A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. Previous Next TOWCB Team A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. Work

The Future of Assassin’s Creed at UbiForward 2023 Part 2 - Assassin's Creed Codename Jade Breakdown Share 16 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Colum Blackett Back To Database Banner by Thea Marie Rivedal (Moonchildgecko) from TOWCB Art Team. Welcome to the second part in a new series breaking down all of the Assassin's Creed content presented at Ubisoft Forward 2023. In part two, we take a look at Assassin's Creed Jade reveal! Related articles The Future of Assassin’s Creed at UbiForward 2023 Part 1 - Pre-Show & Assassin's Creed Nexus The Future of Assassin’s Creed at UbiForward 2023 Part 3 - Assassin's Creed Mirage Story Trailer The Future of Assassin’s Creed at UbiForward 2023 Part 4 - Assassin's Creed Mirage Gameplay Trailer This title from Ubisoft & Level Infinite will be the first open-world RPG on mobile, taking players to Ancient China in the year 215 of the 3rd Century BCE; the Qin Dynasty. This places the game between AC Odyssey and AC Origins. The trailer opens in a dark room containing the historical Terracotta Army as the narrator defines “Legacy” as learning from the triumphs and mistakes of those that came before us. An Assassin who represents the player walks through the army to the door, closing the cinematic with the image at the top of this section, and how players will make their own Legacy. We can see from this shot that the character wields a Chinese officer’s sword, a dagger, and a Qiang (spear) while looking out at the Great Wall of China, the set piece for this game (though it wasn’t opened until 220 BC, 400+ years later) A series of landscapes are shown from mountain ranges, nomadic camps, farmlands, and cities. This provides a vast array of areas that players will be able to explore and the various peoples that reside in each. Based on the size of the city shown, it appears to be a capital city, most likely the imperial city of Xianyang (from AC Jade’s website) due to the size of the fortress in the top right of the 4th image. These cities will most likely be where the Assassin’s Bureaus are housed and where players can purchase needed weapons and gear. This is followed by a shot of the character performing a Leap of Faith. You can notice the blue colored sash around the player waist which indicates that this is an Initiate or Apprentice (like Basim in AC Mirage). Could this be upgraded to the red color “Assassin” sash as players level up and progress in the story? The character is shown firing multiple arrows at once. This could be an ability that is unlocked, or a reference to different bow types such as the multi-shot Light Bows that we have seen in past RPG titles. The Assassin climbs the Great Wall of China, showing vertical leaps to traverse the larger gaps between hand holds. Combat is displayed in a one on one with a Heavy Guard wielding two maces while the character performs a series of attacks with their daggers. Another shot shows an air assassination in action as the player descends on an unaware enemy. The woolen hat and lack of armor makes me think this is either a local guard for a village, or a Xiongnu raider. The action continues with a series of combat abilities from an enhanced Qiang sweep that may or not be an Isu Artifact (most likely just a powered ability like AC Odyssey)... To a pole vault kick… And an air attack (similar to the Dive of the Valkyries from AC Valhalla) using a giant axe, which also informs us that there are more weapon types that can be unlocked or used than just the ones from the cinematic trailer. The gameplay trailer ends on the Codename Jade Logo and the website to register for the closed beta ( here ). On the website, the navigation banner has three sections that change to a Chinese character when the cursor hovers over each button. Home: Featured The character has a similar appearance to the Chinese character “Qi” which translates to “strange” which may be a way to show that this “stands out” or in short “is featured”. News most likely a combination of the characters for “Xìnxī” which translates to the characters “remove + interest” or “information”. The “Home” page is where the trailer and link to register for the closed beta are located and when you scroll down, you are moved to the “Featured” page with notes on the game. Journey through 2000 years of history in ancient China (possibly an indication of how long the content may cover) Explore the path of “Xia” in the first unified empire of China. (Xia stories are one of the major heroic traditions in Chinese literature*) *from @xuetingni (Twitter) personal website ( here ) Protect your home from Xiongnu* raiders behind the Great Wall. *The website spells this as "Xionanu" which maybe a misspelling. Experience the blooming trade and cultural exchanges between East and West in the imperial city of Xianyang. Codename Jade is marketed as an “Iconic Assassin’s Creed Experience” with gameplay and features on mobile, for free. Lastly, the “News” section links to an article that provides more information on the game. Built on Unreal Engine Free-to-play on iOS and Android Players will follow the path of “Xia” as an adopted child of Master Assassin, Wei Yu (who is enshrined beneath Monteriggioni in AC II and Brotherhood. Master Wei Yu (Image from Assassin’s Creed Wiki) Codename Jade will allow players to fully customize an avatar for the first time. Weapons include Qiangs, double swords, and bows. Further information is to come from the newly established social media sites such as the @AC_CodenameJade on Twitter. I am personally excited to try the Closed Beta and hope I am able to get in. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Michael Smith

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Benoît Richer Interview: Assassin's Creed Valhalla Co-Dev Game Director Interview Share 14 Oct 2020 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Buckley Back To Database We are proud to release the second interview in our new series dedicated to the development of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, featuring Co-Dev Game Director Benoît Richer from Ubisoft Montreal! Col: First of all, congratulations on the reveal of AC Valhalla, it looks absolutely phenomenal and we can't wait to learn more. Are you pleased with the response to the game so far? Benoît: Very much yes! All of our key new features along with some legacy ones that we want to bring back with a fresh new take really resonated well, people are excited about the game experience that Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will offer! We were excited to be able to show an early look at the game right at announcement, even as we are working on it and the game is clearly not finished. People need to be aware that if we want to show them stuff early instead of holding back everything, there’s still going to be some issues that we know as game devs that we’ll have the time to fix. There’s still going to be people that judge the whole game harshly by seeing a bug & or a detail they didn’t like in a video, without playing. For me it’s like judging a wine by its color and not by tasting the full experience, how every element comes together. But honestly the vast majority that we see online are really hyped for the game and it’s awesome! It’s really motivating for everyone! Col: Have you seen any of the Valhalla fan content created so far, and is so, does anything special come to mind? Benoît: I’m actually following a lot what’s happening online with the fan & the community and I’m really impressed with everything I see (quality & quantity!), like beautiful fan art, amazing cosplays, gear crafting, Discord channels, the #ACSisterhood movement, YouTube videos, live Twitch sessions, historical research, etc.! All of those actually show a great passion for this game and it’s really exciting to be part of it! I try, as much as I can, to answer questions online (that I can answer obviously) and give my support! The AC community is really awesome! Col: How excited are the team to be working on such a unique project? Benoît: You have no idea how much the whole team (hundreds of people across the world) is very hyped and excited to work on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla! It’s quite a challenge to be working on an Assassin’s Creed title as it comes with a lot of expectations from the players, but if you look at the passion, dedication and expertise that this team has, everyone is confident in the unique experience that Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will offer. What makes it unique in my opinion is how everything comes together in perfect harmony to create THE best Viking experience out there in an Assassin’s Creed world; like the theme, the historical pivotal story moment, the strong narrative moments, the lore, the new features and systems that makes you feel #LikeAViking , the music, the immersion of the world filled with activities that represent their culture, beliefs and way of life! Assassin's Creed Valhalla releases November 10th 2020 Col: How large can your settlement grow to, and how does Eivor deal with the problem of over population? Benoît: We’re about to reveal more about the settlement soon, but from what I could