the Modern Day-esque feel of the Animus in the VR headset, as well as the nostalgia of our most beloved adventures of Ezio back in the day blended with well known tracks refreshed with a modern touch. This wraps it up for the spoiler-free review covering the core mechanics of Assassin’s Creed Nexus, stay tuned for the upcoming spoiler review that will be available soon in which I will cover the story and the memories of each Assassin, as well as the ties to the actual lore of the franchise. Assassin’s Creed Nexus is now available for Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3 on the Meta store for $39.99 comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author UbiCypher (Joe) is an Assassin's Creed Transmedia expert who worked as the Lead Admin for the Isu_Network social media team, providing consistent social media content in the form of Assassin's Creed lore trivia, puzzles and news coverage, spending countless hours researching the series and real history. In 2025, he stepped back from his social media duties to pursue other opportunities. UbiCypher (Joe)
- This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: Feb 19th - Feb 25th 2022 | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: Feb 19th - Feb 25th 2022 Community Share 3 Mar 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) Rainbow Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This week’s first capture comes from @PodToGo over on Twitter. A creepy shot is first up this week. It looks like one of the druid camps in Ireland. I am not sure I have seen a rainbow in Valhalla so far. What I like about this capture is the stone structures and the shrine which are covered in this green haze. The raven flying away also seems like an omen, making the scene very atmospheric. 2) Paris Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Photo number two comes from @WorldviewVP over on Twitter. This picture looks like it comes straight from the Assassin’s Creed Atlas book. For me City shots are the essence of Assassin’s Creed. This is usually where the enemies hide and plot their schemes. Although smaller in scale, it is cool to compare this capture to ones from Unity just to see the difference. 3) Burning Lands Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins This week’s third shot comes from @coalabr14 over on Twitter. I really like this capture. The glow from the sun breaking through the clouds casting a shadow over the burnt lands of Egypt. I love the silhouette of Senu and Bayek watching over a military encampment planning their next move. 4) The Archer Game: Assassin’s Creed III VP number four comes from @AHeinemann over on Twitter. Nice to see a different Assassin’s Creed game feature in this article. As I have said before archery capture are my favourite. What drew me to this shot was the dark night with the moon as a focal point adding some light to the scene. Connor looks impressive with his dark outfit and his half drawn bow. This bow was such a game changer back then, but now it is a staple of any AC game. 5) Falcon Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla The final capture of the week comes from @starlingspecks over on twitter. My bird of choice in Valhalla and also the inspiration for my gamertag. I love this shot, the stars and the clouds are a great backdrop to Eivor’s magnificent companion. The details on Synin are so impressive and this capture really showcases that. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young
- TOWCB VP Team Members Aaron Young and Turið Torkilsdóttir Featured on Pixel Focus Podcast Episode 8 | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
TOWCB VP Team Members Aaron Young and Turi ð Torkilsdóttir Featured on Pixel Focus Podcast Episode 8 News Share 6 Mar 2024 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) TOWCB Team Back To Database Pixel Focus podcast is a show hosted by N7_spectres and Son_OG5 that provides insight into the world of Virtual Photography across a wide spectrum of gaming communities. In episode 8, the hosts are joined by two members of ACFirstCiv . Representing The Ones Who Came Before Assassin's Creed fan community via the AC Partnership Program ( Isu_Network ) were Aaron Young (FalconSwift87) and Turið Torkilsdóttir . Aaron and Turid make up 50% of TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, and in episode 8, they discuss their passion for Virtual Photography, time management when capturing VP shots as parents, and working alongside TOWCB to establish a VP branch. It's always fascinating to hear the inspirations that motivate players to take particular shots in gaming worlds, whether it be story driven, landscape photography or portraits. Are they planned or do moments just appear as you play is a question that is posed in the episode, and does gaming provide an outlet to escape outside of parenthood. This episode was particularly thought-provoking and reflected the dual balance of life and gaming that lots of gamers experience. You can listen now on Youtube or Spotify (below) Turið Torkilsdóttir is a member of the Isu_Network Virtual Photography team, and a moderator of our VP community. Back in 2020, she began sharing her Virtual Photography captures on Twitter, and interacting with the gaming community. In 2023, she joined TOWCB VP Team, and has been working behind the scenes on a number of social media and website strategies that spotlight community captures. She has also been contributing towards our VP projects, such as our bimonthly articles and showcase videos. You can normally find Turid interacting with community members in our Twitter VP community, spreading positivity and words of encouragement. Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2022. 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. 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)
- New Member Dave Rutter joins TOWCB Virtual Photography Team | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
