What we would like to see in Assassin’s Creed Shadow’s Photo Mode Community Share 27 Jul 2024 Written By: Edited By: Renzo // CapturesByRenzo Colum Blackett Back To Database Written by Aaron Young and Renzo . The newest Assassin’s Creed game is set to be released towards the end of the year, and a Photo Mode is already confirmed. In this article we will discuss how this tool could improve compared to its predecessors. On May 15th 2024, AC Codename Red was finally revealed as Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Developed by Ubisoft Québec, the game will release on November 15th on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and other platforms. According to rumours, this will be the last RPG-style entry in the franchise. Set in the Sengoku period, AC Shadows will allow players to explore feudal Japan through the eyes of two playable protagonists: the Shinobi Naoe Fujibayashi, and the legendary African Samurai Yasuke. As it was shown in different trailers, these characters will provide different playstyles and ways to approach exploration and quests. Among other features, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will certainly include a Photo Mode (PM). The official Ubisoft website states that the game’s Ultimate Edition, as well as the AC Shadows Ultimate Pack, will include the Red Dragon Photo Mode Filter. This is great news for the Virtual Photography (VP) enthusiasts around the world and, as members of the VP Team at The Ones Who Came Before (TOWCB), we could not be more excited about it. AC Shadows’ Ultimate Edition features a “Red Dragon Photo Mode Filter” (image credit: Ubisoft websi te) Virtual Photography has increased in popularity in recent years due to the implementation of a PM in most modern games. It is a way for people to showcase their creativity, but also acts as a way of promoting the game through various social media platforms. Accessibility and a sense of community through this medium have contributed to the rise of VP. The sheer volume of competitions ran throughout the year, from both studios and fans, furthers the coverage of this relatively new phenomenon. VP isn't just a great tool for players, it is also a fantastic way for developers to achieve free advertising of their games. Virtual photographers are now starting to gain a reputation as being content creators, with some of these artists working with studios and publishers on promotional material. Ubisoft held a Photo Mode Contest during the first half of 2024 (image credit: Ubisoft website) Since the release of AC Origins back in 2017, Ubisoft’s Montréal (Origins, Valhalla), Québec (Odyssey) and Bordeaux (Mirage) studios have consistently delivered solid Photo Modes across the latest entries in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. These include a Composition Mode (free camera and camera tilt) and an Edit mode (frames, filters, depth of field, exposure, contrast, and many other features). Although the Assassin’s Creed PM hasn’t changed much since 2017 it is still a solid foundation, especially for people new to virtual photography. We believe that AC Shadows’ Photo Mode will be no exception compared to its predecessors. However, there are some features that we think would enhance Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed PM. It’s time to discuss them. Edit Mode - Assassin’s Creed Mirage Photo Mode (photo credit: Renzo C.) Time of day / Weather / Switch seasons When it comes to Photo Modes, Time of Day is one of the most requested features by virtual photographers. This allows for many possibilities in terms of lighting and colour palettes, and we think it would make for an excellent addition to the Assassin’s Creed Photo Mode. Ubisoft has successfully implemented this feature in games like Far Cry 5, Far Cry 6, The Crew Motorfest and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. On the other hand, changing Weather can completely affect the mood of a shot. This could be an interesting feature to have in Shadows, since other Ubisoft games like Far Cry 6 and The Crew Motorfest already have it included in their PMs. To wrap up this section, we’d like to talk about Seasons. Ubisoft has released a few trailers that showcase in-game footage, confirming that players will be able to experience the beauty of Japan during different times of the year. Having the ability to switch seasons in the AC Shadows Photo Mode would be a game changer in terms of virtual photography. AC Shadows’ features dynamic seasons (image credit: Ubisoft Creator Program) Camera range and camera collision One of the aspects that Ubisoft could improve in their AC Photo Mode is the camera. Having a free camera instead of one that orbits the character is always appreciated, but this should be accompanied by a better camera range than the one we currently have available in games like AC Valhalla and Mirage. With the confirmation that we will no longer have a bird companion in Shadows, this option becomes even more paramount if we want to showcase the beauty of Japan in all its splendour. In addition to this, fixing the camera collision is very much needed. As virtual photographers, we’ve seen characters like Eivor and Basim disappear when we try to get too close to them for a portrait shot. Getting rid of this issue would allow players to take magnificent close-up captures of Naoe and Yasuke. Unlike previous titles, Assassin’s Creed Shadows won’t feature a bird companion (photo credit: Renzo C.) Spotlights There is no photography without light, and the Assassin’s Creed games are known for their beautiful environmental lighting. However, when it comes to virtual photography, there might be a struggle over not having full control of light in certain situations. The addition of Spotlights could come in very handy, especially for portrait pictures. Being in control of the light is something that helps to achieve a great photo. Regarding indoor environments, AC games make it tricky to accomplish the desired lighting. It is also noted that Mirage has incredible lighting when a cinematic sequence plays but this does not translate to the scene once the player retakes control of Basim. Some games feature a three-point lighting system in their official Photo Modes, like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor and Marvel’s Spider Man 2; and Alan Wake 2 recently got a PM that includes a single spotlight, as well as a camera flash and a flashlight. Custom lighting can boost an artist’s creativity, and we’d love to see some of these features in the upcoming AC Shadows Photo Mode. Hellblade 2 allows players to place spotlights within the PM (photo credit: Aaron Young) Depth of Field This feature is something we don’t feel requires an upgrade. Of all the depth of field functions we have used over various games, the Assassin’s Creed one is the most intuitive. That being said, there are people who don’t quite like it. It is important to find a balance, as it is easy to over complicate a DoF and that could be detrimental to new photographers, especially with the ease of how this feature works in the Assassin’s Creed titles. Depth of Field in action - Assassin’s Creed Mirage Photo Mode (photo credit: Renzo C.) Frames One of the few downgrades in AC Mirage’s Photo Mode, compared to previous entries, was the removal of the Frames tab. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Valhalla included thematic frames in their respective Photo Modes, with the former also featuring a black letterbox frame that allowed for a cinematic feeling when capturing horizontal shots. We think that the Frames tab should make a return in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The inclusion of letterbox frames with different aspect ratios (1:1, 2.39:1, 4:5, 5:7, etc.) would be a step up from previous Photo Modes, giving virtual photographers many possibilities to showcase their style and skills. Thematic frames would also be an interesting addition to the AC Shadows Photo Mode. Frames - Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Photo Mode (photo credit: Renzo C.) Character poses and position / Facial expressions These could be useful tools to have in AC Shadows’ Photo Mode, especially for portrait photographers. Changing a character’s pose and/or position can do wonders for a shot in terms of composition and, why not, when it comes to working with lighting. On the other hand, switching the character’s facial expressions can come in handy for close-up shots and other kinds of portrait pictures. Character poses and facial expressions definitely add variety and individualism to a capture. It broadens the horizons, allowing players that extra option to put their own stamp on a moment. Games such as Marvel’s Spider-Man and Horizon Forbidden West have used this to great effect in recent years. Spider-Man 2 allows players to change facial expressions and poses (photo credit: Aaron Young) The Competition Photo Modes have definitely seen some advancements since Assassin’s Creed Mirage released. Ubisoft themselves have shown this with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, while Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 has really pushed the boundaries of what is possible from a PM. Full cutscene control and high camera range revolutionise the way we can capture a game. It is interesting that games like A Plague Tale: Requiem and Hellblade 2 have invested so much into their PMs, given these were developed by smaller studios. Are they seeing the promotional benefits of virtual photography or is it just