say right now, is that we’ve designed the settlement to be quite expandable and the more you level it up, the more there’s people that bring their story, contribution and opportunities for Eivor. Each new buildings has their purpose and some will even provide new abilities! Col: Can you choose the strategic positioning of your settlement? Benoît: No. When you arrive in England, there’s an area where you go to build your settlement but as for the why this place was chosen, I can’t say more not to spoil the story. Col: The UK is know for it's unpredictable weather. Do NPC's react to the weather accordingly? If so, can you give us a few examples of this mechanic? Benoît: Indeed this is an aspect that we wanted to make sure was represented and something that the player could use for their own advantage. For example, you can see a storm coming in the sky, or if there’s dense fog (especially in certain areas or time of day), players can take advantage of this as it’s going to impact enemy perception. Col: Do we hear accents in the game? Benoît: Yes of course. You can hear Norse, Welsh, Danish and Scot giving a true phonologic texture. Our Vikings are made up of Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish and Danish actors, so yes a lot of beautiful accents. When Eivor first arrives, Ravensthorpe is little more than a Saxon longhouse and a couple of tumbledown shacks. Col: What can you tell us about 'Puzzle Forest', and the mysteries that can be found in the world? Benoît: I’ll start by saying that we do have puzzle wood that you can explore and what you encounter there is really interesting. We do have quite a lot of various activities in the world that represent the Norse/Saxon culture, beliefs and the time period under 3 different categories; 1-Wealth, 2-Mysteries and 3-Secrets. For the Mysteries, among them there’s the offering altars where you can bring back specific offerings to receive blessings from the gods, Standing stones where you have visual anamorphism gameplay to find the hidden place of energy, the World events that are individual captivating story moments that tells more about who these people were and give different emotional tones to the experience, the Animus anomalies that are present day moments merged into the simulation where you need to complete very interesting puzzles in order to recover part of a hidden message that was left for Layla to find, various World boss encounters from legendary folklore beasts to very hardened characters that has deep and interesting stories, hidden underground Caverns concealing secrets, and some others that were exposed already such as Cairn stones landmarks, Flyting the famous rap battles, and more that we’ll let the player discover for themselves. As for the Secrets, among them there’s Roman artefacts that you could find old Roman vestige structures and bring back to a collector in your settlement, Curse symbols to find and destroy that are affecting you psychologically and even physically as the Norse were affected by those curses, Hallucination mushrooms you can consume in order to resolve 3 different types of imaginative puzzles, Flying papers which are a nice homage to Black flag as you can find customisation items, Manuscripts where you can find hidden treasures in the world and other secrets to discover. Col: Other than the Ringleader, what are some of the other new enemy types that feature in the game? Benoît: I’ve never worked on a game where there was such a wide and interesting variety of different enemy archetypes & bosses in a game! We have many different factions such as the Norse, Saxon, bandits, Celts, Picts and others and each of them has unique archetypes & unique abilities. Like a Norse Viking Rusher that rushes and jumps at you (or your raid crew) with dual wielding axes, a huge Saxon Housecarl that gives a lot of pressures constantly attacking with his flail, a Bandit Boar Master that use long fire torches to sends his boars at you and so many more that we’ll let the player discover! Also it’s worth mentioning that this time around, we have archetypes that work in synergy, like for example that Ring leader in the presence of archers could assemble them to call “volley shots”, a huge bandit Destroyer that could spill oil on your and the floor while a bandit Pyro set it on fire or the boar master with his long fire torch. All of those, along with player skills & abilities are going to ensure a very cool progression and variation through the course of the game and in various territories! Col: As the world is filled with meaningful content, what sort of collectibles will players be able to find in the world? Benoît: A lot of them has been covered in the Mysteries and Secrets questions, but there’s a lot more that the player will discover in the world helping his survival skills (as Norse were amazing survivalist and we wanted to cover this aspect in gameplay in a more significant way) such as healing Plants, various Mushrooms that has different effect such as adding adrenaline for players to unleash their abilities, healing, however some other are more dangerous so players will have to be careful and learn the distinction, Minerals to collect or hunting for Leather in order to upgrade your gear and also your carriable capacity of arrows and health rations, Notes & flavor items that are adding richness, depth and historical background to the world, Tattoos in flying papers and some more that we’ll let the player discover! We would like to thank Benoît for joining us for this interview, and to Gabe Graziani and the Ubisoft PR department for making it possible. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Best quotes in Assassin's Creed I (2007) Share Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team Back To Database Welcome to the first article in a new series written by TOWCB Team, outlining our favourite quotes from the franchise. We begin by revisiting the original Assassin’s Creed game, which was released back in 2007. Undoubtedly a slow burner, the game grows into its own and provides the building blocks that future games expand upon. Although it is often criticised for tedious gameplay mechanics such as tailing missions and pickpocketing, the game provides clarity over what it means to rise within the Assassin Brotherhood, and to follow the tenets of the Creed or face the consequences. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. TOWCB Team

Renzo is a virtual photographer from Argentina who began sharing his work on social media in October 2022. Over time he has captured many games, with Assassin's Creed being the franchise he's shot the most! He has a love for Ubisoft games like Far Cry 5 and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and is looking forward to playing more in the future. Renzo is a positive influence in the VP community and is helping TOWCB team establish itself as the home of Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography Previous Next Writer Renzo // CapturesByRenzo Previous Partner Renzo is a virtual photographer from Argentina who began sharing his work on social media in October 2022. Over time he has captured many games, with Assassin's Creed being the franchise he's shot the most! He has a love for Ubisoft games like Far Cry 5 and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and is looking forward to playing more in the future. Renzo is a positive influence in the VP community and is helping TOWCB team establish itself as the home of Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography Twitter | BluSky | Instagram Work

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 13th to 19th November Community Share 22 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: Minimal Desert Traveller Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ NIKOOO_WOLF “I cannot shed my past like a snake sheds its skin.” The foundation of Assassin’s Creed Origins is the setting. Egypt was highly coveted at the time and the announcement we would finally be going there in 2017 was a dream for many fans. This beautifully minimalistic shot of the desert not only fits the theme but also represents Bayek’s home. I adore the different colour tones on show here, and how they are split into sections. The sun is extremely powerful at the centre and the shadow work at the bottom allows for an elegant silhouette of Bayek on his camel. A remarkable capture that would look exquisite hung on the wall. Link to set: Backflip Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ tn_taurus “We are what we choose to be.” The essence of the creed is often shown through moments within the games. One of those that will always be iconic is the leap of faith. I think the move itself is even cooler when performed as a backflip. It just adds to the danger and shows the faith of the Assassins. Here we have a fantastic action shot of Basim leaping from a vantage point. For me the minimalism is on point with that beautiful blue sky dominating the shot. Having Basim in the white robes makes for such a classic Assassin’s Creed feel. Excellent timing and composition from Julio. Link to set: Balance Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ Cll3ar “The training is nothing. The will is everything.” If there is one thing I wish we had more of in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, it