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Assassin's Creed Mirage Fanart by Yasmin Page Art Share 12 Sept 2022 Written By: Edited By: Ashlea Blackett Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Check out this brand new piece of fanart by our very own digital artist Yasmin Page from our AC Partnership Program! One of the things that makes this piece of art particularly impressive is the speed of which Yas released it, sending it over to the admin team only a day after Ubisoft launched the Assassin's Creed Mirage trailer at the 2022 Assassin's Creed showcase event at Ubisoft Forward! I love how you can see the Assassins lurking in the background, and the glow on Basim's face, as if lit up by candlelight. This scene is directly from the trailer, as Basim is initiated into The Hidden Ones by removing his ring finger, a required sacrifice to operate a hidden blade, and also showing his commitment to the Brotherhood. Ever since the launch of Valhalla, members of our Art Team have been fascinated by Basim, and everything he represents. He is a bridge between the Hidden Ones and the Assassin Brotherhood, along with also being the reincarnation of the cunning Isu trickster Loki. We can't wait to share more Basim art with the community throughout the marketing campaign! Until then, check our what our other team members have been up to in the Community Hub! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Ashlea is the Editor/ Charity Project Coordinator for The Ones Who Came Before on its wide variety of social media platforms. Her main responsibilities for TOWCB involve creating and editing articles, organisation of events and coordinating our charity fundraising, as well as hosting the Rally The Creed Podcast. Ashlea Blackett

In June 2025, Jebs joined TOWCB's Art Team in an effort to widen the variety of art styles on the team. She is known online for her unusual art style, which can be described as a mix between doodling, sketching and anime, pieces which are often animated, bringing a ton of personality and fun to her work. Throughout 2025 and beyond, Jebs will be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects which range from creating art for fundraising to live art creation watch-alongs! By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aim to boost her profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. Previous Next Jebs Art Team In June 2025, Jebs joined TOWCB's Art Team in an effort to widen the variety of art styles on the team. She is known online for her unusual art style, which can be described as a mix between doodling, sketching and anime, pieces which are often animated, bringing a ton of personality and fun to her work. Throughout 2025 and beyond, Jebs will be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects which range from creating art for fundraising to live art creation watch-alongs! By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aim to boost her profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. TikTok │ Twitter │ Instagram Work AC Community Questions: Jebs Interview 2025 Assassin's Creed Community Fundraiser Art by Jebs Community

