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Why Assassin's Creed Returning to Steam is Great Analysis Share 27 Nov 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database In early 2019, Ubisoft had started to feel a stage of uncertainty with the PC gaming platform known as Steam, which is by far the biggest and most popular storefront on all desktops and laptops. Ubisoft felt that the creators of Steam, Valve, were taking too large of a cut to put their games on their storefront as when a developer publishes a game on the Steam platform, Valve takes a 30% cut of all profits that are sold on their marketplace. That means 70% goes back to Ubisoft along with all other games that launch on Steam. Ubisoft was not alone in seeing this large cut as a sign of financial robbery, as major developers like Activision, who are known for the Call of Duty series, Electronic Arts, known for EA Sports and Apex Legends , and even Microsoft, who created Xbox, all left Steam at one point, but all of these developers have something in common, that they chose to favor a new storefront that offered a much more reasonable cut in the Epic Games Store. Logo for Steam The Epic Games Store became a rival to Steam, and boasts one of the most popular games in the world, Fortnite, that is exclusive to their platform and not on Steam. Epic Games tried to take on Valve and offer all developers a cut that would be difficult to pass on and taking them up on this offer means exclusivity to Epic and nothing on Steam, sacrificing any potential sales they would have gotten on Steam. The Epic Store only takes a 12% cut of all sales on their storefront, meaning 88% goes back to the original developer. Many of the major developers left Steam and put their games exclusively on the Epic Games Store in order to take advantage of the cut they would get. However, going with the Epic Games Store can be a difficult choice because Steam is the biggest and most popular place to play on PC and many choose to have their games in one place on Steam rather than go to the Epic Store, and Ubisoft signed a contract with them in early 2019 when their major game The Division 2 skipped Steam entirely and was exclusive to the Epic Games Store. Ubisoft at first enjoyed their partnership so much that they quickly signed a multi-year contract to remain on the Epic storefront. Many of the developers who started with Steam but left for the Epic Games Store eventually returned to Steam eventually, and Ubisoft was one of them when in the past couple years they launched a string of the games that were released in previous years which were only on Epic Games Store at the time such as Watch Dogs Legion and Ghost Recon Breakpoint . When they arrived, the games all launched at a reduced price as they were games that had already been released a significant time prior. Even as Ubisoft slowly started their reunion with Valve, they still chose not to release their games day one on Steam as games like Star Wars Outlaws was a late addition to Steam, but when the very hyped Assassin’s Creed Shadows came around. Ubisoft finally chose to embrace Steam once more and was the first game that they released which launched day one on Steam in nearly six years. It became a no-brainer move for Ubisoft as their choice to return to Steam paid off and their sales on the PC platform raised a significant amount and proved that you could never truly abandon Steam for too long before the logical choice came to a reunion. Epic Games Store Logo Basically all developers, such as Ubisoft, who left Steam behind eventually returned as the truth of the matter is that Steam is too big and too popular to resist. Even decades into the existence of Steam, it continues to break all time player count records almost yearly. Steam is just too big of a powerhouse to ignore. Ubisoft clearly made a smart choice returning to Valve’s storefront and their future games in the Assassin’s Creed series should see a major boost in sales compared to the years they remained Epic Games exclusivity. One thing Ubisoft tried while putting their games only on the Epic Games Store was also releasing their games on their own PC launcher and storefront, Ubisoft Connect. Since it is created and owned by Ubisoft, they get to keep 100% of all profits made, which negates the need of worrying about how large the cut will be on Steam or the Epic Store. Ubisoft has used their own launcher for years, but their return to Steam came at a perfect time as there are gamers out there who enjoy the Ubisoft Connect app and choose to play all Assassin’s Creed games there, and there are those who choose to play on Steam, so Ubisoft can get the sales from their own storefront while also giving Valve and Steam a cut, but making profits on both. Not to mention, Ubisoft still releases their games on the Epic Games Store alongside Steam and their own launcher, so they are getting sales from several different platforms which all have their own player-counts and active users, which increases the profits Ubisoft makes in a combination of all the places people can play their games on PC. After Ubisoft’s dispute with Steam, Valve eventually changed their policy and reduced their cut level down to 25% rather than 30%, which is a substantial difference when the Epic Store was challenging them at full force. It is a great thing Ubisoft has chosen to embrace Steam again, as for years gamers did not see that as a possibility again as even executives at Ubisoft were criticizing the business model Valve uses with Steam where the Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Revenue Chris Early publicly criticized Steam and called their then 30% cut as being unrealistic in modern standards. After that all happened, it would have been hard to guess that Ubisoft would have ever returned to Steam. Fans of the Assassin’s Creed series and gamers alike can all appreciate Ubisoft’s efforts to reach as many players as possible and understand the fact that all of PC gaming runs through Steam, and their long-awaited return is great for all gamers and will only help Ubisoft in the long run. The future of the Assassin’s Creed series on PC is in good hands now and for the developers at Ubisoft, this decision to embrace Steam once again is a perfect choice and one that is sure to secure them serious sales and financial success. This reunion with Steam benefits everyone, from gamers and developers and everyone involved in the gaming world can appreciate the efforts Ubisoft took and can be certain that the future of Ubisoft and Assassin’s Creed is as bright as can be, and returning to Steam will pay dividends to us all. 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

AC Community Questions: Aita_Sageblood (Nathan) Interview Share 19 Jul 2025 Written By: Edited By: Aita_Sageblood Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome back to another article in our Assassin's Creed Community Questions series, made up of interviews with Assassins based around the world. This week, we are joined by Nathan ( Aita_Sageblood ), who recently joined our Assassin's Creed Partnership program as an Art Team Member! Col: Please could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your role within the Assassin's Creed Community. Nathan : Hello, my name is Nathan, also known as Aita_Sageblood on my socials, I am a 25 year old self-taught digital artist from the UK with a…borderline unhealthy obsession with the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Regularly playing the games and drawing fanart of the characters since early 2018-19. I have been a fan of AC since about 2013 when I found a “Brotherhood and Revelations” game bundle in a game bargain bin; quickly fell in love with the games, everything from the (at the time) world breaking graphics, the more mature gameplay and an intricate and fascinating story that spanned many games, what wasn’t there to love? And, well, the rest is history! My love for the franchise only grew further when I found myself on an App called Amino, where I was a curator of the AC fan group for a time; finding so many likeminded fans thoroughly cemented my passion for AC as a whole. Col: Are you looking forward to working alongside the team during the launch of the 2025 AC Community Fundraiser? Nathan: I had heard of groups such as the "Mentor’s Guild" and "Isu_Network" over the years, both from what they do and their close relationship with Ubisoft. I had always held a dream of one day being fortunate enough to take part in such a group, yet thought it was nothing more than a fantasy. So, when I was invited, needless to say I was over the moon at the prospect of lending my skills to the group. Col: How excited are you for the future of Assassin's Creed? Nathan: The future of Assassin’s Creed is certainly a tantalising prospect to consider, from its moderately humble beginnings to current day, it’s been a long journey and I cannot wait to see what comes next. Will we see more of Basim/ The Isu Reborn in future instalments? How about finally uncovering the secrets of the Isu before the Toba Catastrophe? Will Shaun Hastings be involved? (He better be!) Col: Which Assassin's Creed game have you been playing recently, and which game are you playing next? Nathan: After recently getting the platinum on AC Shadows, I have since gone back and started my fourth playthrough of Origins, which has to be my absolute favourite AC game and protagonist in the entire series. Col: Have you visited any of the locations from the games? Nathan: I have actually recently come back from a holiday to Egypt! Starting in Cairo, then down to Luxor and back again, it was a childhood dream come true, even if my tour guide was starting to get a little tired of me saying things like "I climbed that!" and "Bayek did X-thing here!" :P Col: Which Assassin's Creed game is your favourite and why? Nathan: As I mentioned previously, Assassin's Creed Origins has to be my absolute favourite in the entire series, not only because I have been obsessed with Ancient Egypt since I was a young boy, but also because of just how amazing Bayek's story was, from a grieving and vengeful father to a wise and talented mentor of the Hidden Ones. Aya and Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins (2017) Col: Have you attended any events within the Assassin's Creed Community? Nathan: Unfortunately, not... unless attending MCM Comic Con in homemade cosplays of Ezio and Jacob Frye? Col: Do you have a favourite Assassin's Creed community moment/ story you would like to share? Nathan: A personal favourite moment from my time in the Assassin's Creed community over the years, has to be during MCM ComicCon 2018, where I met up with many fellow AC fans in cosplay, had many a good laugh and eventually played hide and seek to see who of us was a "master assassin" in disguise. (IE grown adults in hiding in crowds of other cosplayers and avoiding each other.) Col: What would be your dream setting for the upcoming AC Netflix TV show or future game? Nathan: Seeing as we were already lucky enough to experience the founding of the Hidden Ones through Bayek and Aya's journey; my dream game or show would be the flipside and experience the founding of the Order of The Ancients/Templars similar to Shay's story in AC Rogue. Especially as they seem to have been aware of humanity's original purpose as slaves to the Isu during pre-history. Col: Do you have any personal AC goals you would like to achieve? Nathan: While it has been a far-of-dream of mine to be a part of a group such as the Isu-Network, a personal goal of mine is to one-day be lucky enough to visit the Ubisoft Montreal offices; however, I don't believe that'll ever be possible as its closed to the public; but you never know? Ubisoft Montreal Studio (Via Ubisoft) Col: What would you say is your most significant community achievement to date? Nathan: The fact that there is still an incredibly active fanbase for a game that is so passionate about Assassin's Creed is already and achievement in and of itself; but I believe that the most significant has to be how a large percentage of us regularly get together to find ways to support charities all around the world. Col: What is your favourite part of being a community member? Nathan: I have only been a part of the Isu_Network for just over a month, but the fact I have already been welcomed in with open arms and given the opportunity to share my thoughts/opinions with the group as a whole is incredibly heart-warming to me; I cannot wait to see what the future holds. Col: Do you collect AC merchandise? If so, what is your favourite item? Nathan: Hehehe, may not be an American, but I plead the fifth. Joking aside, yes, I suppose it could be said that I have an...extensive collection of Ac merchandise; everything from collector's editions of every game to the statues by PureArts. However, as hard as this is to choose, my absolute favourite bit of AC memorabilia has to be a pack of limited edition playing cards that I was lucky enough to be sent from Ubisoft during the 15th anniversary where they had seen my fanart and had chosen me to receive such a lovely gift. Col: What advice do you have for people looking to get into content creation? Nathan: While I should recommend things like looking at current trends and analytics; what I would personally recommend is finding something that you personally enjoy doing, whether fanart, fanfiction or something else entirely; and simply making/sharing it when you've finished. It doesn't have to be a certified masterpiece or the next big thing; start small and work your way up. As long as you're passionate about it, share it with your fellow fans, the majority of us will support you. Col: Where can our community members find you online? Nathan: You can find on various social media platforms. Like Instagram , X (Twitter) and Cara , under the name Aita_Sageblood... look, I'm not the most creative with usernames, ok? :P However, I most frequently use Instagram, so if you'd ever like to have a chat, ask for art advice or anything else, please do not hesitate to pop me a message. :-) We would like to say a huge thank you to Nathan for joining us for this interview. Keep an eye out for his content on his own personal channels (above), and also TOWCB social media platforms (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. Throughout 2025 and beyond, Nathan 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 his profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. Aita_Sageblood