an understanding they have of what the players would like? It’s probably a combination of the two. So now, we hope that bigger studios will start to take note of this trend. However, it would be unfair of us not to mention Insomniac and Guerrilla, who have provided an awful lot to their respective PMs. Features such as photo mode are instrumental in order to achieve longevity, keeping a game in the public eye way past its release date. Horizon Forbidden West being a great example, yet it’s interesting to see that another popular Sony game like God of War: Ragnarök doesn’t have the same exposure despite its huge fan base. In part, maybe this happened because Sony Santa Monica didn’t invest a lot in their photo mode. It’s important to clarify that we speak from a place of love here, since one of the authors of this article regularly posts shots from that game, but there are many artists in the virtual photography community who didn’t pick it due to its PM. GoW Ragnarök suffered from lack of advancements to the PM (photo credit: Aaron Young) We believe that if Assassin’s Creed Shadows added a few features from the ones we mentioned above, it would go a long way to improving the PM and showing a commitment to the fans that they value this part of the game. As we have stated, the AC Photo Mode is a great entry level that covers the basics well, but now it’s time to raise the standard and bring the Assassin’s Creed PM to the same level as the competition. AC Shadows’ releases November 15th 2024 (image credit: Ubisoft website) comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author 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 Renzo // CapturesByRenzo

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced - Zephryss Review Review Share 10 Jul 2026 Written By: Edited By: Zephryss Colum Blackett Back To Database We are thrilled to release another review for Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, this time written by highly respected gaming analyst Zephryss , from our Social Media Team! I have played over 60 hours of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced and have already 100% completed the game. Here's my full review. This review will be divided into two parts: Positives and Negatives. At the end, I'll share my final thoughts and overall score. Positives: The biggest upgrade in this remake is the graphics. It literally feels like you're playing a movie. The attention to detail is just insane. It's like a dream come true for me. Parkour has been significantly improved. All the important parkour mechanics are available from day one. It truly feels much more fluid as you parkour through the city areas. Many locations across the map have been redesigned to support the new parkour mechanics and modern gameplay physics. Turn on the Advanced Parkour option in the settings to enjoy all of these mechanics. The stealth system is much better than in the original game. Edward can now crouch anywhere at the press of a button, and it's a game changer. There are now more ways to create stealth opportunities thanks to the new environment design. Sailing across the massive and beautiful Caribbean is now significantly smoother thanks to two brilliant new mechanics: Pathfinder and Follow Sea. There are also no loading screens when traveling between different cities. This is now the best naval combat game ever made, thanks to its new secondary weapon types and the unique perks provided by the new officers. I recommend upgrading your ship whenever you have enough money. Some battles can feel quite challenging if your ship isn't properly upgraded. Ground combat is also great. It includes a variety of cool moves and finisher takedowns. But you have to be strategic and watch every enemy movement. At first you'll need to spend some time mastering it because enemy attacks are very fast even on the lowest difficulty. Once you master it, the combat feels amazing. Photo Mode is a great addition. I missed it so much in the original game. There are so many beautiful locations across the map to capture stunning shots. It doesn't have as many features as Shadows but at least we finally have a Photo Mode and that's a big W. You can now change the time of day, which is really helpful for Photo Mode, recording clips, and stealth gameplay. New Animus Rift missions are a lot better than those in Shadows. You can now dive underwater at any time. The new side quests are really good. I enjoyed them a lot. New dynamic weather system makes the game more realistic than ever. I played on PC and the game is buttery smooth. There is no lag, no game breaking bugs, or anything like that. Negatives: No Hidden Blade combat at launch Unarmed combat is limited to tavern fights The enemy AI needs to be improved Cutscenes in some side quests are not that good No replayable missions Some small bugs need to be fixed soon I think Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced could be a hugely successful release for Ubisoft after so many years. It could even give them a chance to make an amazing comeback. This time, they focused on quality over quantity and I think that should be their main goal for future games. I'm giving Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced a solid 9 out of 10. Huge thanks to Ubisoft & Assassin's Creed Team for the early review code. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Zephryss is a passionate social media manager based in India who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in Summer 2024 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. Recently, he completed his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering and is now preparing to take on a PhD. He loves video games very much, and since childhood has enjoyed playing various types of games in different genres He also has 3 gaming channels (Zephryss, Assassin Zephryss & Spider Zephryss) where he uploads gameplay videos regularly. Zephryss

Q&A with Abubakar Salim Interview Share 9 Jan 2017 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Buckley Back To Database To celebrate our Three Year Anniversary, we sat down with Abubakar Salim, Bayek from Assassin's Creed Origins! Col: Hey Abu, thanks for joining us! Before we start the Q&A, could you tell us a bit about your work for Assassin’s Creed? Abubakar: Thank you! In Assassin’s Creed: Origins, I play Bayek, the last Medjay from Siwa...But I’ll be honest though, my work consisted of me waking up in the early hours, wearing a lycra/velcro suit with reflective balls and voicing and pretending to be a badass for hours. THAT has been my work on Assassin’s Creed so far. Col: How did you find Voice Acting, and did you enjoy the experience? Abubakar: I loved every second of it. This is my first video game job and the experience as a whole was a mixture of liberating, exciting, tough and genuinely fun. The passion and love from the team is so strong, that the work environment was a joy to be a part of. Voice acting in a video game? And that game being Assassins Creed?! What’s not to love. Col: When you auditioned for the role, did you know it was for a video game? Abubakar: No I didn’t! The character had a different name, and it was advertised as an animated series which would require motion capture. I got the audition through my acting agent, and I remember thinking that this would be an interesting project to get involved in. On my second round however, I met the creative team and they dropped the bomb that it was Assassin’s Creed, and I can just remember this feeling of pure elation. I’m a gamer and a huge fan of the series in particular, so my inner child screamed with joy when they mentioned that it was for the new Assassins Creed game. I had to play it cool though...well, I’d like to think I played it cool. But I’m sure Kama (animation director) and Felix (cinematic director) would tell you very different. Col: Was voice acting something you ever considered when you first started your career? Abubakar: Absolutely. It’s all creative man, and as I said before, video games to me as a kid was and still is a huge part of my life. I didn’t watch many films or TV shows, and books were hard to digest due to my dyslexia, but with video games and the beautiful worlds and stories crafted by them, it became the gateway into my imagination which fuels my work. If I could move, inspire, make someone feel what I felt as a kid when I dived into these worlds, then I’m happy. Col: How would you describe Bayek to a friend? Abubakar: He’s seen things. Smells though...don’t think he washes much. Col: As a Medjay (Ancient Line of Warriors), Bayek cares deeply about the people of Egypt. Do you think players will get a sense of Bayek’s sympathy and compassion for other people in the game?Abubakar: For sure. There is a form of duty that the Medjay held back then and Bayek has such a passion for justice and the people of Egypt, that I feel the players would connect with him on that level. But without going into too much detail, there is an incredibly powerful drive to Bayek which when the players find out why, would make the players understand why he cares so much. Col: Ashraf Ismail (Game Director on ACO) said in an interview with Gaming Bolt that Bayek “is the physical embodiment of ancient Egypt”. Do you agree with this? Abubakar: To me, Bayek is a man like you or me who happens to be in Ancient Egypt, and because of the given circumstances, his reactions become crucial to the shifts and changes of that time. He is definitely the embodiment and voice of a side of Ancient Egypt, but