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

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

Interview with Kate Heartfield Author of Assassin’s Creed: The Magus Conspiracy Interviews Share 8 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Kate Heartfield is a multiple finalist for Canada's Aurora Award. A Sunday Times Best Seller (The Embroidered Book). A former journalist and editor for the Ottawa Citizen, with a degree in Political Science and Masters in Journalism. Her latest release is Assassin’s Creed: The Magus Conspiracy, the first book in The Engine of History Trilogy. You can read our review of her book at the link below and read further for the interview she and I had during her press tour with publisher Aconyte Books. Michael: Kate, How are you doing today? Kate: I'm doing great. Very happy to be here. Michael : I wanted to start with something you had said in an interview you did with Second Life Book Club about Assassin's Creed being bid in your household. Can you tell us more about the history you have with the series? Kate : Yeah, for sure. I'm just so happy to be talking about it and thank you so much for your enthusiasm and support. It’s really exciting to be talking with fans about this and joining this cannon. As you can tell, I'm excited. I have a lot of enthusiasm for the games and for the universe. So my personal history with Assassin's Creed is that I have a twelve year-old kid and a partner and all three of us are gamers. So we are quite frequently in our introvert corners of the house on a game of some kind. I've played Syndicate, and I've played a little bit of Origins and I am currently working my way through AC2 at the moment. I've watched my kid play even more Assassin's Creed. So there have been many, many hours where I've been sitting in the living room, doing some work and he's been playing Assassin's Creed on PS4 and my partner also plays and I watch him sometimes as well. So, between the three of us I've probably at least watched most of the games being played. Michael: It’s funny you note about playing through Assassin's Creed II. You also did some work with Choice of Gaming with the Magician's Workshop. Have you found any influence for the writing that you did with that from Assassin's Creed II, or vice versa? Have you noticed a lot of your personal choices for how you describe the characters, or the historical figures with how they [are] represented in Assassin's Creed II? Kate: I hadn't played Assassin's Creed II before I wrote The Magician's Workshop. So, I didn't have a connection from that direction. But it's interesting now having written it, because The Magician's Workshop is set in Florence in 1512. It's really interesting now, seeing the characters and that setting. And one of the things I love about all Assassin's Creed games is the immersiveness of the setting and feeling you're there in a way that interactive fiction kind of coerces you in a different way that emphasizes agency and everything else, but it doesn't have that visual element a video game has. Michael: How do you decide what mechanics to include, or write about, that were in the games? Kate: Yeah, that's really interesting, and it was definitely deliberate strategy on my part to think, "Okay, how can I take what's cool about playing Assassin's Creed games" and not really replicate that in prose, because it's not the same format, but create that same sense of excitement and same sense of immersion and the choice of having sort of side quests and multiple plots happening at the same time, and it all coming together. So, I thought about, I didn't want to make it too mechanical either as that can be quite annoying in prose if you had sort of "Here's my weapon's inventory". It wouldn't work the same way in a novel as the game. So in fact my editor had to pull me back a few times, because he noted that I would keep saying exactly what kind of knife it was or what kind of gun it was, and that kind of thing. And eventually "You don't have to give the entire serial number, everytime". So I had, maybe a little too much of that in mind. I was thinking about all of those aspects of a game and... You know I did want things like weaponry to be there though, and to be important to think about how can they reflect the personality of each of the main characters? Like which kind of knife would they choose, for example. In the same way that you make that choice when you are putting together your character in a game. So that was definitely top of my mind. Michael: Would you say that is the same thought process that you had when choosing which books for Simeon, specifically to study while he was going through his apprenticeship? Did you specifically pinpoint those books that you wanted him to read? What was your process with that decision? Kate: That was lots of fun. I think what I wanted to do with the reading list that Simeon has... So Simeon is the main character, one of the two main characters in the book. He's a soldier, and he has a sort of a unconventional education. We learn early on that he was quite bright, and taken into a rich person's house early on to be educated, but it didn't work out. So he has a sort of a patchwork of an education. Then he meets his mentor, who an interesting character in his own right. So the reading list, [the] books that Kane provides Simeon to read, I wanted them to reflect what I though an Assassin's education should be, or could be about. So its sort of a mix of different things. You have very traditional fighting manuals, these traditions of German and Italian and French manuals for swordplay and for wrestling. I thought it would be really cool to draw on that really old tradition, because the brotherhood itself would have been around for so long and they might have incorporated those traditions of those old fighting manuals. But then also, a sort of renaissance man approach to understanding the world. So there's fiction in there, there's philosophy. It is a bit of a grab bag of different things that I though an Assassin should know, but its also reflecting the personality of the teacher that's assigning them as well. Michael: When you're deciding the history that you want to explore, where you taking the "This is the historical timeline for this period, and then here are some blanks I can fill in fictional characters", or was it more of "Here is the idea of what I want to do. Let me find what period, or what events in history would fill into this"? Kate: For us it really started with the period. Aconyte and Ubisoft had an idea that they wanted a trilogy set in this period. So they started working with me about, "Well how could we develop something in this period, and what are some of the things that would interest us in terms of the Assassins and Templars are up to at this time?" So we did start with sort of a basic idea of the time and place. That it would be probably Europe and in this time. I think one of the things that really stood out, I know to my editor at Aconyte, was that the 19th Century had a lot of political assassinations. That every monarch had at least one attempt on their life, several of them were actually killed. You had the rise of anarchism and the rise of Marxism and the revolutions in 1848. So there is just a lot of political ferments happening. With those assassinations, it seems like an obvious thing to ask the question of "Are the Assassins behind them? Are they not behind them? What would be their relationship to the brotherhood and to the Templars?" So it really did begin with that question of "Okay, lets look at what's happening at the time". Then from there it was sort of finding different elements in the history that I thought kind of fed in thematically to what I wanted to talk about. Also, there was a little bit of that sense of, that's another thing that people love in the games, is the opportunity to have those cameos with historical figures and interact with those people. So, that's another thing I wanted to replicate in the novel. Michael: Did Aconyte approach you directly about this, or was this something you had to apply for? Kate: It came about through my agent, so it was one of those things where my agent knew the opportunity was there, and thought I might be a fit for it because I've written a lot of historical settings and I'm really interested in historical alt history and that kind of writing is typically what I do. And, I have a little bit of background in interactive fiction and game writing as well. So she thought, yeah this seems like it would be a good fit for you. If you're interested. So at that point, I developed some pitches for Aconyte and they liked them, and they started working on an outline, and back and forth on that a bit. So it really was sort of a collaborate process right from the beginning. Michael : Did you collaborate with the Ubisoft team, The game historians and such to work along with fitting this into the Assassin's Creed Universe? Kate: It was really... I haven't written tie-in writing like this before for any property, and so I wasn't sure what to expect in that regard. I found it really wonderful and freeing and supportive, the way that that works. They would sort of provide information and say here's