Assassin's Creed Mirage: Assassin Cat designs shared by Ubisoft 3D Character Artist News Share 2 Mar 2024 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) TOWCB Team Back To Database Assassin's Creed Mirage: Patch 1:0:7 introduced a very special character to the game, in the form of an Assassin cat which seems to spawn at random throughout the game. It was recently sighted wandering the streets of Ukbara, a small town found on the North bank of the Tigris river, but I was unable to find it myself. In a special post on ArtStation by Valentin Yovchev , 3D Character Artist at Ubisoft, new details about the design and close-up images were shared which will benefit those looking to create costumes for their own Assassin cats at home. ''It was a great honor for me to work on Assassin's Creed Mirage, and I'm happy to share that I had the pleasure to design and create this outfit for the latest Easter egg in the game that was introduced in patch 1.0.7. Congrats on Lieven Ledegen , he was the first one to find this new purr assassin (the video is from him). Also since I saw in some posts on reddit that people will want to make a real outfit for their cat, I've decided to share the raw measurements of the outfit for people to use as guides if they ever want to build this outfit for their cat in real life And for everyone curious how to find this furry assassin in the game. Just walk around, and look for cats and eventually you'll run in to him, just be prepared to pet him Cheers! Valentin'' The first set of character models shared by Valentin Yovchev show a number of key details such as a snake-inspired knife belt and engraved Assassin collar. The next set of designs are for those looking to create the costume at home. Let us know if you plan on taking on this challenge! Have you found the new Assassin cat in Assassin's Creed Mirage yet? Share your captures @ ACFirstCiv for a chance to feature on the website! comments debug Comments (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest Guest Mar 22, 2024 🤑🤑🤑 Like Reply About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Black Flag: The original RPG Assassin’s Creed Analysis Share 20 Sept 2025 Written By: Edited By: James Davis (TopChef1288) Colum Blackett Back To Database ''Black Flag was both a culmination of the franchise’s past and a blueprint for its future.'' When conversations turn to the “RPG era” of Assassin’s Creed, games like Origins, Odyssey & Valhalla often take center stage in this debate. Their sprawling worlds, layered progression systems, coupled with an emphasis on player freedom; are all seen as a drastic shift from the series “stealth” driven beginnings. Promo image for Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag But if you trace these mechanics back through the franchise’s history. Their roots don't begin in Greece or Egypt, or even England. They begin on the high seas, in the Caribbean with Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Black Flag introduced systems that would become the cornerstones of the “RPG era” identity. Ship upgrades that mirrored RPG-style progression, resource gathering that demanded grinding. A vast open world that gave the player masses of freedom, that sometimes came at the cost of narrative focus. For many, this blend of mechanics was exhilarating and cemented the game’s reputation as a fan favorite. Yet for me, it has always marked the beginning of a shift that I wasn't fully ready to embrace. In this article, I want to explore how Black Flag laid the foundation for the “RPG era” of Assassin’s Creed. Why those design choices resonated with some players but alienated others; and how my own frustration with Black Flag shaped the way I viewed the series’ evolution. Map Size & the Open World Part of the map in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag One of the striking features of Black Flag was the sheer scale of its world. In numbers alone, it's the second largest map at a whopping 235 kilometers squared; making it around 167 times larger than the largest pre-Black Flag Assassin's Creed title, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. It feels massive in comparison to previous titles in the franchise, not just in map size but also in player freedom. For the first time in the series, players were not confined to a single city or a tightly controlled landscape. Instead they could sail in any direction, uncover any island, even dive into ship wrecks and stumble upon secrets scattered around the Caribbean. This scale was groundbreaking at the time but it also came at a cost. The trade offs that would become more apparent in the “RPG era” Earlier entries like Assassin’s Creed II or Brotherhood used tightly designed cities to create density and focus, but Black Flag stretched its content out across an open ocean. Exploration was a massive thrill at first but long stretches of empty water & repetitive encounters often diluted the pace of the game. The same issue has now defined the debate around the RPG titles, like Valhalla & Odyssey. They are all undeniably vast but the size of their maps often comes at the expense of the narrative, urgency or variety. In this sense, Black Flag can be seen as the prototype for Ubisoft’s later obsession with this huge scale. The series shift towards enormous, open maps didn't start with Origins. It started the moment players first hoisted the sails of the Jackdaw. Combat Promo image for Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag Combat in Black Flag also marked the turning point in the series. Earlier entries, particularly the Ezio trilogy, emphasized counters, timing and the Assassin tools of stealth. By contrast, Black Flag leaned more into the cinematic, action orientated approach. Edward’s dual cutlass & pistols made open conflict more viable than ever before. Naval combat also became a central gameplay focus, pushing combat even further into the grand spectacle. This shift away from stealth first design, mirrors the trajectory of the “RPG era” in the RPG three, stealth remains an option but the systems in place increasingly reward direct confrontation. Through leveling, skill trees and loot driven combat upgrades. What was once a series defined by patience and subtlety, gradually transformed into one where combat is not only encouraged but often required to progress. For players who prefer the Assassin fantasy of striking unseen, this shift can feel like a loss of identity. Black Flag may not have had damage numbers popping up above enemies heads, but it was already moving into the same direction; away from the intimate, surgical strikes of an assassin & towards the broad, action heavy systems that would define and dominate more of the “RPG era” Modern Day Concept art for the Abstergo Facility in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag If the early games were built on two parallel stories, the historical adventure and the ongoing modern day conflict. Black Flag is that balance which begins to unravel. In previous entries, particularly the Desmond saga, tied the modern day narrative directly into the core of the experience. Players weren’t just reliving history, they were part of something much larger; a contemporary struggle that gave weight to the Animus sequence. In Black Flag however, the modern day storyline was pushed to the background. The player becomes a faceless Abstergo employee wandering around an office building, with most the modern day relegated to scattered notes, email or optional interactions. While some found this approach refreshing or less obtrusive, it signalled again a larger shift in the balance of Assassin’s Creed. The modern day was no longer an essential part of the narrative. The sidelining only deepened in the “RPG era” where modern day narrative often feels fragmented or secondary compared to the sheer scale of the historical sandbox. Just as Black Flag made open world the star of the show, later RPG entries doubled down on the idea that history itself was the primary draw, while overarching Assassin vs Templar conflict faded into the background. For fans who valued the duality of the series, this was a significant turning point in the franchise. Levelling and Stats through Outfits Mayan outfit in AC IV Black Flag. Image source: SVG Progression in Black Flag also hinted at the RPG elements that would later define the series. Whilst the game didn't have formal levelling systems or skill trees, it quietly introduced the idea of character stats being tied to gear. Edward could unlock new outfits that provided tangible bonuses for him. Outfits like the Mayan armor grants a bullet-deflecting effect, the Stealth outfit reduces his detection rate, and the Hunter outfit decreases his detection range by animals. These weren’t just cosmetic, they added a layer of progression that nudged the player towards thinking in terms of builds and stat advantages. In retrospect, Black Flag’s outfits system feels like a prototype. A small test to whether the player would embrace progression through gear. By the time the “RPG era” arrived, that experiment had evolved into the series' core identity; with loot, rarity tiers & detailed stat management becoming central to the players experience. For players who prefer the simplicity of the earlier titles, this shift can feel bloated, but the roots of that design philosophy were already present in Edward’s wardrobe. Ship Upgrades Promo image for The Jackdaw in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag If there's one system that Black Flag clearly foreshadows in the “RPG era” it has to be the Jackdaw. The ship wasn't just a vehicle, it was a character in itself.one that needed to be upgraded, reinforced and customised in order to take out stronger enemies. Players had to gather resources, invest in improvements and grind for the materials necessary to survive late in the game’s naval battles. This loop at its core is an RPG progression system. The Jackdaw acted as Edward’s “character level” with each upgrade unlocking new possibilities in exploration and combat. Just as later RPG titles would gate certain areas or enemies behind level requirements, Black Flag tied access to tougher ships, legendary encounters and hidden rewards to how much time players had invested in the upgrading of the Jackdaw. For many fans, this system was the highlight of the game, an addictive cycle of risk and reward; that gave this vast open world a sense of purpose. Yet for many others, it introduced a reliance on grinding that would become a major criticism for the RPG titles. What felt fresh in Black Flag became a formula in Origins, Valhalla & Odyssey; progression tied less to narrative achievements and more to how much you were willing to repeat tasks in order to grow stronger. Conclusion Promo image for Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag via Ubisoft Looking back, it's clear that Black Flag was more than a pirate game, it was the testing ground for the mechanics that would become the defining elements of the “RPG era” of the franchise. Its vastly expansive open world, action orientated combat, gear based progression & ship upgrades. They all foreshadowed the design model of the RPG games. At the time, these changes felt thrilling to most; offering unprecedented freedom and depth. Yet the same elements that drew players in also introduced the very frustrations that players voice now about the new era of Assassin’s Creed. Sprawling maps that sometimes feel empty, combat that is prioritised over stealth. And never ending progression loops that encourage over story. In this sense Black Flag was both a culmination of the franchise’s past and a blueprint for its future. Whether you love or dislike the RPG titles, it's impossible to ignore the legacy of Edward’s Caribbean adventure. Black Flag wasn't just a high seas odyssey, it was the prototype that quietly reshaped Assassin’s Creed before our very eyes; charting a course that would follow for years to come. Clip from Rally the Creed Live #2 , which explores the topic further 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 video creator based in the UK who joined TOWCB's Video Content Creation Team in June 2025. James was brought onboard to help TOWCB with news coverage on TikTok, and creating a consistent Twitch streaming schedule. He is a big fan of the Assassin's Creed series who will be helping TOWCB grow in late 2025, with a particular focus on TikTok, Youtube and Instagram. 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)

