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Insomnia #i71 Ubisoft Community Cosplay Competition Photo Log Events Share 7 Nov 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Here are our captures from the Ubisoft Community Cosplay Competition which took place at Insomnia Gaming Festival (#i71) in September 2023, taken by TOWCB Team members Colum, Aaron and Michael. Congratulations to Jamie from CreedCosplay for winning the Cosplay competition! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

AC Community Questions: TheAssassinLord (Charlie Cooper) Interview Share 9 Aug 2025 Written By: Edited By: Charlie Cooper Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome back to another article in our Assassin's Creed Community Questions series, made up of interviews with Assassins based around the world. This week, we are joined by Charlie Cooper ( TheAssassinLord ), who recently joined our Assassin's Creed Partnership program as a Social Media Manager! Col: Hi Charlie. In July 2025, you joined The Ones Who Came Before's Assassin's Creed Partnership Program, known as the Isu_Network. Are you looking forward to working alongside the team as we look to take our social media content to the next level? Charlie: Definitely! Working alongside and building communities, as well as Assassin’s Creed as a franchise have been a big part of my life and youth up until now so it’s always a pleasure to be a part of a community with a healthy amount of influence and activity! Profile Picture used by TheAssassinLord Col: How excited are you for the future of Assassin's Creed? Charlie: I’m very excited, maybe more excited than I have been in the past several years of releases. In my opinion the RPG route the franchise has taken has brought some positive and negative changes to the franchise as it looks to balance what fans loved before and evolving with the industry but it looks like Assassin’s Creed is looking to widen its appeal in a fresh way to not only include options for old fans but please current ones as well as new ones so that’s always excited to see. Col: Which Assassin's Creed game have you been playing recently, and which game are you playing next? Charlie: I’ve been playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows and I’m about to start a play through of the Ezio Trilogy, my memory of them is quite spotty as I haven’t really sat down to play them for almost a decade now and I’m very curious to see how those experiences/stories hold up now. Other than these hopefully my next AC title will be an alleged black flag remake perhaps, fingers crossed! Col: Have you visited any of the locations from the games? Charlie: Probably not the most interesting ones but I guess New York and Philadelphia from AC III haha. Desmond Miles enters New York from above in Assassin's Creed III Col: Which Assassin's Creed game is your favourite and why? Charlie: My favorite Assassin’s Creed title is the ever so divisive Assassin’s Creed Unity. Personally, I’ve never seen writing as the franchise’s strongest suit, so I wasn’t overly critical of Unity’s story. And unlike many others, I never ran into the game breaking bugs it was infamous for at launch. With those issues off the table, what stood out to me was the game’s design, gameplay, and focus on personalization. Unity leaned harder into role playing than any AC before or since. It emphasized the core assassin fantasy: speed, finesse in both combat and traversal, stealth, and, of course, style. While it sacrificed some input freedom with a more hands-off gameplay approach, the result was still visually an immersive feast. From its ahead of its time visuals to the introduction of co-op multiplayer, Unity delivered something special. Apart from maybe AC III, no other title in the series has spiritually captured what Assassin’s Creed should feel like all in one game. At its core, Assassin’s Creed has always been about someone using their values, skills, and identity to carve their own path as an assassin. Whether it’s the ninja assassin, the pirate assassin, the Native American assassin, the Viking, or the Spartan every entry plays with that idea. And in Unity, you’re a revolutionary, someone fighting to take back power. That theme is reflected beautifully in the gameplay: you take control of what kind of assassin you want to be. That’s why, in my opinion, Unity is still the most immersive Assassin’s Creed game to date. Because you’re not just playing a character’s fantasy, you’re playing your own. Col: Do you have a favorite Assassin's Creed community moment/ story you would like to share? Charlie: This might sound bizarre, but hear me out my favorite community moment was actually the controversy surrounding the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Why? Because sometimes, understanding and trust are forged through conflict. On the player side, watching the community come together to protect Assassin’s Creed, an IP that means so much to so many of us from being dragged through the mud made me feel more connected to the people in it. Even when I didn’t agree with every perspective, I gained a deeper appreciation for the passion behind them. And on the developer side, I think Ubisoft grew from the experience. They showed a real effort to understand the player base and repair the relationship. Their honesty and transparency in responding to the backlash was commendable, and I believe that kind of accountability can only benefit them and us in the long run. Col: What would be your dream setting for the upcoming AC Netflix TV show or future game? Charlie: For the Netflix show, I think they should take a page out of The Last of Us Season One. In my opinion, most video