would be street thief Basim. It was so fun to play as him in the early stages of the game. I was getting real Batman Begins vibes from the prologue, especially when sparing with Roshan. This shot is so minimal and clean, the colour tones are on point and the composition is exceptional. Raven is always so good at taking shots I haven’t seen before. Be sure to check out the whole set using the link below, together they make for a truly remarkable selection. Link to set: Guardian Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ _Liamism_ “You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” The Harvey Dent quote above fits Basim perfectly. One of the reasons I fell in love with this glorious series is the links to media such as Batman. The whole vigilante protecting their city and fighting injustice is a real draw for me. This capture is exuding Dark Knight vibes, in fact there is a scene in the movie that isn’t too dissimilar. I adore the lighting and details of this shot, the brilliant white background helps to elevate Basim and the wooden structure. Everything is so clean and crisp, I definitely think this is one of my favourite Mirage captures. Longship Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ playpausephoto “We can raise the sail here Eivor.” Vikings are raiders, but they were also adventures capable of crafting excellent longships to cross the seas and find new lands. They are often branded as violent and bloodthirsty but actually they were just trying to seek a better way of life. What better way to showcase minimal than a Malin Valhalla shot. The black and white contrast is so eye catching, I did have the pleasure of seeing the colour version too which is equally beautiful. I think what makes this shot so special is the negative space, capturing half the longship was such a genius idea. This is such a striking capture and fully deserving of capture of the week. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ cop_filip I am a fan of the unique top down view and how it works with the stark black and white contrast. The oars are like needles piercing into the dark unknown, almost like a phalanx. There is an excellent use of negative space that introduces a veil of mystery, and an entirely new graphic aesthetic to the image. It all works together beautifully to create a truly striking and unique Image. A simply spectacular capture. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! 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

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)

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced - Wallpapers Collection Other Share 16 May 2026 Written By: Edited By: MR. TOM (Ishan Yadav) Gargudon Back To Database A collection of Assassin's Creed Black Flag - Resynced desktop, square and mobile wallpapers, designed by MR. TOM & Gargudon from the TOWCB team. Feel free to save any of them and use them for your own personal devices! Edward in stealth, a Caribbean beach, lively Havana and a Spanish brig. Edward sitting on a beach. Edward on the Jackdaw eyeing a fishing village. Edward, Blackbeard, Anne Bonny & Adéwalé. Edward, Blackbeard, Anne Bonny & Adéwalé 2. Edward, Blackbeard, Anne Bonny & Adéwalé, a pair of pistols, and a map of the Caribbean. Lively Havana, Edward in combat, and a tropical sunset. Edward, Blackbeard, Anne Bonny & Adéwalé 3. Adéwalé. Edward Kenway. Jack Rackham. Charles Vane. Mary Read. Benjamin Hornigold. Anne Bonny.. Blackbeard. comments debug Comments (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest Sap May 16 This is pretty cool, but you should work with and output higher resolutions (i'd say atleast 4k) Like Reply About the Author Ishan Yadav, also known as MR. TOM, is an active community member, who joined The Ones Who Came Before in March of 2026, being the newest addition to the Social Media Team. Ishan is a versatile team member of many talents, specialising in graphic design among other things, creating various content including graphics and interactive posts for TOWCB’s social media platforms. In the real world, he also holds a Bachelor degree in Information Technology. MR. TOM (Ishan Yadav)

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 16th - 22nd January 2023 Community Share 22 Jan 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett. Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed The Eagle Bearer Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ G_Assassin90 First up this week we have Kassandra rocking the Ikaros armour set. This is one of my favourites from the game, the colours and the mask just work so well on Kassandra. This shot is all about the lighting, I love the shadows and the angles. That black background is really making the shot for me. A wonderful capture from G-Assassin, check the link below for the full set. Link to set: In Flight Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ therajabros Continuing with the bird theme, we have an elegant shot of white Senu soaring through the sky. I adore the simplistic nature of this capture. Excellent placement of the camera to hide the sun behind the body of the bird, creating those incredible rays of light. The eagle has been a symbol of the Assassins from the start and looks set to continue in Mirage. Coming In To Land Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Platform: PS5 VP Artist: @ BasimIbnIshaq_ It seems this week I cannot escape eagle shots. Senu once again features for photo number three. I have to say I think this is one of the best captures from Origins I have seen. The framing is on point and the timing is something else. I love how Bayek has his arm out ready to receive his companion. This reminds me of the awesome Origins CGI trailers we saw in the build up to release. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: Judge : Finn Fletcher - TOWCB Writing Team This image is a great depiction of the feeling you get when playing Origins. Bayek alone in the desert, nothing but the next target to guide you and with Senu always by your side and always graceful. Plus, the composition as Senu's head guides your eye to Bayek brings it all together. Egypt From Above Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ missroseplays I should have put out an eagle theme for this week! Next up we have a glorious shot of Senu gliding through the air. The depth of field here is perfect, you get to see Senu in all her glory without missing the majesty of the golden topped pyramid and the surround environment. The love that has been shown for loyal Bonelli eagle this week amazes me. Liberation Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Platform: PS5 VP Artist: @ Jaque_Ar Our final shot this week perfectly wraps up the showcase. We can see Eivor taking a leap of faith and diving straight into the weekend. I can't quite make out the outfit, I believe it could be Basim's. This shot is all about the sun and those golden rays. The Vistas in Valhalla are so beautiful, and this capture is showcasing one of them impeccably. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 25th to 01st October Community Share 3 Oct 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed Origins White Senu Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ PodToGo “Be my eye, Senu” The friendship between Bayek and Senu is heart-warming. She is his only friend while gallivanting around the desert. Senu is Bayek’s eyes in the sky, spotting danger before it is too late. Her ability to distract guards and hunt animals make Senu a powerful alley. This capture of the special white feathered Senu is so good. I love the composition with Senu nestled beautifully between the pyramids. The contrast of colours are charming with the luscious green of the trees popping behind her. I have to applaud the timing, Senu looks so graceful coming in to land on Bayek. Let’s Dive In Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ Defalt368 “Fear not the darkness, but welcome its embrace!” Ezio’s Brotherhood robes seem to be a staple for all Assassin’s Creed games. The legendary Italian is a real fan favourite. He went from young tearaway to Master Assassin thanks to the tragedy of house Auditore. In that sense he mirrors Bayek, making it fitting the Medjay should wear his robes. What I love about this capture is the classic Assassin’s Creed feel. The leap of faith always looks fantastic but add to it those amazing reds from the flags and we have one hell of a shot. The positioning and depth of field really help to showcase the shot, with Bayek nicely in the centre of the flags. You could not wish for a better framed shot. The Hood Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ giraph_1 “Every morning of my childhood, my father and I spoke the Prayer of the Medjay, a promise to those in need” The Egyptian Hedj outfit is definitely one of my favourites in the game. It has such distinguishing features and works perfectly to help Bayek hide in plain sight. I was over the moon when Ubisoft added it to Valhalla. This shot immaculately showcases the finer details of the hood, allowing Bayek to look just like an Egyptian Assassin. The angle is brilliant permitting us to only see his nose and mouth. The sandy tones are beautiful, but the darkness entering from the right really epitomises Bayek’s story. A wonderful capture that tells