where you can find the things that you need to know. Here are a few things that we want to makes sure that you're aware of, in terms of writing. But I was already quite familiar with the universe anyways, so that part of it I felt pretty confident in. Then it was just a matter of, when we would work on an outline or the manuscript itself, just running things past Ubisoft at various stages of the process to make sure there was nothing that I was unaware of that would step on somebody else's toes, or something like that. I would kind of flag little things, "Please not this part of it is related to canon from another game" or something like that people would be aware I was throwing in those Easter eggs, or whatever. Michael : I know that you're very big on representation in your writing. Were there any original characters that you had added for some form of representation in a game that's very heavily marketed towards a more male audience? Kate : It is something that I think about in every stage. So I try to keep it in mind all the time. There is always a little bit of tension between the don't want to write outside your lane, or write things without thinking that you haven't properly researched, or haven't done the homework for and that kind of thing. So, I'm conscious of that as well. I am trying to represent all kinds of people in my writing and consider the kinds of people who have been present throughout history, but maybe haven't had as many stories told about them. I again felt nothing but support from Ubisoft and Aconyte in that regard as well. Definitely I was aware that with gaming in general there's, I wouldn't say maybe the majority but certainly a significant male audience. I have a strong female character in this book. There's one sort of minor side character who is non-binary, although they wouldn't have that word to describe themselves probably in the 19th Century. But they are actually based on a small note about a circus performer I actually found that "Ah, I'll steal that from history". There is a circus performer who is billed with being "neither man, nor woman". I thought, "Okay, they're going in the book." So when I do find those things in history, where people have maybe not, have been forgotten a little bit, I'll be "Okay, I'll put them in the book" and that way we can have a little bit more of a complete representation. Michael: Have you had a chance to look at any of the other transmedia that Assassin's Creed has put out yet? Kate: I have, not all of it by any means. I got myself a few books, a few of the novels, because I wanted to get a sense of what an Assassin's Creed novel is like. I think I have two of the Oliver Bowden novels and I have Elsa Sjunneson's novel that just came out; Sword of the White Horse. So I've read a few of the books. I've taken a quick look at, I'm trying to remember which of the graphic novels it was. But, yeah, I've been aware of a few things, but I feel like there is a lot out there that I haven't seen yet. Michael : Are we expecting to see some modern day later on in the trilogy or are we staying specifically in the historical setting? Kate: Not everything's written in stone yet. So, I don't want to say for sure "this is how it'll be". The conversations I've had with Aconyte so far about the rest of the trilogy are that it'll be historical setting and sort of carrying on the story from the first book. Yeah, I don't want to say too much about it, because I don't want to scoop announcements that are coming fairly soon. That's how its envisioned is definitely to maintain that historical period. But I think its interesting because its a fairly recent historical period, so it has the potential to bring us up into the 20th Century, and start thinking about things like the Animus, and how we get to that. The door's kind of open there in some regard, but so far, no plans to write about the modern period. Michael: The trilogy for the Engine of History is set to go up through the beginning of World War I, is that correct? Kate: I think that's out there in the internet somewhere. So I think its within the bounds of what I can say yes to. And that's first how it was kind of envisioned when I talked about how they came to me with this period. That was kind of the vision, mid-19th Century to World War I, in that period some how. Michael : Are you avoiding well known periods in that time frame like Russia during World War I with Rasputin? Is that something you look at trying to avoid in depicting other historical settings that people may not know a lot about? Maybe telling more about the Crimean War or things like that? Kate: It's always a little bit of a dance, because sometimes there are interesting stories in the parts that haven't been told as often. So there are things that draw me to them, but then at the same time, there's a lot of value in having some familiar touchstones that people can say "Ah yes, I was waiting for this person to show up!" or something like that. So there's a sense of, you kind of have an expectation to a degree. I wrestled with that a little bit, with my novel The Embroidered Book, because that's a historical fantasy about Marie Antoinette. My first thought when I had the idea was, "Oh my God, Marie Antoinette's been written about so many times", but not in the way that I did it. There's only so much room for one of those big well known historical figures. I kept thinking, Catherine the Great is off to the side in this book and I can't really let her on, because then she would take over. So, there's only room for so many of those well know events and figures. I think the same is really true in The Magus Conspiracy. We have Ada Lovelace at the beginning, and she is not as well known as she should be, but she's fairly well known. Being Lord Byron's daughter, she's kind of a celebrity. So she takes up a lot of room in that way, and she looms over the entire novel, in her legacy. So, there aren't that many other historical figures that are known to that extent for the rest in the book, and the few people that do crop up tend to be a little bit less well known. Unless they are walking on for a small part like the Emperor in Vienna. Michael: Do you have an audiobook version coming out? If so, who is actually doing the recording for it, if you are able to say? Kate: It is Recorded Books. I'm trying to remember the narrator's name. It's just gone out of my head. Anyway, if you look it up, there is a Recorded Books version. I believe it is slated to come out August 16th. Which is the same day as the US paperback. Its available through Audible, Libro, and all sorts of places. Michael: I know from some of your previous interviews, you noted how nervous you were working with this tie-in for the first time. How are you feeling now after all the feedback you've received? Kate: Really great. Really relieved. Its nice that the initial feedback from people who know and love the games has been really positive. That's really nice to see. Of course, reviews are for the readers and not the authors, so I try to separate myself from them to some extent. It has been really nice, the things that people have tagged me in, and said directly to me about the book. Its really gratifying that people have welcomed it into the canon, and see how it fits in. Because its a little bit nerve racking, coming into something that's so beloved and so wide spread. That so many people have played these games. Timidly knocking on the door and saying "Here's my offering". You hope that it's okay and that you don't break anything. I feel it's been a great experience to write this story and I feel a lot of ownership over it. Even though it's an Assassin's Creed story, I feel very proud of it and how it worked out and sort of blended together what I like to do in fiction and what I think the game universe does so well. Michael : Who would be your ideal casting for your main characters? Kate: Oh my goodness, I haven't even thought of this. Who would be good? I'm trying to think. I don't know. I have such... I'm terrible when it comes to casting actors. I'm trying to think if there is anyone who is really... I can't think of a Simeon. Although I feel that there could be the perfect person and I'll think of them as soon as I hang up this call. With Pierrette, I don't know. She starts out quite young. I mean maybe, Millie Bobby Brown. I started watching Taboo which has Tom Hardy in it. He's so good. He plays a returning sailor of roughly the same time period. But I think he's got kind of an edge to him. I see Simeon as, even though he is kind of closed down, and somewhat cynical. He's got sort of a spark of innocence in him as well and a spark of really good will. So I don't know, maybe someone like Andrew Garfield, maybe? I'll wait for the fancast, because someone will have a better idea. Kane would be fun to cast. I want to thank Kate for sitting down with me over this interview. For the full interview, check out the video that we recently posted to The Ones Who Came Before YouTube channel. Assassin’s Creed: The Magus Conspiracy is available digitally and in the US as a paperback in August. The UK will see the physical release in October. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Michael Smith