New Member Dave Rutter joins TOWCB Virtual Photography Team News Share 15 Oct 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) TOWCB Team Back To Database We are pleased to announce that Dave Rutter ( @ dpruttz_vp ) is the latest member to join our @ Isu_network , taking on the role of Engagement Strategist for the Virtual Photography Team! Dave first started playing Assassin's Creed back in 2020 when Valhalla launched, capturing memorable moments using his expertise with the photo mode tool. By joining the program, Dave will have access to our social media platforms and website from which he can use to promote his captures and virtual photography in general. He will also take on new responsibilities as a moderator for our VP Twitter Community, making him a recognisable leader in the AC VP Community. Team structure We look forward to working with Dave & the rest of the Virtual Photography Team as we aim to shine a spotlight on community captures. Twitter Community Do you plan on using photo mode in Assassin's Creed Mirage? If so, it's time to share your captures in our Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography Community! VP Safe Space Here to support the #virtualphotography community. Because sometimes everyone needs a #safespace & someone to talk to. VP Save Space is a DM support service for the Virtual Photography Community for people who need someone to talk to. Here to support you when you need it with a place to reach out, vent or for a friendly chat. You are NOT alone. 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)
- Marc-Alexis Côté and Assassin’s Creed’s narrative paradigm shift | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Marc-Alexis Côté and Assassin’s Creed’s narrative paradigm shift Analysis Share 3 Dec 2024 Written By: Edited By: UbiCypher (Joe) Colum Blackett Back To Database The Vice President Executive Producer of Assassin's Creed, Marc-Alexis Côté, has stepped out into the spotlight on the BAFTA Youtube channel at an event a few days ago giving off a curated speech commenting on Ubisoft's flaws and the intended direction the franchise will follow for the foreseeable future upon the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows serving as the inflexion point for such a change in the narrative direction. Describing his trajectory as a rookie game developer all the way to his actual status as Executive Producer for the overall franchise, he presented the audience with a complete breakdown of the core values of “What Assassin’s Creed should be” in other words, he transparently commented on the way they develop each iteration via their “Brand Framework” which is basically a codex under the form of internal documents given to the devs from which they need to base their work and efforts for the continuity of the Lore. Breaking the Framework into the following aspects; Identity: Immersion, storytelling and thrilling gameplay. Intentionality: Every creative decision made by the devs ought to reflect the shared vision and values of the Framework to ensure that the identity is not diluted and continuity is strong footed. Official promo image by BAFTA showing Vice President Executive Producer of Assassin's Creed, Marc-Alexis Côté, Prioritizing direct and selected feedback over the community as a means to an end. “Putting the player at the center of our creative vision” is also one of the substantial statements issued by Côté which clearly shows that they are aware of their position with the fanbase that nurtured the franchise for so long and are willing to turn the tables in their favor bringing new experiences in the good old Assassin’s Creed fashion applying the aforementioned “core values” described in their “Brand Framework”. These “core values” will not only restructure their approach to how an Assassin’s Creed game is made, but from now on, they will also implement new data collected by their new initiative that aims to “involve their most engaged fans into the early development cycles” with the intention to listen to a much more direct feedback instead of “actively listening to general community feedback and running large scale studies” which is yet another example of Ubisoft going all in and taking the helm, considering the hard working fan communities and content creators that adhere to what the franchise was originally praised for in the past first and the public that spawned with the latest iterations second. A slide from the BAFTA presentation Or so it seems, given another pungent declaration in which Ubisoft now seems eager to “restore the balance” in terms of narrative both past and present as he acknowledged that “15 years of Lore has made the approach to newcomers difficult to approach”, however, the downside to such a bold move can lead to even more division, to which we can all agree; the fanbase is in a very dire situation. But fear not! Because this means that a great change in how the future instalments will be crafted will come out of this, presenting the “Vertigo Of History” initiative as a new way to develop the Assassin’s Creed games by focusing on the idea that “Past, Present and future are connected” therefore, how the past defines who we are and how it will affect our future. Emotional wording aside, this will basically mean that the way Modern Day and the Historical storyline will be designed will be completely overhauled; by pretending to “place history back at the center of the player’s experience”, which is a bit contradictory to what you just read, I know, but the trade-off is that when Modern Day will be tapped into, they will explore “deeper themes regarding genetic memory, identity and autonomy” which is until now, left to the interpretation of the public and not very clear. In any case, Modern Day will be explored deeper so that’s a good step toward restoring that “balance” if true. Original image source: Assassin's Creed Initiates Balance, accuracy and diversity victims of hate. With this in mind, it is important to note that Côté also openly stated that “Absolute accuracy is not our goal, it has never been and never will” of course referring to the historical aspect of the game the franchise is notoriously known for, for the first time clarifying their intentions when making their games reminding us that it is a “Historical Fiction” at the end of the day in response to the previous months of continuous attacks via their Social Media and even directly to the developers themselves who saw their work tarnished by mentally draining and smile-erasing comments completely destroying their work due to the appearance of anachronistic or plain out non-existent elements in the latest RPG trilogy and most recently, the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows which, dare I say, has suffered from one of the most hateful waves of backlash the internet has seen in the past 4 years for very miserable reasons; from fruits appearing in the wrong season in one of the trailers to plain out racism towards Yasuke because of his African provenance hiding behind pathetic ill-crafted shields of “It’s not me who says it, it’s history!”