of Bayek’s fight against evil. Link to Set: The Wonders of Egypt Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ Cll3ar “We will find you. We will find you, in your sleep” There is an elegance to Assassin’s Creed Origins thanks to the beautiful landscapes of Egypt. It must have been a dream for the developers to recreate such a famous place in history. However underneath the visage is a deeply corrupted Order who Bayek must put to the sword. This gorgeous capture could easily be mistaken for a painting. I adore the colours and the framing, and those trees either side of the columns look exquisite. I think Raven has captured the beauty of Origins in this shot, and it shows us why Bayek and Aya were so keen to protect their beloved Egypt. Link to set: The Hidden One Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ KaiVirtualPhoto “You are the Medjay from Siwa” Bayek is one of the last Medjay of Egypt and the co-founder of the Hidden Ones. His time training with his father prepared him for the duty he would later endure. The death of his son to the Order ignited a vengeful streak that saw Bayek cross Egypt in search of those responsible. This cinematic style shot of Bayek is so good. I am loving the assassin come warrior look with the Anubis sword at his side. The desert sandstorm feel is really elevating the shot with those stunning particles blowing pass him. The level of detail here is insane, and I cannot believe how lifelike he looks. I cannot wait to see what Kai can do in the Mirage photo mode. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ DaveWoodwardAC ''The reason I have selected this shot for feature of the week is I absolutely love the colour tone which is a big stand out for me. The use of the sun in order to capture this image is fantastic.'' And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Assassin's Creed Movie: London Fan Screening Event Events Share 22 Dec 2016 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database On the 18th December 2016, I attended an Assassin's Creed Movie Fan Screening in London. Special thanks to UbiJollyCharly and Ubi-QuB3. This Article contains Minor Spoilers for the Assassin's Creed Movie. When Laureline (UbiJollyCharly) invited me to the Assassin's Creed Fan Screening, I was quite surprised to be asked, as I had already attended a Press Event (London) and Gamescom (Germany) this year alone. I immediately accepted the invitation, and started packing my bags for London. I couldn't believe that I would be one of the first in the UK to see the Assassin's Creed Movie. On the 18th, I caught the train from Chester (Where my Uni is) to London Euston. There I met Dom (Ubi-QuB3) from the Assassin's Creed Team. We then walked to the hotel and prepared for the Fan Screening. Movie Advertisement at London Euston. After about an hour, we travelled to the event which was being held in the West End. Immediately we knew we were in the right place, as everyone in sight wore Assassin's Creed T-shirts and Hoodies. The fans were mainly Assassin's Creed Cosplayers, and many others who had won Fox Competitions. Before the screening I spoke to several AC Fans, and they were all excited for the Movie. I met Beth from Amazonian Cosplay Beth from Amazonian Cosplay was wearing her Maria Robes, which looked absolutely amazing! The event was packed, and all the AC Fans were taking pictures with the Aguilar and Maria Robes which were on display. After 45 minutes, everyone began to surrender their phones to security and enter the screening. Reunited with my fellow Assassin, Fae We all took our seats, and waited for the Movie to begin. I could tell that everyone in the room was really excited to see the movie early. I certainly was! The lights went out, and we were greeted with a message from Michael Fassbender and Justin Kurzel. They told us that we were amongst the first in the UK to see the Assassin's Creed Movie, and that they had worked very hard on it. The film began, and I couldn't help but pick apart the first 20 minutes (As I had seen a different version at a Press Event in May). I could spot major differences to the footage I had seen previously in May. Bits of which I had enjoyed had been removed, such as music by The Black Angels and the Apple Pickings Poem by Robert Frost. The little girl saying "Your Blood is not your Own" to Cal as he ran around the Abstergo facility was also unfortunately removed. The first 20 were not as creepy as what I had seen previously, but still made me feel sorry for Cal. Although I was noticing major changes, I still enjoyed the first 20 minutes. New bits had been added, such as young Cal trying to make a jump on his bike. Young Cal on his bike After 20 minutes had passed and Cal was placed in the Animus, I could stop comparing the Movie to the footage I had previously seen. I watched it as a fan of Assassin's Creed and Movies in general. I was overall really impressed with the film. The Animus 3.5 was absolutely great, and the cuts between Cal and Aguilar made total sense. The Bleeding effect was creepy once again, and felt like a real problem that could drive subjects insane. From the start I felt really sorry for Cal. His life is pain. The colours used in the film are extremely artistic, and Kurzel's style shines through. I found myself in awe at many of the scenes. I was very impressed with the film, and even though the plot was not as complicated as in the games (as not to confuse new audience members), it felt like Assassin's Creed. By this, I mean it actually feels like an Assassin's Creed Story that fits into the Universe, and not a film based on Assassin's Creed. The film was great, and I hope that everyone else enjoys it as much as I did. Please don't be put off by critics. Go and see the movie yourselves, and let me know what you think! The Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins Minor Plot Spoilers below Something I really liked that had not been in the footage (Press Event) were flashbacks and Memories as Cal is given the Lethal Injection. One of them shows him as a boy with his mother. This only adds to the weight of empathy we feel towards Cal. This was a great addition! Cal with his Mother The device used to cut Aguilar's finger is much more ceremonial than anything we have seen in the past. I had previously seen the device, as it is on display in ArcLight Cinema in Hollywood, but did not know it's purpose. It was also the first time in the franchise that we had actually seen an Assassin lose a finger! Initiation block Cal becoming a Modern Day Assassin! Ever since the death of Desmond, i've been hoping to see a strong lead Assassin in the franchise. Cal could well be the next big Modern Day Assassin. The Bleeding Effect hits him quickly, and his abilities are clearly impressive! I would love to see him again. Callum Lynch People who do not comply with the Animus become docile! This was scary to see. People who do not use the Animus properly lose their minds! Dislikes and Queries: The inclusion of Christopher Columbus. Does this contradict established Lore? Cal singing whilst using the Animus............ "We work in the Darkness to serve the Light". Mary Lynch. The Apple of Eden is now green when used. Did the film say a Templar had never held an Apple of Eden? (I'll need to rewatch to check this. Obviously wrong if this was indeed said) The ways in which the Apple could remove Violence are never explained. After the film, we watched the Leap of Faith trailer live. So glad he performed it without hurting himself! Thank you so much to everyone at Ubisoft and Fox who made this event possible!Overall, I really enjoyed the film. and plan on seeing it again soon. Thanks again to Dom and Laureline from the Assassin's Creed Team! 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)

Jack Harrison (_Virtualtourism) is the Editor-in-Chief of The Photo Mode, the first free virtual photography e-magazine Since 2023, he has provided support and guidance, acting as an Advisor for The Ones Who Came Before's Virtual Photography Team. In January 2023, he won the award for Virtual Photographer of the Year at the Ubisoft Community Celebration Awards in London. Previous Next Writer Jack Harrison Previous Partner Jack Harrison (_Virtualtourism) is the Editor-in-Chief of The Photo Mode, the first free virtual photography e-magazine Since 2023, he has provided support and guidance, acting as an Advisor for The Ones Who Came Before's Virtual Photography Team. In January 2023, he won the award for Virtual Photographer of the Year at the Ubisoft Community Celebration Awards in London. Twitter | TPM Twitter | Website Work