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 10th to 16th April Community Share 18 Apr 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: Vikings A Journey Ends Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Amaya_Nocturna Platform: PS5 A beautiful silhouette to start this week’s showcase. I love the lighting of this capture and how Eivor is just wandering off into the unknown. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is one epic journey from start to finish. I feel that this shot would be a perfect send off for the game. We never fully find out what happens to our Norse Viking, but I like to think the journey continues and destiny is all. Vinland Attire Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Majdulf47 Eivor’s adventures finally take her to Vinland in search of Gorm as she seeks vengeance for her family. One of the best things to come out of that section of the game is the armour set. This is such an intense but beautifully taken shot of her. I admire the level of detail on the headdress, with the depth of field proving invaluable at amplifying every small element. It is true though that revenge will not bring you peace. Fortress Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ FrameHoldPhotos Photo number three this week is a brave warrior looking over her lands. Every lord is the hero of their own songs, and I am getting real Uhtred vibes from this shot. It is a shame we never obtain a fortress for Eivor in Valhalla. The game is full of interesting buildings, and it would have been nice to call one home. I have tried getting shots like this before and it isn’t the easiest. Kudos to Frame Hold for pulling it off. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: Judge: Michael Smith (TOWCB Core Team) This is a shot that took planning. Having ran through the stone castles and fortresses for hours in Valhalla, taking an image like this that gives the game form of Eivor an immersive appearance in her environment. It could be a scene from the cinematics but shows the quality of the game world in action. Fate Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Rambo_590 I love this shot for many reasons but mostly as it is thought provoking. For me this capture represents destiny. I adore how Eivor is walking through the reeds with her hand spread out. The sunlight reflecting off the water is magical. The truth of a man lies not in the lands of his birth but in his heart. Eivor and Guthrum’s victory over Alfred is only the start of this epic time in history and the formation of England. Weekly Vili Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Yamis_Art We end this week with a cult hero from Valhalla. Many fans adore this Drengr but wished his story had been fleshed out some more. Vili is memorable though and having Eivor meet an old friend and advise them that fear is within all of us, but also strength makes for a fitting arc. I admire the deepness of colour and the excellent positioning of the shot. Vili looks ready for battle, but is he ready to be Jarl. 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

Q&A with Chantel Riley (Layla Hassan) Interview Share 14 Feb 2018 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Our Admin Col_96 conducted an interview with Chantel Riley, who provided the voice and motion capture performance for Layla Hassan in Assassin's Creed Origins! Col: Hey Chantel, thanks for joining us today! It's great to have you here for your first Assassin's Creed Community Interview! Before working on AC Origins, had you played any of the games before? If so, do you have a favourite? Chantel: Actually I have not played any of the games but I always knew about them. I remember always being very drawn to its beautiful graphics and animation. I never would have thought that after all those years I would get the opportunity to be a part of a great game. Col: Had you done much voice acting before working on AC? Chantel: AC Origins is my first Voice Acting job. Col: How did you find the voice acting/ mo-cap experience? Chantel: AC is my very first for both! Pretty dope one to start with if you ask me. I got to give my respects to voice actors around the world, especially the video game world. I learned a new division of acting through this opportunity. Its more than just going into a studio and recording some dialogue and grunts. It becomes you and next thing you know, your entire body starts getting active and helps with each line or audible sound. Mo - Cap was so cool. I've always wanted to try it out. So watching the game play and seeing Layla walk and talk and knowing they were my movements, was so crazy to me. #ILoveTechnology Col: When you auditioned for the role, did you know it was for a video game? Chantel: I did know it was for a video game but I didn't know which one. I didn't learn what game it was for until I actually booked the role. I was very excited and so was my brother since he is a big gamer. Col: Layla is the first third person playable Modern Day character since Desmond Miles. Did you feel any pressure at all when working on the project, knowing that fans were eagerly awaiting the return of playable Modern Day? Chantel: I think overall, I just wanted to deliver the best performance I could. I try not to allow the pressure to get to me because I know it will affect my performance in a negative way. So I focus on how fun the project was instead. Col: Concept art for Layla was actually leaked before launch due to an art book. Did you see how much hype and excitement this caused within the AC Community? Chantel: I did do some digging around about the leak and did see the excitement about Layla and the game. So of course, I got excited with them. Col: How would you describe Layla to a friend? Chantel: Layla is a highly intelligent and strong willed woman. She is courageous and won't stop until she is on top and gets the recognition she deserves. Col: Do you have a favourite Layla line? Chantel: I love when she says "F-- you Abstergo, I'm seeing this through". Its kind of like her war cry. So powerful. (Sorry mom...lol). Col: One thing that sticks with me when thinking about Layla is the respect that she shows when discovering the Mummies of Bayek and Aya within the cave. After intense Animus sessions, do you think she feels connected to them, possibly due to the bleeding effect? (even though they're not related in any way) Chantel: Definitely! I feel as though there is a much deeper connection than we think while entering into anyones past or psyche. Seeing what they see, experiencing what they experienced, I feel would have some affect on Layla. Col: Have you ever been to Egypt before, and do you know if Layla's cave actually exists? If so, would you ever consider visiting? Chantel: I have never been to Egypt but would love to visit one day. There is a tremendous amount of history that I would be interested in learning about. Col: In the Laptop files we discover that Layla actually contributed towards the Madrid Animus, seen in the AC Movie. Have you seen the Movie? Chantel: I have! Col: Have you seen much of the creativity within the Community, such as Assassin’s Creed Origins Fan Art/Cosplay Projects/Videos etc? Chantel: I had a chance to watch some youtube videos of fans playing the game. Col: Did you enjoy working on Assassin's Creed Origins, and would you ever return to the brand if asked? Chantel: I had an amazing time! I would love to come back if they ask. (Fingers crossed). We would like to say a massive thank you to Chantel for joining us for this interview, and to everyone at Ubisoft who made it possible! Chantel's Social Media Links: Twitter Instagram 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)

🔧 Restoration In Progress- Check Back Soon! (Origins) Guide Share 16 Nov 2010 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) WIP Back To Database Restoration In Progress- Check Back Soon! 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)

Why Assassin's Creed Shadows Succeeded Analysis Share 29 Jul 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database Assassin’s Creed Shadows , the long-awaited newest major instalment of the Assassin’s Creed franchise is off to a hot start now several months since launch. It has exceeded Ubisoft's expectations both financially and critically. It became the second biggest launch of a game in franchise history, only behind 2020’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla , but that was a much different time when the Covid-19 Pandemic was in full effect and gaming consoles and games themselves were highly in demand as most people were staying at home to quarantine and social distance. Shadows has succeeded in a market where Covid-19 is no longer a major crisis, and now in a world once again where going out to work or school is the usual again. Shadows had that as a minor disadvantage, but its sales records thus far and player count has been a massive success despite a time of uncertainty for Ubisoft and some controversies surrounding the game all the way up until launch. Shadows was a success for many reasons, and was the big hit Ubisoft needed most desperately. Yasuke and Naoe in promotional material for Assassin's Creed Shadows Assassin’s Creed Shadows was the best-selling game in the United States for three weeks straight post launch and is currently the second highest selling game in the US this entire year only behind Monster Hunter Wilds . It is impressive that Shadows was able to produce such strong numbers in a much different gaming market that was the norm for several years and despite controversy surrounding the game for various reasons. A lot of people expected the game to fail, but that has not been the case at all. Ubisoft needed a smash hit like this in a time where their company is facing some serious uncharted territory and needs all the hits they can get with their major new releases after a trend of disappointments in the past years. Shadows in a way was their make or break game. If it didn’t succeed the way it has so far, things would have only gotten worse for the company. Thankfully, the fans and gamers alike have enjoyed the game and their journey into Feudal Japan and the sales reports have proven that Shadows became the hit Ubisoft expected it to become. Shadows has most recently been announced to have reached five million total players across all platforms. This is a huge success and really goes to show how strong the Assassin’s Creed fanbase is, along with gamers in general who may not consider themselves to be big fans but enjoyed the ride nonetheless. Having such a large player count shows Ubisoft’s strategy of focusing on their top franchises in an uncertain time is paying off. Shadows certainly can credit a good amount of the game's success to its day-one Steam release. Ubisoft had fully skipped Steam since it released The Division 2 in 2019 after striking a deal with the rival Epic Games Store. Multiple gaming companies have gone down this route with PC gaming yet all of them ended up returning to Steam, where it is still the dominant place that the majority of PC gamers play at. Steam continues to break its all time records in player count even decades later into its creation, so the fact that Steam remains the king of PC gaming was clearly a sign for Ubisoft to launch Shadows day one so their game can reach the maximum amount of players as a lot of PC gamers avoid other platforms like the Epic Games Store and prefer to keep all their games in one place on Steam. Ubisoft's choice to return to Steam for the first time in over five years clearly was a smart one. Promo image for Assassin's Creed Shadows Ubisoft has a lot more in store for Shadows post-launch, as they have multiple DLC’s, which stands for downloadable content, that are planned to release in the following months that will give players who have already completed the main story and side quests more content to enjoy and new storylines to further expand on the ending of the main game. Fans are highly anticipating the upcoming releases such as the DLC called ‘ Claws of Awaji ’ that takes gamers to a new location based on Awaji Island near Osaka Bay, which are all in real life Japan as well. This DLC is heavily anticipated as fans cannot wait to continue the story of the two main protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, and see where their journey leads them next after the events of the main game. Along with this DLC, more add-on content is planned with features such as New Game Plus, which offers gamers a chance to play through the story of the game again but without losing their progress and not having to start all over. This feature has become highly common amongst games released in the previous years. Along with the New Game Plus, an enhanced Photo Mode option is coming in the near future too. A lot of gamers love the feature of the Photo Mode, where they can create digital captures of things they see in game that can be enhanced via the options the game usually gives players to customize their photos like having filters, color changes, and lots of features to make your capture beautifully the way you'd want it. Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been everything fans could’ve asked for, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the developers at Ubisoft who relied on this game to be the hit they expected it to be. The future of the game is bright, and there’s plenty to look forward to for gamers who enjoyed the game that want to see more content for both the story and the gameplay as well. Ubisoft made a very successful game that had fans waiting for a long time for, and this big hit only shows that Ubisoft has truly doubled down on the Assassin’s Creed franchise as a whole and the future of not only Shadows , but the entire series as a whole, is undeniably bright with endless possibilities ahead. Promo image for Assassin's Creed Shadows 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