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: Feb 12th - Feb 18th 2022 Community Share 23 Feb 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. 5) Raiding Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This week’s first capture comes from @KupOfGreenTea using the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture A stunning capture of Eivor’s longship docked at a raiding point in England. I love the stillness in this shot especially knowing the carnage that is likely happening behind the lens. The clouds coupled with the mist really make for a moody scene. The sun breaking through adds a warmth that makes this shot very picturesque. 4) Paradise Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Photo number two comes from @Helenthirty over on Twitter. A beautiful shot from Origins which really stood out. Most Origins landscape captures are of the desert so this one caught me out. I don’t actually remember the location from the game. I love the vibrant colours, the light blue sky with the thick white clouds really makes this shot pop. The ancient structure and the placements of the boats gives a real Odyssey feel. 3) Assassin’s Creed Game: Assassin’s Creed This week’s third shot comes from @RobRagiel over on Twitter. What a gem. I have not played this game since 2007. A true great that started it all. This capture really defines Assassin’s Creed. Altair on top of a building looking out across the city. The whites and greys so focal back then with the red of the Assassin standing out amongst the crowd. 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

A Tightrope of Rebellion - A Review of Assassin’s Creed: The Magus Conspiracy Reviews Share 26 Jun 2022 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Ashlea Blackett Back To Database The war between Assassins and Templars wreaks havoc in the Victorian era, in this breakneck thriller which opens up a whole new chapter of the Assassin’s Creed universe. London, 1851 – When Pierrette, a daring acrobat performing at the Great Exhibition, rescues the mathematician Ada Lovelace from a gang of thugs, she becomes immersed in an ancient feud between Assassins and Templars. But Lovelace is gravely ill, and shares her secrets with Pierrette, sending the acrobat in search of a terrible weapon which she’d been developing for a shadowy figure known as “the Magus”. Pierrette’s only ally is Simeon Price, Lovelace’s childhood friend, who belongs to a Brotherhood devoted to free will. With Simeon’s aid, they uncover a startling web of political assassinations destabilizing Europe. As they race to foil the Templars’ deadly plot, murders and bombs are everywhere they look, but hope is nowhere in sight. *Review copy provided by Aconyte Books | Minor character/story spoiler warning My Assassin’s Creed journey started in January of 2021, when I began working through the vast universe of Assassin’s Creed in order of the Genetic Memory, or historical period explored within the Animus. At the time of this article, I am about to start the latest DLC with Dawn of Ragnarök, and recently have finished reading the previous novel released by Aconyte Books; Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Sword of The White Horse. So for the last few months, I split my time between 9th Century England and the Italian Renaissance as my Genetic Memory playthrough could not wait until the next piece of media was released. Luckily I did not have to wait long, as I was provided with a review copy for Assassin’s Creed: The Magus Conspiracy. A new original from Aurora Award-winning author, Kate Heartfield and the Assassin’s Creed Stories transmedia line. Written as a political thriller during the time of the Great Exhibition in 1850s England, this story had me intrigued immediately from the synapsis on the book’s website and back cover. Ada Lovelace, mathematician and a woman considered to be the first computer programmer, developed a weapon called “The Engine of History” with a ''shadowy figure'', The Magus. Two main characters, an acrobat named Pierrette and a soldier named Simeon Price work together to find this device during a time of political assassinations and rebellion. The cover is one of the greatest artworks that I have seen yet for an AC novel, designed by freelance illustrator Bastien Jez. Being an original story, the artwork is not just a piece of key art from a video game, but an intricate design with characters from the book. However, while the Magus at the top, Pierrette in the middle, and Ada Lovelace on the left are all recognizable, I did have trouble identifying the two men on the right. While this did not hinder my enjoyment of the book, it did leave me with that question unanswered. The colours though feel very fitting to the era of the story in the pre-Victorian period, showing class and wealth that reflect the lifestyle of a lot of the characters within such as Lovelace. The history through this book covers so much over a decade of storytelling, with each event intertwined with the Assassin’s Creed series. The book opens on the HMS Birkenhead, a naval ship that crashed off the coast of Africa in 1845. It is here that we are introduced to Simeon Price, a Lance-Corporal in the 74th Highland Regiment of the British Army. After the ship is damaged when it hits an uncharted rock formation, Simeon attempts to help his fellow countrymen that are trapped below deck in rapidly flooding water. It's at this time that a mysterious figure drops down upon a Lieutenant on deck and runs to join him in rescuing the soldiers. The man invites Simeon to visit his Brotherhood in Vienna if he chooses to leave the army. Yet, history has a different plan for him that day and Simeon, along with the rest of his regiment are ordered to go down with the ship instead of abandoning as ordered by the captain. This chapter alone is a perfect example of the action, history, and