game adaptations miss the mark, but The Last of Us set a new standard. It was historic for game to TV storytelling. The smartest move for Assassin’s Creed would be to recreate the existing games (using them as a marketing tool for future remakes), using the TV format to fill in the gaps and expand the lore in ways the games never could. Season one should absolutely be AC2 especially because that’s such a fan favorite AC game so it’d draw the most attention. Desmond and Ezio are the glue of the franchise, so starting in Italy just makes sense. As for a future game, I really think Ubisoft needs to rip the band-aid off and finally give WWI or WWII a shot. It feels like they’ve been hesitant ever since Syndicate, but honestly, it’d be a refreshing shift from the ancient settings we’ve been stuck in lately. Lydia Frye in 1916 London, as seen in Assassin's Creed Syndicate Col: Do you have any personal AC goals you would like to achieve? Charlie: I wouldn’t say I have any specific “goals,” per se. I just genuinely love giving back to the communities that have given so much to me. Whether it’s through my work in the community or simply as a player, it all comes from a place of loyalty and appreciation regardless of whether I get anything in return. Col: What would you say is your most significant community achievement to date? Charlie: Honestly, I think just being a part of this community. I really feel like there’s a chance to do some meaningful work and have a positive impact alongside you all! What is your favourite part of being a community member? There are so many Assassin’s Creed games and generations of players, and when we all come together, it really feels like a family. Sure, we might have different opinions about what AC should be these days, but at the end of the day, we’re all connected by our love for the franchise and that’s always a good feeling. Col: What advice do you have for people looking to get into content creation and social media management? Charlie: The successful are successful because their fulfillment is fueled by their craft and not the results of it. If you want the things in this life that most people don’t have then you have to be willing to do the things most people won’t do. And to do that, you must be passionate about what you do or the vision/goals of who you’re doing it for. If neither are true, then you’re either in the wrong field or at least focused on the wrong part of it. Passions can come and go, but ultimately where they come from and where they go is your compass to fulfillment and fulfillment should be your definition of success. Col: Where can our community members find you online? Charlie: I do a lot! My personal Instagram where I share my video production creations: @ _charliemcooper_ I run a screenwriting channel on TikTok: @writtenbycharlie2 I’ve also got a YouTube gaming channel focused on the game Toribash: @ matarikatoribash My newest project is The Assassin Lord: YouTube: TheAssassinLord Twitch: theofficialassassinlord X (formerly Twitter): @ Assassin_Lord_ comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Charlie Cooper (TheAssassinLord) joined TOWCB Video Content Creation Team in July 2025 in an effort to help the team further the identity of TOWCB and its members on video platforms. He is a talented videographer, writer, editor and composer with experience in multiple fields. In his first week on the team, he created the iconic intro sequence for our Rally the Creed Podcast, and stepped in to the role of editor for the series. Throughout 2025 and beyond, we will be working alongside Charlie on a number of exciting projects, ranging from capturing and recording exclusive interviews with special guests on our podcast, to music releases. Charlie Cooper

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Orlog Dice Game Review Reviews Share 7 Mar 2022 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Assassin’s Creed has been a staple for the modern gaming community with its mixture of stealth, combat, and story driven gameplay. Players are immersed into history via interactions with important figures and landscapes, giving a large world to explore and learn about alongside the Assassin vs Templar storyline. Within these worlds players are exposed to the art, language, and culture of each location from Ancient Greece to Victorian London. To better influence the player’s experience of being in the Golden Age of Pirates or Revolutionary America, the design team included playable iterations of historical games such as Liar’s Dice and Dead Man’s Morris. The latest example of this is in the 2019 release of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla where players were introduced to a new and original competitive dice game known as Orlog. Promotional image by PureArts Players are introduced to this game via protagonist Eivor and meet various characters across Viking-era England that challenge her to this game consisting of alternating dice rolls, resource management, and the power of the Norse Gods. A game that can turn its favor in an instant of luck and strategy. Orlog became an instant success with the player base as fans began replicating the game in the real world. This showed Ubisoft that they had an opportunity to create an actual version of the game and via the help of the gaming statue company PureArts this became a reality. In the Spring of 2021, an exclusive limited Deluxe Edition of Orlog was created. A combination of wood, metal, and linen were used to design a tangible game, of which a limited 500 units were sold within Northern and Southern America. This did not take long to sell through and those that were lucky enough to claim one (myself