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: November 1st - 8th Community Share 9 Nov 2020 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Ashlea Buckley Back To Database Welcome back to a new weekly virtual photography initiative hosted by Gustav Poulsen from The AC Partnership Program. Each week, five Assassin's Creed shots will be showcased here on TOWCB website, in order to promote virtual photography and community contributions. Gustav is a seasoned pro when it comes to virtual photography, and has a keen eye for special shots. Look out for more Photo Logs over the coming weeks, some of which may include Assassin's Creed Valhalla! Great Pyramid This week’s first capture is from Assassin’s Creed Origins. It’s a shot of the Great Pyramid in Giza, taken by Instagram user @ gamingpharmofficial. Vibrant, full of beautiful lighting, palm trees, blue skies and of course a legendary landmark, this capture had to kick off this week’s recap list! Dark Skies: This week’s second capture is yet another one from AC Origins; this one taken by Instagram user @ anna.loves.pcgaming. Oddly enough, this one also features the pyramids of Giza… But Bayek looks at them from a distance, from some high ground down in Memphis. And of course, the most remarkable aspect of this shot, the dark skies and clouds appearing from above, that gives this shot a unique sinister vibe. Monteriggioni This Assassin’s Creed II screenshot is taken by Instagram user @ il.mentore.1459. In it we see Ezio fashionably dressed in the Armor of Altaïr on a rooftop, looking out over his new home village of Monteriggioni. In the distant background, we see the beautiful Tuscan highlands at night. This makes for a not necessarily sinister, but certainly mysterious at maybe even slightly ominous vibe that ACII is known for. You can almost just look at this picture, and here “Leonardo’s Inventions” start playing in the background. Palazzo Ducale For the fourth picture on this week’s list, we have another one from ACII… Also taken by @ il.mentore.1459 . This one however is of the massive, “impenetrable” Palazzo Ducale in Venice at night. Like the previous shot, this one also has that mysterious and slightly sinister vibe to it. The dark vibe that ACII as mentioned is so well known for. Scouting The Area We’ve only had (great) shots from ACII & Origins on this list so far, so isn’t it time for pictures from other games for some variety? Coming in at spot number five, we have an awesome screenshot from Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, taken by Instagram user @ char.lie.scott In it we see Jacob Frye in his preferred working class-esque attire, hanging from a ledge with ONE HAND on top of St. Paul’s Cathedral, observing the beautiful City of London. Bright, filled with warm colours and overall cool and cinematic looking, this capture was to good to not be featured! Paris Noir As mentioned, since this is the final recap before the release of AC Valhalla, we’re featuring double the amount of the usual five pictures. Therefore, kicking off the latter half we’ve got an Assassin’s Creed Unity screenshot taken by Instagram user @ shadow_warrior003 . This one is a classy black and white picture of the legendary Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. The noir filter really gives this capture a certain classic French noir vibe, that in one way or another takes one back to Paris in the early 1900’s. Whether this was intentional or not, the photographer did an exceptional job with this photo! Loneliness And for the next capture, we’ve got an Assassin’s Creed Odyssey landscape shot taken by Instagram user @ baddestfemale__. This picture is stunningly beautiful to say the least! Perfectly capturing the golden hour as its reflection can be seen on the ocean, and with several small islands thrown into the frame for good measure, this might very well be one of the best AC Odyssey shots I, Gargudon, the photo recap writer have stumbled upon! Ghost Rider In this third AC Origins pics to make the list, we see Bayek wearing an Anubis mask, riding his mysterious, flammable and obviously extremely hot Abyssal Steed horse through the Egyptian deserts as the sun slowly disappears from the horizon. Not much to say to say about this picture, other than it’s well framed, cool looking and last but not least extremely vibrant and warm looking! Source: Spartan Gamer Goodbye Greece For the second last picture on this week’s list, we’ve got a heartfelt goodbye tribute shot dedicated to AC Odyssey, taken by Instagram user @ mentor.of.the.creed . This picture cleverly marks the end of one Assassin’s Creed era, before a new one starts with Valhalla tomorrow already. In it we see our protagonist walking down the beach, alongside the water. Let’s just say they’re reflecting on their many adventures throughout Greece. Not only is this capture extremely beautiful, but as hinted towards there are certain symbolic meanings attached to this. All of which are up for interpretation. Northern Lights he talented Assassin’s Creed Rogue photographer @ shaysredemption , whose shots have already made the list several times, gets the honour of having the last non-Valhalla shot on these lists for a while featured! In this one we see Shay’s ship the Morrigan, adrift in the middle of nowhere in the North Atlantic, surrounded by icebergs in the night. And most remarkably, sailing under the most beautiful and phenomenal northern lights! Thanks for checking our this weeks's photo log, and to all of the virtual photographers who contributed towards this article! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016, but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews & composing. By joining The Ones Who Came Before in 2019, originally reviving 'The Memory Corridor' podcast, which had been offline for nearly a year, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further develop his skills. 

His unique skill set made him the perfect candidate for our team. Among other things, he is known in the community for the Sounds Of History project - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental music project, featuring five tracks inspired by as many different games - other original fan themes plus covers of iconic AC tracks, as well as video interviews with a number of high profile names in the world of AC, from Roger Craig Smith, Jesper Kyd and more. Fun fact, among his growing colourful tattoo collection, Gustav is the only member of our team to have the TOWCB logo inked. Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 31st to 6th August Community Share 8 Aug 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young 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 Let’s Dive In Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ISAchan_97 “To perform the leap of faith, you must give yourself over to something greater” To serve the light is a great questline in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and exists to teach Eivor the ways of the brotherhood. As a Viking all the skulking around in the shadows seems alien. I like that Hytham and Eivor have a connection through the bureau in Ravensthorpe. This epic shot encapsulates Eivor attempting a leap of faith after Hytham’s teachings. The timing here is excellent with Eivor’s arms spread wide like an eagle. Fantastic choice of outfit too, it’s a shame this set did not become Eivor’s classic ‘Assassin’ robes. Phobos Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @WallyDaGreat66 “You’ve chosen the great Phobos. He’s never let me down” Phobos is Kassandra’s horse of choice in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. He accompanies Kassandra all across Greece after being gifted to her by Markos early in the story. There were so many skins for Phobos depending on your chosen style he could look as grounded or extreme as you wanted. Fun fact is Phobos means fear in Greek. This capture of your trusty steed is so striking, I love the lighting and how it is amplifying the stunning details of the horse. The facial position is perfect and the depth of field adds to the beauty. Warrior of the North Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @artschoolglasses “I do not seek battles. Battle just seem to seek me” Scotland was always out of reach for Eivor, apart from the Isle of Skye DLC which was such a nice surprise. It is a shame we don’t get to venture beyond the wall but then again it is never a wise thing to do. Many a Viking failed in their attempts to take Scotland. For me this shot of Eivor Varinsdottir surveying the snowy landscapes of the north gracefully sums up Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. She came from snowy Norway to battle through England and arrive back in the north. I adore the position of this capture with the mountains spectacularly on view in the background. I also love the snowy tree tops and for me the best armour set in the game, what more could I ask for. Northman Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @theonlyjess_vp “Basim fills your head with twisted prophecies” Eivor and Sigurd are so close, but as time goes on Sigurd becomes brain washed by Basim and the brothers bond becomes frail. This is mostly down to Sigurd seeking higher glory and forgetting that he is a Viking at heart. Eivor in this capture embodies the role of both Northman and Odin outstandingly well. I love this portrait and everything about it, the depth of field and colour tones are on point. The hair and beard combo works so well and the Raven tattoo heeds the connection to Odin. Got to love that raven skin with the bone armour, such a nice touch to put the wayfinder symbol on the headpieces. Footprints in the Sand Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @KaiVirtualPhoto “We must sacrifice our personal lives for the greater good” One thing that really impressed most people when playing Origins is the minimalistic beauty of the desert. The way Ubisoft built the Origins world is nothing short of excellence. Bayek often finds himself wandering the desert in search of his next target. This capture has the wow factor, partly because shots with the minimalist vibe are hard to pull off. I applaud the saturation of the sand and the footprints left behind by Bayek, excellent little details that bring this shot alive. It just leaves you wondering where Bayek is going? The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @TuridTorkil This shot is a great combination of timing, lighting and angle. It's minimalistic yet vivid at the same time. I know how tricky it can be to get a proper picture of running characters. I am highly impressed by this 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! 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

Starter Guide focussing on Norway for new players looking to begin their Assassin's Creed Valhalla adventure. Community Guides Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Huntsman Gear Guide By Aaron Young 26/3/21 Share Top Stories The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today After the relatively long intro in Norway, you will no doubt be eager to find a new armour set when you arrive in England. One of the easier sets to claim is the Huntsman, which can be found in the opening areas of England. All items can be found in-game without the need for DLC or micro-transactions. All gear sets in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will not only provide the player with an aesthetic look, but also stats and bonuses that increase Eivor’s strength. Further to this, your gear will also be aligned to one of the three branches of the skill tree. The Huntsman set follows the wolf skill line and therefore will benefit from any skill points you have placed here. It is also good to consider the set bonus perks that are different for each armour set. The Huntsman gear provides you with a nice Viking look and leans heavily into an archer playstyle. The two bonuses for equipping the Huntsman set are in the image below. It is good to remember that the more pieces of the set you wear, the bigger the bonus. It is not essential though, and you can mix gear for interesting perks. Edited by Ashlea Buckley The Huntsman Set Interview with Magnus Bruun - Eivor Assassins' Creed Valhalla Merchandise Guide Q&A with Abubakar Salim - Bayek of Siwa TOWCB Plans for 2021 Netflix announce upcoming live-action Assassin's Creed series Female Vikings: The Real History Building an Assassin's Creed Community: Getting Started Mentors Guild Announcement Interview with Benoit Richer: Valhalla Co-Dev Game Director Interview with Eric Baptizat: AC Valhalla Game Director Interview with Jordan Van Andel (JorRaptor) Colours in Assassin's Creed: A Short Review 6 ways to stay entertained in the Assassin's Creed Community during isolation Interview with Carlos Ferro - Da Vinci 5 ways you can support TOWCB Interview with Jesper Kyd Top Stories How to Get the Huntsman Gear Set The Huntsman Cape This seems like it could be more difficult than it actually is. Your best route is to take your Longship up river to Templebrough Fort in Ledecestrescire. The Huntsman Helm This one can be a little trickier. The helm can be found at Tonnastadir fort in Ledecestrescire. It is a heavily guarded area, which can be difficult early in the game. You will come here as part of the Ledecestrescire story arc, and I would suggest waiting until then to collect the helm. Hopefully these tips will help you get started on your Viking adventure. Valhalla is a wonderful game full of intrigue and mystery with a story that sucks you in slowly. Be patient and take your time, you will not regret it. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who recently joined TOWCB AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer. Throughout 2021, Aaron and other writers will be joining the admin team in a collaborative effort to create an Assassin's Creed Valhalla Guide Database, which you can find here . Twitter Aaron Young Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" Unfortunately you cannot obtain all of the set pieces in the same region. There are five gear items to collect, with three in Grantebridgescire and the other two in Ledecestrescire. The Power Levels of these regions should not pose too much of a problem, as when you arrive in England both Grantebridgescire and Ledecestrescire are early story destinations. That being said, all of the Huntsman armour is well guarded so you will need to either fight your way to it or use stealth. Grantebridgescire and Ledecestrescire are both Power Level 20, so following the story would be the best way of attaining this set. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla has four tiers for gear pieces: Grey (Fine) Red (Superior) Blue (Flawless) Gold (Mythical) When you fine each piece of the Huntsman set it will already be Superior. It is wise to use what resources you have to bring the gear to its highest level, and save your nickel ingots to upgrade the armour to flawless when you return to Gunnar at the Settlement. It is important to note that Ubisoft recently patched Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, implementing the transmogrification feature. This means you can upgrade your gear to the highest level but not have to worry about not liking the look. You can pay fifty coins to Gunnar and he will amend the aesthetic to one of the previous iterations but with the highest stats. The helm is locked behind a gate, so you will first need to head to the longhouse. The key can be found on a table, but be careful as sometimes there will be guards in the room. Once you have the key, head to the metal gate where three guards will be waiting. There is some debris you can drop on them. Either way you will need to dispatch the guards before entering. The helm can be found at the end of the hallway in a chest. The Huntsman Armour The chest piece is probably the most difficult to obtain. It can be found in Ravensburg outpost, Grantebridgescire. This outpost is part of the story arc so waiting until then is a good option. The cloak can be found in a tower situated in the middle of the river. Just climb the tower and shoot the wood hanging to break the floor below. From here jump down and open the chest. There are a few guards so be careful not to been seen, but it is possible to avoid them altogether. You will find the chest containing the armour in the main hut at the centre of the enemy camp. Despite the camp being well guarded it is possible to get all the way to the hut unnoticed. You may wish to tactically remove some of the guards just so if you are caught you will not be overwhelmed. The Huntsman Vambraces The vambraces are hidden behind a waterfall in Grantebridgescire. The location is not too far from your settlement. Just head south of Ravensthorpe and you will see an area with two sections of water. The vambraces can be found in the first section of water, behind a waterfall. Once you enter the cave you will find another section of water. You will need to dive in and swim underwater until you reach the end. Straight after exiting the water you will see the chest in front of you. The Huntsman Breeches Your final piece to collect will be the breeches. They are situated in Soham hideout, which is on a patch of land not too far from Isle of Ely Monastery, Grantebridgescire. You will want to sneak into the camp and head towards the large stone building in the centre. Inside you will find a chest containing the breeches. You may also need to dispatch some of the guards. There are two sat at a table in the main building, making it difficult to sneak up on them, so be careful. Once you have all the gear items, you can return to Gunnar to upgrade them. Don’t forget to take a look at the transmogrification feature. It is also worth mentioning that you can pay travellers for information regarding the location of gear items (represented on the map by a question mark)

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 26th March -1st April 2022 Community Share 12 Apr 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the new weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week, we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 1) Wildlife Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This week’s first capture comes from @ GeeketteAna over on Twitter A first wildlife capture for our weekly roundup. I really like the Autumnal feel of this shot, with the fox as the main focal point. This truly is a beautiful photo. I feel like Valhalla really nails the design of foxes in the game. After playing Ghost of Tsushima I never thought this possible. 2) Cave Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Photo number two comes from @ _Jellybird over on Twitter. Sticking with Valhalla and we have a wonderful shot of Eivor exiting a cave ready for battle. I love the details on this one with the rippling water and the egg shaped cave entrance. The lighting is on point to, giving a window like feel. Not quite sure where this is on the game but I would like to find it. 3) England’s Beauty Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This week’s third shot comes from @ Chris25551 over on Twitter. I picked this shot because of its beauty. Valhalla has such great scenery, and this showcases it. A fantastic, almost painting like capture that encompasses the range of colours in England. The sun breaking through the clouds creating a misty haze adds to the mystery of this shot. 4) Nefertiti’s Throne Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP number four comes from @ ophierian_vp over on Twitter. A change of game now for capture number four. This tilted image gives a great sense of depth to a sun-drenched imagine of Nefertiti’s Throne. It’s been a long time since I played the Curse of the Pharaohs, but I might just need to make a return after this. I especially love the small details in this shot. 5) Companion Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey The final capture of the week comes from @ Elvira04289 over on Twitter. I like this capture for two reasons: one it showcases Kassandra and Ikaros brilliantly, and in such fine detail. However secondly it made me smile. Ikaros definitely looks like he is photobombing here. I miss Senu and Ikaros so much, as they were great additions to their respective games. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 27th to 5th March Community Share 7 Mar 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 Havi Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Jonnybubs We start this week with a shot that reminds me of promotional artwork for Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The colours are so deep and inviting. I am loving the depth of field, bringing that striking shield into focus. It helps that the sun is reflecting off the shield elevating this shot even further. I have to mention the Bifrost in the distance too, almost looks like a rainbow. The Last Kingdom Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Spiggy_Smalls This shot stood out as it reminds me of the TV show The Last Kingdom. I can imagine Eivor or Uhtred entering Winchester. I adore the viewpoint for this capture, being hidden within the foliage looking on as Eivor enters the city. The environment is just so captivating, you can see effort the team have put in to build the perfect medieval world. Link: https://twitter.com/spiggy_smalls/status/1630534329376952320?s=46&t=rIujpeSq9644fgpRWA_xMA The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week. Judge: UbiCypher Incredibly stunning and smooth. It is as if we are looking at an official screenshot for the game. The picture seems to come to life and the moment of the castle's turmoil is perfectly captured almost like a piece of artwork. Leap of Faith Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ SLICK_R392 Bayek jumping into a hay bale is next up for this week's showcase. I am surprised we don't see more shots like this considering how iconic the leap of faith is. I really like how Bayek is in line with the birds, it makes him look like he is flying. Great colours on this shot too with the deep blue of the sky and the sandy haze creeping in. Enter the Tomb Raider Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ kevinphotomode This shot featured as TOWCBPhoto0fTheDay and I could not resist entering it in the weekly showcase. The framing is perfect with Bayek waiting at the entrance, torch in hand. I have to applaud Kevin too, without the ability to take portrait shots in Origins he has aced it. Reminds me of some key art from Origin's launch with Bayek entering a tomb. Protector of these Lands Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ KeenEyeVP We end this week with a shot I have been a little obsessed with since noticing it in the community. For me it’s one of the best edits I have seen, truly beautiful. Fantastic choice of background and outfit. Kassandra is one of the most powerful characters in the series and this shot is a perfect ode to that. Nice addition of the Odyssey logo in the bottom corner, really caps off the photo. 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: 14th to 20th August Community Share 22 Aug 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 Swooping In Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ photomodeaddict “Fly like an Eagle” Swooping in from above is one of Senu’s specialties. This beautiful Bonelli Eagle is one of the highlights of Assassin’s Creed Origins. Being able to call upon her to scout enemy encampments or to distract a guard is a real bonus for Bayek. This shot is so captivating as it captures Senu mid dive with her wings tilted back. I adore the focus of this photo with Senu’s head brought to the forefront, it gives a real racing car feel. The blue saturated sky is sublime mimicking the blues used on the Horus armour set. A dramatic, elegant capture of an eagle that will always be remembered in the series. Link to set: White Knight Game: Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood VP Artist: @ Rambo_590 “Fear Not The Darkness, But Welcome It’s Embrace” Due to the lack of photo modes in the old games, Ezio rarely gets to feature in one of these articles, which is a shame as he is arguably the most famous Assassin in the series. The Florentine nobleman turned Assassin lives a life not too dissimilar to many comic book heroes. In this capture he is doing his best Batman pose, you could say he is Italy’s white knight dressed in the Brotherhood robes. The positioning of this capture is what draws me in with the moon above his left shoulder acting as a ‘bat signal’ especially with how it is reflecting off his outfit. The tone of the shot is spot on and it is achieved brilliantly with the white and the dark contrast. Link to set: Holy Judgment Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ dede_wijayanto3 “One day it is my hope that all Kingdoms will become one united under one God” The St Georges armour is such an anomaly in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. There must have been a glitch in the Animus for Eivor to use it. A design that is synonymous with the English looks out of place on a Viking. That being said, Eivor’s presence in England and connection with Alfred starts the formation of England. The black and white look of this capture is its USP. The cross of St Georges pops due to the lack of colour and the shadow work is so intriguing. I love that bits of green have been added to the leaves. The pose is perfection, amplifying the cross but also the hood and the axe. The shot merges England, Assassin, and Viking all in one. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ TuridTorkil ''This picture pulls me in. The combination of Templar cloak and Dane axe awakens my interest. I really like the accentuated use of colour. I am curious to know who is behind the hood and what their intention are''. Coastal Realms Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ ophierian_vp “It’s not what you are underneath, but what you do that defines you” The troubled Medjay who walks a lonely road, uses the pain of loss to emerge from the darkness a better man. Underneath Bayek is anger, rage, and vengeance but his actions are of a man with courage and devotion. He uses his grief for good, and assembles the Hidden Ones along with Aya. This exceptional capture tells this story with Bayek emerging from the darkness and into the light. I love how his hood is across the eyes allowing his identity to remain hidden. The colours and details are perfect and exceptionally highlighted by the lighting. A charismatic capture of the vigilante of Egypt. Now We Are Free Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ lightfallimage “Sometimes I Do What I Want To Do. The Rest Of The Time, I Do What I Have To” At times Kassandra has quite a few links to Maximus in the Gladiator movie. They both have to fight back from the depths of despair. They both speak of free will and the importance it has on the people. Kassandra though doesn’t get to be free in the end and must spend her life helping to write wrongs. This shot perfectly captures the essence of Gladiator and the field of wheat scene. It’s a nice touch that the developers added the hand movement when in these areas. The shot itself is wonderful, it’s clean, colourful and extremely crisp. The scope of the capture is incredible with varying landscapes on show. I like the little details too with the butterfly floating in from the right. That yellow though is something else, so eye catching. 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: 17th to 28th February Community Share 8 Dec 2024 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young 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 alongside @WonDerNooB_VP an avid Assassin’s Creed fan and virtual photographer. RS has been actively posting and participating in Assassin’s Creed VP for quite a while now. Their support to #ACFirstCivVP has been much appreciated, and we could not wait to team up with RS for this theme. 