I feel that with this game, each character represents a part of Egypt which is as important as each other. Col: What can you tell us about the relationship between Bayek and Senu? Abubakar: Oh man. All I can say is that, that bond is special. Very special. I don’t want to reveal too much, but you will learn why when the game comes out. Col: Have you seen much of the Assassin’s Creed Origins Fan Art/Cosplay Projects. If so, is there a specific piece that sticks in mind? Abubakar: So since the announcement, there has been so much incredible pieces of work from the fans and the community that I can’t wait for all the more stuff that is to come when more gets revealed! Honestly, each person’s touch and addition to the franchise, be it through cosplay, art work, comic or fan fiction, has been joyous to witness. Col: What are you most excited about for when the game drops on the 27th October? Abubakar: I’m looking forward to get playing it finally. But I am super excited for the journey that the players are going to be taken on. Blood, sweat and tears have been poured into this beast of a game and to finally share that with the world will be a beautiful moment. We would like to say a huge thank you to Abubakar Salim for joining us, and to everyone at Ubisoft who helped to make this interview possible. Assassin's Creed Origins releases on the 27th October 2017. You can find Abubakar on Twitter and Instagram comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Veteran Assassin's Creed Writer Darby McDevitt announces surprise return to Ubisoft News Share 13 Nov 2021 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database In a surprise tweet that took Twitter by storm, fan favourite Assassin's Creed script writer Darby McDevitt has announced his return to Ubisoft after an eight month long hiatus. "Yes, I have returned to Ubisoft! As I pondered my career over the past year, I focused on my desire to explore new ideas and unknown frontiers. Much to my delight, this is reflected in my return to Ubisoft to work on AC. I’m excited to continue my journey. Stay tuned!” Back in March 202, McDevitt announced his departure from the company on Twitter, in search of new adventures and opportunities. In a final Tweet, he thanked all of the fans & content creators that have supported & expanded on his work over the years. The news was met with disbelief, as one of the longest serving and most loved developers working on the franchise would no longer be at the helm. Over a 12 year+ period, he has worked on many games and projects, including Revelations, Black Flag, Embers and Bloodlines. Most recently serving as the Narrative Director on Assassin's Creed Valhalla, McDevitt made it his mission to tie up loose narrative threads. His efforts were recognised, as the game featured many callbacks and clever links to previous games, alongside helping to restore the franchise's fading identity. The news was met with online applause, as fans of the franchise revelled in the knowledge that a true loremaster and mentor had returned. Going forward, it is hoped that McDevitt and the narrative teams at Ubisoft can shape new experiences to honour the legacy of the franchise, and restore the elements that feel so distant in recent games. Within the community, Darby is known for his intriguing and sometimes cryptic tweets, making fans dig beneath the surface to discover the truth. He represents the best that the Assassin's Creed series can be, and we here at TOWCB are thrilled by the news, especially as the upcoming 'Assassin's Creed Infinity' project brings with it such uncertainty, as the series moves towards a live service. Little is known about the upcoming project, but Ubisoft recently made it clear that the project is being led by a new cross-studio, collaborative structure, directed by Marc-Alexis Côté, who will serve as executive producer of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Also joining the project is Étienne Allonier, brand director for Assassin’s Creed for the last 10 years, who together with senior producer Julien Laferrière, Creative Directors Jonathan Dumont and Clint Hocking, will change the way the Assassin's Creed series evolves. In the past, studios have passed the baton on to the next, allowing a time window for them to begin work on the next. With the new structure, One group within Ubisoft, made up of multiple teams, will work on Assassin's Creed coherently. With Darby McDevitt back, it's a sigh of relief for many fans to see that the narrative is once again being cared for by safe hands. Stay tuned for further updates. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

COMING SOON: Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Futuristic Modern Day Wishlist Share 31 Dec 2010 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Back To Database Coming Soon! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Assassin's Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji Wallpaper Collection Community Share 30 Sept 2025 Written By: Edited By: Frame Hold Photography TOWCB Team Back To Database We're pleased to reveal the Assassin's Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji wallpaper collection by Frame Hold Photography from TOWCB Core Team! Each wallpaper has two versions, clean or text, which can be downloaded and used as a phone wallpaper. Let us know in the comments which one is your new phone wallpaper! 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

Quick-Fire Community Questions Round 7: Caleb Allen Community Interview Share 12 Aug 2019 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database For this round of Quick-Fire Community Questions, we invited Cosplayer Caleb Allen, the newest member of the AC Partnership Program. Caleb as Ren Faulkner, the Scottish Assassin Col: Hi there Caleb. Welcome to the series! Please could you tell us about when you first start playing Assassin's Creed games, and which one is your favourite? Caleb: I first started playing AC when AC:III was released. I heard the hype surrounding it and decided to pick up the first game and go from there. I've been hooked ever since. My favorite game has switched over the years, but currently my favorite is AC: Origins. It's an amazing setting, with a great story and fluid gameplay. Col: How long have you been cosplaying, and do you have any favourite Cosplayers? Caleb: I've been cosplaying for a year now, and a few of my favorite cosplayers are @ appalachian_assassin and @ annettabarbierithementor on Instagram. Both are fantastic people and they supported me when I first started cosplaying! Col: When creating Ren Faulkner, what was your main inspiration? Caleb: My inspiration stemmed from the lack of Scottish Assassins in the AC universe. The idea was just too cool to pass up, and I went with it. Col: Did you use many reference images to aid you in the production of your Scottish costume? Caleb: I only used a couple I found on deviantART, the rest came from my imagination. There's not many Scottish Assassins to be found online, so I went ahead and added to the roster. Caleb as a Levantine Assassin during the Third Crusade Col: How do you decide on a backstory for your characters, and are you looking forward to developing these further now that you're a member of the partnership program? Caleb: Absolutely! I love delving into the backstory of OCs. It's a fun challenge because I want to stay as historically accurate as possible, which is a bit hard since Ren Faulkner is a bit anachronistic. Col: How long does a cosplay project normally take from start to finish? Caleb: That depends. A lot of my costumes I've gathered from performing in the Sarasota Medieval Fair, so I had the kilt and shirt already from 2015. But making cosplays from scratch can take a bit of time finding and/or making the right pieces. Col: If Ubisoft were to include one of your characters in a future game, which one would you choose and why? Caleb: A Scottish Assassin's Creed game set in 1314 with the War for Scottish Independence! You could meet historical figures like Robert the Bruce and Walter Stewart, and explore the moors and lochs of Scotland. It would be such an awesome game and would bring the series back to its medieval roots. Col: Which is your favourite cosplay project you have done to date? Caleb: Ren Faulkner! It's what started my page and I've had the most fun working on it. Caleb as a Pirate Assassin Col: How easy/difficult is it to make an Assassin costume? Were there any challenging details or processes involved in creating the finished product? Caleb: With my three Assassin OCs so far, the most difficult was my Scottish one. Creating the look and putting together the leather pieces was a nice challenge. I think the shoulder belt was the hardest to get right. Col: Which part of one your cosplay projects are you most proud of? Caleb: The leatherwork I do for my cosplays is my strongest area. My favorite piece I've made is a full length scabbard for Ren's sword! Col: Do you wear your costumes at events, and what is the general response to them? Caleb: I've worn several of my cosplays to renaissance festivals and events! I've gone to METROCON twice now with Ren and people have loved it! Col: Do you have any future plans? Caleb: I want to make a Roman Assassin! Not Renaissance, but early Imperial Era. I was hyped for the rumors surrounding Ubisoft's next game, but since that's not happening anytime soon I want to make my own take on it! 