included) would receive one of the most unique real world replicas of a video game asset. However, fans from around the world who missed out on this purchase were upset that they were unable to buy this themselves and voiced their opinions across social media. With this spike of global interest, the PureArts team opened a Kickstarter to fund a retail version of the game for all fans regardless of geographical region. On July 13, 2021, the Kickstarter for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Orlog Dice Game was launched and within 35 minutes met its goal of CA $75,000. By the end of the campaign, a total 12,409 backers had funded the campaign for a total of 1.1 million Canadian, unlocking multiple stretch goals and enhancing the base game (for the Kickstarter) to be nearly identical to the Deluxe Edition that had been sold earlier that year. After a lengthy production process due to issues with materials, transportation, and the COVID-19 virus, PureArts began shipping Orlog to players around the world. I myself received mine within a few weeks of each other as they were shipped separately, the Deluxe Edition first and later the Kickstarter “Tavern Edition”, which included an exclusive resin replica of Eivor’s horn, used to call her raiding party as they invaded England. The game is played in three phases after a coin-flip to determine the first player. In the first phase, much like the dice game Yahtzee, players alternate rolling six dice and selecting dice to attack, defend, or steal God Favour Tokens (GFT's) from the opponent in the hopes of lowering their opponent’s fifteen stone health pool to zero. This is followed by the players being able to use their collected GFT's via gold bordered dice sides and stealing from the opponent to activate a God Favour Card (GFC's) that can deal damage, heal, or even duplicate the dice they rolled to give a better advantage in the round. Once this is selected and the priority of the GFC's is played, the players enter the final round, the Resolution phase where the outcome of their dice rolls are matched against each other in a battle of axes, armour, arrows, and shields. The player that has depleted their opponent’s health to zero is declared the victor. I played both iterations of the Orlog release with my family to compare the quality of the Kickstarter enhanced retail version and the Deluxe Edition. Gameplay was easy to explain with the included instructions and a variety of game modes to alter the difficulty of the game. Within a few rounds, my fiancée, who is not a heavy gamer, shared how much she enjoyed the game. I found myself surprised by my comparison and which aspects of each version I preferred over the other. So let's compare the Deluxe and the Kickstarter Editions as I determine which is the best Orlog release. Packaging To start, let's compare the boxes. The Kickstarter Edition was the standard Retail release of the game but with enhanced materials included (such as stones, tokens, and cards). The box itself has nice official game art and is themed to the Valhalla standard teal and black, detailing the contents of the game and a synopsis of how it is played; a traditional game packaging. The Deluxe Edition came in a carved, individually numbered (1-500), wooden case that shows the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla logo within an intricate etched border and secured by a metal clasp. There is no further information on the game displayed on the box as it is a designer piece. WINNER: Deluxe Edition - the beautiful wood box looks great on the shelf for collectors. Storage The Retail Edition has a traditional plastic tray that houses the materials of the game. Each area is designed to hold half of the pieces divided between the players with a shared coin in the centre, making distributing the game pieces quick and easy. The Deluxe Edition does the same but in a much more snug foam material. WINNER : Retail Edition - the plastic, while a lesser quality than the foam, is much easier to remove the components from, as it has space to grab the pieces, whereas it takes more time to remove the wood and metal pieces from the foam of the Deluxe Edition. Dice Bowls The dice bowls in the Retail and Kickstarter versions are made of plastic and detailed to look like wood. Due to the Kickstarter reaching a stretch goal of CA $575K, they were able to add a felt liner, as backers were concerned with the sound of dice hitting the plastic. While this is a nice addition, it is visible that the felt was not cut to size and looks poorly installed. The Deluxe Edition bowl is real wood and has a great quality but doesn’t appear as defined in the detail as it was carved by machine and not by hand. WINNER: Tied - While the wood of the Deluxe Edition is higher quality, the plastic bowl and felt liner have nice sound and feel when rolling the dice. I prefer the wood myself but wish it had the detail of the plastic. Coin The Retail Edition of Orlog will include a cardboard coin (not shown) to determine player order. Both the Kickstarter (after meeting the CA $200K stretch goal), and the Deluxe Edition have a metal replica coin designed after the Silver from the game. WINNER: Kickstarter/Deluxe Edition - The metal has a very nice weight and feel to it over the cardboard that I could compare from other pieces in the game. God Favour Cards In my opinion, this is the biggest comparison between the game pieces of different versions of Orlog. In the Retail Edition, the GFC's are printed on cardboard showing great detail of a carved wood design and a cheat sheet of what each god does on the back. For the Deluxe Edition, wooden GFC's are included to mirror those which are used in