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: Symmetry Three in a Row Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @wingsforsmiles The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @WonDerNooB_VP RS I especially love Wingsforsmiles fourth picture with the merchant boats, it’s an easily overlooked subject for composition, just very pleasing to the eye overall. I like the different colours against a neutral backdrop, and a great use of the rule of threes. Aaron When RS mentioned about running a symmetry theme, I was slightly nervous as this style a can be particularly tricky. The great thing though is our community clearly do not, and we have seen some really stunning shots. This week’s winner fits the theme alongside a dash of minimalism. I see moments like this one all the time but can never find the right composition. Here we can see a master class in how to produce symmetry in Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Often details like this are overlooked as we sneak around the map, but if you take the time to explore there is much beauty to the environment. Wingsforsmiles has definitely produced a work of art here. Fly By Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ mnt13.bsky.social Of all the Assassin’s Creed entries of late, I would probably say Mirage has the most opportunities for symmetry. The care and attention to detail from Ubisoft is clear to see. The cultural buildings and their ornate design are so pleasing on the eye. This shot from m is a beauty, thanks to some really epic timing. The composition is perfect, framing the arch and that gorgeous design on it. The shadow of Enkidu is wonderful and adds a real majesty to the capture, it must have been really tricky on the timings. What I love most though is the warm colour palette and how it elevates the details of the photo. The Lay of the Land Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ sparbuck47.bsky.social Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a rich entry to the series providing us with a lot of places to explore. I personally found it overwhelming and never got round to playing the DLC’s. When I see captures like this though I know I have probably missed out. What a jaw dropping piece of virtual photography this is. It is helped massively by the height which I assume was possible thanks to Ikaros. Once again, the composition is great with all the sections lining up to meet the symmetry brief. The green and blue tones are really giving me that Greek vibe. What steals the show though is the use of the frame, it makes me feel like I am looking at some hidden map from an Indian Jones movie. Summer Vibes Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ dpruttz-vp.bsky.social I think wandering the deserts of Assassin’s Creed Origins was probably one of the most visually stunning and peaceful moments I have experienced in gaming. Ubisoft nailed the Egyptian world and that’s one of the reason why this game was so successful. Dave has really captured the essence of Origins with this exquisitely minimal shot that also hits the symmetry theme nicely. I just love the colours in this photo. The blue and the yellow working together to give you that summer vibe. Not your classic Assassin’s Creed capture but these games have so many ways to take a photo and that’s why you see so much virtual photography from them. Sneaky Basim Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ charapof.bsky.social I still find it wild that Assassin’s Creed Mirage was originally a DLC for Valhalla. I am so glad that Ubisoft Bordeaux were allowed to make this a standalone entry. Mirage does share a lot of similarities to Valhalla, but it always feels so different to capture. This photo is both fun and well taken. The metal pattern in front of our hero, looks intricate and casts some great shadows on Basim's face. I like how his outfit pops with colour, especially the green, given its relevance to the character. Basim is clearly sneaking up on an enemy here and I love how you can just see one eye peering through. 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 Odyssey Review Review Share 5 Feb 2019 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database "Fun but flawed in the eyes of the lore" The reveal of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey marked a new direction for the franchise, with a focus on giving players the chance to craft their own experience. For some, it was the beginning of an identity crisis for the series, with the removal of both the Assassins and the Creed, making the title almost invalid. For others, it was a fresh start for the series, entering a new chapter full of opportunity which would allow the player to control the sexual identity and decisions of the protagonist. It was clear that the franchise was no longer going to be constricted by the Animus, and would for the first time ever be letting players make their own decisions over character selection, dialogue and other aspects of the game. Odyssey takes the franchise even further in the journey towards becoming a fully-fledged RPG, and builds upon the blocks left behind by Origins. My time playing Assassin’s Creed Odyssey has been a bumpy ride, bringing about a mixture of emotions. The key question I asked myself when purchasing the game was: Can you have an Assassin’s Creed Game without the Assassins or the Creed? The short answer is yes, as Odyssey proves that it can be done from an ideological perspective, as tyrants and liberators exist in all historical societies. Should it have been done though? That’s a more difficult question to tackle. So before we examine that in more depth, let’s take a look at the game itself. From the outside, Odyssey looks like 300 crossed with Assassin’s Creed Origins, combining the brutality of Ancient Greek conflicts with aspects of the previous entry. Moments after beginning the game, it becomes clear that this is far more than a retexture of a previous game. For the first time ever, players can select a character, a decision that cannot be undone once made. The choice comes down to two Spartan mercenaries. Kassandra or Alexios. This is due to Layla’s modified Animus accepting pages from the lost book of Herodotus, and DNA from the Spear of Leonidas, which projects a potential version of what history could have looked like, rather than what it was really like. For this to happen, the established animus lore of the franchise has been bent all over the place, removing issues such as desyncronization and bleeding effect consequences. The half-siblings have exactly the same choices, lines and even sexual partners, making the whole selection process rather peculiar. According to previous entries, Layla should be desynchronizing immediately, but let’s roll with it for now. I wasted no time in selecting Kassandra, turning the difficulty up to Nightmare Mode, and enabling exploration mode for my first playthrough. The World Ancient Greece in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey mixes together a wide range of contrasting environments, creating a beautiful experience for the player. When you’re not being attacked by the many enemies of the world, you can use photo mode to take in the stunning views and capture the moment. Although Odyssey feels familiar due to the graphical similarities to Assassin’s Creed Origins, the sandy deserts of Egypt feel a great distance away from the green fields of Greece. Venture to the coast and watch the waves hit the shore, or listen to the teachings of Sokrates in a bustling crowd. Whatever you choose to do in the game, you’ll be met with dynamic, ever changing scenarios that make you wish you had a time machine to visit it all for real. The game does a fantastic job at providing memorable locations in such a large open world, with new surroundings still being discovered after 100 hours of play. The tone of the world can also change in a moment, quickly going from a sunny, clear day, to a stormy, misty night, full of dangers lurking in the dark. You don’t want to be lingering around the woods of Attica after the sun goes down. The player discovers the Greek world along-side Kassandra (Or Alexios), after they finally manage to leave the small island of Kephallonia. behind. You’ll meet a colourful cast of characters along the way too. Who could forget the legendary warrior Testikles, or the tales told by your right hand man Barnabas, an ever loyal companion when facing the gravest of dangers. Following the Misthios on their journey are Ikaros (Senu’s Great Great ikarosGrandfather…. Possibly) and Phobos (At times the slowest horse to ever exist), who provide constant assistance throughout the game. My first ten hours of gaming were spent synchronising viewpoints. Little did I know that this task would be never-ending, as the map for the game is absolutely enormous. After many hours free-roaming the wild lands of Ancient Greece (on nightmare mode), I began to notice that I had barely gained any XP at all, and that it had been a real graft to level up. In comparison to the enemies (and animals) of the land that all wanted me dead, I was an extremely weak opponent. By not doing missions (as the game clearly intended), I felt like I was being punished, and had to suffer the consequences. Without missions, it can take the player several hours to increase significantly in XP or levels when choosing to free-roam. This graft to progress can create a disparity between the gamer and the world, where you leave your gaming session wondering what you have actually accomplished. Unlike other RPG games such as Skyrim, the game has no intention of rewarding players for wandering the world, with XP awards being almost microscopic at times. Bigger actions on the other hand, such as completing missions or eliminating rival mercenaries are heavily awarded with XP, which can rapidly increase your level. Before approaching a mission, I find myself scouting out the surrounding areas in order to pick a suitable battleground in case of conflict. A nice cliff or wall can be the difference between life and death, thanks to the Sparta Kick ability which can be used to defeat even the strongest of enemies. The surroundings can be critical to a successful fight, and creates an element which players can exploit to their own advantage. For example, I recently led a group of Athenians to a Lion den, before finding a vantage point to weaken the enemies with carefully timed arrows. Natural resources within the world also play a key role in the progression of the misthios. Trees and Iron can be harvested to upgrade weapons, or upgrade the ship, improving the chances of winning in combat. The game introduces a refined crafting experience in comparison to the time consuming efforts that were required in Assassin’s Creed III. To craft arrows, players simply collect wood and pelt, and head to the inventory. You can now even select auto-craft for arrows, meaning the game does it all for you. One feature that I particularly liked in AC Odyssey was the ability to dismantle weapons at any time. This allows the player to gain more wood or pelt where necessary. Although the world can be used to your advantage, it can also provide surprises for those who wander in to unknown terrain. Enemy attacks can come unexpectedly, and you may find yourself facing skilled warriors with level counts way above your own. The best way to stay alive is by carefully selecting your gear, and by making sure you keep upgrading/engraving when you visit your local blacksmith. One thing that I did notice when delving in to the world of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is that actions have consequences. Thanks to the new dialogue selection system, the choices that you make in your playthrough can have repercussions. For example, by choosing to spare the infected residents of Kefalonia, the player learns later in the game that their homeland has become host to a foul plague. For the rest of the game, Kassandra or Alexios must live with the burden of knowing that they could have prevented the spread of the deadly disease. This is just one example of many of how the choices you make in game affect the world around you. Everything from the side you choose, to the targets you kill can be carefully contemplated by the player. The game does not force you to kill targets (other than cultists), and it is up to the player to decide which Nation Leaders/Mercenaries they wish to assassinate or spare. In doing so, they know that their decisions shape the land, and contribute towards the suffering or prosperity of the people. These huge decisions can feel like rewriting history at times, and should really be prevented by the Animus (which clearly isn’t doing its job properly these days). A good example of this is when Kassandra confronts The Wolf of Sparta (whom she thinks is her father). The player can choose to kill or spare Nikolaos, a decision which should be fundamentally impossible within the Animus. Abilities Odyssey introduces a wide range of abilities that the player can unlock, which can be selected depending on the gamer’s preferred play-style. Each of three skill trees focus on a different core aspect of your chosen character. The Hunter, Warrior and Assassin tress all contain abilities which can cause devastating damage to opponents. The only problem with the ability system is that you can only select four for combat and four for archery at a time. It’s a shame that the game restricts your access to all of the abilities at once, but it does make the player select the most appropriate for their game. I personally tried to blend a mix between stealth and combat, in order suit the way I found myself playing the game. Let’s be honest, there’s nothing a good old Sparta kick won’t solve, but it’s best to stay on the safe side and select useful ones like healing for example. You never know when a fight is going to break out, and it’s good to have a way to recover should you take some damage. The Spear of Leonidas has some extremely powerful abilities attached to it, which only seem to get stronger as you progress through the game. After killing members of the Cult of Kosmos, you can take the Spear to the Ancient Forge, where it can be upgraded. This allows you to increase your strength even further, and unlock even more devastating abilities. Although the game has a great range of abilities, I felt that some of them should not have been locked away. For example, special arrows such as fire, poison or explosive all fall under an ability tree, rather than a simple purchase from a blacksmith which I expected. You’ll find the same goes for smoke bombs, which also fall under an ability tree. It feels like the game really does wish for the player to level up and grind, rather than handing all the tools available straight away. Ikaros also does not have abilities, as was the case in Assassin’s Creed Origins. I think it would have been interesting to introduce abilities like the following: “Theft from above”. “Distraction noise”. “Stone drop”. You get the picture, there’s loads that could have been implemented. Maybe in the next game we’ll be able to send our eagle to steal ammo from enemy camps. That being said, I cannot imagine playing the game without abilities. Conquest battles without healing, shield stealing or overpowered archery attacks would be an absolute nightmare! They really do add an extra element to the game, and unleash a lethal force when enough adrenaline is built up. Dialogue options Dialogue options are a strange addition to the franchise, something which I never expected to occur as long as the animus is still operational. The choices available to the player are endless, especially in side missions, where Kassandra can change the tone of a conversation extremely quickly. One thing you will notice quickly however is her lust for sex at every opportunity. During serious conversations, the game finds a way to make the situation sexual, something which I found to be quite distracting. Other times, I found the choice I