. Of course, we are not going to deny the fact that they made some inexplicable mistakes that are obviously due to a lack of professional consultation by actual Historians and experts -which were brought in much later into Shadow’s dev cycle according to insiders who have reached out to the renowned leaker and French Youtuber j0nathan- or the scandal over the insensitive design of PureArts promotional figures which displayed the two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke posing over an iconic Japanese Torii gate, which, was one-legged and very reminiscent of the S annō Shrine, a real life Torii Gate which was left partially destroyed by the bombing of its hosting city, Nagasaki during WWII. In any case, online crusades and Scandals behind, around the 36:00 mark, Marc-Alexis Côté concluded his speech on the attacks to the company by claiming that “Our commitment to inclusivity is grounded in historical authenticity and respect for diverse perspectives, not driven by modern agenda” Image by TOWCB showing the similarity between the AC Shadows prototype by PureArts prototype and a broken Torii gate located in Nagasaki From now on until February 15, 2025, it is but a waiting game to see if all of this turns out to be true or if it falls down to the pile of broken promises. Personal Commentary: Listening very carefully to what Côté openly said during the conference; I realized just how grand this franchise is and how far it has come. I remember the very first time I played Assassin's Creed II -my entry point- back in 2011 and the insta-love that struck my prepubescent brain. These feelings of discovery, wonder and diversity that are constantly talked about throughout the presentation are real, they were there when we first picked up the controller and began exploring the Genetic Memories of Altaïr and Ezio, as the years passed, we eventually discover more and more of this franchise and eventually witness its fall down the rabbit hole of corporate greed and uber-rich execs that would do anything in their power to drain you until your last cent. So it feels refreshing to see such transparency from Ubisoft and from the one that is supposed to be the closest thing to a lore master no-less. All in all, these are just promises and embellished corporate slang to make it more appealing, plus he contradicted himself by claiming that they aim to restore the balance only to say that they will basically put Modern Day on the backburner 5 minutes later... My best guess is that they're attempting to suffocate the fire and make up for their mistakes now that they realized we never were the "Ye Olde Nostalgicus" pricks most of the community and newcomers to that extent make us to be, simply because we don't follow the same opinions, ideas and tastes as them, who are fruit of a modern generation of gaming that, similarly to movies and music is utterly decadent with no more interest behind what is shown at first glance and no self-pondering of things with very few exceptions. This also applies outside of entertainment as well, the masses are somewhat dullified by mainstream and geopolitical engineering crafted by our governments who only want to see us fight each other for the skin tone of a character or goddamned fruits popping up at the wrong season all the while entitled nobodies destroy entire communities and groups of joyful people who just want to love, share and enjoy the experiences this franchise gave them in the first place. But I digress. I'm not very hopeful in terms of Modern Day and it is at this point, for me, the true narrative of the franchise, take it or leave it, up to you of course, but it was once integral and as Côté said and I also think it to be true: "Assassin's Creed is more than just a game, it can be a platform for meaningful exploration and reflection". Question everything. -Joe (Ubicypher) signing off. Images from the original Isu_Network thread by UbiCypher comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author UbiCypher (Joe) is an Assassin's Creed Transmedia expert who worked as the Lead Admin for the Isu_Network social media team, providing consistent social media content in the form of Assassin's Creed lore trivia, puzzles and news coverage, spending countless hours researching the series and real history. In 2025, he stepped back from his social media duties to pursue other opportunities. UbiCypher (Joe)
- Assassin's Creed Mirage Art Dump: ItsACreed | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Assassin's Creed Mirage Art Dump: ItsACreed Other Share 17 Mar 2024 Written By: Edited By: Al Boncompagni (It’s A Creed) Colum Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to present the works of TOWCB Artist ItsACreed (Alice) who has created a series of sketches and digital creations inspired by the world of Assassin's Creed Mirage. Enjoy! We here at TOWCB were all heavily inspired by Assassin's Creed Mirage, as it gave players a more detailed look at The Hidden Ones before their transformation into the Assassin Brotherhood. Although the game was short, it was well received by the overall gaming community and critics alike, as it returned the series to its roots, and took care in re-establishing cut features, creating a truly special game that acted as the ultimate tribute to the core identity of Assassin's Creed and it's fans. Look out for more art pieces by ItsACreed on our platforms. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Al is a French artist specialised in portraits who discovered Assassin’s Creed with Black Flag, and their initial passion for the golden age of piracy. They later discovered the previous and newer games to be able to grasp the depth of the lore this saga has to offer. They started regularly posting Assassin’s Creed fanarts in 2020 with the release of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and met at that moment many other very talented artists with whom they love sharing their work. They were delighted to join the partnership as it means to them sharing their work with many people that are as passionate as them about the Assassin’s Creed saga. Al Boncompagni (It’s A Creed)