Assassin's Creed Shadows New Reddit AMA Full Breakdown Breakdown Share 15 Aug 2025 Written By: Edited By: Zephryss Colum Blackett Back To Database The Assassin's Creed Shadows development team answered many fans' questions in the new Assassin's Creed Shadows Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything), held on August 12, about the future of the franchise, the modern-day storyline, and more. Here’s a full breakdown of the most important answers. Assassins vs. Templars in Shadows During the Reddit AMA, the developers added that the Assassins vs. Templars conflict has always been a core pillar of the Assassin’s Creed series. With Shadows, they planned to establish their protagonist in the setting before expanding on the conflict. Now that it is done in the main game and similar to the Critical Role story drop, players should expect more deep dive in this conflict in the near future. Legacy Outfits in AC Shadows The developers officially confirmed that Legacy Outfits are coming soon to Assassin's Creed Shadows, but they don’t want to spoil the surprise by telling fans exactly which ones will be added. New Information on Claws of Awajii DLC Developers have shared more new information on the upcoming Claws of Awaji DLC for Assassin's Creed Shadows. In the expansion there will be no new weapons for Yasuke but there will be some new abilities for him. The main focus will be on the new Bō weapon for Naoe. That weapon will have its own mastery abilities, unique posture attacks and finishers. More Fantasy Elements in Shadows The Assassin's Creed Shadows developers confirmed that more fantasy elements, like the Dead by Daylight quest, are coming to the game. There will also be new fantasy elements. Dynamic Seasons in Future AC Games Another fan asked whether dynamic seasons will be featured in future AC games. The developers said that the development team is sharing the tech and knowledge for future titles. It’s up to them if they want to add this feature. Social Stealth Could Return in The Franchise Someone asked why social stealth was missing from Shadows, after playing such a big role in 2023’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage. The developers confirmed that social stealth is not gone from the franchise and could return in future Assassin's Creed games. AC Odyssey Weapons in Shadows When a fan asked whether there will be Assassin's Creed Odyssey weapons in Assassin's Creed Shadows, the developers hinted that Kassandra, who, as everyone knows, had a legendary journey across continents, might have some new Odyssey-themed weapons coming to Shadows in the future. The Modern-Day Storyline & Basim Another user asked where Basim was, why his modern-day storyline didn’t continue in Shadows, and whether he will ever return in future AC games. The developers answered this question and explained why it was missing. New Parkour Update Coming in Shadows The developers confirmed that more parkour updates will come to Assassin's Creed Shadows. They still have many plans, but they can’t share any more information right now. New Gameplay Features for Naoe & Yasuke Developers hinted that, in the future, Naoe and Yasuke might share some gameplay features in Shadows. Long Awaited Japan Setting in Assassin's Creed Shadows Developers shared their experiences and research on recreating the beautiful Japanese settings in AC Shadows. New Concept Outfit for Naoe Another fan asked if there was any chance for this particular concept outfit for Naoe to be made available in-game in the future. Developers said: Isu Elements and Assassin's Creed Lore Developers also talked about Assassin’s Creed lore and Isu elements in Assassin's Creed Shadows. Parkour Inspired from AC Mirage Developers said they love AC Mirage, and many parkour elements in Shadows are inspired by the game. Open Ending in AC Shadows Developers discussed why AC Shadows has a more open ending structure. Here are some topics that the developers have confirmed are either not coming to the game or are not planned for now: They aren't currently looking at adding a major expansion to the hideout at the moment. But they are also planning to deliver at least another customization pack for the hideout for the players that desire to acquire it. There will be no Discovery Tour mode for Assassin's Creed Shadows. No new open-world side activities for now but they are planning to expand one activity in future. Naoe and Yasuke will not be used as companions due to technical difficulties. There are no current plans for a new Hardcore mode like Mirage. No romance system in canon mode. No plans to bring back a 100% pick up rate for kunai. There will be no Torches in Shadows because a lot of walls are made out of paper, developers didn't want them to catch on fire and have all the cities quickly ablaze. An extra weapon slot for Yasuke is not in the plans for now. No plans for Naoe's default hood without the mask. But, they're planning to add a few finishers to the most popular weapons. No plans for a Mercenary system like Odyssey. There will be no hair customization in Shadows. There will be no Shogi activity/minigame in a future update. There will be no ally that uses the hidden blade in combat. Weapons in cutscenes not planned right now. These are all the important answers from the AC Shadows development team during the recent Reddit AMA. What are your thoughts on this? Share them with us below. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Zephryss is a passionate social media manager based in India who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in Summer 2024 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. Recently, he completed his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering and is now preparing to take on a PhD. He loves video games very much, and since childhood has enjoyed playing various types of games in different genres He also has 3 gaming channels (Zephryss, Assassin Zephryss & Spider Zephryss) where he uploads gameplay videos regularly. Zephryss

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 24th to 30th April Community Share 2 May 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed Sunset Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ MystixVP A beautiful sunset to kick-start this week’s showcase. With the summer fast approaching this capture reminds me of nice walks along the beach. The use of colour in this shot is perfection, I would never expect so many tones of orange to look quite this good. I admire the shadows from the trees as they provide a real depth to the shot. A very warming photo that makes you want to jump back into Origins. Reflection Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ tn_taurus These were some of my favourite moments in Assassin’s Creed Origins, where you can allow Bayek to sit and reflect on his mission. What I love about this shot is the scale, as Bayek has such a great view over the landscape. The colours in this capture are just so delightful. Similar to the Stone Circles that allow Bayek time to remember Khemu, this shot makes me think of his speech about Egypt forgetting who she is. Link to set: https://t.co/fCR6dh0qW8 The Lion King Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ Its_Gurly Photo number three is part of an Assassin’s Creed Origins wildlife set that shows just how great the eco system is within these games. I picked this particular shot as it was giving off massive Lion King vibes. I respect the layout of the capture especially with the blurred effect. These Lions are not to be messed with as the ferocious look suggests. Lucky for us we were able to tame these beasts to work alongside us. Link to set: Cave of Wonders Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Cyb3r3ll4 This week’s #Thorsday shot sees Eivor exiting a cave after another successful loot no doubt. This capture is glorious, and fits both the minimalist and silhouette categories to perfection. You cannot help but feel like you’re in the cave. I am certainly getting Northman vibes from this shot. Eivor definitely looks ready to journey on knowing his future is fated and won’t change. Vista Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ UkkoVP We end this week’s showcase with a beautiful shot of Sýnin surveying the lands. This capture actually reminds me of a real life destination quite close to where I live. The blue from the sky and the sea is brilliantly saturated, whilst the greenery shines through as a perfect contrast. My favourite part though has to be that shadow creeping across the land. Such an atmospheric shot, I love it. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: Judge: Michael Smith from TOWCB Core Team The vibrancy of the English countryside is one of the best aspects of AC Valhalla. The beauty found in the isolation of nature, seeing how the country is an island separated from the rest of the world is part of what fueled Eivor to want to explore more and myself as a player to explore the map for vistas like this. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 7th to 18th October Community Share 8 Dec 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Renzo Back To Database Welcome to the biweekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from the AC Partnership Program. Every two weeks we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. This theme has been run by the TOWCB VP team. We have been monitoring the hashtag and the community hub to see all your wonderful shots. Keep an eye on the site as more shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to #ACFirstCivVP for a chance to be featured. Theme: Halloween Spirit Slayer Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @Its__Gurly The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @TuridTorkil Turid I was immediately captivated by the composition of this shot. The combination of tattoos, clothing and weapons make a dark warrior out of Eivor, and you can sense that he is not afraid of the monster that lurks in the dark. Smoke and fog create an eerie mood, perfect for our theme this week. Aaron One of my favourite games to play in October is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, especially the Wrath of the Druids DLC. The mood and tone of that expansion perfectly lends itself to the spooky vibes. The hallucinations Eivor experiences such as in this creepy capture from Mel really added a new element to the game. The shadowy figure looks so ominous, while Eivor stands there with axe and flail in hand. I think his dark hair and tattoos add to that eerie feel. Everything kind of aligns in this shot to make it a worthy winner for our Halloween theme. The Mask Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @Cll3ar Selected by @Falconswift87 Spooky theme weeks always offer up some inventive photography. I think Raven’s VP style fits effortlessly with this. Once again, the variety of outfits in Valhalla help to cater for all types of shots. Here I am getting some real Order of the Ancient vibes with the white mask on Eivor’s face. The hood is so large that it is resembling the grim reaper. I am such a fan of the foggy white background as it marries beautifully with the blacks. The feather like features that are entering the shot from the right make me think of Odin. Maybe Eivor is Odin’s messenger of death. Draugr Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @m_nt_13 Selected by @_VirtualTourism Once again, we find ourselves in Valhalla but this time it is the Draugr who have been sent to haunt us. These creatures of Norse mythology don’t have a huge part to play in the story but the outfit for Eivor is a real fright. This disturbing shot of the Draugr appearing in the darkness brings the scares for sure. I love the lighting here, the bones on the arm and the teeth coupled with those freaky yellow eyes work so well together. You can really see that this creature is not of this world, I would have very much liked to see Eivor face off against this beast. Ghost Ship Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @Yumejin2416 Selected by @TuridTorkil Assassin’s Creed Odyssey isn’t really known for its spooky nature, although you do come up against some mythical creatures. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed the ship in this shot wasn’t from Valhalla. I adore the composition of this photo, especially the placement of the ship in relation to the moon, and how the light is reflecting on the water adding to the mood. The eeriness brought on by the ship's silhouette and the bluey/purple fog make for a very atmospheric photo. It reminds me a little of the pirate movies where the ship just appears out of nowhere. Frozen Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @WonDerNooB_VP Selected by @CapturesByRenzo There is nothing like a bit of Greek mythology to bring the spooky. This shot gives me massive Jason and the Argonauts vibes. At the same time, it is going to expose my age, sorry everyone. Once again, the use of fog is so critical creating that creepy atmosphere. I think the orange and black tones, along with the architecture make this feel like a graveyard. Furthermore, the people frozen as statues elevate the sinister sensations. It is when you wander through this section of the game that you realise how impressive the level design is. RS has showcased that so well here. Mists Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ cyriellevp.bsky.social Selected by @CapturesByRenz o I have spoken before about how great the fog function is in the Assassin’s Creed photo mode. By adding it you can immediately change a photo's style and feel. This capture by Cyrielle is so hauntingly beautiful. It reminds me of the concept art you see, mostly due to the composition and the placement of Alexios. The path disappearing into the water and the marsh land that surrounds it gives off immense ghostly vibes. The trees covered in fog help to bring a sense of impending doom. I am not sure what Alexios is walking into, but it gives me the creeps. Skull Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @saskiaemmischVP Selected by @Falconswift87 Everyone knows I am a massive fan of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and especially the portraits that you can produce. Added to that the game lends itself perfectly for the Halloween theme. Here Saskia has knocked it out of the park with this super ominous shot of Eivor in the Druid mask. I just love how the white of the mask pops, and with the dark hood it looks so cool. Eivor has the appearance of one of Odin's undead horseman sent to collect souls of the unworthy. It even appears like the fog is exiting the eye hole, giving a real menacing aura to the portrait. I would not immediately think this is from Valhalla and that is a testament to how good the shot is. And that sums it up for this Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out the photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next time keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Assassin's Creed Winter Wallpaper Collection Released Community Share 20 Dec 2025 Written By: Edited By: Frame Hold Photography TOWCB Team Back To Database We are pleased to announce that our very own Frame Hold Photography from TOWCB Core Team has released an Assassin's Creed Winter Wallpaper collection! Feel free to use them however you see fit, and let us know in the comments which version is your favourite! Merry Creedmas Assassins! Happy Holidays! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Frame Hold Photography is a passionate Virtual Photographer who joined our Video Content Creation Team in Summer 2022, as we began our efforts to break away from solely written content. During a period of uncertainty for TOWCB website, FHP stepped up and took on the role of Site Manager, overseeing our restoration efforts. Our website today now sits at the top of many Google searches📈 Outside of AC, she is also a full time editor and visual effects artist on TV commercials, and has been putting her skills to use in the community by creating epic Assassin's Creed tribute videos, miniature figure painting videos and editing episodes of our Rally the Creed podcast! Frame Hold Photography

Assassin's Creed Shadows: First Impressions and Gameplay Analysis Share 23 Jan 2025 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) TOWCB Team Back To Database We are now just two months away from the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows, and we are thrilled to reveal that two of our team members, Col and Taylor were selected by Ubisoft to participate in a remote early-access play session event along with other content creators and media outlets around the world. Below you will find the initial thoughts and feelings written by Assassin's Creed Community Ambassador @ Col_96 after a four hour play session, brand new screenshots, and exclusive gameplay captured during the session. Keep an eye on the page as we will continue adding content throughout the week! Enjoy! Possible spoilers for Assassin's Creed Shadows First Impressions Hello Assassins. I'm Col, Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, and I was lucky enough to participate in an early access event for Assassin's Creed Shadows thanks to the AC Community Development team at Ubisoft. I'll start off by saying that I had a really positive experience, as the world of Assassin's Creed Shadows is incredibly beautiful, intertwining two stories in a way that creates an experience that is both shared and standalone, as Naoe and Yasuke, two outsiders in the world, find comfort in each other's pain, and try to make a difference to heal Japan. I think what the development team at Ubisoft has done is incredibly clever, weaving history into the main characters for the first time, selecting Yasuke, a historical character, and Naoe, the fictional daughter of real life ninja Fujibayashi Nagato. For me, both characters make perfect sense, and show a different perspective on the brutal history of the time period. AC Shadows takes a stab at bringing back a sense of mystery that long-time fans of the series will love. The game encourages you to uncover the next secret in a land of danger, something which is incredibly rewarding for players. The passage of time is interesting too with a fixed day/night cycle that provides atmosphere as every storm is different. You can feel the effects of the wind as your riding through an open field. Lightning can flash across the sky and light up the whole scene. Naoe ''The life of an assassin is pain , You suffer it, you inflict it, you watch it happen in the hope that you can make it disappear in time.'' Ezio Auditore I feel that this quote perfectly describes Naoe. Although not strictly an Assassin during my playthrough, or at least, that word was never said, her quest for revenge after the attack on her village is fuelled by a hunger for vengeance. Rather than blind rage, she is incredibly focussed, seeking those who are harming Japan and its citizens. You can feel her pain, and she takes no joy in inflicting it upon others. It is a necessary evil. Throwing knives are lethal when timed correctly, but can also be used to extinguish candles from a distance, creating darkness and the perfect environment for a stealth attack. I particularly liked the dialogue options, as they can make a difference to the outcome of a mission. This is why the team