the mystery of the Assassin’s Creed model. By introducing this original character to the underlying story of the AC universe, readers are provided a fresh introduction to a secret war of factions that have been told over the last fifteen years. The second character is introduced in the following chapter. Pierrette is a French acrobat in a travelling circus troupe who is known for their equestrian performances. When the original male performer that closes their show with a riding depiction of the poem “Mazeppa” by Lord Byron breaks his collarbone, Pierrette convinces the leader of the circus to allow her the chance to close out the show near the Great Exhibition. While performing this dangerous feat which involves riding a horse up a ramp that is built above the crowd, the young acrobat sees a woman being taken against her will from the tent. With her acrobatic skills, Pierrette lifts the woman into the air and out of the clutches of a gang of men, helping her escape to the park outside. This woman is the intelligent socialite and mathematician, Ada Lovelace, a woman that introduces her saviour to a life of art, wealth, and intrigue. Whilst her historical illness begins taking its toll, Ada opens up to the acrobat about her plans for a machine that could be devastating to the world if it was ever built. Ada’s request of her newest and most interesting friend is to locate a man that she grew up with years ago to help destroy her horrific creation before it ended up in the wrong hands; a man named Simeon Price. The remainder of the book is divided between the two protagonists, with Simeon searching for a Brotherhood that he hopes to learn more from and understand conscience and choice over order and servitude. A brotherhood that teaches him how to hide in plain sight, and see the world in a different light that will better his ability to identify the innocent from the unjust. His journey will introduce him to an Assassin named Oscar Kane, who takes him in as an apprentice and teaches him the ways of the Assassin, and the ways of the modern man. The detail of how the new Assassin hopeful is trained was one of the best sections of this novel, as lists of real world books, that are provided for the character to study, giving us, the reader a great idea of what an Assassin would learn outside the swordplay and combo chains from a controller and game tutorial. His training introduces him to the Templar order, as well as historical men of the various European rebellions as the book’s antagonist, The Magus, starts to show their hand in orchestrating multiple assassination attempts on the highest figures in the country using the working man as his weapon of choice. Pierrette’s adventure is built around her traveling family and her yearning to become something more, to become famous. Her time with Ada Lovelace allowed entry into the world of fashion and the ability to befriend artists such as Dante Gabriel Rossetti and his wife, the model Lizzie Siddal. Her time traveling through Europe will lead her further into the intertwining story of the Assassins vs Templars and the unknown Magus that both she and Simeon are searching for. Pairing the two together against futuristic weapons and the ghosts of their pasts. All aspects of the Assassin’s Creed lore are present; The history of the Assassin v Templar war, the Precursors (Isu) and the artefacts that they created which provide unimaginable power, scenes of combat and synchronization points when characters climb famous landmarks across Europe, mentions of Eagle Vision, character cameos from another AC property, and one of the best Easter eggs I have seen yet in a novel, referencing the name of Master Assassin, Ezio Auditore. Yet, you do not need to know anything about the rest of the AC universe to enjoy this title, as it holds its own with no issues of not understanding the overall lore of the series. The Magus Conspiracy is the first of a new trilogy of Novels under the series, “The Engine of History”. The books will cover the second half of the 19th century, up until World War I. With a good section of the Magus Conspiracy taking place in Austria, I could easily see the story continuing through the Age of Rebellion and the Industrial Revolution until closing the trilogy with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the death that started the first World War. This could also intertwine Jacob and Evie Frye from the Syndicate games Historical figures such as Rasputin and Vladimir Lenin. We could even see the return of Assassin Nikolai Orelov, if the Engine of History moves further east into Russia. This book made me excited for the future of the franchise and introduced me to a fantastic writer, Kate Heartfield. The research that Kate put into this story is very thorough as I was able to find information on all of the historical figures and events that took place and read an accurate retelling that made this story stand out from previous releases. Each political assassination attempt that fueled the plot, was enhanced by the original characters attempting to discover the identity of the antagonist. I found this to be the strongest historical fiction book thus far, as the number of Assassin’s Creed Originals at the time was limited to the book Assassin's Creed: Heresy by Christie Golden, a title that I enjoy as well. While all of the AC Story Classics that Ubisoft had released are good novelizations of the games they represent, the transmedia thrives with the unique Chronicles and Original labels as they have more freedom to create a new story in the expanding universe. Assassin’s Creed: The Magus Conspiracy releases globally as a digital release and in the US in Paperback on August 2, 2022 & paperback in the UK on October 27, 2022. Assassin's Creed: The Magus Conspiracy is available to purchase on Amazon. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Michael Smith

