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Assassin’s Creed Shadows Music Fan Theme - The Wind Between The Cherry Trees - Available Now! Breakdown Share 27 Mar 2025 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) TOWCB Team Back To Database Link to listen on Apple Music Link to listen on Spotify For a while now, we here at The Ones Who Came Before have been getting into the world of music, interviewing composers who have shaped the sound of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, covering iconic tracks, as well as writing our own original fan themes inspired by different instalments. This tradition of course continues with the newly released AC Shadows, hence we are excited to announce our newest original track inspired by the new game - The Wind Between The Cherry Trees - written, arranged and produced by Gargudon from the TOWCB team! This is an in depth look with the brains behind the track, at the process of how it came together, as well as some of the influences behind it. And of course, make sure to also check out the full track, available now wherever music is streamed! Track breakdown & writing process I had so much fun creating this new fan theme for the new instalment, at last heading to a fan favourite location over many years, 16th century Feudal Japan. Before I even started properly producing the track, I already had a very good idea of how I wanted it to sound, what elements I wanted to be at the forefront of it, and what ambiences and emotions I wanted to capture. The setting of the new game meant so many fun opportunities and possibilities for choice of sounds and instruments; I always knew I wanted emphasis on something very ambient and tranquil sounding, with lots of Japanese stringed and wind instruments. The opening and final sections of the track, are meant to capture the peace and tranquillity of the vast forests of Japan that can be explored in the game, filled with massive waterfalls, blue skies, diverse wildlife, and like the title suggests of course, blooming pink cherry trees, or as they call it in the native tongue, sakura. I feel like the prominent koto, fused with the ambient plucks and pads, perfectly captures these sceneries, and can serve as the soundtrack to meditating and or practicing katana moves on the highest mountain. In between these two sections though, is a perhaps slightly darker and more intense, yet also quite cinematic sounding interlude. I wanted this part to mainly centre around massive sounding percussion with big taiko drums, while also giving it an element of traditional African music, as an homage to Yasuke’s native background. My favourite part about this interlude section though, is easily the throat singing, a common ritual practiced throughout Southeast Asia. Recording those parts was also super fun and challenging in a good way, as it had me looking into different techniques, learning something new in the process. When I tracked them, my voice was also pretty rough, following a nasty round of sickness, which in the end may or may not have been an advantage, it then having a certain rawness to it. Track influences There was a number of different influences for the track, from things I’ve written myself earlier on, Jesper Kyd’s iconic AC soundtracks, to a couple of “normal” songs even and more. Two songs that were major influences, were actually these two by Nashville artists Alana Springsteen and Robyn Ottolini, “Look I like ” and “ House I Grew Up In ”. First of which I also did a super fun remix of it once, reusing a lot of elements, sounds and melodies for this new track. For songs labelled “Country”, both have a lot of sounds and ambiences you wouldn’t necessarily associate with the genre, having prominent sections with what sounds like a koto, or some other Eastern stringed instrument. Robyn’s song was a major influence for the first section, recreating certain sounds and vibes, and reusing the chord progression and koto melody. Alana’s (and my remix of) served as influence for the final section, also reusing the chord progression and a certain melody played on koto. Additionally I once again used the melody from my AC Unity inspired fan theme “French Highlands”, it being played on flute during the middle interlude. If a new version of Ezio’s Family can be written for almost every game, so can I reuse my own written themes. Of course I also turned to the master Jesper, using some ambient samples reminiscent of his legendary AC2 soundtrack, samples of birds singing and a waterfall to create a very lively soundscape and some realism, and of course as mentioned, throat singing, where a major inspiration was the loading screen music from another massive Ubisoft game, Far Cry 4, also set in a similar culture and part of the world. And that concludes this in-depth look at our newest original AC inspired musical fan theme! Once again, make sure to check out the full track, available wherever music is streamed, add it to your playlists, maybe even having it on in the background while exploring Japan! That and let us know what games you would like to see inspire future fan themes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7UNLimP0AQ comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016 - hosting the discussion based show “The Memory Corridor” - but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews and composing. He joined The Ones Who Came Before in 2019 for a merger, publishing new episodes - and reviving the show following nearly a year of inactivity - on our platforms, until phased out in 2023. Today, among other things he is known in the community for the Sounds Of History project - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental music project, featuring five tracks inspired by as many different games - other original fan themes plus covers of iconic AC tracks, as well as video interviews with a number of high profile names in the world of AC, from Roger Craig Smith, Jesper Kyd and more. Fun fact, among his growing colourful tattoo collection, Gustav is the only member of our team to have the TOWCB logo inked. Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)

Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Black Eden Wishlist Share 21 Nov 2025 Written By: Edited By: James Davis (TopChef1288) Colum Blackett Back To Database During a recent episode of The Ones Who Came Before podcast Rally The Creed , myself and my co-host Colum Blackett were talking about what a Assassin’s Creed game set during the Black Death would look like, the origins of the bubonic plague and a fear system. I just couldn't shake the idea from my head. We discussed that it could be a sequel to Hexe in time but not as a direct sequel, more of a spiritual successor. A new era in the franchise, the “Dark Era” and it was in that conversation, that I realised it wasn't just an idea to be spoken about on a podcast. It needed to be written down and shared. Something that demanded life on the page before it could ever exist in a game. The idea of a “Dark Era” isn't about heroes in shining armour, nor sweeping tales of conquest. It's about survival in the shadows of human failure, about morality bending under the weight of desperation. It's about a city drowning in death and a man whose sins are not just his own, but those of a whole world. Assassin’s Creed: Black Eden exists in that space between faith and fear, love and obsession, death and the memory of what could have been. Marseille, 1348 - The City of Plague Art by Thea_Rivedal Marseille in 1348 was not a city. It was a graveyard pretending to be a city. Smoke clung to the roofs like soot stained ghosts. The river ran dark with filth and blood. Bells tolled endlessly, calling out the dead while the living recoiled at each other’s breath. Shops and marketplaces deserted. The only commerce left was fear, and even that was precious. People whispered that the air itself had turned against them. Some spoke of angels who had abandoned the city, of saints who no longer listened. While others wore amulets, some carved protective symbols into their doors; some even prayed so fervently their hands ached and their knees became blistered. Marseille was a city where superstition had become law, where despair shaped every step. And above it all, moving between alleys and rooftops, someone was watching. Someone who had once believed he could save lives through control. Only to learn that salvation came at the cost of the city’s soul. Lucien de Montfort - The Templar Who Wept Lucien de Montfort had once been a man of reason. An alchemist and a Templar scholar. He believed in the grand design, in the orderly flow of history. In the Templar promise that control could cure chaos. And that's why he helped the Templars with the creation of the Black Death. He did not do it out of malice but out of misguided devotion. Every vial, every calculation and every careful release of the plague was intended to prune humanity. To cleanse what he and the Templars deemed unfit. He loved once. A brilliant, beautiful and terrifying woman called Lilith LaMort. Together they studied the apple, or what was left of it. But obsession and fear coiled around their work, experiments went wrong and people died. One day an accident happened and destroyed their lab. Both Lilith and the Apple were destroyed with it. Everything the two of them had built was gone. He buried both his love and his faith in the same grave. Now months later, the plague begins to strangle the city and he is alone. A man haunted by the faces of the dead, as he moved among the living. He was searching for absolution but he might never find it. The Rot of Eden: The Black Apple Art by Thea_Rivedal The Apple isn't just a relic, it's a weapon. A piece of divine technology that has been corrupted over centuries. Once golden, radiant and pure. It had been warped by the Isu’s war code into an Apple of obsidian black. Its carvings were gold and oozing a hissing, thick sap. Lucien called it the Rot. it was able to prune a population, the Templars deemed unworthy. It accelerated decay and manipulated life itself. wells , wine and incense all distilled into tools by the Templars. Under the guise of salvation but in reality they were tools of control and power. And yet to Lucien, it was more than just a weapon. The Rot was a part of him, after the accident. A constant reminder of his complicity. To him, every death whispered his name. Every coughing child, every corpse was a testament to his sins and failure. The Apple isn't something you wield lightly; it was something that carried the weight of life and death. Lucien had been the one to tip the scales. Faith, Fear and Masks The city devoured itself in silence. Fear spread faster than the plague. It turned every home into a fortress and every neighbour into a threat. Trust soon became a relic. It had been buried and forgotten, even feared as much as death. Lucien adapted. He became what the city needed and what it wouldn't question. He became a plague doctor. Cloaked in soot stained robes and wearing a beaked mask that reeked of herbs and despair. He drifted through the streets like a penitent spirit. The mask was both his sanctuary and his prison. It granted him passage through guarded alleys and restricted areas. Behind the glass eyes, Lucien watched as the world around him continued to rot and he wondered if he could ever atone for the things he had done. Via The Harbinger (2022) Elias - The Modern Assassin Centuries later, in a quiet lab, Elias Moreau strapped into the Animus. He wasn't anyone special, just a field operative; trying to make a difference. He followed orders, gathered intel and blended into the world unnoticed. But this time it was different. His mentor’s words still ring in his ears “if we are to understand what Covid is. We need to find the Black Apple. You need to walk the streets of Marseille and see what Lucien de Montford saw” and with that Elias entered the Animus. And in a heartbeat, the modern day began to fade from his eyes. The plague choked air, the tolling bells and the fear on the street became as real as anything he'd seen before. He could feel Lucien’s guilt crawling along his spine. He could hear Lucien’s whispered prayers to the dead and the smell of the rot that lingered in every corner of the city. The Animus was supposed to be a tool, a window to history. But for Elias it was now a bridge connecting him not only to Marseille but also to the sins of his bloodline. As Marseille began to unfold around him, Elias thought “Death is not the enemy, it is the relief of pain and the end of suffering to those around him” The Whispers of La Maitresse Noire Even as Lucien moved through the plague ravaged streets of Marseille, a shadowy figure lingered. The city whispered of a woman only referred to as La Maitresse Noire. No one knew her true identity and if they did, no one spoke it. Her cruelty was legendary. Entire families vanished overnight. Experiments gone wrong turned into tales of horror. She commanded through fear, her intellect was as sharp as any blade. Her heart, cold and barren. Templars tremble at her name. When they die, their last words weren’t of battles or hatred. But of her, The Maitresse surpassed them all. Lucien now looking at people he once trusted and respected, realised that they all served her and they were merely instruments to her ambition. The Kiss of the Maitresse Lucien had begun to piece it together, the patterns and the names in the ledgers. The whispers of la Maitresse Noire. Every lead drew him closer to the truth. She wasn’t just a myth, she was real. She was orchestrating everything, the plague, the fear and even the city’s slow decline. Lucien cornered a Templar alchemist in the catacombs beneath Marseille, who once looked up to Lucien. The man begged for his life, he mumbled about salvation and sacrifice; as Lucien towered over him. Lucien ignored his pleas and drove his blade home and the Templar looked into Lucien’s eyes and smiled. The pain came later, Lucien felt his veins burning and the bitter taste of iron in his mouth. His vision became blurred and his limbs trembled. In the dying man's hand, Lucien saw it. A broken vial. He had been injected. The Maitresse had turned the plague against its creator. Days bled into nights, fever consumed Lucien. His mind unraveled between flashes of clarity and delirium. Every cough was now a reminder that he is one of the infected and is a reminder of the countless souls he has doomed, in the name of order. Even as sickness ravaged his body, Lucien’s resolve was only sharpened. If this was to be his end, he would make sure it means something. He would drag this plague and Maitresse Noire with him into hell. The Final Act Lucien returned to where his story began, the laboratory buried beneath the cathedral. Once a beacon of Templar ambition, now left to rot and is nothing more than just ash and the echoes of the past. He thought he was alone, that is until a voice calls out to him “I knew you’d come back home, mon cher” from the shadows crept, a figure; La Maitresse Noire, but her veil was gone and Lucien saw a face that had haunted his dreams. Lilith LaMort. Her beauty had not faded, she stood there; like something otherworldly. She wasn’t the same woman he once knew, as she stood there half divine and utterly terrifying. The Black Apple clutched in her hand. Lilith circled Lucien with a predatory gaze. Lucien lunged at her, steel clashed. Assassin against former love & false divinity. Every blow echo screamed through the shadows. Lilith falls to her knees, she reaches for him with her blood soaked hands. A faint smile across her face. “You can kill me” she whispers “but not what I’ve set in motion. This plague will end only when the Apple can’t corrupt anymore” Lucien knew that the Apple couldn't be destroyed. Gameplay Mechanics When I started imagining how Black Eden would actually play, the goal was simple: build systems that make the world react to Lucien, not the other way around. The plague isn’t just a backdrop, it’s the heartbeat of the entire game. And every mechanic stems from that idea. Trust System In a city collapsing under fear and superstition, nobody is going to welcome a stranger with open arms, especially not someone poking around crime scenes and plague zones. So trust becomes a core mechanic. People judge Lucien based on what they see. If he helps gather medicine, deliver food, guide families to safety, or take down corrupt officials, their trust rises. If he sneaks where he shouldn’t, draws attention, or appears too often near death, they pull back. Trust isn’t just a meter; it affects everything: • What missions unlock • Who speaks to you • Whether an area will hide you or betray you • How easily you can move through the city It’s not “good vs evil.” It’s “do they believe you’re here to help, or here to harm?” Disguise System Disguises in Black Eden aren’t cosmetic, they’re social tools with consequences. Plague Doctor Disguise Lucien’s signature look. Great for accessing quarantined districts and moving through zones thick with corpses and infected. Guards assume he belongs there. But regular citizens? They keep their distance. Some won’t talk to him at all. He smells like death, and no one wants to trust a walking omen. Commoner / Peasant Disguise Safer, more social, more immersive. People open up. Hidden pockets of the city become accessible. But guards won’t respect you, and certain areas become blocked entirely. Each disguise opens one door while closing another, making identity itself part of the strategy. Rot Vision Rot Vision is Lucien’s twisted version of Eagle Vision, born from the Black Apple fragment embedded in his palm. It works just like Eagle Vision structurally, but the feel is different: • Infection patterns spread across walls and streets • Trails of sickness reveal where outbreaks started • Corrupted enemies glow with inhuman intensity • Hidden paths and clues appear like veins beneath the city’s skin It’s powerful, intuitive, and story-driven, but every use chips away at Lucien. The player sees the world decay as he does. Parkour & Movement Lucien isn’t a superhero. He’s agile, fast, and trained but grounded. Movement would feel closer to: • Unity’s precision • Mirage’s responsiveness • Shadows’ clean, intentional platforming The rooftops of Marseille become escape routes, ambush paths, and lifelines. There’s no sprawling open-world parkour circus, just tight, dense, believable navigation through a dying city. Combat Lucien fights like a man who learned from two worlds, Assassin training from his father, Templar discipline from his mentors. Simple but lethal. • One hidden blade • One sword • Fast, brutal counters • Precise strikes • No heavy RPG stat nonsense • And a combat feel very close to Assassin’s Creed Shadows It’s intimate and unforgiving. Every fight has weight. Stealth Stealth is the backbone of Black Eden. No modern gadgets, no overpowered tools but just shadows, timing, and disguise. You can: • Blend into crowds • Slip through alleys • Use darkness as cover • Distract guards with environmental tools • Disappear into plague smoke or church candlelight The goal isn’t to erase entire fortresses, it’s to make the player feel hunted, cautious, clever, and resourceful. Conclusion When I started shaping Black Eden, I wasn’t trying to reinvent Assassin’s Creed. I just wanted to tap back into what made the series special in the first place. The atmosphere, the tension, the blurred lines between good intentions and terrible outcomes. And as the idea grew, it naturally evolved into something that felt both familiar and completely new. Lucien de Montfort isn’t a chosen one or a mythic hero. He’s a man whose brilliance and mistakes cost lives, and he spends the rest of the game trying to make sure no one else suffers because of him. That’s the heart of this pitch. Not destiny, just responsibility. Not spectacle, just consequence. And it fits the Assassin’s Creed universe better than anything flashy or supernatural ever could. The gameplay systems, the trust mechanics, the disguises, Rot Vision, the grounded stealth. they all push the game toward a more reactive, human style of play. People don’t automatically trust Lucien. He has to earn it. His disguises open doors but close others. His connection to the Black Apple gives him insight but slowly destroys him. Everything he gets comes at a cost, which is exactly how an AC game set in the Plague should feel. And then there’s the modern day, Elias trying to navigate the fallout of a life he didn’t live but still feels. It brings back that personal, present-day urgency the series has been missing for a while. If Assassin’s Creed ever decided to explore a story like this; something darker, more intimate, more morally tangled. I genuinely believe it could mark a turning point for the franchise. Not a reboot, not a throwback, but a new era built on what made the originals resonate so deeply. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author James is a UK-based video creator who joined TOWCB's Video Content Creation Team in June 2025. James was originally brought on board to help TOWCB with TikTok news coverage and to establish a consistent Twitch streaming schedule, but he also took on the Video Content Creation Team leadership position until personal circumstances changed in Summer 2026. He is a big fan of the Assassin's Creed series, and runs the Rally the Creed podcast alongside TOWCB Team Leader Col, consistently hosting weekly episodes. By joining the partnership program, we aim to provide James with opportunities to grow and further his relationship with the AC Community and Ubisoft. James Davis (TopChef1288)