added a canon mode, so that the Animus makes the decision for the player. I like how Naoe is the sum of her history, learning from the past, but also taking onboard the teachings around her. She is thoughtful, reflective, and resourceful. She will no doubt be a fan favourite. Yasuke An outsider in a foreign land, Yasuke has to learn the true meaning of honor and respect when he is stripped of his name, all authority and ownership of his own decisions. He shows a willingness to survive in a hostile environment, learning the language, customs and more, and is rewarded with his life. Often shown as a 'one man army' Yasuke is all that and more. There is a kind side to Yasuke that makes him relatable and more human in side quests. He is not the brute he has been portrayed to be. I was really surprised by this as I suspected it would be the case that he was the brawn and Naoe the brain, but that's not the case. He shows intelligence and understanding, opting for a more physical approach to quests due his size, but I also found stealth with Yasuke to be incredibly satisfying considering his limited capabilities. Combat is great, as Yasuke can take a lot of damage, giving you the chance to recover, reset, change strategy and break down enemy armour before delivering a brutal finishing move. I can see players being very happy with the weapon choices, enemy types, finishing moves and overall effort that is gone into crafting a brutal combat system that is all about breaking the opponent down and destroying their armour. Things I liked The Scout System: You can recruit scouts and send them to attack enemies. It's extremely satisfying, and you can customise everything from their weapons to outfits. Building the network of spies has its benefits as they can also be sent out to collect information across the map! Eagle Vision can be used indefinitely: I didn't notice Eagle Vision timing out, which means it can be used without the worry of it disappearing. You can use it to highlight points of interest or observe and tag enemies. Voice Acting : I was really impressed with the voice acting, from all age ranges. Music: Absolutely incredible score! This will be a soundtrack that players will adore for sure, as it captures a mix of emotions. Sadness, anger, and hype! I was really motivated by an incredible fast paced track at a key moment early on in the game. Facial Expressions: Game looked absolutely incredible on my PC (Nvidia RTX 3070 TI), and the facial expressions, especially in cutscenes were so lifelike! Parkour: Feels quick, rebuilt from the ground up. Naoe is easily the fastest character in an AC game. It feels like a mix of balance and precise manoeuvres. She is lightweight and nimble, moving silently Grappling Hook: Like the rope launcher but more useful. You can swing from trees to perform air assassinations. Extremely satisfying. Tall grass, low grass and prone: The introduction of prone is perfect for an Assassins' Creed game, and I particularly like that AC Shadows has heights of grass. Brutality during combat: Decapitations, impaling, you name it, AC Shadows will shock and surprise with it's brutal combat system. The World has so many opportunities: Uncovering secrets, side quests and moments of tranquillity create a game of many tones, dark and light, and I feel like it encourages the player to get lost in the world. You have to unfog the map yourself, as viewpoints only uncover so much. This is great news for completionists. Enemy Types: Guardians are my current favourites. You'll see why when the game launches! Very similar to the mercenaries in AC Odyssey that hunt the player! Visuals: I didn't get to use photo mode but I know that players are going to have a great time with this game. It's incredibly beautiful. Stealth: It will take some practice, but with more time, I can definitely see players perfecting stealth and using all the tools at their disposal to their advantage. Things I Didn't Like The night is incredibly dark: I had to turn the light off in my office to see the screen as when the game takes place at night, it is incredibly dark. Hills and thick trees: Without the pathfinder, my horse would still be stuck up a mountain somewhere trying to find a way past the incredibly thick trees. Hunting isn't in the game, or at least, I didn't find any way to kill a deer. I thought it would be similar to AC III where pelts could be used for crafting, but I didn't see this in my playthrough. Health potions don't fully heal , or at least, with my current skill level and abilities during the playthrough, I needed to use two to fully reset the health bar. Yasuke doesn't have Eagle Vision: I understand that this could be for a lore reason, but it would have been a useful addition. I didn't see any Modern Day Gameplay. Animus Hub has huge potential though. Enemies can literally walk away from smoke bombs and be unaffected. I died so many times when playing as Naoe in combat situations. Some of the enemies have huge health bars compared to Naoe, and thick armour so it's a real challenge to defeat them in combat. I will say that it is incredibly satisfying when you do though, but similar to Basim in AC Mirage, the game encourages a stealth approach. Not a bad thing, just worth mentioning for those looking for a fight. I genuinely think that fans will be surprised when they pick up Assassin's Creed Shadows in March. There's a lot to love about the game, as you'll see in our exclusive gameplay below! Enjoy! Dev Comments We reached out to the development team at Ubisoft Quebec regarding our experience and received a response from Game Director Charles Benoit! ''I think once settled, you could play with contrast setting for the night. We wanted to have a black night, not a blue one. About Hunting, we saw the hunting wasn't a big thing compare to the respect of nature, so we wanted to turn hunting in something more positive, it's why we introduce the Sumi-e activity instead. For healing potions, it's with some Hideout upgrade that you can boost it. You can boost efficiency and quantity. And about the smoke bombs, it's Only Samurai that deny it by running away, we wanted to avoid cookie cutter strategy and have some enemy "smarter" than other. And yes, Naoe and fight can be challenging, Preview is not the ideal learning curve. But Naoe can be very lethal if you build your gear in some was, using the fight system in the best way too.'' We would like to say a big thank you to Charles for reading our first impressions article and for providing insight into the creative decisions! Animus Hub https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knzOQ2LQYWU Welcome to the Assassin's Creed Animus Hub: An Explanatory video by Ubisoft showcasing the Animus Hub, a new platform and gateway to Assassin's Creed content which launches alongside Assassin's Creed Shadows. Analysis by UbiCypher Exclusive Gameplay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BWnZBIpDcI Stealth and Combat Youtube TikTok Sumi-E Painting Boars Youtube TikTok Naoe Combat Youtube TikTok Desyncronization Youtube TikTok Cherry Blossom Trees Youtube TikTok Deploying scout, combat Youtube TikTok Syncronization Youtube TikTok Shrines Youtube TikTok Failed Assassination Attempt Youtube TikTok Naoe Projectiles Youtube TikTok Assassination Compilation Youtube TikTok Leap of Faith Youtube TikTok Brutal Naoe Finisher Youtube TikTok Naoe Customisation Options Youtube TikTok Yasuke Customisation Options Youtube TikTok Switching Character Youtube TikTok Synchronization Youtube TikTok Horseback Riding Youtube TikTok Yasuke Sumi-E Activity Youtube TikTok Bamboo Destruction Youtube TikTok Brutal Finishing Move Youtube TikTok Sumi-E Activity Youtube TikTok Killing a Guardian Youtube TikTok 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)

Fall of the Berlin Wall: Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game Wishlists Share 28 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Finn Fletcher Colum Blackett Back To Database Assassin's Creed as a series has been able to survive for so long as a franchise because it is so adaptable, and can be moulded into any time period the development team want. The ideological struggle between Assassins and Templar is histori cally malleable, refreshing the series time and time again as it jumps between the pages of documented events. Ever since I fell in love with it back in 2009, I've seen it one way: historical espionage. It's a spy thriller throughout the ages; what if James Bond was in Renaissance Italy. Instead of death rays and future technology, you're facing corrupt Popes and… well future technology. The people will never know your name or mission, but you fight for their safety. There's even an allegory for weapons of mass destruction in it with the Pieces of Eden, that if the Assassins allow to fall into the wrong hands will lead to world destruction! In that vein, and inspired by a tweet from AC: Landmarks , I wanted to return to an idea I've had for sometime, a true Assassin's Creed spy story. How would the series look if you cranked that idea of historical espionage up to 11? What would it look like in the Cold War? Now there are plenty of reasons I think this period could work: it can be charming and flashy as we've seen in the campier spy stories of the past half a century, is so morally complex there's plenty