selected didn’t overly reflect what was actually being said, making it feel like the dialogue option was pretty pointless. One thing that I did like about the dialogue options however were how you could gain extra information from characters by selecting a question. This allows for the player to learn more about the upcoming quest, and think of a strategy in which to proceed. Odyssey is full of choices, and the dialogue system reflects that in full. Players have the option to turn down quests and come back to it later, something which is extremely useful when you’re way below the recommended level. After sinking several hours into the game every day, I found myself at times skipping through dialogue in cutscenes and choosing to read the subtitles instead. This is no disrespect to the voice actors in any way, who did a great job with the characters. It simply saves time. There are moments however where I wish I had not done this, as the game quizzed me and made sure I was paying attention. My first real noticeable quiz came when I first attempted “Lore of the Sphinx”. I skipped the cutscenes without paying attention, and was presented with a selection process for riddle answers. I guessed of course and was killed by the Sphinx for not paying attention. I liked the way in which the game made sure I was still listening, and gave me options in which to choose. Other than a few overly sexual options, and some which didn’t reflect the choice, I think the game did a good job at presenting alternative branches which could create interesting consequences. This is definitely a feature that Ubisoft should use again in games like Far Cry and Splinter Cell, but I’m still not sure about its place in the Assassin’s Creed Universe I might be open to it's return in the Modern Day aspects though. Stealth One of the core pillars of the Assassin’s Creed franchise is stealth, enabling the player to become one with the crowd and neutralise enemies without being spotted. As stealth is such as important element to the franchise, you would expect the game to make missions specifically for this, but this is not the case. When you begin the game, stealth is nearly impossible, with attacks from a hiding spot dealing limited damage. Over time, it improves if you select gear with Assassin damage, but there comes a time when playing where you have to accept that a stealth approach may not be the best for this game. For example: You see an Athenian guard on the edge of the cliff. You can either: 1) Attempt an assassination, risking exposure. 2) Sparta kick him off the cliff. In any other Assassin’s Creed game, I would pick 1 of course, knowing that my hidden blade would kill the enemy every time, but Odyssey carries on the problem that Origins introduced. Not every character can be stealthily assassinated from behind, or above, no matter what you do. You’d think a knife to the throat would slay even the mightiest of foes, but the game seems to have other ideas about this. Even with full Assassin damage on your weapons, a stealth attack may only deal half the damage you would expect to a captain or brute. You can find yourself above an alerted enemy, but unable to perform an air assassination, something which I found to be a particular problem. The stealth in Odyssey is flawed, and that makes me worry about future entries. When walking with a crowd in Athens for example, a paid mercenary will spot you from a mile away and attack on sight. Long gone are the days of ‘blending’, where a crowd could mask your position. The game is slightly limited when it comes to ranged attacks. All you can do from distance is shoot an arrow, which probably won’t do much damage to an enemy of the same, or higher level (even with a headshot), or you can try get up close and personal. Neither guarantees an instant kill, and exposes your position immediately. I found that the best stealth attack in the game is actually the spear throw ability, which can be used to quietly kill your opponents. As one of the fundamental strengths of the franchise, I really want to see this aspect improved in future entries. The simple introduction of tools such as throwing knives or bombs would make a difference to the stealth element. Alongside the whistle, rock throwing like was the case in Far Cry 3 would be a fantastic tool to distract guards. The closest right now to this is fire an arrow, or throw a lit torch, both of which alert enemies. Stealth is certainly an optional approach in the game, and many missions don’t even try to accommodate it. For example, the conquest battles cannot be fought from the shadows, and force the player to use the combat system time and time again. One thing that I did like about stealth in Odyssey however was the range of cover from the environment. Tall grass and bushes are frequent across the land, so you can attempt to be stealthy whenever you feel like it. As stealth is such a vital part of the Assassin’s Creed series, I really hope that the team behind the next game go back to the drawing board and work out the kinks, because for some reason it is extremely difficult in Odyssey, and almost prevents the player from carrying out a quiet assassination. It’s clear to me that more tools need to be given to the player in order to become a stealthier character. For example, Poison darts, smoke bombs, throwing knives and rock throwing would be a massive step forward in comparison to what we have to work with right now. Assassin’s Creed elements Odyssey is the first game in the franchise to take place before the establishment of the Assassin Brotherhood, which began in Ancient Egypt (The Hidden Ones). For this reason, the game was always going to struggle with incorporating ‘AC elements’, as many of the key founding pillars had yet to be introduced. Although the game does attempt to remind players than it is an Assassin’s Creed game, it acts almost like a fanservice rather than dedication to previous entries. Origins had some of the best White Room death conversations in the franchise, but Odyssey removes these pivotal moments, and replaces assassination targets with a ‘Shadow of Mordor’ style system. This means that players don’t really know anything about the people they are hunting in the Cult of Kosmos, even after investigations have been conducted. Although the Cult control Ancient Greece and different aspects of society, the player doesn’t have motivation to hunt down targets other than gaining better loot and crossing a name off a list. Previously, games would invest players in their targets, and make an emotional connection to their kill. A great example of this is when Connor finally assassinated his father, Haytham Kenway. When I think back on my Odyssey, I could maybe name two or three targets that I actually know anything about or remember. It seems that the members of the cult only exist to give the player something to do in the game, which is a shame when you think about the great experiences we have had hunting notable targets down in past entries. The Hidden Blade is replaced by The Spear of Leonidas, which is a pretty cool weapon for the player to upgrade and customise. Unfortunately though, you only get one, meaning that double air assassinations cannot be performed in the game. This is extremely annoying when you find yourself above two targets. Odyssey is also the first Assassin’s Creed game not to feature Animus Loading screens, where you can run around and see your character. Instead, we see the Cult of Kosmos hideout, which adds masks to the floor after you track them down. Although this is a cool new feature, it’s just one of the many ways in which the game distances itself from the past. The game does a decent job at explaining that a precursor group to the Order of Ancients existed, and that a philosophical battle against free will and control took place. At its core, that’s what the Assassin’s Creed franchise is all about. It does however, present a story where one individual and a few friends chose to battle the controlling forces, rather two opposing groups. It’s pretty disappointing to see that Darius, a major figure in the Assassin’s Creed lore has been sidelined to DLC content. Although the DLC looks 100x more like an Assassin’s Creed entry than Odyssey, I can’t help but feel unimpressed that players are having to pay extra to get the full AC experience. The outfits provide a constant reminder than this is an AC Game, allowing players to equip hoods when tackling the adventures set by Ubisoft. I was overall impressed with the outfit customisation options, especially when the visual customisation system was introduced. One thing however that was noticeably missing was the Legacy Outfits, which have been present in the franchise since the early games. It would have been pretty cool to see the Altair outfit getting some photo mode attention, but unfortunately they didn’t make an appearance. The best Assassin’s Creed lore elements in the game can be found in the Modern Day sections, where you play as Layla reading her emails. Here you will find a whole array of callbacks to previous instalments, and even transmedia products such as Last Descendants and Heresy. The death of Charlotte de la Cruz is featured in an email, alongside mentions of key Assassins, such as William Miles, Harlan T Cunningham and Galina Voronina. My favourite reference was the presence of Kiyoshi Takakuraa, a member of the Japanese Brotherhood who was first introduced in Assassin’s Creed Initiates. The Modern Day story is always progressing, with Layla being promoted to Cell Leader, but the games tend to focus on pretty boring aspects of the story. When you compare the comic book modern day story aspects to the games, we have one clear winner. This has led to it losing its importance for many fans, with some calling for its removal. I hope that for the next game, we can restore the Modern Day conflict, and see a full scale battle between the Assassins, Templars and Instruments of the First Will. Conclusion Odyssey is at its best when it is presenting the player with meaningful side missions that connect to each other. You can play a full arc that all links to each other, creating a chain of stories which you can follow. Here we get to see the protagonist in different situations, and presents the player with a great blend of sarcasm, humour and seriousness. Kassandra is a breath of fresh air as a female protagonist, when compared to the cold, serious tone we experienced as Aya. She was great all the way through, and I am so glad I didn’t choose Alexios. Sexual decisions feel unnecessary and out of place, becoming incredibly distracting when playing the game. It’s a novelty which has well and truly worn off for me. It doesn’t add anything to the game. Great range of enemies and kill moves. The combat and brutality of the game provide hours of satisfactory fighting experiences. At times the world feels too big. Imagine it without fast travel… One thing that fans can take away from Odyssey is that Ubisoft intends to provide a ton of additional content for future games. The post-launch content is going to keep players busy for a long time, meaning great value for money. Overall: The game is fun, but flawed in the eyes of the Lore. It bends the Assassin’s Creed lore in ways that cannot be justified. I hope that for the next game, Ubisoft listen to the Community, and try to make the game more ‘AC’ than this one. Rating: 7.5/10 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)

Rally The Creed Episode #3 Released Marketing for Assassin's Creed Mirage, Virtual Photography & AC Netflix Podcast Share 4 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to release episode #3 of Rally the Creed podcast, covering Marketing for Assassin's Creed Mirage, Virtual Photography and Assassin's Creed Netflix. Note this episode is recorded before the recent announcement of AC Mirage's release date. In episode #3 , guest host Jack from ThePhotoMode E-Magazine joins TOWCB Team members Lisa Zaman (Portrait Artist) and Aaron Young (Writer) to discuss all things in AC. Note: This episode was recorded before the recent announcement of AC Mirage's release date. 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 Movie: Trailer 2 Breakdown Breakdowns Share 18 Oct 2016 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Minor Plot Spoilers below. (Our admin Col_96 has seen the first 20 minutes of the film, so has inside knowledge on the trailer) In this article, we look at the bits you may have missed in the new AC Movie Trailer. Joseph Arrested: At the start of the Trailer, we see Joseph Lynch being arrested for the murder of his wife. (Fun fact. The young Joseph Lynch is played by Brian Gleeson, whilst his father Brendan Gleeson plays the older version) Abstergo Pin: Alan Rikkin is wearing an Abstergo Pin. Abstergo Guards using Batons: The scene where Cal takes on the Abstergo Guards reminded me of AC2, where Desmond and Lucy are in a similar situation. The guards use Batons to immobilise. Familiar Weapons: The first weapon is the Star, used by Maria. This weapon was on display at Gamescom. The second weapons are Edward Kenway's Flintlock Pistols, from AC4. The third items on display are bombs, similar to those used by Ezio Auditore in Assassin's Creed Revelations. The fourth weapon on display is Jacob Frye's Cane Sword. The cane itself is missing, but the Eagle blade remains. Assassin initiation: This part of the trailer looks like an Assassin initiation ceremony. Could it be for Aguilar? Other subjects: When Cal is running around the Abstergo facility, you can see the other subjects watching him. Return of Lin: Lin is another subject being held by Abstergo. "Lin, a Chinese Assassin linked to an ancestor who "is well travelled and hardened by the struggles of life for a woman in 16th century China". Source Could Lin be a descendant of Shao Jun? Return of Moussa: Moussa is another subject being held by Abstergo. Games Radar previously revealed that he is the descendant of Baptiste, seen in Assassin's Creed Liberation. Abstergo Belts: All the Security Guards are wearing Abstergo Belts. Altair's Short Blade: If you watch the trailer in slow motion, and stop it at exactly 56 seconds, you can see a short blade that looks very similar to the one used by Altair in AC1. Could it be Altair's Short Blade? AC2 Animus: At 1 minute and 4 seconds into the trailer, you can clearly see the Animus from AC2 behind Sophia! Animus chord: We finally saw the Animus chord clip into Callum's neck. Looks painful! It also explains the marks on his neck we previously saw. Aguilar's Finger: We can clearly see that Aguilar is missing a finger on his right hand. Other images from the film show him with all 5 on his right hand. This means that a finger has been removed in an Assassin initiation ceremony at some point in the film. It also means that the poster showing Aguilar syncing a vantage point is wrong, as it shows him with four fingers on his left hand. Rope Launcher: Aguilar has a device hidden inside his gauntlet that looks very similar to the rope launcher used in Assassin's Creed Syndicate. What could it be? New Assassin: The Trailer introduced a new Assassin. Could he be a member of the Spanish Brotherhood? Throwing Knives: The Trailer showed us Maria using throwing knives several times. She's pretty accurate with them! Moussa uses smoke bombs: Blink and you'll miss it! Watch the trailer in slow motion at exactly 2 minutes in, and you'll see Moussa using smoke bombs on the guards. Likely the start of the prison break that occurs later. Assassin Insignia: At the very end of the trailer, Cal and Sophia are talking. Behind Sophia you can see the Assassin Insignia on the wall. Did you spot anything we missed? Let us know! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment 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)