Why We Needed Assassin's Creed Valhalla Other Share 25 Jun 2024 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database ‘ Assassin’s Creed Valhalla ’ was released November 10, 2020, and was praised by both fans and critics. It was a big step forward in the franchise as fans for years had hoped to explore the Norse era of history and what Scandinavia had to offer. It was heavily anticipated upon release, and gathered a large following after its incredible cinematic reveal trailer in late April of 2020. The trailer excited many fans as it showed the return of the famous Hidden Blade, and also revealed some of what to expect in the era of the Vikings. However, it was a big deal having ‘ Valhalla ’ release when it did, as the world was at the peak of the Covid-19 Pandemic. People needed a reason to be happy or stay distracted. Assassin’s Creed fans had waited patiently for Ubisoft to navigate game development during a global pandemic. It forced work from home situations and changed entirely how to develop a game while remaining safe from health violations. ‘ Valhalla ’ fortunately did not face any major delays leading up to its end of year release date. Ubisoft had done a fine job keeping their employees safe from the Coronavirus while still being able to work and complete a game as big and as ambitious as ‘ Valhalla ’. November of 2020 was also the highly anticipated launch of the next-generation gaming consoles. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S were set to launch around the same time as each other, and along with the pandemic, the Semiconductor Chip Shortage was also a major problem in the world at that time, meaning purchasing one of these new consoles was borderline impossible. Restocks at select electronic stores and websites were done regularly, yet still supply was unable to meet demand. Covid, and the shortages combined made life difficult for a lot of people. 'Valhalla' releasing alongside the next-generation consoles, including the weight of the global pandemic pulling it down. It made the game become a source of comfort to fans across the globe. The state of the game industry at this time was as bad as it had ever been, and having 'Valhalla' in the mix was a great solution to fans not wanting to think about the pandemic, and became a staple of the industry to the gaming world during that time. When ‘ Valhalla ’ was still in production, a big phenomenon surfaced across the gaming world, and was seen by fans as a secret tease for the upcoming Assassin’s Creed game, as Ubisoft perhaps unintentionally created an in-game poster from one of their other franchises, ‘The Division 2’ of what seemed to be a Viking holding the Apple of Eden, which is a popular recurring artifact shown throughout the Assassin’s Creed series. It had fans wondering if Ubisoft hid an easter egg in the game to get clues as to their upcoming game. Ubisoft officially denied these claims, but fans had their suspicions that the next game in the series really would be a Norse Assassin’s Creed game, and they were right, as shortly after fans dubbed the new game to be called ‘ Assassin’s Creed Ragnarok ’. Fans also called the game ‘ Assassin’s Creed 2020 ’ to be more plain. But later on, shortly after all the rumors fiasco did Ubisoft officially announce the game as ‘Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’ in April of 2020. When ‘ Valhalla ’ was released, it became a coping mechanism to gaming fans during a very dark time. It was a major upside in the gaming community, and a big thing to look forward to from already faithful Assassin’s Creed fans. It was available on all major gaming platforms at launch, which was important considering very few people owned a next-gen console and could play the advanced version of the game. Ubisoft offered a free upgrade to the next-gen versions to players who purchased the game on either PS4 or the Xbox One. It was a good gesture from them as it saved people money and helped gamers avoid spending money on the same game twice, which had become a popular tactic in gaming at that time. It helped give players who were unable to upgrade yet. So, they would be able to play the new and improved version of the game they already owned. Ubisoft's marketing strategies for the game were also a big help to the fans as they were able to be even more excited about ' Valhalla '. Ubisoft's efforts to engage with their audience were a welcome gesture to the community, including having activities they encouraged fans to complete while in lockdown, such as cosplay from home and AMA's. This allowed fans to ask their most anticipated questions they had for the developers, giving fans a chance to interact with the creators and unify the community as one. The addition of Virtual Photography in the game was also a contributing factor to the game's success and allowing people an opportunity to explore and capture the land of Scandinavia, considering doing this yourself was challenging with the restrictions of the pandemic. The release of ‘ Valhalla ’ went quite well, as it performed great graphically, and was even moved up from its original release date to match that of the Xbox Series consoles and their much anticipated launch. It showed fans that Ubisoft was confident in their game, and they were rewarded as ‘ Valhalla ’ went on to become a monumental hit, selling record amounts of copies in its first week alone. Fans were happy to explore the history of the Vikings, which had been heavily requested for years from fans of the series. Fans loved ‘ Valhalla ’ for many different reasons. Norse Mythology itself is very popular amongst historians and gamers alike. Games such as ‘ God of War Ragnarok ’ became a gigantic hit due to its storytelling and a faithful adaptation into Norse Gods. ‘ Valhalla ’, meanwhile had their own version of the Norse Mythology, by adding it in with returning features and storylines of standard Assassin’s Creed games, such as the Hidden Ones against the Order of the Ancients, which is a earlier in history battle between the more modern Assassin’s Brotherhood vs the Templar Order shown in previous games. Ubisoft succeeded in adding their own touch to Norse Mythology, making it very believable for the story while staying true to the source material. For fans, the reason ‘Valhalla’ worked so well was because it was truly just a great Assassin’s Creed game in all aspects. The changes made in this game compared to previous games in the series such as ‘ Assassin’s Creed Origins ’ and ‘ Odyssey ’ were great additions to the game, and seen by most as a large improvement. The new features added included horse stamina, which gave you a meter on how far you could gallop with your mount without it getting exhausted. It offered players strategies such as escaping from enemies, meaning monitoring your horse's stamina to escape successfully. Another change included a new form of the classic Eagle Vision now known as Odin’s Sight, which allowed the player to get a landscape of the environment around them, and have them watch out for enemies in the area or where to find your objective. Weapon customization became more important for reasons such as adding runes to weapons and gear, making them more powerful and more durable against higher-leveled enemies. Building up your settlement was also a major addition to the game, where you could improve your home with pillaged materials taken from River Raids against rival clans, or found in chests hidden in enemy territory and around the map. These were welcome additions to the game, as they added a very unique form of exploration and combat that the series needed badly. Fans were also happy that Ubisoft decided to bring back certain popular elements of past games that were eventually left out of the newer games in the series, such as Social Stealth and Hidden Blade assassinations on enemies. Social Stealth allows the player to use the environment as cover, for example by equipping a cloak and going unnoticed through crowds in distrust areas. Including that, the game gives you the iconic Hidden Blade, a long-time staple of the series quite early on into the story, and allowed players to get familiar again with the weapon and the techniques needed to take out an enemy fast, or getting in and out of an enemy restricted area while killing your target. These were great additions for both fans of the current games and fans who could prefer the originals and its old formula. It catered to both sides of the fanbase who may have different opinions based on the direction of the franchise, but quickly pleased the ones who doubted ‘ Valhalla ’ which is a big reason the game was as popular as it has gotten to be. As we look back on this game, it truly is one of the more influential games in the entire Assassin’s Creed franchise, as it did a great job providing an excellent experience for fans and being able to distract the players and keep them busy while not trying to think of the dark time our world was going through then. In years, the gaming community may look back on this game as one of the first, if not the first true next-gen game made in the PS5 and Xbox Series era. Ubisoft did a spectacular job creating the beautiful world of both Norway and England during the Norse era, and creating a game as memorable as this one. ‘ Valhalla ’ was a great way to not only satisfy returning fans of the series, but also to entice new players to create new fans of the series. It was a game for everyone, even if you were not familiar with the ever-popular Assassin’s Creed games. ‘ Valhalla ’ was a gift during the Covid-19 pandemic, and allowed fans and gamers alike to enjoy it even in the darkest of times. Ubisoft once again hit the jackpot with ‘ Valhalla ’, a game we did not know we needed as much as we did. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. In 2025, Hayden took on the position of Team Leader for TOWCB's Writing Team, overseeing article releases, assisting with recruitment and providing assistance with internal operations. Hayden Bird