the video game version. Kickstarter backers were able to upgrade their GFC's to wood (CA $35) after feedback from the players influenced PureArts. WINNER: Retail Edition - While the wood is nicer than the cardboard, it is very hard to see the image of each god in the Deluxe Edition, and requires the use of the included detail card that shows each GFC and what it does. Being able to flip over the card and read right away what it does is a plus. God Favour Tokens Unlike the GFC', the tokens are instantly identifiable regardless of edition. The Kickstarter backers upgraded (CA $42) the Retail Edition’s cardboard tokens to the Deluxe Edition’s metal tokens. The only drawback to the metal tokens is that they have a finish to them that make them oily and hard to stack at times. WINNER : Deluxe Edition - While the finish can be annoying at times, the metal tokens are very nice and look great. I love clinking them like poker chips when I play. Dice Now this section isn’t as much of a comparison as both the Retail and Deluxe Editions of the Orlog dice are sold with the Bone Die option. With the Kickstarter, a stretch goal at CA $300k allowed backers to switch the base dice to a glow-in-the-dark option for free, or add them on at the end of the campaign for CA $15. However these dice though are difficult to read because of the golden borders. Alternatively, the green glittery dice or “Valhalla Dice” were sold as an add-on for CA $25. WINNER : Kickstarter - Due to the options available, the Kickstarter was the best way to get dice. My personal favourite were the Valhalla Dice. Health Stones & Rules The original plan for Orlog was to include cardboard counters to track the health of each player, however after the Kickstarter reached its first stretch goal of CA $100K, the counters were upgraded to the higher quality polished stones of the Deluxe Edition. This success also allowed the retail edition to be shipped with these stones. The linen bags with the Valhalla logo were included with the Deluxe Edition as well as the Kickstarter after its CA $250K stretch goal was reached. These are used to house the health stones in the packaging. All versions come with an Instruction Guide and God Favor Cards Reference List. Kickstarter Exclusive Items With the exception of the play mat that was included in the Deluxe Edition, the Kickstarter campaign for Orlog offered multiple items for purchase via stretch goals or included with the Tavern Edition. The playmat (55 cm x 86 cm) was expanded in size after the CA $850k stretch goal and sold (for those that just backed the base game or wanted multiple mats) for CA $30. This is a beautiful mat that feels fitting for the historical setting. The main draw for the Tavern Edition of the Kickstarter campaign, and the reason I decided to purchase the game after buying the Deluxe Edition, was an exclusive Horn Replica from the game. Valued and sold for CA $185, the horn made the purchase of The Tavern Edition at $200 great value for money. Its quality of resin, cloth, and wooden base not only look fantastic on my shelf but actually allow you to blow the horn and call your party to the table. At CA $400K a tournament bracket and Orlog Champion Coin (based on the in-game achievement art) were provided to all backers. Edition Winner The best value and version overall in my opinion would be the Kickstarter. Being able to upgrade the various game pieces on top of the Tavern Edition with the horn replica and playmat included, allowed users to have everything that the limited Deluxe Edition had except for the wooden box and bowls. This game as a whole is easy to play and easy to learn. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Orlog Dice Game can be purchased from PlayArts, Ubisoft, and various retailers. 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

The Time-Defying Assassin's Creed II Analysis Share 3 Nov 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database Assassin’s Creed II was released by Ubisoft in November of 2009 and became an instant classic that redefined the standards of video game sequels. The original Assassin’s Creed game was already a fan-favorite and a huge success when it launched in 2007, but many can point to its sequel as being the major turning point of the early days of the franchise. When a usual sequel to a game comes out, fans expect much of the same with minor improvements and story changes, but Assassin’s Creed II showed the industry that a sequel can take the series a step further on its own in such a short period of time. The game released two years after the original, and the bar that the sequel set is still a tactic that is often used as inspiration for video games hoping to cash in on a solid continuation. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed II via Ubisoft The reason why Assassin’s Creed II changed the industry forever, and the way we still look at sequels, is that Ubisoft did not try and simply build off the first game and create something expectedly familiar, but they evaluated the game as so much more. The amount of improvements we saw in Assassin’s Creed II is unheard of in a typical sequel you’d see today. It took everything fans loved about the first game and multiplied it to the point where it felt like a whole new experience. The truth is that a direct sequel, especially one released in the late 2000’s, is usually not so well rounded and simply a whole new league of improvements. It’s unheard of for a sequel to do what Assassin’s Creed II followed after the first game. A typical sequel is generally not supposed to be so vastly improved so quickly, it used to and still usually does take several years and several sequels to reach