- Product Reveal: Assassin's Creed Through The Ages Tankard by Nemesis Now | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Product Reveal: Assassin's Creed Through The Ages Tankard by Nemesis Now Merchandise Share 12 Feb 2024 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) TOWCB Team Back To Database We are pleased to reveal the 'Through the Ages' Assassin's Creed Legacy Tankard by N e mesis Now! Releasing Summer 2024, this masterfully crafted collector's item pays tribute to the series and the multiple developments made over time to the hidden blade, the Assassins weapon of choice. Step into the shadows of history with this Officially Licensed Assassin's Creed Through The Ages Tankard . A masterfully crafted vessel that pays homage to the legendary assassins who have left their mark across centuries. Adorned with intricate gold details that capture the essence of the Assassin's Creed legacy. This Tankard is cast in the finest resin before being hand-painted, and will let you relive the adventures of assassins past at every glance. We can't wait to see this product in person when it releases in a couple of months, and can only imagine the sheer joy fans will feel when they receive their own. Assassin's Creed Syndicate Cosplayers in particular are in for a treat, as the style takes a stab at recreating a historical drinking vessel. Look out for it in stores June 2024, or pre-order now from the following retailers. PlanetMerch ComicWarehouse 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)
- Best Quotes in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag (2013) | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Best Quotes in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag (2013) Share Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team Back To Database ''Here I am.... with riches and reputation. Feeling no wiser than when I left home.'' Edward Kenway (Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag) VP and edit by Turið Torkilsdóttir 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
- Christmas Giveaway: Lisa Zaman Art | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Christmas Giveaway: Lisa Zaman Art Community Share 24 Dec 2019 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We're proud to announce that we have collaborated with graphite portrait artist Lisa Zaman to produce a special Christmas themed Assassin's Creed art piece for our festive giveaway. Although this is new territory for Lisa, she has exceeded our expectations in producing a unique and interesting design capturing the essence of Christmas in the world of Assassins Creed. As a member of the AC Partnership Program, Lisa will be producing a variety of content for TOWCB. Back in May, she turned her attentions to the world of Assassin's Creed art, and began creating lifelike portraits of key characters. By joining the program, Lisa's work will be viewed by a larger number of community members, allowing her to build a captive audience. The partnership also means that we will be working closely with Lisa for more future art giveaways and competitions for the community. Stay tuned for more projects! 1x A5 art print for one lucky member of our community! To Enter: Follow @ACFirstCiv Follow @LisaZamanArt RT Ends 30/12/19. Open Worldwide. Good luck Assassins! Merry Christmas from TOWCB Admin Team and all our Partners! 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)
- Quick-Fire Community Questions: Jordan van Andel (JorRaptor) | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Quick-Fire Community Questions: Jordan van Andel (JorRaptor) Community Interview Share 9 Apr 2020 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Buckley Back To Database For this round of Quick-Fire Community Questions, we invited Youtuber and Assassin's Creed community member Jordan van Andel, better known as JorRaptor. Col: Hi there Jordan, thank you for joining us today! Please could you let us know a little bit about yourself and your connection to the Assassins Creed community. Jor: Hey Colum, thanks for having me! I would say that I am still relatively new to the Assassin’s Creed community, because I only really started to be more active since the launch of Assassin’s Creed Origins. That game really reignited my love for the series thanks to the new combat, RPG elements & setting. I am lucky enough to visit many gaming events where I met a few of the people that I spoke with online, that has been a blast. I am from the Netherlands myself, have a journalism degree & am now doing my YouTube-channel full time. Col: When did you first create your channel, and how does your content now differ to back then? Jor: The starting date you will find in my about section is November 2014. When I started I really covered everything: Nintendo, PlayStation, PC games; just all the gaming news. I worked at IGN Benelux (the Dutch version of IGN) for quite some time & am just passionate about the whole gaming industry. I learned that that is not the best approach for a YouTube channel though. You can better focus on doing a few things really well, instead of trying to cover everything. With the launch of Horizon Zero Dawn I discovered my love for making tips and tricks & covering games post launch. This also seemed to work, because I came the place to be for Horizon Zero Dawn. I now try to use the same tactic for other games I am really passionate about like Assassin’s Creed. Col: You recently hit 400,000 subscribers which is a huge achievement. How would you describe your journey so far? Jor: I think that after the launch of Horizon Zero Dawn & Assassin’s Creed Origins I really found my groove & I have been trying to improve that style of content since. One big part was bringing freelancers in to help me out. I now have 3 editors who edit one video per week and Dennis who is focused on the comments under my video, Reddit for the current game we cover & helps me with recording footage. The channel has become way more than a one man show & I really couldn’t provide the same quality I am doing now without their help. I also like how apart from the update & tips videos, I am still able to make prediction videos & share my reaction on the recent news. This was mostly the content I did before extensively covering games & it’s cool to see that people still tune in to watch that side of the channel too. Col: How long does a video generally take to put together, and is much research required? Jor: It really depends on the video of course, but to make it simple: I think there are 2 types of videos for me. News videos that have to be quick because they are about news that just broke. Recently the PlayStation 5 controller was revealed and that video took me a little more than 2 hours to make. It of course varies per news item, but usually you want to have them up as fast as possible while still preserving the quality. The other types of videos are scheduled ahead of time like tips for a new game or a roundup of recent rumors about the new Assassin’s Creed. These videos can easily take 7+ hours. I use twitter a lot and when I see an interesting news story I save it in a doc that I can go back to later. Then I write the script, look up extra information & then it’s time to record the audio. After that is done I either edit it myself or send all the info to an editor so he or she can work on it. Col: Do you set yourself targets, and how many videos do you aim to release a week? Jor: My aim has been from the start to make one video per day, so 7 per week. Although right now YouTube really rewards quality and interesting topics, so if a video is not done on time & could use more time then I delay it. The extra time can really make the difference. This was a journey though, I first felt bad if I didn’t upload a day or would quickly put something together just to have a video that day. Luckily I am over that and the value of a quality video over 2 bad ones is super noticeable. Col: Have you had many opportunities such as event invitations / early access from video game companies due to your channel? Jor: Yes for sure & I am really happy about that. It helps that the Dutch gaming industry is relatively small & I already knew a lot of them thanks to my work at IGN Benelux & the Radio Station 538. When my channel grew bigger companies started to notice that too, although I got to give a shoutout to Ubisoft NL for letting me play Assassin’s Creed Origins at Gamescom when I still had around the 30.000 subscribers. Col: What do your family and friends think of your channel, and who is your biggest supporter? Jor: For some of my family members it’s all very foreign: “so how do you make money?” But they are curious about it, even though the content on the channel will not be for them hehe. My grandpa is always very supportive and sometimes leaves comments on social media platforms that many other people of his age don’t even know about. No but overall my girlfriend must be the biggest supporter & actually gives some great advice for someone who is not into games at all (apart from The Sims though) Col: What advice do you have for people who want to start a channel on YouTube? Jor: First of all just start, that is one of the hardest parts: get yourself out there and not care about what other people might think. You will be bad for sure, but that is with everything and you only get better by practicing. Apart from that I would say: make the content you want to make and are passionate about, but also content that other people want to see. Make sure that there is a big enough audience & that you can provide something that people are looking for. Col: What does a typical day for yourself consist of? Jor: I usually start with a nice cup of tea and do some small things like answering emails or checking social media. After that I try to focus on the video for that day. I will check twitter now and then (probably a little too much) and try to get the video done for an editor or that I can edit it myself. The afternoon is always different, there might be big news that I want to cover, I remember going to the gym before they were all closed, on monday & thursday there is a stream on Twitch.tv/jorraptor (shameless plug), sometimes I cook & in the evening I either do some extra work, play a game or watch a tv show with my girlfriend. Col: Other than the AC series, which games do you cover on your channel? Jor: Very similar games actually, so big single player or sometimes co-op adventures that are mostly in an open world and have some sort of RPG element: God of War, Spider-Man, Horizon Zero Dawn, Far Cry, Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order, Sekiro, Borderlands & more that I am likely forgetting hehe. Col: Which Assassin's Creed game did you play first, and is it your favourite? Jor: The first Assassin’s Creed back in 2007. I actually bought a PlayStation 3 to play that game and Ratchet & Clank Tools of Destruction. While repetitive at times, I did enjoy it & really hope Ubisoft gives it a proper remake treatment. Not Assassin’s Creed 3 style, but more like what Square Enix & Capcom have been doing with their franchises. I can totally see a future where we get a brand new RPG AC every 2-3 years and then in between that a big remake of an older game. So all AC fans have something to look forward to. Assassin’s Creed 1 is btw not my favorite, Assassin’s Creed Origins is, followed closely by Odyssey. Col: Do you have much Assassin's Creed merchandise? If so, what is your favourite item? Jor: Yes, but Ubisoft send me some of it to be honest. I have that massive way too expensive Spartan statue that is scaring everyone who passes by my house & other statues from the recent games. I also still have an Assassin’s Creed Odyssey helmet they gave away at E3. And recently got Assassin’s Creed displate posters that add a lot to my studio. Col: Where would