Assassins Creed Mirage Character Reference Guide Released Community Share 26 May 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Aaron Young Back To Database Ubisoft has today released a character reference guide for Assassin's Creed Mirage, featuring close-up turnaround images for Basim Ibn Ishaq and his Mentor Roshan. The guide reveals a number of hidden details that will no doubt make it an essential resource for cosplayers looking to replicate the outfits, weaponary and tools. For non-cosplayers, it is a sneak preview at what is to come in Assassin's Creed Mirage. Check out the guide below, and keep an eye on our social media channels (below) to stay up to date on everything Assassin's Creed! PDF File 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)

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)

Q&A with Patricia Summersett Interviews Share 1 Jun 2017 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Our Admin Col_96 had the opportunity to ask Patrica Summersett questions on her work for the Assassin's Creed franchise. Col: Hi Patricia. Thank you for joining us today. Galina was first introduced in Assassin’s Creed Initiates, and has become a fan favourite character in the Present Day. Did you do much research on her background before you voiced her in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate? Patricia: As is pretty normal for video game auditions, I wasn’t aware of what I was auditioning for at first. I knew she was a Russian character going into the audition, so I worked my accent and practised some basic Russian words and phrases, and my physicality of an “Assassin”. Once I was confirmed for the role I was passionately briefed with more details and spent time reading her (quite dramatic and charged) history regarding her mother, sister and friends. She is one tough and fascinating character. Col: Galina can also be found in the Assassin’s Creed Titan Comics. Have you been reading them? Patricia: I own a couple and have certainly enjoyed what I’ve read. They really give her a different flavor, different angle in the comics. With those two sources (game and comics) a very rounded, dimensional character emerges, one who is quite easy to empathize with (imo). I’m sure I’ll get my hands on more. If you see me at a Con, feel free and share with me. ;) Col: Was it difficult to perfect the Russian Accent for Galina? Did you need any special coaching or training for the role? Patricia: I’ve had and still have accent coaches that I draw from for just about everything I do involving accent work. I use the technique where I draw from various sources but ultimately narrow it down to one or two specific ones. I often enjoy training my accents using resources like IDEA (for anyone looking for accent resources, great website and it’s free!) Previous to getting this role, I had also spent some time studying theatre at MXAT (Moscow Arts Theatre School) in Russia, visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg. And before getting into theatre I was an ice dancer and used to train with various Russian coaches around the US. So it’s definitely been in my ear.. I kind of cobble things together from various sources. Col: What is your take on the relationship between Hope Jensen and Shay Cormac? Patricia: Poor them. What a crazy twist of fate. I can’t say for sure, but I think it’s an unfortunate unrequited relationship.. That is 100% only my take on it. Obviously there were some sparks before all hell broke loose. But I do certainly enjoy the Fan Art I’ve found and often share, of Hope and Shay together. ;) Great Fan Art. BTW I love Fan Art in general. There are so many ridiculously talented artists and it makes me really happy to see creative work breed more creative work. Col: Do you like Hope Jensen’s Purple Outfit? She’s the first Assassin to wear purple (main colour) in an Assassin’s Creed Game. Patricia: She is 100% better than Barney, eggplants, the purple people eater, and almost a match for Purple Rain. Hard to beat Prince… that's hard. She's up there though. yeah, I love the purple. As an actor, I'm often put in red outfits. I don't know why, maybe it's colouring or just character type, but purple is refreshing. Oh yes, grapes. She beats grapes. Speaking of grapes, I would wear her outfit and drink a nice glass of Burgundy, and truly enjoy myself and not have to worry if I sloshed about… how excellent. Col: Were you surprised when you learned that your character was to be assassinated? Patricia: Never… I often die. It’s a thing. I feel bad for my father (in real life) who has often watched me die on stage, in film/tv…. He is not a fan of that. But I’ve had some pretty brutal deaths. It’s a thing unfortunately. Col: Would you like to return to voice acting in Assassin’s Creed, and could we see you again in future projects? Patricia: I will work with Ubisoft and the AC series any time, every time, any way. It’s the best. I love my job and I love meeting people through it. Perhaps I will meet some of you at Conventions in the upcoming year and I look forward to it. As far as future games, I’ve got a couple of things coming up. Princess Zelda was just announced, that has been an amazing ride. Some other announcements are coming, I’m excited about all of them. Hope Jensen was my first true female warrior character in video games. I cannot tell you how excited I was when I got that role. It was my first big role with Ubisoft and I was over the moon. I love playing strong women characters and I look forward to many more. Col: Thank you for your time! Patricia: And thanks for yours. Social Media Links for Patrica: Facebook Twitter Instagram Website comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

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

Assassin's Creed Mirage DLC Wallpaper Collection Released by Frame Hold Photography Community Share 16 Nov 2025 Written By: Edited By: Frame Hold Photography Colum Blackett Back To Database The launch of Assassin's Creed Mirage Valley of Memory DLC is fast approaching and the recently released Launch Trailer has only increased excitement for the expansion. Our very own Frame Hold Photography today released the Assassin's Creed Mirage Valley of Memory wallpaper collection, compiled of edits and key moments from the trailer! Let us know your favourites in the comments down below and enjoy Assassins! Desktop Desktop Textless Mobile Feel free to use any of the wallpapers in the collection! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Frame Hold Photography is a passionate Virtual Photographer who joined our Video Content Creation Team in Summer 2022, as we began our efforts to break away from solely written content. During a period of uncertainty for TOWCB website, FHP stepped up and took on the role of Site Manager, overseeing our restoration efforts. Our website today now sits at the top of many Google searches📈 Outside of AC, she is also a full time editor and visual effects artist on TV commercials, and has been putting her skills to use in the community by creating epic Assassin's Creed tribute videos, miniature figure painting videos and editing episodes of our Rally the Creed podcast! Frame Hold Photography

Assassin's Creed Shadows Trailer and Promo Images Unveiled News Share 15 May 2024 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) TOWCB Team Back To Database Assassin's Creed Shadows (formerly titled 'Codename Red') was today revealed to the world with the release of a 'World Premiere' Cinematic Trailer, alongside promotional images appearing on retail / video game news sites. Here you will find our round-up of the images and videos that were released to kick-start the promotional campaign. Enjoy! A seriously impressive trailer showing off the dynamic combat system and duel protagonists who come together to fight for what seems to be a newly-formed branch of the Brotherhood. An interesting concept! Ubisoft released an official breakdown of the trailer A new series of the 'Echoes of History' podcast began. Concept Art That concludes our round-up of the media released on day one of the AC Shadows marketing campaign! Stay tuned here at The Ones Who Came Before for all things Assassin's Creed. 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 Mirage Virtual Photography Hub