a level where people consider it a massive upgrade to its predecessor. Assassin’s Creed II was basically a game that defied the normal reality and showed the gaming industry that a direct sequel could indeed be an instant significant upgrade over the original. Before the game came out in late 2009, there had never been a true example of a sequel being such a fast improvement in such a short period of time. The industry norm was to take a few years and a few games to reach its potential. Assassin’s Creed II ended that narrative and became very likely the first direct sequel to show that a game could have such a vast improvement in just one single game later, something the gaming world had deemed impossible for decades. Assassin’s Creed II is still widely regarded by many as the best game in the entire series, and that is seriously impressive for a game from so many years ago and from a franchise that is so popular and still an industry giant to this day. Most games from the mid to late 2000’s are regarded as retro classics, but usually considered very dated. As of late in the gaming world, remakes and remasters have taken control and become a new staple of the modern industry. The fact that Assassin’s Creed II is still without a full on remake with modern graphics and the use of technology we did not have all those years ago, shows the world what an incredible game it was that was far ahead of its time. Many fans and gamers alike often admit that the game holds up so well even today. Video games from even less than a decade ago are currently receiving full on remakes, and those were games developed years past the limited technology we had years ago. Assassin’s Creed II set a standard and proved to many that a sequel could become an instant classic so quickly, and the belief that it took several years at the minimum to reach a similar standard was debunked. The game focused on what the first game did correctly, but took those exact fan-favorite aspects and completely overhauled the criticism some had for various parts of the first game. The repetitive missions and limited open world were often features of the first game that many disliked, but Assassin’s Creed II changed that all. The story was memorable and the characters were even more loved. The game started a trilogy of games featuring the beloved protagonist, Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Not a single main protagonist in the franchise before or after the self-titled “Ezio Trilogy” has gotten even a second game, let alone a total of three. Fans adored the cast and the story directions Ubisoft followed. The open world was improved by allowing the ability to visit different parts of the time period set in the Italian Renaissance, allowing gamers to explore multiple regions such as Florence, Venice, and a brief trip to Rome at the end of the game. Many also loved the combat the game featured that allowed the ability to equip and use a wide variety of different weapons and tools for the first time that could be used to take on enemies. The first game was much more compact and the sequel managed to keep the aspects fans love and simply make it so much better. Often today, games that have a sequel get fan criticism for removing certain features gamers loved in a first game and changing it entirely for the sequel, Ubisoft instead listened to their fans and knew the ones that loved the first game back in 2007 would love to see a lot of returning elements, but a fresh take on the game especially since it was set in such a famous era in history. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed II via Ubisoft Although there are certainly a few things Assassin’s Creed II could have improved upon that are seen as out of date in today's standards, it was far ahead of its time in what we knew to expect all the way back in 2009. Many gaming developers even to this date often look back on the work Ubisoft did with Assassin’s Creed II and use it as an example of how to craft a sequel that can be an instant improvement that doesn't take the old belief that many years and many games were necessary for vast improvement. As important and legendary as the original 2007 Assassin’s Creed game was, many fans of the series point to the sequel as the true turning point of the franchise, and a huge reason the franchise is still around today and stronger than ever. Assassin’s Creed II launched on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles, but it received a remaster collection for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles back in 2016. The remasters did not receive any significant graphical or gameplay improvements, which is proof that Ubisoft is rightfully very proud of their work and does not feel it is a dire necessity to come out with a full on remake that rebuilds the entire game from the ground up. The original game still plays very well on the old consoles, and still remains to many as the best part of the entire franchise. The game had two sequels that were 2010’s Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and 2011’s Assassin’s Creed Revelations . None of that would have happened without the impact Assassin’s Creed II created. Since the inception of video games, almost all developers had a belief that reaching vast improvement took a lot of time, but the creators at Ubisoft rewrote history and changed the game forever. It differentiated the way many developers and fans see in sequels and remains a staple of the industry and a game that can for the rest of time be looked at as an example or inspiration for how to follow the blueprint Ubisoft created and how to replicate the era-defying results it created. The work Ubisoft started changed things forever, and proved the idea that sequels needed years of work to be an improvement was indeed false. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed II via Ubisoft 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: 5th to 11th June Community Share 15 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Vikings Set Sail Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Cll3ar “I joke about many things, son of Ragnar, but never about shipbuilding” A fitting quote for a spectacular shot of Eivor’s longship cutting through the waves. I applaud the use of the longship in Valhalla as it lets you feel part of something rather than working solo. The details here on the shields are impeccable and the reflection on the water delightful. What I love the most are the splashes of water, which are a nice touch to make you feel at one with the waves. Blodwulf Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ NIKOOO_WOLF “Men do not relish the shield wall. They do not rush to deaths embrace” I was so disappointed not to be in a proper shield wall in Valhalla. That being said, the shields were great fun to use. I really like this particular one as it’s given to you by Soma. This capture epitomises the theme and Eivor’s stance and facial expression make him look ready for battle. The colours here are on point, with Eivor’s outfit really standing out. The fog in the background adds that ominous feel. I would not want to be a Saxon. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: Judge: @ TuridTorkil ''This is exactly what comes to my mind when I hear the phrase Vikings. A light haired warrior with an axe and shield, ready to fight. I like the foggy background, the silhouettes of the trees and the longship, not to mention Eivor’s grim expression. A true Drengr emerging from the water to face whatever challenges await him.'' Valkyrie Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Majdulf47 “Valkyries! Odin must’ve sent them!” Eivor riding Alsvinder absolutely oozes Valkyrie vibes. Especially when jumping mid-air with the wings spread out. I really like how the background makes you feel like this is a flying shot. Excellent use of light too as it highlights Eivor’s tattoos, adding a real Norse feel. Who would dare stand in her way? Varin’s Axe Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ artschoolglases “Blow the horns! Beat the drums and have courage, for there will be no turning back. Only victory! Or death! Whenever Eivor is dressed as a berserker she means business. This is one mightily fierce shot of her as she prepares for battle. How can you not like that eye catching bear draped across her head, along with that ferocious look on her face? I adore the lighting of this capture and how it highlights certain details to perfection. The shadow work also adds some powerful vibes, making it seem like Eivor has appeared from the darkness. The star of the shot though is Varin’s axe and how the details just pop, excellent virtual photography. The All Father Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ GamingPhotos15 “You are the Wolf Kissed one, who lingered at the edge of death, yet fought back.” This is a phenomenal capture that really encapsulates the essence of Odin. Havi wears his name sake outfit with such grace. Once again the darkness has been used to great effect, allowing Havi to appear from nowhere. I love how the light bounces off the metal amplifying the details. This shot instantly takes me back to the great scenes between Eivor and The High One. 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

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

Check out our Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography log for the week of November 30th - December 6th 2020. The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today Community This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: November 30th - December 6th Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" Top Stories Launch Day - Welcome to the new home of T he Ones Who Came Before Brotherhood of Venice Interview - Thibaud de la Touanne Q&A with Abubakar Salim - Bayek of Siwa Quick- Fire Community Questions Round 7 - Caleb Allen 10% off officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins apparel Q&A with Chantel Riley - Layla Hassan I ntroduction to th e AC Community Assassin's Creed Odyssey Merchandise Guide 9/12/20 By Gustav Poulsen Edited by Ashlea Buckley Share A New Day Dawns For England Kicking off December’s first recap list, is a stunning landscape shot by Instagram user @quake_vp . From a bird’s view, it brilliantly captures but a fraction of the English lowlands and surrounding rivers, as the sun disappears from the horizon and clouds form. Topping it off, is a majestic white eagle soaring above the landscape. Welcome back to another weekly virtual photography showcase, hosted by Gustav Poulsen from The AC Partnership Program . Each week, five Assassin's Creed shots will be hosted here on TOWCB website in order to promote virtual photography and community contributions. Gustav is a seasoned pro when it comes to virtual photography, and has a keen eye for special shots. Look out for more Photo Logs over the coming weeks, some of which will include Assassin's Creed Valhalla! About the Author Gustav is an active community member, and the host of The Memory Corridor Podcast. Last year, he joined The AC Partnership Program, a community initiative coordinated by TOWCB that seeks to provide content creators with opportunities that benefits the overall community. Gustav is also an expert when it comes to Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography. You can find