Brandon // @sirmcdonnell1 is a Twitch Streamer who has followed the Assassin's Creed series since it's launch back in 2007. In Summer 2023, he opened himself up to new opportunities and made it his mission to become a content creator. TOWCB Team spotted his potential and recruited him to the Video Content Team. Throughout 2024, Brandon will be working alongside fellow streamers, TikToker's and editors to boost the profile of our community on social media platforms. Previous Next Video Content Brandon McDonnell | Sirmcdonnell Previous Partner Brandon // @sirmcdonnell1 is a Twitch Streamer who has followed the Assassin's Creed series since it's launch back in 2007. In Summer 2023, he opened himself up to new opportunities and made it his mission to become a content creator. TOWCB Team spotted his potential and recruited him to the Video Content Team. Throughout 2024, Brandon will be working alongside fellow streamers, TikToker's and editors to boost the profile of our community on social media platforms. Twitter | Twitch Work

Q&A with Patricia Summersett Interviews Share 1 Jun 2017 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Our Admin Col_96 had the opportunity to ask Patrica Summersett questions on her work for the Assassin's Creed franchise. Col: Hi Patricia. Thank you for joining us today. Galina was first introduced in Assassin’s Creed Initiates, and has become a fan favourite character in the Present Day. Did you do much research on her background before you voiced her in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate? Patricia: As is pretty normal for video game auditions, I wasn’t aware of what I was auditioning for at first. I knew she was a Russian character going into the audition, so I worked my accent and practised some basic Russian words and phrases, and my physicality of an “Assassin”. Once I was confirmed for the role I was passionately briefed with more details and spent time reading her (quite dramatic and charged) history regarding her mother, sister and friends. She is one tough and fascinating character. Col: Galina can also be found in the Assassin’s Creed Titan Comics. Have you been reading them? Patricia: I own a couple and have certainly enjoyed what I’ve read. They really give her a different flavor, different angle in the comics. With those two sources (game and comics) a very rounded, dimensional character emerges, one who is quite easy to empathize with (imo). I’m sure I’ll get my hands on more. If you see me at a Con, feel free and share with me. ;) Col: Was it difficult to perfect the Russian Accent for Galina? Did you need any special coaching or training for the role? Patricia: I’ve had and still have accent coaches that I draw from for just about everything I do involving accent work. I use the technique where I draw from various sources but ultimately narrow it down to one or two specific ones. I often enjoy training my accents using resources like IDEA (for anyone looking for accent resources, great website and it’s free!) Previous to getting this role, I had also spent some time studying theatre at MXAT (Moscow Arts Theatre School) in Russia, visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg. And before getting into theatre I was an ice dancer and used to train with various Russian coaches around the US. So it’s definitely been in my ear.. I kind of cobble things together from various sources. Col: What is your take on the relationship between Hope Jensen and Shay Cormac? Patricia: Poor them. What a crazy twist of fate. I can’t say for sure, but I think it’s an unfortunate unrequited relationship.. That is 100% only my take on it. Obviously there were some sparks before all hell broke loose. But I do certainly enjoy the Fan Art I’ve found and often share, of Hope and Shay together. ;) Great Fan Art. BTW I love Fan Art in general. There are so many ridiculously talented artists and it makes me really happy to see creative work breed more creative work. Col: Do you like Hope Jensen’s Purple Outfit? She’s the first Assassin to wear purple (main colour) in an Assassin’s Creed Game. Patricia: She is 100% better than Barney, eggplants, the purple people eater, and almost a match for Purple Rain. Hard to beat Prince… that's hard. She's up there though. yeah, I love the purple. As an actor, I'm often put in red outfits. I don't know why, maybe it's colouring or just character type, but purple is refreshing. Oh yes, grapes. She beats grapes. Speaking of grapes, I would wear her outfit and drink a nice glass of Burgundy, and truly enjoy myself and not have to worry if I sloshed about… how excellent. Col: Were you surprised when you learned that your character was to be assassinated? Patricia: Never… I often die. It’s a thing. I feel bad for my father (in real life) who has often watched me die on stage, in film/tv…. He is not a fan of that. But I’ve had some pretty brutal deaths. It’s a thing unfortunately. Col: Would you like to return to voice acting in Assassin’s Creed, and could we see you again in future projects? Patricia: I will work with Ubisoft and the AC series any time, every time, any way. It’s the best. I love my job and I love meeting people through it. Perhaps I will meet some of you at Conventions in the upcoming year and I look forward to it. As far as future games, I’ve got a couple of things coming up. Princess Zelda was just announced, that has been an amazing ride. Some other announcements are coming, I’m excited about all of them. Hope Jensen was my first true female warrior character in video games. I cannot tell you how excited I was when I got that role. It was my first big role with Ubisoft and I was over the moon. I love playing strong women characters and I look forward to many more. Col: Thank you for your time! Patricia: And thanks for yours. Social Media Links for Patrica: Facebook Twitter Instagram Website 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)