be your dream setting for an AC game? Jor: Asia, especially now with the RPG elements. Imagine the weapons and armor pieces we would be able to collect. I totally think they will do it at some point, maybe after this viking game. Luckily we got Ghost of Tsushima in the meantime though that already highlights how a cool an Assassin’s Creed game in this setting would be. Col: Are there any cut features from the series you would like to see return in the next installment? Jor: Maybe not really a cut feature, but I liked how cinematic the Assassin’s Creed games were. Now though, especially with Odyssey, we didn’t get a lot of these cutscenes that help tell the story and showcase the setting in an awesome way. Most of the dialogue was done with regular conversations that sometimes didn’t have the same impact. If you want to make the games bigger Ubisoft, then please also add more cutscenes and not only at the beginning and the end of the game. I also want to see multiplayer return, especially because of the new combat system I think both PVP and infiltrating forts together could be a ton of fun. It’s going to happen one day, but I think we will have to wait a few more years. Col: Where do you personally think the series is heading to next, and are you excited for the future of Assassin's Creed? Jor: It’s 99.9% going to be Vikings & after watching the tv show with the same name I am actually really hyped for that setting. It really has these unique characteristics in the way they dress and live, and also a big focus on Mythology that I think helped the previous two games a lot too. And of course knowing that it will be made by the Assassin’s Creed Origins and Black Flag team is already enough reason to be excited. We would like to say a huge thank you to Jordan for joining us for another round of Quick-Fire Community Questions! You can find him on: Youtube Twitter Twitch comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Compartilhe sua opinião Seja o primeiro a escrever um comentário. 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)
- Breaking News: Assassin's Creed Mirage Gameplay Trailer revealed at PlayStation Showcase 2023 | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Breaking News: Assassin's Creed Mirage Gameplay Trailer revealed at PlayStation Showcase 2023 News Share 30 May 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Back To Database Ubisoft has unexpectedly debuted a gameplay trailer for Assassin's Creed Mirage at Playstation Showcase 2023! After an eight month-long marketing silence, Assassin's Creed Mirage has finally stepped out of the shadows, revealing a colourful stealth game which is returning to the roots of the franchise. Parkour looks much faster, as the trailer demonstrates dynamic fluidity and range of movement as Basim jumps, vaults and swings his way across Baghdad's rooftops, providing the perfect platform for aerial maneuvers. Stealth is a key focus, bringing back beloved features such as throwing knives, smoke bombs and air assassinations, but the game is also set to introduce new mechanics and tools such as detection mines, Eagle marking and multiple takedowns which will make Basim the ' most versatile Assassin in franchise history '. Although the trailer caught the internet off guard, we are now more excited than ever for Ubisoft Forward 2023, which airs June 12th 2023. Assassin's Creed Mirage launches October 12th 2023. Check out the gameplay trailer below! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)
- This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 27th to 3rd December | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 27th to 3rd December Community Share 8 Dec 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. This week the VP admin team have been looking through your shots and have selected the 5 glorious captures below. 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: Autumn Autumnal Foliage Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ artschoolglases The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: TOWCB VP Admin Team Turid The classical “knight on a horse” composition of this shot makes it almost appear like a painting. Our favourite shieldmaiden is perfectly set in the scene by the harmonising brown and gold tones of the autumn forest. Aaron “The Saxon’s know we are here.” When it comes to Autumnal vibes Assassin’s Creed Valhalla nails it. I found it fascinating to read about the decisions regarding seasons in the Valhalla art book. I think the team did a great job and allowed us to experience such different biomes. This beautiful shot of Eivor riding through the foliage is so peaceful and reminiscent of the English countryside. I do like that you can see the river flowing in the distance. The striking colours of the trees are indicative of the time of year. The composition is perfect, giving the capture a cinematic style. Undergrowth Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Cll3ar “Better to forge axes than swing them.” Since joining the virtual photography community my appreciation for the smaller details in videos games has increased. So much time and effort must be put in by the developers to ensure we get the best simulation experience. Here Raven has exquisitely captured a single tree in the undergrowth. I am loving the depth of field as it highlights the peeling bark excellently. The framing with the grass is gorgeous, especially with the light breaking through behind the tree. Autumn is the first season when you reach England and that tree symbolises Eivor’s new life across the ocean. Scenic View Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ kristina_m0509 “How I miss those days.” It’s been 3 years since Assassin’s Creed Valhalla launched and I still cannot believe how visually stunning the game's environments are. Sometimes I wish I could experience it all over again for the first time. At times it’s only when you stop for a moment in the game that you see the real beauty. This capture is proof of this, I am really liking the composition and how the eye follows the path ahead. The dark clouds and foggy atmosphere add an element of intrigue, while the speckles of sunlight allow for some warmer tones. A