more of his work here in the Community HUB. Gustav Poulsen And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla virtual photography recap list! Don’t forget to check out next week’s list when that rolls around, and be sure to send your best captures to us or this article’s writer @Gargudon directly via Instagram for a chance to be featured on it! Beautiful Jötunheim Featured for the second week in a row, is the immensely talented AC photographer @ana.kandrose. This shot once again finds Eïvor in one of the mythical worlds of Norse mythology, but here he is seen looking out over Jötunheim and the root of Yggdrasil. For a world inhabited by the giants, a people considered enemies of Asgard, its landscapes are extremely photogenic, clear and beautiful are they not? Lighting Strike Coming in at slot four is a cinematic capture by Twitter / Instagram user @XxPAGZxX . This capture has a bit of everything and is simply awesome! Cramming in everything from Eïvor flying in mid-air about to deal a strike, magnificent Northern lighting in the blue sky above him, and majestic mountain filled landscape in the background! Once again, colour grading has really been paid attention to, as focus and saturation emphazise is on the natural landscapes, and Eïvor is completely shadowed out. Sunset Simplicity Taking spot number three on the list, is a magnificent golden hour capture, by Instagram user @virtual.adventurer . Not too much to say about this one, other than it’s stunningly looking and perfectly color graded. The corners have really been paid attention to as they’re perfectly shadowed out, just as much as the photographer has paid attention to putting the centred sunset in focus. It’s bright, has a beautiful blood red nuance as it illuminates a stripe of the ocean and the surrounding sky. Additionally, the sunset gives this picture a sort of Apocalypse Now vibe… Cairn This week’s final capture is by Twitter user @NoviKaiba23. A very simple, but unique capture nonetheless, this one is of a cairn rock construction built by Eïvor. This picture literally sheds some light on the marvelous construction, as the sun’s beautiful light rays illuminate it; It’s like nature itself is praising Eïvor for creating this unique structure, and they patience that followed… Finally, the depth of field has been nicely paid attention to, as all focus is on the cairn in the front, while the blue sky and other rock formations fade into the background.

SisterlyThrower is a Twitch streamer who began streaming in 2019. While initially covering a variety of different topics and games, he eventually leaned into one of his first loves of modern gaming, Assassin’s Creed. While he was playing through the series much, much later than most everyone else, he quickly grew to love the lore, the gameplay, and yes, all those pesky achievements. This love for Assassin’s Creed has blossomed into his current suite of projects, lovingly entitled, “Assassin Academy”. Working to learn more about the Assassin’s Creed universe, Assassin Academy places SisterlyThrower into what will soon be a whole host of different themed videos and streams. Currently, SisterlyThrower is conducting a series of playthrough streams under different challenges (Assassin 1001 – Fundamentals of Assassin-ing). While not streaming or looking up achievement lists, SisterlyThrower spends most of his time with his wife, WifeyThrower and their two cats: Mary, who was supposed to be SisterlyThrower’s cat at first, but of course glommed onto WifeyThrower and won’t let go, and Jimothy, the quintessential essence of what happens when you give a cat only three brain cells and he loses two of them. SisterlyThrower also enjoys making videos under his other moniker, The Video Game Therapyst, where he utilizes his real-world expertise as a therapist to analyze the mental health messages found in today’s games. Previous Next SisterlyThrower Video Content SisterlyThrower is a Twitch streamer who began streaming in 2019. While initially covering a variety of different topics and games, he eventually leaned into one of his first loves of modern gaming, Assassin’s Creed. While he was playing through the series much, much later than most everyone else, he quickly grew to love the lore, the gameplay, and yes, all those pesky achievements. This love for Assassin’s Creed has blossomed into his current suite of projects, lovingly entitled, “Assassin Academy”. Working to learn more about the Assassin’s Creed universe, Assassin Academy places SisterlyThrower into what will soon be a whole host of different themed videos and streams. Currently, SisterlyThrower is conducting a series of playthrough streams under different challenges (Assassin 1001 – Fundamentals of Assassin-ing). While not streaming or looking up achievement lists, SisterlyThrower spends most of his time with his wife, WifeyThrower and their two cats: Mary, who was supposed to be SisterlyThrower’s cat at first, but of course glommed onto WifeyThrower and won’t let go, and Jimothy, the quintessential essence of what happens when you give a cat only three brain cells and he loses two of them. SisterlyThrower also enjoys making videos under his other moniker, The Video Game Therapyst, where he utilizes his real-world expertise as a therapist to analyze the mental health messages found in today’s games. Twitch | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Tumblr Work