What to Expect in Assassin's Creed Shadows News Share 21 Jun 2024 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database When Ubisoft initially announced the existence of a new Assassin’s Creed , it was given a codename, which was referred to as just ‘ Codename Red ’ for quite some time, leading fans into excitement for what the future had in store. It had gamers across the world excited for the next chapter in the beloved and long-running ‘ Assassin’s Creed’ series, which has gained a huge following since its creation in 2007. The series is loved for many reasons, including its classic parkour, storytelling, and charisma of the protagonists, and much more. It was a monumental and groundbreaking game back in its beginning, and the series is still running strong to this day, with no signs of slowing down. For a long time, fans had been asking and hoping for an Assassin’s Creed game set in Feudal Japan, as it had been a highly requested era in history fans have been wanting to visit for as long as the series has been around. Now, all our wishes have come true, as Ubisoft has announced ‘ Assassin’s Creed Shadows ’ officially to the public. Fans of the series, and even those unfamiliar with the series, are counting down the days until November 15th, 2024. ‘ Shadows ’ recently had a big gameplay reveal shown off at Ubisoft Forward in June of this year. Both protagonists Yasuke and Naoe were shown off. Yasuke, a Samurai, and Naoe, a Shin obi, are teaming up together to fight the injustice in Feudal Japan. The ga me will be adding a fan-favorite, and heavily requested addition to both our protagonists this time around: The ability to freely switch between characters. This option was first introduced in 2015’s ‘ Assassin’s Creed Syndicate ’, where you were able to switch between the twin Assassins, Jacob and Evie Frye. This was a fun, but short-lived feature in the Assassin’s Creed series, and now fans can rejoice as Ubisoft is bringing it back in ‘ Shadows ’. You will now be able to pick freely anytime between both Yasuke or Naoe. This is a change from the recent dual-protagonist feature Ubisoft introduced with 2018’s ‘ Assassin’s Creed Odyssey ’, allowing the player the choice to play the game as either a male or female protagonist, but by selecting a character, you were unable to switch again for the rest of the game. This theme continued with ‘ Assassin’s Creed Valhalla ’, once more allowing players the choice between male or female Eivor, and still selecting that character will lock you in for the full game. It was a formula fans enjoyed, as it brought new life into the series that was once only one male protagonist each game, with the lack of a choice between Assassins. Now, sk ipping ahead to ‘ Shadows ’, you can pick and choose which character you’d like to play as for any mission, and also be able to switch freely at any time, just like ‘ Syndicate ’. This offers players a choice of strategy. Yasuke, being the combat expert Samurai, will be useful for missions requiring more muscle, and brute force , or you can choose to pick Naoe, a much quieter approach to be able to sneak in and out of trouble. Each mission should give players a real decision about which direction to take, and which playstyle best suits the mission ahead. Ubisoft has also shared that the size of the map in ‘ Shadows ’, will be similar to that of 2017’s ‘ Assassin’s Creed Origins ’, rather than that of ‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’. For example, the map will be large again, but will feel just right for the setting of Feudal Japan. Also allowing players to experience more of what Feudal Japan has to offer rather than potentially spending a lot of time traveling across the entire map, it should provide players a more direct experience. From what we all have seen through the gameplay revealed earlier this month, expectations are high amongst both fans and critics, who are all looking forward to getting their hands on ‘ Shadows ’. The more recent ‘ Assassin’s Creed ’ titles, also known as the “RPG” games in the series, have followed a similar format. A leveling system, skill trees, upgradable gear and weapons, and a healthy dose of side quests to choose from. Fans should expect some of the same with ‘ Shadows ’. It gives players the opportunity to explore the map more, rather than potentially rushing through the main missions. Each player has their own choice of how they want to play, and Ubisoft is catering to all fans with all interest levels. They know fans are wanting to be invested in this game, and giving the players plenty to do along with the main storyline. A lot of fans of the series were ones who started with the “RPG” titles, bringing a new audience to both new and old fans, as Ubisoft’s current formula has satisfied both classic and newer fans. We can expect some of those same elements in ‘ Shadows ’, such as the combat with dodging and parrying attacks, and the use of special abilities to give the player an edge over tricky enemies. Last year’s ‘ Assassin’s Creed ' game was ‘ Mirage ’, which was a smaller scale game suited to please fans of the classic format, and it was well received. It has now been four years since we had a game this size in 2020’s ‘ Assassin’s Creed Valhalla ’, and it should satisfy fans knowing they are in for a full on journey into Feudal Japan. With the game set for a November release date, there is plenty of marketing to be done on Ubisoft’s end, such as more gameplay videos or new information about the game to get fans excited even more as it comes closer to release. Many expect Ubisoft to create another masterpiece in the long running series. Fans have grown accustomed to a great experience with each game released. The hype of ‘ Shadows ’ is currently at an all time high, for both fans and even those who are skeptical, and will possibly need to see more of the game to persuade them into purchasing. For some, the whole idea of an ‘ Assassin’s Creed ’ game set in Feudal Japan is almost too good to be true, which could easily attract the fans who aren’t familiar with the series, and even some who may have never played an ‘ Assassin’s Creed ’ game in their life. ‘ Shadows ’ should do a great job being appealing to anyone, whether they be new or returning. One way or another, we can all expect fans of this series to come together again once the fall season rolls around, and celebrate another great adventure into history by Ubisoft. The countdown to November 15th is well and truly underway! comments debug Comments (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest Guest Jun 21, 2024 Awesome review! Like Reply About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. In 2025, Hayden took on the position of Team Leader for TOWCB's Writing Team, overseeing article releases, assisting with recruitment and providing assistance with internal operations. Hayden Bird

AC Mirage & Codename Projects - The Memory Corridor Episode #24 Released Podcast Share 2 Apr 2023 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Colum Blackett Back To Database Episode 24 of The Memory Corridor sees host Gargudon, returning guest Michael Smith, and first time guest Aaron Young from TOWCB dive deeper into the next main installment in the franchise, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, as well as the also announced codename projects Red, Hexe, Invictus and Jade. Covering everything from hopes and expectations for these projects, returning to the franchise’s roots with Mirage, transmedia, the franchise’s future and much more in between. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97Ln2FmkzMY comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016 - hosting the discussion based show “The Memory Corridor” - but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews and composing. He joined The Ones Who Came Before in 2019 for a merger, publishing new episodes - and reviving the show following nearly a year of inactivity - on our platforms, until phased out in 2023. Today, among other things he is known in the community for the Sounds Of History project - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental music project, featuring five tracks inspired by as many different games - other original fan themes plus covers of iconic AC tracks, as well as video interviews with a number of high profile names in the world of AC, from Roger Craig Smith, Jesper Kyd and more. Fun fact, among his growing colourful tattoo collection, Gustav is the only member of our team to have the TOWCB logo inked. Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 30th to 5th November Community Share 9 Nov 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: From the Shadows Jumping In Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ shoe2007 “Our Creed does not command us to be free. It commands us to be wise.” The sun drenched atmosphere of Assassin’s Creed Mirage is arguably the dream scenario for a virtual photographer. The lush golden colours of the sun allow for some delightful pictures but also permit the use of shadows. This vibrant shot has the perfect mix of both. I really like how the shot has been split into two by the shadow of the building. The vibrant colours of the flowers just below add a richness to the shot. Then very fitting for the theme we have Basim’s shadow leaping through the air in a classic Assassin pose. A capture fit for the Creed. Link to set: Athenian Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ MechXican “Strong legs mean you’ll thrust your spear with more force” The battles between the Spartans and the Athenians in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is something to behold. These large scale encounters really make you feel like you’re a part of a historic battle. None more so than the opening of the game, that really did give me 300 vibes. This capture is all about the warrior. The shadow work and the lighting are exceptional, coupled with the head turn we have got ourselves a very cinematic shot. I love the blue and white on the helmet, it’s the only colour in this shot so stands out beautifully. This capture has a very powerful presence and fits the theme perfectly. Link to set: Downtown Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ PodToGo “How do you know the angel and the devil inside me aren’t the same thing?” Although Assassin’s Creed Mirage doesn’t quite meet the crowd density levels of Assassin’s Creed Unity it still manages to make you feel like you’re part of a lived-in city. Once you make it into the inner circle there are plenty of people going about their daily routines, especially in the market areas. This shot from Pod sums up my expectations of Mirage. I could not wait to climb on beams above the streets hunting for Order members. I am getting a real Daredevil feel from this capture. I love the silhouette of Basim and the rays of light breaking through the canopy. This shot is Assassin’s Creed, the vigilante working in the shadows to protect his city. Shadow Walker Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ m_nt_13 “I have your soul Gorm” Customisation is such a cool aspect of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, you can dress your Viking in so many different ways. The Draugr set is such an ominous style to use and is fantastic for dark and shadowy captures. When Eivor wishes to incite fear in her enemies there is no better way than dress as death itself. In this capture I am loving the shadow across Eivor’s eyes, and the way it blends in with the striking face tattoo. The hood up helps conceal Eivor’s identity while also adding a menacing feel. I really like the composition too with Eivor’s head off centre, it gives you a sense that she is appearing from the darkness. A truly intimidating shot that uses shadow work to precision. Link to set: Sliding In Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ MdeavorVP “We see the world as it really is, and hope that on day all mankind might see the same” Freerunning has been part of Assassin’s Creed from the get go, and is one of the core pillars of the franchise. For me it reached its peak in Assassin’s Creed Unity and Mirage has been a nice return to form after the more warrior focused games. That being said Bayek is making use of his freerunning skills in this capture. For me this shot fits into the minimal bracket and that is one of the reasons why I like it so much. The hole makes for a beautiful frame as Bayek slides through. The black and white style works effortlessly with this capture to fit the theme of the week. The capture shows incredible talent for lateral thinking. Link to set: The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ Shauna_c_jones ''The original idea of the theme for this was “From the Shadows.” As an Assassin, the goal is to stay hidden. I’m a huge fan of shadow play, so I was really interested to see how people would take this challenge on. I chose this as my photo of the week for the way in which it has been framed by negative space. I’m a sucker for different perspectives and really appreciated how centred the photo is. The capture is really striking and shows an Assassin in action, almost ready to pounce. What a submission. '' 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! Interested in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography? Share your shots in our Twitter community 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