PureArts unveil Assassin's Creed Mirage: Basim Ibn Ishaq 1/4 Scale Statue Merchandise Share 18 Aug 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database PureArts, a manufacturing company known for creating premium quality collectible figurines has once again excelled for it's work on the Assassin's Creed franchise, today revealing an incredibly detailed recreation of Basim Ibn Ishaq, lead character in the upcoming title Assassin's Creed Mirage. This hyperdetailed sculpt honors the past by channelling a stance once honed by Altaïr, taking the series back to its roots. Two editions of the statue are available for pre-order: 250 Exclusive Editions, which also includes a wearable metal replica of Basim's ring, and 2250 Non-Exclusive Editions. Basim joins the Animus Collection, which also includes high-quality statues of Altaïr, Ezio, Edward, Basim, Kassandra, Eivor and Connor. We are fully expecting both editions to sell out, so act fast Assassins! Release date: Q3 2024 Avaiilable for pre-order now Product Description He is ready to sacrifice everything he held close and walk the path of shadows. Direct from 9th century Baghdad, Assassin’s Creed® Mirage protagonist Basim is one of the deadliest assassins in the franchise! Street thief, Isu reincarnate, Hidden One, and now Animus Statue: Basim has survived millennia to join the PureArts Animus ¼ Scale Statue line. In the most dynamic pose yet in this series, Basim appears as agile as an eagle, touching down upon an ancient Islamic architecture base and ready to fight. Make room in your collection because the Assassin’s Creed®: Animus Basim ¼ Scale Statue is a key player in your Order of Assassins. Limited to only 250 units, the PureArts.com Exclusive Edition includes a wearable metal replica of Basim's ring. 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)

Fan Fiction Pitch: Christmas Armistice by Finn Fletcher Other Share 11 Apr 2023 Written By: Edited By: Finn Fletcher Colum Blackett Back To Database Cover art by Lisa Zaman from TOWCB Art Team. In our next fan fiction Assassin's Creed story pitch, we begin to imagine a temporary alliance between Assassins and Templars in the year 1878. It is our hope that by pitching stories set in the Assassin's Creed universe, we can generate enough interest and excitement for it to be developed further by TOWCB team. We would love to create recognisable OC Assassins, so if any of our pitches spark interest, let us know in the comments below! Synopsis The story is the diary of a Victorian Assassin around a decade after the events of Syndicate. The Assassin, Charles (name will probably be changed) is sent by Evie Frye on a working holiday over Christmas to Ravensthorpe. Evie says that it’s to meet up with a local archaeologist who calls himself Ragnar and research the town's history to learn more about the early British brotherhood; she also believes this task to be something that will personally help Charles deal with his stress and growing frustrations about the Brotherhood. Arriving in Ravensthorpe, Charles despises the quaint town (imagine Hot Fuzz). He’s stuck in rain, lacking the amenities he’s used to and finds the residents frustrating. He meets up with Ragnar and is instantly put off by the odd fellow. Ragnar lives as and seemingly believes himself to be a viking, despite the fact he is a scrawny man who holds his drinks with both hands. Still, his knowledge is useful and the two begin researching and exploring some of the oldest remaining parts of the town. The trip, while not what Charles wants, is going well after a few days. They learn more of Hytham and find some long abandoned weapons and armour of the Raven Clan. Charles returns to his hotel to find a new resident in the room across from him, an abrasive American oil baron named Teddy who’s come to England for a vacation. He quickly makes it known that he is aware of who Charles is and the Assassins, dropping in tidbits of personal information about Charles when they meet. Their discussions become heated, and Teddy reveals that he is a Templar. In fact, he almost seems to gloat about it. This only increases tensions, as the two are bound by an agreement referred to as The Christmas Armistice . The history of this can be changed, but it was an agreement made between Assassins and Templars shortly after the death of Cesare Borgia, mostly negotiated by Machiavelli. In short, it restricts either side to kill one another over the advent period, leaving Charles without any violent options. Teddy is happily aware of this restriction and flaunts his presence, desperately trying to get a rise out of Charles by picking at his every fault. Feeling his anger rise, Charles locks himself away for the night and writes to Evie. Waiting on a response from the Mentor, Charles commits himself to carrying on his work, with one eye constantly looking out for Teddy. Teddy and Charles end up repeatedly running across one another, having to put up with each other during the hotel's breakfast, or when grabbing a drink at the local pub. One morning at breakfast, Teddy brings his plate to Charles' table and strikes up a conversation. He insists it to be peaceful, asking to know more about the real Charles and his commitment to the Brotherhood. While difficult, the two genuinely begin to have an enjoyable conversation about their shared goals. Strangely, the two genuinely enjoy one's company, and while continuing his work Charles ensures he spends time with Teddy. The friendship is still guarded though and each spies on one another. They also express their own frustrations with each order they belong to, criticising the lack of action and inability to make any real change. One morning Charles decides to investigate Teddy’s room, finding letters between Teddy and his wife. It seems to detail a breakup of both their marriage and his mental state, as he’s begun suffering from serious depression. Christmas day is fast approaching and the two friendly rivals understand that soon they will have to turn on one another, despite the clear affection and empathy they’ve gained for each other's perspectives. The historical investigation bears fruit, as Ragnar and Charles break into an old vault left by Hytham. It’s a treasure trove of trinkets, weapons and detailed notes. These seem to be Hythams last writings before leaving the Hidden Ones, where he talks about how most of the Raven Clan chose not to join the Brotherhood but still fought for what is right nonetheless. He questions why he dedicated so much to a single creed rather than working out of kindness, though importantly doesn’t regret his decision. In his final musings he’s clearly happy, just unsure for the future and what these secret conflicts will amount to, especially after the rise of what he calls “a new Order of the Ancients”. He also explains that Eivor left Mjolnir to him before leaving for America, with a handful of other First Civilisation trinkets she’d collected on her adventure. Some of which are locked in this bunker, others were sent across the country. Mjolnir will be described as being much stronger than we saw in the games, with the power to destroy whole buildings with a single strike. Charles begins to remove a Raven Clan banner that covers some boxes, to reveal the bright golden glow of Mjolnir. At this point, Teddy drops out of the shadows, more agile than he’s ever seen before. The two face off, as Teddy explains that he’s been following Charles but now questions his own orders. He proposes a new alliance, to use the power of Mjolnir and forge a new order that isn’t trapped by the problems of The Assassins or Templars. Charles is intrigued, and plays along with Teddy’s ramblings, hoping to find something of interest in it. Ragnar explodes with rage, he’s confused and clearly being left out of the conversation. He’s unsure what Mjolnir even is, and for him this magical artefact is changing his core understanding of the world. Teddy goes to kill Ragnar, claiming that he is just a ‘civilian’ someone who shouldn’t know as much as he does and threatens exposing the secrets that have allowed both Assassins and Templars to exist for so long. Charles turns, he hates this suggestion and claims that the war won’t end by writing more secrets, that if anyone will create peace it is civilians, normal people working for good. The ideological debate grows, until the two end up fighting. Charles kills Teddy to defend Ragnar, breaking the armistice and killing off any chance for something new. He asks Teddy to seal this vault backup and everything in it, to keep it a secret. He says that sometimes the allure of power is too destructive, and a weapon as powerful as Mjolnir should exist in no one's hands. Charles returns to London, knowing that he has killed off this annual period of peace, hoping that the people will find a chance in future, a clear nod to the real Christmas armistice of WW1. Character Profiles Charles An Assassin in his 30s, Charles is at a point of reflection where he feels the battles he's fighting for are destined to fail. Day to day he runs a steel mill, where he does his best to support unions and provide resources to the Brotherhood. Yet he keeps seeing the same problems pop up everywhere; unethical companies excel, Templars and Assassins struggle endlessly for power over London, it all feels rather Sisyphiean. Through the story he learns that these thoughts have been presented before, and has to figure out whether the Assassins or Templars are truly the best solution to the world's problems. Teddy The last remnant of the American robber gang of businessmen, Teddy runs his oil company ruthlessly. Unions are strictly banned, and workers have to "earn their place". He's endlessly proud of his role within the Templar Order, and stands by the might is right approach of leadership, though has grown tired of the timid nature of their actions. Reaching middle age, he's now suffering with bouts of depression and feels like the 'weaker' people he's used to chastising. Needing a rest, Teddy arrives in Ravensthorpe with the goal of following Charles and finding what the Assassins are searching for, though ends up building a friendship he truly wasn't expecting. Ragnar Some Assassins claim Ragnar is secretly a sage, someone with a kind of natural animus that makes him believe he is one of his ancestors. Charles however, believes the man to simply be a weirdo. His oddities are matched by his knowledge of local history, and without him the secrets left by the Raven Clan may have been lost forever. His journey allows him to appreciate more of his own time period, and the things he must fight for in the 'modern' world. Additional notes While not mentioned in the synopsis because I'm currently unsure of how to tie it in, I imagine Charles meeting a young thief while in Ravensthorpe. Rather than chastising the thief or demanding her to return his coin, Charles seeks to train the thief and help them improve their skills. He fully intends to take her back to London to join the Brotherhood, though by the end of the story leaves her in ravensthorpe with the last of his coin, leaving her to build her own life Thematically the story is inspired by The Inspector Calls . Dramatic irony should be at the forefront, as these characters discuss their own past and plans for the future, constantly making predictions we know as a modern audience to never come to fruition. It's only Charles' final reflection that the fate of humanity lies in every individual that holds any truth to our own futures While the synopsis mostly mentions the history of Eivor and the Raven Clan, other periods will be explored by Charles and Ragnar. Particularly of note is a 15th century Spanish Assassin who moved to England and was assigned to defend Ravensthorpe. She left many notes arguing that while Ravensthorpe is culturally important to the Assassins, it holds little strategic value. She suggests spending more time attacking templars and less defending their own history. Charles likes her opinion and this is the implication for why the history of Ravensthorpe was lost Let us know your thoughts 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 Finn is a creative writer from Rotherham, UK who has previously supported TOWCB's Fundraising events, and raised awareness surrounding Men's Mental Health. Finn's writing covers a wide scope, with releases so far including reviews, interviews and stories. He is known in the AC Community for his 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website! Finn Fletcher