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 Fans Launch Isu - English Dictionary News Share 12 Feb 2021 Written By: Edited By: ActualSpider-Man Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Data compiled by Colum Blackett. Assassin's Creed fans have managed to crack the secret language of the highly advanced precursor race known as the Isu, and in the process, decode multiple hidden messages. A new Assassin's Creed Isu to English dictionary has been released thanks to a collaborative community effort to decode secret messages. Fans first noticed the strange symbols on the collector's edition of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, as well as in the game, and set about trying to decode them. The team over at Access the Animus managed to successfully crack the code, and in the process, discovered the legitimate way to unlock the Isu bow, which had been found in the game due to a clever save hack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze-7t7TRjy0 The decoded messages led the team to an iron ore deposit on a small island surrounded by a lake in Northumbria, which could only be destroyed using the Excalibur sword at sunset! Following the discovery, the creator of the language, Antoine Henry (Associate director at Ubisoft Singapore) joined RockPaperShotgun for an interview detailing the creation process. ''The idea of creating a language for the Isu came about during a casual discussion with [narrative director] Darby McDevitt, where I was telling him about my passion for languages and creating them. When he mentioned creating one for the Isu, I thought it was just one of these crazy ideas you come up with in a discussion for the fun of it. Even though we were both excited, I didn't think he was serious at all. Months passed and I thought that would be the end of it. Then one day, out of nowhere, Darby contacted me to see how we could make it happen!" "The process of creating the Isu language was writing in reverse a history of how humans learned it from the Isu, and how it then evolved over time to become Proto-Indo-European. I started from old languages in that family (Latin, Ancient Greek, Sanskrit, etc.) and academic reconstructions of what Proto-Indo-European could have been like, and worked my way backwards from there." ''We completely intended for the community to decipher some of the language, but I would have never imagined that they would go as far as they did. They managed to break down words and rules that I didn't even think could be identified! I am amazed by their passion and dedication. As a creator when you see this, it really makes the effort worth it." It's fair to say that fans have impressed the Assassin's Creed Valhalla development team with their codebreaking skills, but the community has now gone one step further by compiling all of the translated words and phrases to form an Isu- English dictionary! This new community resource will no doubt be an indispensable tool for helping fans unlock even more secrets in future codebreaking efforts, and can be found here on Reddit thanks to the work of user IMHOZen1. '' Codex Transferendum is now a full-fledged Isu language guide, from writing, to translating, to now even speaking every single bit of Isu text we see in Valhalla!'' IMHOZen1 details in his post. With the help of Reddit user / bool0011 , the Isu vocalizations for each character were successfully decrypted. The 25 page document is available for free, and will no doubt be a central resource for all those wishing to learn the mysterious language of the Isu. We would like to extend our admiration to all the fans who helped in this incredible community effort. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Author of the all-encompassing timeline, Codex Temporis, and the Isu-to-English dictionary, Codex Transferendum, Your Friendly Neighborhood Mentor is here to help unweave the confusing web of AC! ActualSpider-Man

The Importance of Assassin's Creed Rogue Analysis Share 3 Aug 2024 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database When Ubisoft released ‘ Assassin’s Creed Rogue ’ on November 11 2014, it was overlooked for several reasons, mainly because it was a simultaneous release with the more anticipated game, ‘ Assassin’s Creed Unity ’, which was also released on November 11 of that year. ‘ Unity ’ gathered more hype from fans since it was the first new ‘ Assassin’s Creed ’ game to be released exclusively on the next-generation PlayStation 4 and Xbox One gaming consoles, while ‘ Rogue ’ was seen as more of a filler for the final ‘ Assassin’s Creed ’ game released on the older consoles and perhaps a farewell to the console generation where the series was born back in 2007, on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. ‘ Assassin’s Creed Rogue ’ was released exclusively to the last-gen consoles, and was good for those who were still unable to upgrade their gaming consoles. ‘ Rogue ’ was fun and a great alternative to the fans waiting to upgrade and be able to play ‘ Unity ’. Due to its release timeline, ‘ Rogue ’ is very often possibly the most forgotten ‘ Assassin’s Creed ’ game still to this day, nearly ten years since its release. However, gamers who may not be familiar with most ‘ Assassin’s Creed ’ games, would likely not believe that ‘ Assassin’s Creed Rogue ’ was the most creative and influential game in the entire series. Somehow a game that is somewhat forgotten at times, and it happens to be Ubisoft’s most daring story. For one, ‘ Rogue ’ is often overlooked due to its more familiar gameplay seen in the game a year prior to this one, ‘ Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag ’. It followed a very identical formula that was actually very well received by fans, so repeating a very similar style was only just adding onto an already great gameplay style that fans grew to love so much. ‘Rogue’ was another naval combat based game in the series. The combat on your ship in the game is nearly identical to that of ‘ Black Flag ’, and the hand to hand fighting formula was very similar to its predecessor as well. Specifically wielding a variety of weapons like cutlass swords, the famous hidden blade, pistols, and a ranged device to knock out or confuse enemies. The two games had a lot in common, but in the eyes of gamers and ‘ Assassin’s Creed ’ fans alike, it continued to work. In ‘ Rogue ’ the device to disorient enemies was a rifle, while in ‘ Black Flag ’ it was a blowpipe with darts, so a lot of familiar gameplay aspects returned, but still unique in its own way. In a way, Ubisoft was really just giving players more of what they loved. The gameplay, however, isn't the main important difference in ‘ Rogue ’, it was instead its storyline. Since 'Rogue' released alongside the much more anticipated 'Assassin's Creed Unity' , it was already at a major disadvantage, and it got even worse when 'Unity' launched in a broken, bug-filled state. The game quickly turned into a internet meme. With pictures of ridiculous glitches of both the characters and the environment. The poor initial reception to 'Unity' only made things worse for 'Rogue' , even though the game launched in a graphically stable state, the damage had been done already from the failures of 'Unity' . Fans already labelled ' Rogue' as a glorified DLC, and discouraged its full game price tag. 'Rogue' however, did have some unique connections to 'Unity' . Both games had similar timelines, so once 'Rogue' ended, it led directly into 'Unity' . The prologue of 'Unity' showed Arno, the protagonist of the game, arriving in Versailles with his father, Charles Dorian, who had to leave his son temporarily and told him to wait for him. Arno then meets Elise, who was also a main character throughout the game. Both Arno and Elise are children at this time and around the same age. The story takes off after that when Arno's father, Charles, is mysteriously murdered while Arno was exploring with Elise. That point in the game was a mystery, until the very end of 'Rogue' , when we play as Shay Cormac, who's mission was to enter Versailles and assassinate Arno's father, which connected the two games together. We even see Arno and Elise talking together in the hallway while Shay walks past them and finishes his job to kill Charles. The crossover between the two games was a pleasant surprise, and some gamers did not even know about this connection for some time because of how badly 'Rogue' was overshadowed. ‘ Assassin’s Creed Rogue ’ did the unthinkable, playing the game as a character who sides with the infamous Templar Order, the main antagonist group throughout the entire series. Ubisoft decided to show gamers the perspective of a Templar for once, and not that of a member of the Assassins Brotherhood. The story showed how there are always two sides to a story. For the longest time ‘ Assassin’s Creed ’ fans were only accustomed to, of course, being on the Assassin’s side, and never the idea of following and understanding the viewpoint of the enemy, as all Templars were considered evil and power-greedy. ‘ Rogue ’ however showed us the story of a man named Shay Patrick Cormac, who initially was a member of the Assassins Brotherhood, but was turned to the Templar Order after a major disagreement with his mentors. The story explained how the Assassins were looking to capture and obtain certain artifacts in history, but they were unaware that the artifacts were not supposed to be meddled with. Shay finds this out the hard way, and so he leaves the Assassins and becomes a member of the Templar Order, with Shay knowing he’s made the right decision for himself. This viewpoint change showed