Caleb is an actor and aspiring cosplayer who is best known for his Scottish Assassin project. His iconic character known as Ren Faulkner was instantly a fan favourite, but Caleb has also created other characters, all with a name and backstory In 2020, Caleb left the program to focus on non AC projects. We wish him luck with his future endeavours. Previous Next Cosplayer Caleb Allen Previous Partner Caleb is an actor and aspiring cosplayer who is best known for his Scottish Assassin project. His iconic character known as Ren Faulkner was instantly a fan favourite, but Caleb has also created other characters, all with a name and backstory In 2020, Caleb left the program to focus on non AC projects. We wish him luck with his future endeavours. Instagram Work

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 20th to 26th February Community Share 28 Feb 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed In Plain Sight Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Jakeste66386991 We start this week's showcase with an absolute cracker from Jakester. This shot is all about depth of field and how it highlights the Ezio outfit perfectly. I am definitely getting Brotherhood vibes from this photo. I am always impressed when people can capture the spirit of the old games within the newer ones. Thank you Ubisoft for adding the legacy outfits. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: Judge - Michael Doyle This capture has immortalised what it means to be an assassin, hidden in plain sight, yet with an elegance that stands out beyond the crowd around them. I also get a great sense of nostagla towards the original AC in this shot. Bayek appears ancient and wise, which is unique as this was taken early in Bayek’s life before the brotherhood truly began. The Master Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ reephto This shot was titled "The Master'' and I can't argue with that, In fact, I would say this capture is masterful in itself. For me this photo epitomises the Assassin's and what they stand for. I love that Bayek is in the Hidden Ones outfit, and that stunning shadow across his face/hood symbolises the Creed impeccably. Bayek's beard looks so detailed too, is this really a 2017 game? Ready for Battle Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Nxthxn_Turner18 Next up we have Varin's axe in full view. This axe should be more famous than in is, the details are so impressive. The positioning of this shot is what drew me to it. I like how the depth of field highlights the axe and the hidden blade. You can see Eivor is ready for a fight, and that light forking down in front of her is really something. Saxon Slayer Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ PodToGo I may have some bias to this shot. When you like the hairstyle, armour, and the portrait style, all you can do is feature it. I am in awe of how good this capture looks; I feel like the metal on the outfit just glints in this style. I am definitely going to try this myself now, especially as the Huldufolk set is my favourite. A perfect photo for a Thorsday entry. Fallen Hero Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Platform: PS4 VP Artist: @ _TFoU_ The final shot of the week blends Viking and Isu to give off a real science fiction vibe. I don't usually use these outfits and weapons, but I have to admit it does look cool. The film grain style adds a real sense of grandeur. I love the combo of Fallen Hero, Excalibur, and the band around the eyes. Checkout the link for an awesome close up of Eivor. Link: https://twitter.com/_tfou_/status/1629937557076316160?s=46&t=ouVXsSaqJFul6_HVXb9RLg And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest Guest Mar 01, 2023 Awesome captures everyone!!! 🤗 Like Reply About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

The Evolution of Assassin's Creed Analysis Share 27 Aug 2024 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database The ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series has come a long way since its creation way back in 2007. The games have been forced to adapt to coexist with the rapid evolution of technology. The technology that game developers had in 2007 is extremely different from what gaming companies have access to now. Having a game series that started in the late 2000’s to the present day means a lot of change over time, both with the games and with the world as it is today. Ubisoft had a challenge given to them in trying to make the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series acceptable in today's standards, but also not to abandon the premise and idea of the games that fans have known and loved for so many years. ‘Assassin’s Creed’ has undergone some changes to the series, in nearly all aspects. Fans of the games have sometimes been divided in their love for this franchise. ‘Assassin’s Creed’ is really a lot more than just a game, it's a family as well. To have a community that can share their love for the games together is harmonious for the creators and the fans, and Ubisoft hit the jackpot by bringing together people from all over the world into one family. There is no denying the games have been through many changes, and doing this has helped keep the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series alive and well as it is today. The main evolution that the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ games have been through is the major shift in gameplay. The original games were much different from the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ we know today. For starters, the original games followed a more predictable formula, meaning that mostly every game released in their once annual cycle were quite similar to one another. They followed stealth, action, and some tactical ideas, while the more modern games in the series have transitioned to more RPG, which stands for Role Playing Game, and adopted this approach for the current formula of almost all the modern games. There are significant differences in the old and the new formulas, such as combat and stealth have been heavily reworked. In past games, combat was mostly a matter of timing and countering enemy attacks. It was too easy to kill basically any enemy in the game, it was so easy to the point where the games would offer more expensive in-game weapons that supposedly could help you deeper into the game, but it was quite common for players to not even need to upgrade any of their equipment one time, as it was simple playing the entire game with the base weapons and still being able to get past all enemies with ease. The new games changed this flaw from past games in the series, as now it is vital to upgrade your weapons and equipment to match that of your personal level in the game, as using under-leveled equipment vs stronger enemies would prove much more challenging. This ensured that the games were not only up to modern standards, but also that they were believable and played well like most big and successful games do today. The major overhaul of the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series began after the sales disappointment of 2015’s ‘Assassin’s Creed Syndicate’ . It caused Ubisoft to change course from their usual annual installment schedule and instead decided to take a year off in the franchise for the first time since after the very first game released back in 2007 with the two year gap between the first and second game. Since then the series grew accustomed to releasing a new game every year. So, in 2016 there was no new ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game, as they put all their efforts into focusing on 2017’s ‘Assassin’s Creed Origins’ . This game marked a new era for the franchise, as it was the overhaul of almost all the features the previous games had created. The change in formula was hit with positive responses from both critics and fans. It was a rebirth of the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series in a way. Ever since 2017, nearly all games in the series have followed a similar path that ‘Origins’ started. Of course, there are fans who miss and prefer the old formula, as it was the identity of the franchise since its creation. Some fans even these many years later would still rather play an ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game like it used to be played. Ubisoft listened to these fans, and released last year's ‘Assassin’s Creed Mirage’ as a tribute to the beginning of the franchise 15 years later to that date. It was a game directed at fans of the previous formula, as it abandoned most of the heavy RPG aspects that recent games have adopted, and instead brought back a lot of what the old formula began. It was a great gesture by Ubisoft to also create a new game in the formula of the past, as they knew fans who missed the past formula would feel catered to once again. Many fans even today think Ubisoft should continue a trend like this, by catering to fans of both the older and newer games, and finding a balance that all fans could enjoy together. The newer ‘Assassin’s Creed’ games have proved very successful both critically and financially. The games have helped keep the core foundation of the series together to match that of modern expectations. The tech industry moves very quickly, and those who fail to adapt often get left behind, and the same goes for the video game industry. You have to stay current with your games, otherwise fans will lose interest and the series itself would begin to lose its massive impact on the entire gaming world that ‘Assassin’s Creed’ has created its positive reputation all these years later. Not having their unique and popular identity would be bad for the franchise, and the games we know today may cease to exist without the major change the games have had to take. It’s just the way the tech business is, you need to stay up to date otherwise fans will go somewhere else, and lose interest. Ubisoft had quite a bold task on their hands when they rebooted the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series years ago, and according to gamers and the majority of the fanbase alike, Ubisoft nailed it and has managed to breathe new life into the franchise. The evidence for this is the fact that the games are as popular as ever today, and continue to make a long-lasting impact on the gaming world. The series we know and love has undergone some significant changes in the past, but was for the best, and vital to its current success to this day. comments debug Comments (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest Guest Aug 28, 2024 Awesome article! Well written! Like Reply About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. In 2025, Hayden took on the position of Team Leader for TOWCB's Writing Team, overseeing article releases, assisting with recruitment and providing assistance with internal operations. Hayden Bird