Female Vikings: The Real History Breakdown Share 27 Oct 2020 Written By: Edited By: Lauren Harris Ashlea Buckley Back To Database When the first trailer for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla released and fans were introduced to the protagonist, Eivor, who can be played as either male or female, it was the subject of much discussion. Fans debated over how realistic the concept of a female Viking warrior was. Could a female Eivor be historically accurate? Or was it simply a gameplay decision made for the benefit of representation and player choice? In this article, we look at the true history of women during the Viking era and the role they played in their society. According to Judith Jesch, Professor of Viking Studies at the University of Nottingham and the author of Women in the Viking Age (1991), women could not be Vikings as the Old Norse word “vikingar” only applied to men. The idea of female Viking warriors being a historical fact seems to have originated with a DNA study into the remains found in a grave in Birka, Sweden, in 1889. For over one hundred years, the remains were assumed to be of a male warrior. However, in 2017, DNA proved that the bones belonged to a woman. The researchers then published their assessment that the deceased must have been a warrior woman. The reasoning for this was due to the possessions found in the grave, such as pieces of a chess-like board game. Items like this were often found in the graves of warriors, and so the assumption was made that this must have been a warrior. Vikings historians were quick to dispute this conclusion, however. For one, there was no concrete evidence that board games had any connection to warriors. Also, it was very possible that bones had been mixed together during burials, and that this was not specifically a warrior’s grave. Sadly, most scholars believe that female Viking warriors simply did not exist. However, that does not mean that women had no role in Viking society. Actually, research shows that Viking era women had a level of equality with men that most societies would not achieve for many, many years. In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, players can let the Animus choose which perspective to view the memory stream from depending on its strength. This is to encourage fans to play as both characters, rather than as just one. Women had a number of important roles in Viking society. Many of these involved work around the house and farm – but women were not simple housewives. In fact, they were responsible for all the wealth in their household. The women controlled the money and the keys to the property. If the men wanted to use either of these things, they would have to go to their wives first. Additionally, since the men were often away exploring, raiding, or voyaging, the women were in charge of making the decisions. They were the ones left behind to keep the economy flourishing and prevent the village from falling apart. In what was an incredibly progressive move for the time, women were allowed to have occupations outside of the home. They were traders, priestesses, and even rune masters. Often, women would produce textiles and sell them in the village. Sometimes, the power of a woman could overshadow her husband. Some men would admire their wives for this fiery personality, but others would feel emasculated. Regardless, society always respected a powerful woman. Evidence of a powerful Viking era woman was found in a burial in Oseberg. Remains of a woman, assumed to be of nobility or even royalty, were found buried in a large ship. She was interred with carved wooden furniture, a tapestry, fine bedding, and household utensils. This suggested that she had power within the society and was respected by her peers. Law was also much fairer to women in the Viking Age than in other periods of history. Women were able to inherit land from their parents, though less than their brothers would receive. A woman would also receive money from her groom upon marriage, of a similar value to the dowry she would present to him. Married couples in the Viking Age were able to divorce, a progressive concept in itself, and if they did, the woman would get to keep her own dowry and that of her groom. They were also free to remarry without judgement. Abuse of women was not tolerated in Viking society. Rape of a woman was a crime punishable by exile, and a woman could demand a divorce if her husband hit her three times. That said, female infidelity was not acceptable and was punished, though men were allowed to have mistresses. Another way that Vikings showed their appreciation for the women in their lives was through rune stones. Whilst most rune stones were erected for men, many were also erected in memory of women. This shows that Vikings wanted people to remember their women and felt that they deserved the same memorial as the men. Eivor is a fierce Viking warrior, and the leader of the Raven Clan. Despite the historians suggesting that female Viking warriors did not exist, there are many stories in Norse literature of women riding into battle alongside the men. Where did these myths come from? The Icelandic sagas with tales of Viking shield-maidens and Valkyries were written centuries after the Viking Age, which makes it difficult to believe the stories they tell. However, what these sagas do show is the way the Norse respected and admired strong women in their society. The women in these stories were depicted in various ways. Some were Valkyries sent by the god Odin to retrieve fallen warriors from the battlefield and bring them to Valhalla. Some were mortal but with supernatural powers, like fortune tellers and prophets. Others were regular humans who picked up a sword and shield and went into battle with their male counterparts. Famous female warriors in Norse literature include Sigrdrifa the Valkyrie, who appears in the poem Sigrdrífumál also featuring Sigurd the Dragonslayer. While little historical evidence has been found to support the idea of Viking warrior women existing, there have been some accounts which could lend support to the theory. One is from an Irish history book written in the 12th century which speaks of a warrior named “The Red Maiden” who attacked Munster with a Viking fleet in the 10th century. Another is from 11th century Greek historian Johannes Skylitze who recorded that there were armed female Vikings among the warriors who attacked the Byzantines in Bulgaria in 971. As with the Icelandic sagas, though, the fact these sources were written hundreds of years after the Viking age makes the stories less credible. Other evidence which could suggest female Viking warriors existed comes from two sets of remains found in Norway. One set was the skeleton of a woman around 20 years old who was buried with a complete set Viking weaponry. The other was a skeleton of a woman around 18 years old who had a full set of weaponry along with equipment for a horse. There is little reason for the women to be buried with these possessions unless they were important to them, suggesting that they could have been warriors themselves. However, under Viking law, a woman would gain all her husband’s belongings upon his death. It could be that these weapons belonged to their warrior husbands and were buried with the wives for sentimental reasons. To conclude, historians believe that the existence of Viking warrior women is unlikely – and so too would be a character like female Eivor. However, it is clear that women held more power in Viking society than any other culture for years to come. Women were not subservient and they were free to make their own decisions in life. It is said that no one could tell a Viking era woman what to do. We have to wonder then if a woman wanted to be a Viking warrior, who was going to stop her? In that case, maybe there were female warriors lost to the annals of history – and maybe Eivor was one of them. Available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®4, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Store on Windows PC, as well as on UPLAY+, and Stadia. Also coming to PlayStation®5. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Lauren is a online article writer who joined the program in 2019, which allowed for her work to be viewed by a larger audience. She is especially interested in Assassin's Creed lore, and wrote a number of thought provoking articles which you can find here in the Community HUB. Lauren left the program in 2021 shortly after the 'Assassin's Creed Infinity' announcement, which understandably left many fans feeling uneasy. We wish her the best of luck with her future projects. Lauren Harris