us that the Assassin’s can very well be wrong for once, and that the so-called evil Templars could be on the right side of history. This idea would’ve never made sense to fans of the games before ‘ Rogue ’ released, because realistically we have been shown from the beginning that Assassins were the heroes and Templars were the enemies. Fans couldn’t believe the Templars could actually be right, which is very understandable. Ubisoft clearly took another major risk with this game. Having the main character betray and hunt down members of the Assassins Brotherhood. This choice could clearly upset some fans, but the importance of showing that not one side is always right and winning every single time was vital to the narrative of the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series, and to other game franchises as well, showing major depth to the story. ‘ Rogue’ may very well be a less heard of and underrated game, but in a way it may have the most important narrative angle in the entire franchise. It shows Ubisoft’s job at creating stories for games isn’t predictable or repetitive, and instead shows risky, but very wise storytelling and creative depth. A lot of game developers and gaming franchises are unable to create and show the importance of dual sided storytelling, but Ubisoft took this path and proved their brilliance in the narrative arts. It is ironic that a game like ‘ Rogue’ could be this important and be so less talked about compared to the other major games in the series. This game did an excellent job being a bridge to the next generation of ‘ Assassin’s Creed ’ games, as it marks the end of a historic generation of gaming consoles for the franchise, but also ends on a strong note and successfully set the stage for the then-hyped PS4 and Xbox One consoles. Maybe Ubisoft was onto something here. Storytelling isn’t supposed to be one sided, and often is in need of narrative depth. There might always be fans who disagree with the direction ‘ Rogue ’ took, and may not like the turncoat side of the story, but there is no denying its evident importance. Ubisoft took an angle to this story that we may not see again in another ‘ Assassin’s Creed ’ game, but for now we can be thankful we were able to experience the important idea of having two sides to a story. Ubisoft knew exactly what they were doing when creating this game, and still to this day it remains a creative masterpiece for the ‘ Assassin’s Creed ’ series. 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

Decoding the Creed: Assassin's Creed Mirage Calligraphy Drawings Analysis Share 22 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Noon (TheHiddenVirtuals) Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the first article in a new series dedicated to decoding the secrets hidden within the Assassin's Creed series. In this article, new recruit The Hidden Virtuals examines the drawings featured on the Assassin's Creed Mirage official website, made up of Arabic calligraphy by artist Hatem Arafa . In a social media post, Hatem shared this message covering his time working with Ubisoft on Mirage. Here is our analysis of the drawings! لَدغُ العقَاربِ لَم يَكُن لِعَداوَة A scorpion's sting was never out of spite بُنِيَ بَيْت العَنكَبُوتِ عَلى وَهْن Spiderwebs were built upon frailty وَ قَد دَبَّ مِن أقْصَى المَشَارِق حَيَّة And a serpent slithered/creeped from the far east ثُمَّ مِن الظَّلاَمِ تَخرُج نَحوَ النُّور Then you emerge out of the darkness towards the light The full message reads: A scorpion's sting was never out of spite. Spiderwebs were built upon frailty. And a serpent slithered/creeped from the far east. Then you emerge out of the darkness towards the light. What could this be referencing? Does Basim encounter an enemy that puts an end to his naivety, kickstarting a path to the Brotherhood? We can't wait to dive even deeper into the hidden mysteries of Assassin's Creed Mirage when more material releases through the marketing campaign and game's launch in October 2023. You can find links to our social media platforms below to stay up to date on everything 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 Noon (@HiddenOnesN) is a Virtual Photography enthusiast and writer who joined TOWCB social media team in Summer of 2023 as an Arabic Translator. In a series of Twitter threads decoding hidden messages within the Assassin's Creed Mirage Marketing campaign, Noon made a strong impression online as a codebreaker. By joining TOWCB, we boosted her findings with a larger audience, and are working together to improve our social media strategies and grow our community. In late 2023, Noon notably be led our 'Decoding the Creed' series, diving deep into the mysteries hidden within the franchise. She also worked alongside the Virtual Photography Team to grow our Twitter community, and encourage interactions. Noon (TheHiddenVirtuals)

Assassin's Creed Valhalla Officially Announced News Share 29 Apr 2020 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Ubisoft have officially announced Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the next game in the series set during the Viking era. The reveal was in the form of an 8 hour long art demonstration, an innovative and creative way of showing fans the setting of the next Assassin's Creed game. For the project Ubisoft hired talented concept artist BossLogic to create something special, which he did exceptionally well. Although the reveal took 8 hours to complete, it's fair to say that it was one of the most unusual game reveals of recent times, showing incredible initiative during lockdown. Below you can see the finished piece in HD. New wallpaper perhaps? We can't wait to learn more about the next game, and you can stay up to date on everything AC with our social media accounts! 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 Community Fundraiser: Art Sale Fundraising Share 23 Mar 2020 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database In an effort to increase donations to the Italian Red Cross, we are teaming up with portrait artist Lisa Zaman from the AC Partnership Program. We are proud to announce that today we are launching our very first Assassin's Creed art sale! A range of prints kindly donated by Lisa are available, and all of the profits will be donated to the Italian Red Cross! Please remember that the prints are limited edition, and are normally only available exclusively at community events. This is the first time that they are on sale, and by adding them to your collection, you are also helping The Italian Red Cross battle Coronavirus. All purchases will be classed as a donation, and added to the overall fundraiser total. You can find the A5 prints available down below. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Autumn 2019: Assassin's Creed Community Projects To Watch News Share 14 Nov 2019 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Autumn is upon us, and members of the Assassin's Creed Community have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to craft unique and interesting fan creations. Here are our top 6 projects you should look out for this Autumn. 6. Galina Cosplay - Assassin's Creed Cosplay Project Check out this brand new Assassin's Creed cosplay project, created by Galina Cosplay for UniCon and Game Expo, which takes place in Belarus! The costume seems to take inspiration from tribal cultures, featuring elements such as feathers, beads and bone charms. It's clear that this Assassin is a badass warrior who you really don't want tracking you down! I can see this member of the brotherhood taming wild animals and using a mix of stealth and brutality to eliminate enemies. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/06e6c8_4684adeb084041178203935eef023457/360p/mp4/file.mp4 5. Lorenzo de Sanctus - Assassin's Creed Japan Fanart Feudal Japan is a location many Assassin's Creed fans dream of visiting one day in a game, with the potential for ninjas, Samurai sword fights and epic rooftop battles. With the release of Ghost of Tsushima, AC fans can get a glimpse at what the setting could offer. 21 year old freelance concept artist Lorenzo de Sanctus has recntly been releasing his fanart on ArtStation. "Assassin's Creed is the game that i always loved, the idea, the style and the story! The idea to live the life of your ancestor is amazing. So I started to think about a game set in the Feudal japan, that could be great for me!" You can find all of his work here You can also follow him on Twitter 4. Connor Ellis - Orchestral Covers With the success of the Assassin's Creed Symphony, the AC Community is ready for more orchestral pieces to inspire its members. 21 year old Connor Ellis has recently begun uploading orchestral covers of Assassin's Creed music, and the timing could not be better. If, like us, you're eagerly counting down the days until the Assassin's Creed Symphony in London, then this is a project you won't want to miss! Connor also revealed on Twitter that he might try and do an orchestral cover for each game, and time the video releases to sync up with the Assassin's Creed Marathon! Here is his Assassin's Creed III cover! You can subscribe to his c hannel here , and follow him on Twitter here . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVbqdGvmVGc 3. Access the Animus - Monthly Interviews covering Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice The team over at Access the Animus have been working hard to release monthly interviews dedicated to the upcoming Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood of Venice tabletop game by Triton Noir. Each interview examines a different aspect of the project, and have so far covered Assassin's Creed elements, Birth of the Concept, Playtests with the Community, Gameplay and The Miniatures. You can bet that the ATA team have more interviews ready for their monthly release, so be sure to follow them on Twitter and check out the releases below! April 2019 - ' How was the concept of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice born?' Featuring members of the dev team May 2019 - The Assassin’s Creed DNA in collaboration with Ubisoft, featuring Aymar Azaïzia June 2019 - The Gameplay, featuring Lead Game Designer Thibaud de le Touanne July 2019 - Playtests with the Community, featuring Lead Game Designer Thibaud de le Touanne! August 2019 - The Miniatures, featuring Art Director Manuel Sanchez 2. Art by Lisa Zahman Lisa is a talented portrait artist specialising in graphite work. Recently, she began capturing the world of Assassin's Creed with her amazing portraits, bringing the characters to life. Last month, Lisa joined our Assassin's Creed Partnership Program , a community initiative which aims to promote and share content. We also recently collaborated on an art giveaway to celebrate our 5th anniversary! Congrats to the three lucky winners who won prints! Lisa is currently working on portraits of Edward Kenway, Kassandra and Ezio Auditore. You can follow her work on Twitter and Instagram ! 1. The 2019 Assassin's Creed Marathon The annual Assassin's Creed Marathon is back for a sixth time, starting October 10th! Over the course of 72 days, community members will replay many of the games in the Assassin’s Creed series, roughly one sequence at a time, leading up to December 21st, Assassin's Creed Day, and discuss their playthrough on Reddit. You can take part in the Marathon and learn more on the Assassin's Creed Subreddit Marathon Thread Twitter comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

🔧 Restoration In Progress- Check Back Soon! (Valhalla) Guide Share 19 Nov 2010 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) WIP Back To Database Restoration In Progress- Check Back Soon! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

The History of Baghdad during the 860's (Anarchy of Samarra) History Share 12 Sept 2022 Written By: Edited By: Michael Doyle Ashlea Blackett Back To Database In our new article, we explore the history of Baghdad during the 860's, and the conflicts which took place during that time. In Assassin's Creed Mirage, scheduled for launch in 2023, players 'follow the transformation of a defiant young man into a refined Master Assassin with a conflicted destiny.' Basim Ibn Ishaq will navigate the bustling streets of ninth–century Baghdad, exploring all four areas, from the industrial Karkh to the lush gardens of the Round City. Here are some of the key events which took place during a period of extreme internal instability within the Abbasid Caliphate. Old Baghdad image via WorldBulletin The Spiral Minaret of Great Mosque of Samarra Via Wiki Baghdad’s House of Wisdom via WembleyMatters 861AD: The anarchy began in 861 with the murder of the Caliph al-Mutawakkil by his Turkish guards, with the support of his own son, al-Muntasir. Upon his death, his son al-Muntasir claimed the title of Caliphate, but this was short-lived. No more than 6-months into his rule, al-Muntasir was dead, having been poisoned by the Turkish Military Chiefs. 862AD: Al-Muntasir was then succeeded by al-Musta’in, who was appointed Caliph by a council of Turkish military leaders. Al-Musta’in was the nephew of al-Mutawakkil and was appointed Caliph ahead of al-Muntasir’s brothers al-Mu’tazz and al-Mu’ayyad, the rightful inheritors of the Caliphate title. They were both quickly thrown in prison and forced to resign their titles to suppress their ability to rightly claim the title of Caliphate. With his competition silenced, Al-Musta’in was then able to persuade the city of Baghdad in 862 to submit to his succession, which was eventually acknowledged throughout the land. However, al-Mu’tazz and his brother continued to rally against Caliph al-Musta’in, and they were ultimately sentenced to death for their actions. Yet, this never came to pass. The Vizier (a senior minister of the Abbasid Caliphate) intervened, saving the brothers, and allowing them to flee. The Vizier was banished to the island of Crete for his actions. 863AD: In 863, al-Musta’in, who was still living in the then capital Samarra (80miles north of Baghdad), still had plenty of conflicts to navigate as the governor of Baghdad. Two Greek priests, St. Cyril and St. Methodius had become missionaries and were spreading the Greek Orthodox version of Christianity throughout the region. al-Musta’in’s was campaigning against Christianity, but this was going badly, even resulting in the death of 8,000 troops and numerous military leaders. These failures to protect the Muslim religion against the rise of Christianity saw riots across the city of Bagdad. Baghdadis cried for a Holy War, prisons were broken into, and bridges burnt, yet the Caliph didn’t listen or care. Saint Cyril 864AD: From 863 to 865 al-Musta’in continued to lose the trust of his people, with much of the region slipping into chaos and fighting men from surrounding provinces having flocked to Baghdad and Samarra to fight and plunder. 865AD: In 865, the rule of al-Musta’in was slowly falling apart. After disagreements with the Turkish leaders, al-Musta’in felt that his life was in danger. So, alongside the company of two other Turkish leaders, Bugha al-Sharabi and Wasif al-Turki, he left Samarra on a boat to East Baghdad. The Turkish leaders, upon hearing of al-Musta’in’s sent a party of captains to apprehend the Caliph and requested that he returned to the capital of Samarra. Al-Musta’in refused, and after a heated discussion with the Turkish speakers, one of them received a blow. This insulted the Turkish officers, and upon their return to Samarra, they brought al-Mu’tazz (the rightful Caliph) out from his confinement and appointed him as Caliph. Within a few weeks, the new Caliph al-Mu’tazz and his brother Abu Ahmad al-Muwaffaq, along with 50,000 Turks and 2,000 Berbers besieged Baghdad. The Abbasid civil war, which lasted for about a year, largely revolved around a prolonged siege of Baghdad and resulted in the continued scarcity of food and money in the city. As the conflict raged on, members of the Abbasid family with Baghdad, without the knowledge or permission of al-Musta’in, had opened negotiations with the new Caliph al-Mu’tazz regarding the surrender of al-Musta’in. The first round of negotiations deteriorated, and thesiege continued whilst the Baghdadi people protested in the streets at the news that leader al-Musta’in, whom they still saw as the Caliph, was to be disposed of. 866AD: Ultimately, in January of 866, al-Musta’in was convinced to abdicate by his fellow Turkish officers, Wasif and Bugha, and he stepped down as Caliph. Upon his abdication, an agreement was set that his life would be spared and that he would receive sufficient income and a home in Medina. On Friday 25th January 866, al-Mu’tazz was acknowledged as Caliph in the mosques throughout Baghdad. Despite the agreement set out upon his abdication, al-Musta’in was not granted a home in Medina and was instead kept within the city of Baghdad. Ultimately, he was executed on the 17th of October 866 by order of the Caliph Al-Mu’tazz, who was playing a game at the time, later awarding the assassin 500 pieces as a reward. AC Mirage Concept Art by FrameHoldPhotography , created using Valhalla/ Origins & Photoshop How will Basim fit into the history of Baghdad? With many high-profile assassinations during the 860s in Baghdad, will Basim and the guild be connected in some way to these assassinations? Will the Vizier play a role in Mirage, his intervention in the murder of the brothers could indicate a connection to the guild? Will the two Greek priests, who spread Christianity across the land be connected to the events of Mirage? We know their actions caused uprising and riots in Baghdad, but will they be portrayed in the game? Will Basim have some role to play in the success or failure of al-Musta’in and his fellow Turkish troops fleeing to Baghdad in 864? Will Basim fight in the siege of Baghdad during the Abbasid Civil War? Will Basim and the guild influence the negotiations between the members of the Abbasid family and al’Mu’tazz? Will any of the Caliph’s during this timeframe be part of the Order of Ancients? comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Michael is a close personal friend of the admin team who has worked alongside TOWCB for many years, lending a hand behind the scenes who is best known for his time leading the Rally the Creed video-podcast. In 2022, Michael stepped out of the shadows and joined TOWCB's Writing Team, where he explored game journalism by expanding TOWCB database, filling it with guides, tips and tricks and more. After a series of article launches, he joined TOWCB's Core Team, where he now works as a Strategist, overseeing major campaigns, establishing internal systems and managing charity efforts for the group. Michael Doyle