Anthony is a creative writer from USA who has supported TOWCB for many years, finally joining the Writing Team in August 2026. His writing covers a wide scope, with releases ranging from news coverage to fiction and non-fiction! Anthony also has skills in other fields which will assist the team, such as video editing, virtual photography and digital art. Throughout 2026 and beyond, we will be working alongside Anthony on a number of exciting projects, ranging from news coverage to the community, to helping organise fundraisers for charity! By joining the program, we hope to boost his real-world opportunities in the world of journalism and writing, alongside his relationship with both Ubisoft and the community. Look out for his articles on the website! Previous Next Writing Team Anthony Muzzarelli Anthony is a creative writer from USA who has supported TOWCB for many years, finally joining the Writing Team in August 2026. His writing covers a wide scope, with releases ranging from news coverage to fiction and non-fiction! Anthony also has skills in other fields which will assist the team, such as video editing, virtual photography and digital art. Throughout 2026 and beyond, we will be working alongside Anthony on a number of exciting projects, ranging from news coverage to the community, to helping organise fundraisers for charity! By joining the program, we hope to boost his real-world opportunities in the world of journalism and writing, alongside his relationship with both Ubisoft and the community. Look out for his articles on the website! N/A Work

Creedmas Artwork Released Art Share 7 Jan 2026 Written By: Edited By: Jebs Colum Blackett Back To Database To celebrate Creedmas 2025, and to mark the festive season, our very o wn Jebs fro m TOWCB Art Team released a new piece of artwork! We love how this piece parallels the concept of Angels and Devils on the shoulder, helping to make decisions. Naoe holds a gift, but what could it be? A Piece of Eden? A tsushibue? A list of ten more targets to kill on the objectives board? Let us know in the comments what you think Naoe received. We hope that you had a great Christmas, and were able to spend lots of time with family and friends, alongside playing Assassin's Creed and drinking hot chocolate. Safety and Peace Assassins! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author In June 2025, Jebs joined TOWCB's Art Team in an effort to widen the variety of art styles on the team. She is known online for her unusual art style, which can be described as a mix between doodling, sketching and anime, pieces which are often animated, bringing a ton of personality and fun to her work. Throughout 2025 and beyond, Jebs will be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects which range from creating art for fundraising to live art creation watch-alongs! By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aim to boost her profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. Jebs

Breaking News: Ubisoft reveal sneak-peak at Ubisoft Forward 2023 line-up News Share 8 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Ubisoft has spent the last week giving fans a sneak-peak at the upcoming Ubisoft Forward showcase event by sharing promotional images and videos of upcoming Assassin's Creed projects to build anticipation for the event. New images and teasers for Assassin's Creed: Mirage, Nexus and Jade have been shared, and we can't wait to cover all three in full when more information drops at Ubisoft Forward and beyond! Assassin's Creed Mirage Learn more about Assassin's Creed Mirage Friday June 9th, when episode one of a special three-part video series dedicated to the game's development releases. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/06e6c8_e630cad3a88444febbc845db69bf4f3c/480p/mp4/file.mp4 Screenshots from the promo video Here we see an underground staircase for Basim to use in a resticted area. This may be one of the ways in which players can achieve a non-confrontational mission playthrough, which stealthily brings him to his target area without being detected. Next up we see a new piece of concept art for Assassn's Creed Mirage showing two Assassins freerunning around Baghdad. Notice the similarities between the robes worn here and the Levantine Brotherhood in Assassin's Creed (2007). Here we see another piece of concept art, this time showing a masked figure hiding from a guard in a poor area of Baghdad. Could this be Basim in disguise making his way through a slum? Although poor quality due to being a recording of a monitor, we can briefly see tree parkour in action. Basim jumps from a wooden plank and onto a tree branch. Here we see a 3D render of an Assassin, likely Basim produced during the development stages of Assassin's Creed Mirage. On the left you can see another screen showing an Assassin wearing a hidden blade / vambrace gauntlet. The next shot is a sketch showing a diagram of a rope lift, something which first appeared in the Ezio games. It's great to see this mechanic return in Mirage as it is a quick and easy way to access rooftops. On the left, you can see the new Pole Vault mechanic, which allows Basim to jump across buildings. Here we see the pole vault in action, as demonstrated in the Assassin's Creed gameplay trailer. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/06e6c8_2258716187a14f3ba86df251dbaf726d/720p/mp4/file.mp4 Towards the end of the video we see social stealth in action! In a return to its roots, Assassin's Creed Mirage is set to fully reimagine stealth, starting with blending. Hide in plain sight. A blade in the crowd. This is an essential part of being an Assassin. Using your surroundings to mask your appearance. The outline around the NPC's shows that they are unaware of Basim's presence, and also means that enemies will not notice his approach. Assassin's Creed Mirage will be unveiled in full at #UbiForward , on 12th June, 6PM BST. Assassin's Creed Nexus VR https://video.wixstatic.com/video/06e6c8_3b48bc0ac64643269135f9c007bc1689/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Assassin's Creed: Codename Jade Stay tuned for more Assassin's Creed coverage as we prepare to fully immerse ourselves in Ubisoft Forward and all the news it may bring. Check out our social media platforms below for further updates. 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)

Aaron Young from TOWCB Joins ThePhotoMode Writing Team News Share 12 Apr 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to announce that our very own Aaron Young has been invited to join ThePhotoMode team as a regular article writer! Aaron is known in the community for his incredibly detailed portrait captures using the in-game Photo Mode tools, and also for his weekly Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography articles for The Ones Who Came Before . ThePhotoMode is the first free virtual photography e-magazine, and aims to support digital creators who share a love for virtual photography. The project, led by community member Jack ( _Virtualtourism ) has done an excellent job at highlighting community content, but other notable achievements include the site hosting a Q&A with Raphael Lacoste (Former Art Director on Assassin's Creed), and Jack himself winning the ' Virtual Photographer of the Year' award' at the Ubisoft Community Awards event in London! You can find Aaron's first major contributions to the project below, which are featured in the most recent release, issue #27 . Issue #27 available now: Free download 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)