of narrative and philosophical conflicts to explore with the benefit of hindsight and unlike other ideas for titles focused on a contemporary period, the secrecy of the conflict will help avoid the gameplay problem of it simply becoming a shooter. Going guns out simply wasn't an option, can't risk making the Cold War hot after all, so stealth and blades will still be a main approach. The problem then is making a narrative and choosing the specific time and place. The Cold War was BIIIIG, like far too big to ever condense into a single story. Do you want a Cuban missile crisis or a Vietnam War? At first I felt like international 60s exploration would be good, moving from city to city, collecting information on targets, but its scope felt too unrealistic. It's when I settled on what I think to be the perfect setting for this type of game: the fall of the Berlin Wall. For those who don't know (which I assume won't be many people), I'll do a very quick overview of this period in history. After World War 2 Germany was split, with Western Germany going to the Allies and Eastern to the Soviets. This also included the capital city of Berlin, however because the city was located in the Eastern side of the country, Western Berlin was walled off, with the Soviets hoping to stop their citizens fleeing to the West. After two decades of this walled off city, in 1989, the communist leaders were ousted from power and the wall was torn down by citizens and soldiers alike. By many historians, this is seen as the last breath of the Cold War. This will be as modern as the series would have gone, and explore something that people still alive today experienced, maybe even players. This wouldn’t be the first time a game would do this (Call of Duty has used the Cold War as a setting plenty of times), but it is important to show respect to the reality of the suffering. Know that I did my research into the period, and believe if Ubisoft were ever to do this they should consult people who were their to best understand the era. Like Syndicate, the narrative will take place over a single year, as you take the final actions to ensure the wall is destroyed. The player, a German Assassin looking to reclaim her nation, will travel between West and East Berlin, gathering and manipulating information, taking down targets, and setting up the final nail in the coffin of the Cold War. Now I said that this was inspired by a tweet from AC: Landmarks and this is where I’ll tie it back in. Landmarks posted a question, would you like to see another Templar lead Assassin's Creed game, and honestly I think this game would be an excellent opportunity to return to that concept. The protagonist would be an Assassin, but rather than relying solely on the Brotherhood, I imagine this period being an excellent opportunity to return to the ideas of a Templar Assassin unity. Cold War inspired insignia by Reddit user ThatOneEnemy The Cold War was complicated, and the Assassins Creed lore matches that. Templars seemingly had power over Stalin while pushing corporate America through Abstergo. So I’m imagining it as such: Templars attempted to twist Russia into a totalitarian state but it was an experiment that they lost control over, by the 80's when Gorbachov was in power they had no footing in Russia. Meanwhile they were hedging their bets in Abstergo Industries which would become their main operation going forward. Now both Assassins and Templars have a reason to want to bring an end to the Cold War, and annihilate the threat of a nuclear war. You could even have Templar traitors be working with the Soviets, prepared to counteract any Assassin activity. It’s an interesting position to be placed in. The player, a German Assassin named Matilda, simply wants to free her home, while the Assassin Brotherhood is hoping to turn Germany into a new Assassin stronghold after nearly a century of defeats. Abstergo and the Templars offer help, arguing that this is an issue everyone wants to see resolved, but really are just hoping the Assassins will fight their battles for them. Matilda becomes a pawn in all this, pushed and pulled in every direction, her own struggles manipulated by others for their own gain. This can then affect gameplay. While I do love Rogue, it failed to fully capitalise on the “Templar fantasy”. If we’re going to be allied with Templars we should pick up some of their tricks, so missions will not only be focused on eliminating targets but manipulating information. Imagine sequences focused entirely on breaking into military compounds to alter records and data; the player could even be given a selection of choices, with opportunities to alter guard routes, or cause in-fighting. Your goal after all is to destabilise a decades old government, that doesn’t just happen by getting rid of a few people. In this game we'll be pulling the series into the "information age", with 24 hour news, television and mass broadcasting. The manipulation of information was becoming a warfare tactic, one the Soviets had mastered for decades with altered photography and repressed journalists. The gameplay mechanics will reflect this, you're no longer a blade in a crowd but also a pen, ready to tear up falsified "facts" with a single swipe. This could be exemplified by the removal of the real East Berlin ruler Erich Honecker, a man responsible for multiple atrocities who was in charge of the construction of the wall and was forced to resign less than a month before the walls destruction. He would make a perfect final target, wherein the player must maximise their use of Templar tactics, to establish a wide conspiracy and expose the truth in a way that would see Honecker's reign come to an end. It would be a perfect distillation of the idea of covert war, wherein an Assassination would only cause more chaos and fear but information could lead to a peaceful solution. Honeckers life is genuinely fascinating aswell; in his youth he rebelled against the Nazi party, being sentenced to hard labour by the Gestapo. Once freed by the Soviets he built a thriving political career in East Germany and enforced totalitarioan rulership, reportedly leading to the death of around 1,000 civillians. His role as a Templar defect seems to write itself, joining the order after the fall of Nazi Germany only to leave to follow his own beliefs, before being ousted and sent to trial in his old age. The city would also aid in this idea of mixing tactics, with the division forcing different kinds of approaches. East Berlin would have a heavy military presence, with a strict wanted system. Killing isn’t a particularly viable option, because if a body is found major sweeps of the area would be conducted by heavily armed soldiers. Espionage and Templar tricks will be your main tool here, you’ll have to distract not attack. It would also allow a return to the AC1 style of Assassination missions, where once a target has been taken down the city will go onto red alert and you’ll be detected in an instant. West Berlin will function more like a traditional AC game, where you’ll have a chance to use your tools and gadgets more freely. Your focus will be taking down targets who for different reasons are doing everything in their power to make sure the war carries on. These could be war profiteers, or bigoted generals who just want to see the “Commies” annihilated at all costs. Travelling between the sides will also take effort. The “wall” wasn’t just a wall, in fact there were two heavily armed walls with the Death Strip (a trench full of mines and other deadly traps) between. Traversing this will be a parkour and stealth challenge, where you’ll be forced to consider the risks and take effort when manoeuvring the territory. The difficulty will encourage players to finish all the tasks in either half of the city before travelling to the other, providing them with more obstacles. Other historical figures can aide in this, such as the Pastor Christoph Wonneberger who helped rally people to protest against the Soviets. While in real life he was positioned in Lepzig (a city south of Berlin), he couuld The narratives end then will be bittersweet; after taking down Honecker you will watch over the people as they tear down the wall. Yet as one by one the bricks removed, many of the secret powers who started all of this remain unharmed. The Templar allies you’ve made are now enemies again, and Matilda’s simple goal is twisted by the powers that be. She will even have to reflect on the actions she took, considering whether her alteration of information is moral, and if it will evevn be sustainable. Germany is a free nation again, but the fight never ends. Related Articles Aztec Empire: Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game Chinese Pirates: Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Finn is a creative writer from Rotherham, UK who has previously supported TOWCB's Fundraising events, and raised awareness surrounding Men's Mental Health. Finn's writing covers a wide scope, with releases including reviews, interviews and stories. He is known in the AC Community for his 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website! In February 2026, he left the team to focus on real-world opportunities as a journalist, writing for a newspaper! We're thrilled to see Finn using his skills to build a career! Finn Fletcher