Quela is a new streamer who is currently enjoying her time playing Nintendo games & RPGs. She is a big fan of Assassin's Creed, and currently streams the original games on her Twitch channel once a week. Throughout 2022 and beyond, you will find Quela streaming Assassin's Creed for TOWCB as she joins the Video Content Creation Team in our efforts to move away exclusively from written content. Our content will soon include Creed-Running events and weekly hangouts. Previous Next Video Content Quela Previous Partner Quela is a new streamer who is currently enjoying her time playing Nintendo games & RPGs. She is a big fan of Assassin's Creed, and currently streams the original games on her Twitch channel once a week. Throughout 2022 and beyond, you will find Quela streaming Assassin's Creed for TOWCB as she joins the Video Content Creation Team in our efforts to move away exclusively from written content. Our content will soon include Creed-Running events and weekly hangouts. Twitter | Twitch Work

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood: Roman Resistance Breakdown Share 25 May 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database When Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood launched in November of 2010, it instantly captivated audiences who were anticipating a story follow up to the mysterious ending that the previous game, Assassin’s Creed II , offered. The game, quite literally, takes place mere moments after the conclusion of its predecessor. Fans were eager for clarity and to see where the story would head next. Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood was an excellent follow-up to a masterful game. It properly continued the story of fan-favorite main protagonist, Ezio Auditore, as it explored his journey following the major changes his life underwent in the previous game. Promo image for Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (2010) via Ubisoft Brotherhood dived deeper into the lore of the infamous Borgia family. The game took place during the middle of their regime in the Roman Papacy. The previous game featured Rodrigo Borgia as a main villain and mastermind of the famed Templar Order. Who were the main antagonists of the series. Brotherhood introduced further members of the Borgia family, including Rodrigo’s son, Cesare Borgia, as the psychotic and power-hungry villain who seeked to turn Italy at the time into his personal kingdom. Rodrigo’s daughter, Lucrezia, also played an important part of the story. However, Cesare also was portrayed as a vital member of the Templar Order, following the footsteps of his father. The Borgia family in the game were depicted as evil and villainous people and served a crucial part of the story. Cesare, voiced by Andreas Apergis, is still to this day considered to be the best and most dangerous antagonist in the entire series. Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood introduced an Assassin recruitment feature, where Ezio could call on his apprentices to help aid him in combat or sneakily take out enemies in his way. This feature was welcomed by fans and brought a unique aspect of the gameplay that previous games did not have. It was extremely helpful to have some support in combat against formidable enemies. A way of recruitment was helping out Italian citizens of Rome who are fighting against the Borgia guards, and after successfully saving the citizen, he is asked to join the Brotherhood and resist against the Borgia oppression in Rome. Cesare Borgia as he appears in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (2010) Brotherhood also allowed players to explore and take in the full experience of late 14th century Rome. This location was very briefly shown in the past game towards the very end as Assassin’s Creed II mostly featured other cities in Italy such as Florence and Venice. It was great for players to dive into Rome at its fullest. Brotherhood was helped by not attempting to be vastly different from its predecessor, and instead chose the route of a familiar style that the past game was used to. This was wise from the developers at Ubisoft as they stuck with what players loved. There was little need for drastic changes especially in a continuation of the same story being told. Ubisoft nailed the approach. They knew fans were satisfied with the gameplay mechanics of the past game and proved players would be glad to continue Ezio’s story with familiarity and not something entirely different. Ubisoft knew in the following years the series would require significant changes to gameplay in order to be original and evolve as fast as modern technology does. Ubisoft took a smart route by understanding the time would come for major differences, but bided their time long enough to satisfy fans. Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood improved upon the flaws its predecessor had. It stuck to a familiar format, but took necessary action to fix the changes fans disapproved of from the past game. A good example of this is the minor changes the game underwent such as different combat skills, new types of weapons, and new user interface for things such as the health bar displayed on-screen and improved graphics. Brotherhood was well ahead of its time in its ability to not be afraid to make changes, but stick to what players all loved. To some fans, Brotherhood is up there with the best games in the entire series. The story properly explained the continuation of Ezio’s story and made fans love the direction the game chose to take. Promo image for Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (2010) Brotherhood also explored further the story of the modern day segments of the game. The side main character, Desmond Miles, leads his team and friends on a journey that took place simultaneously with the historical part of the game. Some fans had displeasure with the amount of content the modern day story followed, as most players preferred to stick with the historical setting, but the game did a good job showing Desmond follow in the footsteps of his ancestor, Ezio, and properly continued the dual-story aspect. It showed fans that even while deep into the historical time periods, the modern day setting played a huge part in the main story. Brotherhood also showed the importance and power of the fabled piece of Eden artifacts that were commonly mentioned and seen in the games. Ubisoft introduced a mission towards the end of the game where Ezio could fend off hoards of enemy Borgia guards with just one click for the Apple of Eden, a circular object that when interacted with could cause mental insanity or death in a heartbeat. Brotherhood explored three main aspects of the story. Not only did it tell the continued story of Ezio Auditore, but also explored modern day and even further showed the hidden secrets of these Pieces of Eden and their significant importance in the game's lore. Modern Day in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (2010) In the end, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood was a beyond worthy sequel that satisfyingly showed the events of the past games that fans were dying to see continued after a mystery of an ending we witnessed before. Fans to this day look back on Brotherhood as perhaps the best sequel in gaming at the time. It took all that was loved and adored from Assassin’s Creed II and made it all much better all while keeping the fan-favorite style the game held. Brotherhood was a great sequel and story continuation that showed the oppression that the Borgia family held over all of Italy, and the resistance that Ezio and his fellow Assassin’s took to liberate and free Rome from their tyrannical grasp on the entire society at the time. The Assassin’s Creed series took a serious step forward with Brotherhood and in the end captivated fans who were heavily anticipating the mysterious ending the past game endured. There is so doubt any Assassin’s Creed fan can see and understand the vastly important impact it left on gaming as a whole. 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

Importance of Assassin's Creed Mirage's Upcoming DLC News Share 10 Sept 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database Announced recently back in late August of this year, one of the more recent Assassin’s Creed games, Assassin’s Creed Mirage , got a surprise announcement that the game, which was released back in October of 2023, would be getting a free DLC, which stands for downloadable content, that is in development and will be available to gamers across the globe in the near future. Promo image for the upcoming expansion, showing Basim's new outfit This news is an unexpected treat for fans of the series as originally Assassin’s Creed Mirage was set to be a game without any major post-launch expansions. Mirage was a smaller-scale game that was created to honor the 15th anniversary of the franchise and in many ways return to its roots by bringing back classic gameplay mechanics and a formula the series used years ago before it received a major reboot back in 2017. There are still a large number of fans who prefer the old formula the franchise used to follow, so giving the community a game that honors its past but also includes elements of the present and future games made it a fan-favorite addition to the series. Assassin’s Creed Mirage was set to tell its story and be complete already, but with this surprising news of the upcoming DLC, gamers will most certainly dive back into Mirage as the game offered plenty of content to explore even after the main story’s completion. Mirage was seen as a small-scale game in the series but now is turning into much more. The news that this DLC is free is welcoming news as a lot of DLC story expansions are paid, and not free. The paid ones usually range from $10 or upwards to $20 and even sometimes a lot more. So having