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

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. Previous Next Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Video Content 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. YouTube Playlist | Twitter | Instagram Work What AC Mirage's Expansion & Revival Means for the Franchise & Ubisoft Breakdown The Grand End Of An Era - Assassin's Creed Syndicate 10th Anniversary Special Retrospective Analysis Searching For The Creed - London II Breakdown Assassin’s Creed Shadows Succeeded… What Now For Ubisoft? Analysis Assassin's Creed Copenhagen Quiz Night Event Photo Log Event Assassin’s Creed Shadows Music Fan Theme - The Wind Between The Cherry Trees - Available Now! Breakdown Assassin’s Creed Shadows music fan theme - The Wind Between The Cherry Trees - available now! Exclusive Interview with Roger Craig Smith Released Interview Assassin's Creed Unity - A Great Game With A Bad Reputation The Ones Who Came Before - 2024 Highlights Community Assassin's Creed Revelations - A Decent End To A Perfect Trilogy Analysis Searching For The Creed - Rome Breakdown Interview with Jesper Kyd Interview Rally the Creed Episode 8 Released Podcast TOWCB Statement on the Unacceptable Response to Assassin's Creed Shadows Community Music Release: East Again - An Original AC Mirage Inspired Instrumental by Gustav Poulsen Community Music Preview: East Again - An Original AC Mirage Inspired Instrumental by Gustav Poulsen Other This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: November 1st - 8th Community Interview with Lee Majdoub - The Role of Basim, Arabic Authenticity, Acting in Games VS Films & More Interviews Rally The Creed: Episode 5 Released w/ Gargudon and Col_96 Podcast Searching for the Creed: Assassin's Creed London Landmarks Other The Memory Corridor #25 Released AC Games Versus History & Future Historical Settings Podcast Sounds Of History - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental project by Gargudon: Influences and Inspirations Other AC Mirage & Codename Projects - The Memory Corridor Episode #24 Released Podcast Introducing Sounds Of History - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental project by Gargudon Other Load More

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 27th August - 2nd September 2022 Community Share 3 Sept 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography round up 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 capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 1) Ravensthorpe Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Console: PS4 This week’s first capture comes from @ tn_taurus a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community . First up this week we have a wonderful set of shots from Eivor’s Settlement in England. I really enjoyed having a home base in Valhalla, it gave me a real sense of achievement each time I returned. The edit on this set really gives off the sense of a Viking home. Taken during the Sigrblot festival, we are treated to some great shots of a decorated settlement. I particularly like the capture inside the longhouse. Fantastic Scandinavian vibes, reminds me of the Vikings TV series. 2) Lighthouse Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Photo number two comes from @ warriorqueenvp a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Next up we have a fabulous capture of the lighthouse in Alexandria. The saturation of this shot is perfectly executed. I love the orange reflection of the sun on the water and the shadows of the boats as they navigate the waters around the great city. The stand out though has to be the lighthouse, always a great place to take a photo in Origins. The beautiful architecture and the burning light on the top make for such beautiful photo opportunities. Link to set 3) Ready for Battle Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This week’s third shot comes from @ Ao_sly over on Twitter. I have such respect for this shot as the pose is one I often try to achieve myself. Timing is always critical with these captures as they can look odd if not done correctly. This one, however, is flawless, every little detail has been captured brilliantly. I am impressed with Eivor’s hand reaching for her weapon, but at the same time the hood is raised giving a slight assassin feel. I think the outfit combo works brilliantly, with the stomach tattoo giving the shot that Norse feel. A fantastic capture worthy of the Ragnarok setting. 4) Eivor Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Console: Xbox One X VP number four comes from @ xo_Sweet_Pea over on Twitter. Photo number four continues on from the previous shot with a hauntingly beautiful portrait of Eivor. The decision to go with a black and white photo here is what makes it a winner. It highlights the face tattoo so well, which gives huntress vibes. The look isn’t too dissimilar to Kassandra’s huntress set either. Once again I love the use of the hood which adds to the shadows in this shot. It is also great to see Eivor’s braided hair poking out without any clipping. A truly wonderful capture of our favourite Viking raider. 5) Lion King Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Console: PS4 The final capture of the week comes from @ SoldjahOfLighta over on Twitter. The final shot of the week is in keeping with my attempts to find great animal shots. This particular photo is from a set that showcases this Lioness exquisitely. I am actually is awe of how good this is, the level of detail on the lion is excellent. Sometimes when taking shots of NPC’s/wildlife the fine points are not as crisp as the main character. When I saw this capture, though, it just reminded me of a wildlife documentary. Link to set 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

2025 Assassin's Creed Community Fundraiser Art by Serajeddine Community Share 21 Jun 2025 Written By: Edited By: Serajeddine TOWCB Team Back To Database Check out this promotional piece of artwork created by Serajeddine from TOWCB's Art Team for the 2025 Assassin's Creed Community Fundraiser, which is raising money and encouraging blood donation to aid in the battle against blood cancer! Support the cause comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author In March 2025, Serajeddine joined TOWCB's Art Team just before the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows, in a bid to re-energise the team with new ideas and projects. He is a digital and traditional artist with a special ink style, often resembling comic books, something which we have been searching for to bring something different to our content. Throughout 2025, Serajeddine worked 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 aimed to boost his profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. Seraj left the team in October 2025 due to a change in personal circumstances. Serajeddine

James (FlickzKiller) is a social media manager looking to make an impact within the Assassin's Creed Community. By joining our Social Media Content Team, James will have the opportunity to work within a team of dedicated AC fans, and experiment with social media techniques that increase engagement and interactions. ​Look out for James as he takes over the Isu_network Twitter account. Previous Next James (FlickzKiller) Social Media Previous Partner James (FlickzKiller) is a social media manager looking to make an impact within the Assassin's Creed Community. By joining our Social Media Content Team, James will have the opportunity to work within a team of dedicated AC fans, and experiment with social media techniques that increase engagement and interactions. Look out for James as he takes over the Isu_network Twitter account. Twitter Work