AC Community Questions: Mohamed Abdelkader (Duskblade) Community Interview Share 13 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database For this round of Assassin's Creed Community Questions, we invited Mohamed Abdelkader (Duskblade), admin for Facebook Page The Jackdaw Tales and Member of the Assassin’s Creed Arab Community. Col: Hi Mohamed. Thank you for joining us today. Please could you tell us a bit about yourself, and your time within the Assassin's Creed Community. Mohamed: My name is Mohamed Abdelkader, I'm 21 years old and I'm from Egypt. I have been playing video games since my childhood, but when I started playing Assassin's Creed in 2010 my view of video games changed completely. It became much deeper, as I was able to complete all parts of the series in addition to the novels and the comics. In 2020, I started creating content for the Assassin's Creed series and I continue to do so to this day. Col: When did you first start playing Assassin's Creed games, and which one is your favourite? Mohamed: I started playing the Assassin's Creed series in 2010, and my favourite game for sure is AC III. Col: In regards to social media management, how much work have you put in behind the scenes to make things happen? Mohamed: Preparing the posts from 3 to 4 hours per day, every post on the page needs a lot of effort to become like this, in terms of summarizing or translating videos. Col: Do you have a favourite Assassin's Creed community moment/ story you would like to share? Mohamed: Definitely the best moment for me was when I was posting AC content on my page and members of other assassins creed community groups were viewing and engaging with my content and showing their support for the work i was doing. This really made me want to continue on the road to building my platform. Col: Have you had many opportunities such as event invitations / early access from Ubisoft or other companies due to your social media channels? Mohamed: Unfortunately, no, The Arab community is Limited, and only very few people are invited, you can almost count them on your fingers, but I do hope one day I will be lucky enough to get an opportunity. Col: How big is the Assassin’s Creed Community in your area? Mohamed: The Arab community is very large, even bigger than you think, but we do not have a big involvement directly with Ubisoft just yet. We hope that this will grow and develop in the future. Col: What are the challenges you have found in managing a community? Mohamed: The most difficult thing in managing a community is the desire to please all of the people who support my page. You never want to let people down, so its important to produce content that will appeal to different people. everyone has very unique views on the different topics we cover., so its interesting to see how peoples opinions differ so widely on certain topics and how their passion for the games, particularly their favourites, show through in their interactions. For example, every person has a certain game or a character they love, so if I say that Haytham Kenway is the best character in the series, someone with a passion for another game in the franchise could argue the opposite. Col: Do you have any plans for the future? Mohamed: Yes, in the future, I would like to start posting content on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, but it takes some time. Patience is a good thing as this next step needs a lot of work and support from many followers. Col: What are some of your most recent Assassin's Creed projects, and are you working on anything currently? Mohamed: I am currently working on translating the summary of Assassin's Creed novels and comics into Arabic, as you know that these novels and comics are not yet translated into Arabic, so I wanted to help my community by translating them. Col: What advice do you have for people who want to create an Assassin’s Creed Community? Mohamed: I advise them, as I always advise my community, that they all be as one family. The games were made to bring us together, not divide us. They should also consider studying digital marketing because it is very important in our world, especially anything involving social media. They also should set goals for their own community, and support each other, as these are the foundations that must exist in any society. Col: Do you have much Assassin's Creed merchandise? If so, what is your favourite item? Mohamed: Having all the novels and comics in my library is a very wonderful thing, and when I look at them every day I become very happy. This is my goal, to collect all the novels and comics of the series. Col: Where would be your dream setting for an AC game? Mohamed: In Iraq, Baghdad is a great country with an ancient civilization. For example we would love to see more content referencing character such as Basim, as Arabs are eager to see more and more Arab content in Assassin's Creed. Col: Where do you personally think the series is heading to next, and are you excited for the future of Assassin's Creed? Mohamed: No new AC game was released last year (2021) and this made me very happy, when the series stopped after AC Syndicate, Ubisoft came to us with an even greater next instalment , Origins, with a vast world and huge content. So I am happy for the developers to take some time with the next game in the series and I believe that this will mean Ubisoft will have more and more in store for us in the future which will fascinates their players with all their unique games. Col: What is your favourite part of being a community member? Mohamed: The best thing about community management is that you always have the opportunity to solve problems between everyone, and if we talk about the Arab Assassin's Creed branch, the community manager always has the opportunity to show the beauty and greatness of the Assassin's Creed series to the rest of the fans, and to show the secrets hidden in the game, and guide them in the game as well. Col: Do you have any personal AC goals you would like to achieve? Mohamed: Yes of course, I hope one day to be a Ubisoft Star player, or participate in one of their projects and events that are held by the communities. We would like to say a huge thank you to Mohamed for joining us for this round of AC Community Questions! You can find him on: The Jackdaw Tales Facebook The Jackdaw Tales Instagram The Jackdaw Tales Twitter comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Assassin's Creed's Gaming Console Farewells Analysis Share 14 Jan 2026 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database When the year 2014 came around, the developers at Ubisoft had a decision to make as to which platforms to launch their upcoming games, both the heavily anticipated Assassin’s Creed Unity and Assassin’s Creed Rogue . The entirety of the gaming world was set to move on from the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles now that the newest models, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One were out. Ubisoft was not alone in developers being quick to end support for the older consoles in favor of the new ones. The previous Assassin’s Creed game, was the first in the series to feature on the newest consoles of their time, however, the game launched first on previous generation systems and in the end was simultaneously released on both. Many gamers had not yet made the move to the PS4 and Xbox One consoles, even a year after launch in 2014, so it was a bold, yet smart decision for Ubisoft to release their flagship new Assassin’s Creed title as a next-generation exclusive as Assassin’s Creed Unity became the first game in the series to skip the PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles, doing this was a difficult move for gamers yet to have upgraded, but Ubisoft thought of the players still behind and launched Assassin’s Creed Rogue simultaneously with Unity , with Rogue being previous-generation only and Unity being next-generation only. It was a move that satisfied fans who either made the upgrade or still had yet to get to the new consoles. Many gaming developers were swiftly disbanding the PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles, sometimes not even a year post launch of the new consoles. So this move from Ubisoft was expected as their new flagship game, Assassin’s Creed Unity, was clearly a game built alongside and with the advanced power of the next generation consoles, something that could simply not be achieved with the old hardware found in the PS3 and Xbox 360. It was a game built for the newest consoles, and Ubisoft used that to their advantage to develop a game that utilizes all the new advanced technical specifications that the newest consoles brought to the market. By doing this, Ubisoft was very courteous to players who had not made the jump to the PS4 and Xbox One just yet and created the game Assassin’s Creed Rogue alongside Unity to satisfy fans who initially felt left out seeing Unity be skipping the older consoles but were treated fairly by developers and truly ended the PS3 and Xbox 360 era on a high note. After all, the birth of the Assassin’s Creed franchise started on these consoles, so it only felt right to have a proper send off for such a monumental era of gaming. Years later, as we witnessed the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles in November 2020, it became evident that developers were more reluctant this time around to skip past the previous generation consoles, now being the PS4 and Xbox One. The support for the past generation systems is unlike what we saw with the send off for the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. Even today, the older consoles are being supported by some major game franchises such as Call of Duty or sports games like NBA2K . It is uncharted territory for gamers of this more modern era who were so used to seeing the past generation consoles be abandoned quite fast, and it goes to show you that Ubisoft made the right call moving on from the older consoles in 2014 all while ending on a strong note for the PS3 and Xbox 360 systems. This cycle was a close relation to what Ubisoft has done in the latest generation by sending off the PS4 and Xbox One consoles on a strong note with the 2023 game Assassin’s Creed Mirage , which launched simultaneously with older and newest consoles. However, new-generation only consoles got the hyped-up and heavily anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which launched in March of 2025 exclusively to next generation platforms. Yet another example of Ubisoft making the jump at the correct time, as a game like Shadows could have not been possible from a technological standpoint, just as Assassin’s Creed Unity was to the PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles all the way back in 2014. It is clear Ubisoft has monitored the technology available to them and their development cycle, and has known exactly when to make the change when it became a true necessity. These past generations have shown us all that when a generation comes to an end, it deserves a proper send off, as those consoles were relevant for six to seven full years in a row at the very minimum. Ubisoft has nailed their approach twice on moving onto the advanced technology of the new consoles at the right time but also not forgetting about an incredible era of gaming along with courtesy for the players who weren’t yet in a position to move on to the newest systems. Their strategies have paid dividends and have always ended a generation of the Assassin’s Creed franchise on a proper and satisfying note. GameInformer promo image for Rogue and Unity comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. In 2025, Hayden took on the position of Team Leader for TOWCB's Writing Team, overseeing article releases, assisting with recruitment and providing assistance with internal operations. Hayden Bird

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Eve of Launch Message News Share 9 Nov 2020 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We are now just moments away from the launch of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the next entry in the series that takes players to war-torn England looking for a new place to call home. Although much of the marketing campaign has focused on raids and combat, we encourage our fans to dig deep below the surface and find the Assassin's Creed connections and lore, as the series takes another step towards getting back to its roots. We can't wait to join you in the stealth raids, and welcome all of the new fans that the game is sure to attract. Valhalla is such a unique game, and will provide hours of entertainment. No matter which version of Eivor you choose to play as, we will be with you every step of the way, as you discover the hidden conflict that plagues England and other lands further ashore. Thank you to all the fans who have supported The Ones Who Came Before community on the journey towards Valhalla, and we will once again be doing our best to cover all of the news, community content and more as we dive straight in. Before we boot up the game for ourselves, we would like to congratulate Ubisoft on the launch, and thank all of the teams around the world who made it possible. It's been an incredibly difficult year for game development, with many still working from home, but we recognise the efforts of the company to adapt and overcome the challenges presented. See you all in Valhalla! - TOWCB Admin Team & 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)

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