a game with free expansions is a great gesture from Ubisoft to its fans. Since the DLC will be free, it offers a lot of possibilities for Ubisoft to watch the player count and popularity vastly increase now that they know fans won't need to be skeptical on whether or not to spend the extra money to buy and experience the DLC. Whereas now, instead they can offer it to all gamers worldwide and anyone can experience it without the decision of having to spend to play and own it. Basim in Assassin's Creed Mirage Assassin’s Creed Mirage became a beloved game in the series because it catered to fans from both viewpoints of the franchise. Those who prefer the classic formula and those who love the updated style. Mirage includes both elements of classic and newer formulas as a combination that was sure to satisfy fans from both different opinions. The game was a focal point of the extensive marketing campaign Ubisoft started in 2023 to promote and celebrate the 15 years that the series has been around for. While the celebrations were dedicated to all the games, Mirage served as the best part of the marketing campaign that honored the franchise's rich history all while satisfying fans of all kinds and bringing the series and community together as a whole. The fact that Assassin’s Creed Mirage will have a DLC is also a surprise to the fact that the game seemed to be a done deal and a part of the past now that the brand new game in the series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is out and accompanied by a DLC of its own along with future announced games to continue the series on the way. So it felt like Mirage was complete and set to be moved on from, but recent news has proven this idea incorrect, as Ubisoft is showing great attention to a game that's turning two years old next month in October. Video games that are released years prior often do not get the attention Assassin’s Creed Mirage is set to receive in the near future. This reversal in opinion from Ubisoft shows they have listened closely to their fanbase and have come to believe that the story and existence of Assassin’s Creed Mirage is far from over. As fans, we can all be thankful to the developers at Ubisoft for changing course from their previous decisions and that they are showing attention to this beloved game even years after its release, and giving fans a true surprise that this highly anticipated DLC will be completely free to all gamers. The idea and reality of a free unpaid major expansion is less common in today's age of gaming, and really shows that Ubisoft is listening to their fans and giving the players a seriously exciting project to look forward to without the need of spending their own money toward it. This DLC is welcome news and another exciting project in the Assassin’s Creed franchise that fans can continue to anticipate the bright future of this franchise for years to come. Promo image for Assassin's Creed Mirage, via GameInformer 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

New Assassin's Creed Shadows Fall Roadmap Full Breakdown Breakdown Share 25 Oct 2025 Written By: Edited By: Zephryss Colum Blackett Back To Database Ubisoft has finally revealed the new Fall Roadmap for Assassin's Creed Shadows. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s coming to Assassin's Creed Shadows in the next few months. Parkour Update 2 The new Parkour will be released on October 28. This update will feature a new toggle option named "Advanced Parkour". It will remove all parkour barriers, allowing players to do side ejects and back ejects from any height. There will be some tweaks with side eject on parkour down, giving players more freedom of expression. The vertical ledge grab in regular parkour will now work in more situations, including non-standing objects, whether or not the advanced parkour toggle is on. From those non-standing objects, developers are also introducing a new beam manual jump option and reintroducing a much-requested feature called the directional catch ledge mechanic. Corrupted Castles A new Animus themed activity called Corrupted Castles will also be released on October 28. Any previously completed castle may get corrupted and filled with Animus anomalies, including Samurai Daisho and their corresponding reward chests. Up to five Corrupted Castles will appear on the map each season, allowing players plenty of opportunities to reengage those castles and higher levels of play for even greater rewards. Free Story Drops The 3rd story drop called "A Puzzlement” will be released on November 25th. This quest has a much more humorous, silly tone, much more akin to something like AC Odyssey, in which players are digging up old foes from Naoe's past who are looking for a bit of redemption. As the name suggests, "A Puzzlement", also introduces a brand new and intricate environmental puzzle which will include some Isu content. Yes, Ubisoft has heard the AC community, and they are finally adding Isu content to Assassin's Creed Shadows. The two protagonists will also learn new skills from each other: Naoe will learn how to perform her own spectacular version of Yasuke's war kick ability. Yasuke will learn how to stealthily dispatch enemies in a non-lethal way. The next special collaboration will also be released on November 25th and It will be something big. Ubisoft has also announced that there will be more surprises including new finishers, special missions, animus-themed rewards, and store content until the end of this year. AC Shadows on Nintendo Switch 2 Assassin's Creed Shadows is coming on the Nintendo Switch 2 on December 2nd. It will have all the recent updates and free content drops, except for the Claws of Awaji Expansion that will come later in the new year. It will also work with cross-progression to Ubisoft Connect, so players will be able to pick up where you left off. Switch 2 also offers a new way to play with touch screen features in all menus including world map, store and hideout. What do you think about the new Fall Roadmap for Assassin's Creed Shadows? Share your thoughts in the comments below. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Zephryss is a passionate social media manager based in India who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in Summer 2024 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. Recently, he completed his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering and is now preparing to take on a PhD. He loves video games very much, and since childhood has enjoyed playing various types of games in different genres He also has 3 gaming channels (Zephryss, Assassin Zephryss & Spider Zephryss) where he uploads gameplay videos regularly. Zephryss

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 6th to 12th February Community Share 15 Feb 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed Caving Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Platform: PS5 VP Artist: @ theblueb4ndit First up this week we have a beautiful capture of Eivor exploring. This shot is giving me God of War vibes, especially with Eivor using a boat to navigate the cave. The positioning of this capture is perfect. I really like how you have the two holes in the cave, one leading to what looks like a waterfall and the other providing a much-needed light source. Link Sundown Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Platform: PS5 VP Artist: @ Amaya_Nocturna Next up we have dusk in Assassin's Creed Valhalla and what a stunning shot this is. The sun is perfectly captured, and the timing here is impeccable. The colours are faultless too with a real mixed bag of darker tones. I especially like the outline of the Monastery and the sunlight reflecting off the water. I just want to put a frame round it. Link: TOWCB Photo of the Week Judge: Thea Marie Rivedal The warmth of a setting sun after a cold winter is a welcomed gift, and this photo from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla captures that moment perfectly. The dark violet colours mixed with fiery sunshine gives an ominous feeling, and makes you wonder what people may be waiting in the shadows, hoods drawn over their face and a task to be completed under the cover of night. Hooded Eivor Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Defalt368 Keeping with Assassin's Creed Valhalla we have a great portrait of Eivor emerging from the darkness. The lighting and the shadows in this capture are perfect. Hiding the eyes in darkness but allowing the tattoo to show is genius. I still can't get over how impressive the fabric looks on Eivor's hood. The attention to detail in this shot is phenomenal. Medjay of Egypt Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ AlexKOnstantin During my time of hosting these showcases there have been a few Bayek shots that I truly adore and this one has now joined them. This capture is from a set of three atmospheric shots, which just blow you away with how stunning they are. Bayek could not look any cooler here, representing both the Hidden One's and the Medjay. Link: Eivor Jarl Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ alisjansendotir We end this week with a perfect portrait of Eivor looking like a true Viking warlord. There is something about this capture that I find captivating. I love the armour, hair, and beard combo with the subtle face tattoo. That blurred background really works with the shot too. As someone who takes a ton of Eivor VP, I would be overjoyed if I produced something like this. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young