beautiful autumnal capture. The Fall Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ ZuziSam “We cannot master this land merely by asking.” England’s fertile land is what drew the Vikings here in the first place. The harsh weather in Scandinavia isn’t as reliable for growing crops. The Vikings didn’t just want to raid and rule, they wanted a better life for their families. The lands in Valhalla are luscious as this capture shows. I would say you couldn’t get a better English autumnal shot than this one. The beautiful browns and golds of the trees are warming and the haze in the background makes me think of those crisp mornings. I would say this is the perfect vibe for this week’s theme. Lonely Viking Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ cop_filip “Scarcely arrived and now we must raid.” Taking scenic shots has never been my strong point. However I have met new people and run theme weeks such as this and learnt so much from them. None more so than Filip who always knows how to capture environments in such an artistic way. This capture is absolutely stunning. The autumnal tones are on point and the details are amazing. Having Eivor feature but not as the subject give a story to the shot. I am loving the fog in the distance as it cleverly focuses your eyes on the undergrowth. The deer walking through the forest is a nice touch, adding to an already impressive capture. 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! Join TOWCB Virtual Photography Community on Twitter for a chance to be featured in our weekly VP selection articles! 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
- This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 5th to 11th June | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 5th to 11th June Community Share 15 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Vikings Set Sail Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Cll3ar “I joke about many things, son of Ragnar, but never about shipbuilding” A fitting quote for a spectacular shot of Eivor’s longship cutting through the waves. I applaud the use of the longship in Valhalla as it lets you feel part of something rather than working solo. The details here on the shields are impeccable and the reflection on the water delightful. What I love the most are the splashes of water, which are a nice touch to make you feel at one with the waves. Blodwulf Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ NIKOOO_WOLF “Men do not relish the shield wall. They do not rush to deaths embrace” I was so disappointed not to be in a proper shield wall in Valhalla. That being said, the shields were great fun to use. I really like this particular one as it’s given to you by Soma. This capture epitomises the theme and Eivor’s stance and facial expression make him look ready for battle. The colours here are on point, with Eivor’s outfit really standing out. The fog in the background adds that ominous feel. I would not want to be a Saxon. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: Judge: @ TuridTorkil ''This is exactly what comes to my mind when I hear the phrase Vikings. A light haired warrior with an axe and shield, ready to fight. I like the foggy background, the silhouettes of the trees and the longship, not to mention Eivor’s grim expression. A true Drengr emerging from the water to face whatever challenges await him.'' Valkyrie Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Majdulf47 “Valkyries! Odin must’ve sent them!” Eivor riding Alsvinder absolutely oozes Valkyrie vibes. Especially when jumping mid-air with the wings spread out. I really like how the background makes you feel like this is a flying shot. Excellent use of light too as it highlights Eivor’s tattoos, adding a real Norse feel. Who would dare stand in her way? Varin’s Axe Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ artschoolglases “Blow the horns! Beat the drums and have courage, for there will be no turning back. Only victory! Or death! Whenever Eivor is dressed as a berserker she means business. This is one mightily fierce shot of her as she prepares for battle. How can you not like that eye catching bear draped across her head, along with that ferocious look on her face? I adore the lighting of this capture and how it highlights certain details to perfection. The shadow work also adds some powerful vibes, making it seem like Eivor has appeared from the darkness. The star of the shot though is Varin’s axe and how the details just pop, excellent virtual photography. The All Father Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ GamingPhotos15 “You are the Wolf Kissed one, who lingered at the edge of death, yet fought back.” This is a phenomenal capture that really encapsulates the essence of Odin. Havi wears his name sake outfit with such grace. Once again the darkness has been used to great effect, allowing Havi to appear from nowhere. I love how the light bounces off the metal amplifying the details. This shot instantly takes me back to the great scenes between Eivor and The High One. 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 Compartilhe sua opinião Seja o primeiro a escrever um comentário. 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
- The Future of Assassin’s Creed at UbiForward 2023 Part 2 - Assassin's Creed Codename Jade | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
The Future of Assassin’s Creed at UbiForward 2023 Part 2 - Assassin's Creed Codename Jade Breakdown Share 16 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Colum Blackett Back To Database Banner by Thea Marie Rivedal (Moonchildgecko) from TOWCB Art Team. Welcome to the second part in a new series breaking down all of the Assassin's Creed content presented at Ubisoft Forward 2023. In part two, we take a look at Assassin's Creed Jade reveal! Related articles The Future of Assassin’s Creed at UbiForward 2023 Part 1 - Pre-Show & Assassin's Creed Nexus The Future of Assassin’s Creed at UbiForward 2023 Part 3 - Assassin's Creed Mirage Story Trailer The Future of Assassin’s Creed at UbiForward 2023 Part 4 - Assassin's Creed Mirage Gameplay Trailer This title from Ubisoft & Level Infinite will be the first open-world RPG on mobile, taking players to Ancient China in the year 215 of the 3rd Century BCE; the Qin Dynasty. This places the game between AC Odyssey and AC Origins. The trailer opens in a dark room containing the historical Terracotta Army as the narrator defines “Legacy” as learning from the triumphs and mistakes of those that came before us. An Assassin who represents the player walks through the army to the door, closing the cinematic with the image at the top of this section, and how players will make their own Legacy. We can see from this shot that the character wields a Chinese officer’s sword, a dagger, and a Qiang (spear) while looking out at the Great Wall of China, the set piece for this game (though it wasn’t opened until 220 BC, 400+ years later) A series of landscapes are shown from mountain ranges, nomadic camps, farmlands, and cities. This provides a vast array of areas that players will be able to explore and the various peoples that reside in each. Based on the size of the city shown, it appears to be a capital city, most likely the imperial city of Xianyang (from AC Jade’s website) due to the size of the fortress in the top right of the 4th image. These cities will most likely be where the Assassin’s Bureaus are housed and where players can purchase needed weapons and gear. This is followed by a shot of the character performing a Leap of Faith. You can notice the blue colored sash around the player waist which indicates that this is an Initiate or Apprentice (like Basim in AC Mirage). Could this be upgraded to the red color “Assassin” sash as players level up and progress in the story? The character is shown firing multiple arrows at once. This could be an ability that is unlocked, or a reference to different bow types such as the multi-shot Light Bows that we have seen in past RPG titles. The Assassin climbs the Great Wall of China, showing vertical leaps to traverse the larger gaps between hand holds. Combat is displayed in a one on one with a Heavy Guard wielding two maces while the character performs a series of attacks with their daggers. Another shot shows an air assassination in action as the player descends on an unaware enemy. The woolen hat and lack of armor makes me think this is either a local guard for a village, or a Xiongnu raider. The action continues with a series of combat abilities from an enhanced Qiang sweep that may or not be an Isu Artifact (most likely just a powered ability like AC Odyssey)... To a pole vault kick… And an air attack (similar to the Dive of the Valkyries from AC Valhalla) using a giant axe, which also informs us that there are more weapon types that can be unlocked or used than just the ones from the cinematic trailer. The gameplay trailer ends on the Codename Jade Logo and the website to register for the closed beta ( here ). On the website, the navigation banner has three sections that change to a Chinese character when the cursor hovers over each button. Home: Featured The character has a similar appearance to the Chinese character “Qi” which translates to “strange” which may be a way to show that this “stands out” or in short “is featured”. News most likely a combination of the characters for “Xìnxī” which translates to the characters “remove + interest” or “information”. The “Home” page is where the trailer and link to register for the closed beta are located and when you scroll down, you are moved to the “Featured” page with notes on the game. Journey through 2000 years of history in ancient China (possibly an indication of how long the content may cover) Explore the path of “Xia” in the first unified empire of China. (Xia stories are one of the major heroic traditions in Chinese literature*) *from @xuetingni (Twitter) personal website ( here ) Protect your home from Xiongnu* raiders behind the Great Wall. *The website spells this as "Xionanu" which maybe a misspelling. Experience the blooming trade and cultural exchanges between East and West in the imperial city of Xianyang. Codename Jade is marketed as an “Iconic Assassin’s Creed Experience” with gameplay and features on mobile, for free. Lastly, the “News” section links to an article that provides more information on the game. Built on Unreal Engine Free-to-play on iOS and Android Players will follow the path of “Xia” as an adopted child of Master Assassin, Wei Yu (who is enshrined beneath Monteriggioni in AC II and Brotherhood. Master Wei Yu (Image from Assassin’s Creed Wiki) Codename Jade will allow players to fully customize an avatar for the first time. Weapons include Qiangs, double swords, and bows. Further information is to come from the newly established social media sites such as the @AC_CodenameJade on Twitter. I am personally excited to try the Closed Beta and hope I am able to get in. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Michael Smith
- Assassin's Creed Watercolour Art Dump by Shaya Fury | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Assassin's Creed Watercolour Art Dump by Shaya Fury Community Share 22 Mar 2024 Written By: Edited By: Shaya Fury Colum Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to present the works of TOWCB Artist Shaya Fury who has created a series of watercolour creations inspired by the world of Assassin's Creed. Enjoy! We particularly love this art journal, as each page brings the world of Assassin's Creed to life. The Isu architecture left behind by the First Civilisation is recognisable in all mediums, and Shaya has done a great job at representing the long forgotten mechanisms once used by humanity's ancient ancestors. Ways to support the artist Art Lessons Shaya is now giving art lessons online, teaching both traditional and digital styles, starting from the basics, colour theory, different materials and more! If you're interested, send her a message on Twitter. Etsy Shop You can purchase art by Shaya Fury on Etsy , or contact her for commissions. Patreon Shaya has six levels of subscription on Patreon, offering different levels of access. Shaya Fury LinkTree comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Shaya Fury is an Artist/Freelance Illustrator who blends a mix of traditional methods with digital designs to create art pieces that are bursting with colour. Shaya Fury