FX Far Cry, Assassin’s Creed Netflix and Ubisoft Television’s Future Breakdown Share 10 Dec 2025 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Gargudon Back To Database Two weeks’ time ago, a surprise announcement was made. Out of the blue, it was announced FX will be producing an anthology series for Disney+ and Hulu, based on what might be Ubisoft’s second most popular flagship franchise, Far Cry . Not even a day later, another surprise announcement was made, the long awaited and highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed series for Netflix, at long last announcing its first cast member. Looking at it objectively, it would seem Ubisoft Television is starting to live up to its full potential, with planned and new projects taking shape, but are things that simple? Of these recent announcements, one came out of the blue but seems to already have taken as much as shape as possible, while the other despite having been in the air for half a decade now, seems to be going nowhere as fast compared to. Why is that, what will these two shows based on Ubisoft’s two most iconic flagship franchises consist of, and what impact will they have on Ubisoft Television? We will be exploring this and more in this article. Let’s dive into it! FX Far Cry As mentioned, on 24th November it was suddenly announced an anthology series based on the hit franchise was to be produced by FX. The show is to be created by Noah Hawley and Rob Mac (formerly McElhenney), latter who is also set to star in it. Hawley is known for creating the X-Men based show Legion that ran in the late 10’s, and more recently Alien Earth . Mac is known for creating and starring in hit comedy series It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia , and in recent years the hit documentary series Welcome To Wrexham , co-owning the Welsh football club alongside Ryan Reynolds. All these shows are under FX as well. Most of the show’s executive producers were announced too, one of them being Gérard Guillemot, Ubisoft Television CEO and brother of Yves, CEO of the main company. Additionally, Mac already has a working relationship with Ubisoft Television under his belt, them producing the Apple TV+ original comedy show Mythic Quest that concluded in the beginning of the year, which he co-created and starred in. Rob Mac Noah Hawley So far, almost nothing is known about the series, other than it will feature a new setting plus roster of characters, with every season telling a new story. Whether it will be set in the same universe as the games or not, it is probably safe to say the narrative possibilities are close to endless. There will be many ways to bring the games’ core theme of survival in a desolate location to the screen, all tied together by a psychotic, maniacal villain. Being in film format, it is likely safe to assume most of it will be seen from a third person perspective, but to stay true to the core of the games, sequences uniquely filmed in and seen from first person perspective are almost a must. If the series will be connected to the same universe as the games, references to iconic characters at the very least, or the direct feature of feels like another mandatory homage. This could even be a great way to explore unknown parts of certain characters’ lives, providing additional and essential backstory. Be it exploring the past of protagonists like Jason Brody and Ajay Ghale, the traumatic childhoods of Joseph Seed / The Father and his brothers, or Pagan Min’s tragic romance. This would also be the ideal opportunity for the actors who portrayed these iconic villains to return, reprising their characters in a live action format with their own face. The Father’s likeness was famously based on Greg Bryk who portrayed him, and Vaas Montenegro remains one of if not Michael Mando’s most iconic role. Both have also already played their iconic villain characters in a live action setting, with the franchise being no stranger to such a format either. In 2012 leading up to the release of Far Cry 3 , Mando famously portrayed Vaas in the The Far Cry Experience promotion short film. The same was done in 2018 leading up to the release of Far Cry 5 , with a number of cinematic trailers and the also short film Inside Eden’s Gate , Bryk portraying The Father. Michael Mando & Christopher Mintz-Plasse in The Far Cry Experience (2012) More news and information on this show based on the flagship franchise are bound to come sooner than later, and it is already taking shape nicely. Already being familiar with the live action landscape and with a great team behind it, it has lots of potential and is bound to be a success if executed correctly. The only real reason for concern would ultimately be, can Mac who is almost solely known for comedy, switch things up to what has to be a much more serious role? Well, if you count the few just somewhat serious parts of It’s Always Sunny… and Mythic Quest , he absolutely can. Assassin’s Creed Netflix Series Not even a day after the news of the Far Cry series, the Ubisoft Television news continued. At long last, the first cast member of the highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed series for Netflix was announced, in the form of Toby Wallace, known for the also Netflix show The Society , films like Babyteeth and The Bikeriders . He is also set to star in the third season of HBO’s hit show Euphoria, set to come out next year. Toby Wallace The AC Netflix series has been in the air for a good while now, originally being announced more than a half a decade ago, when Ubisoft signed a deal with Netflix in 2020. After that, it would be years before more news on the show came at all, leaving fans wondering if it would ever actually take shape and become an official thing. It was only earlier this year that the show’s writers, producers and showrunners were announced, and with the cast list slowly rolling out as well, it seems like the show is at last beginning to take shape. Set as showrunners are Roberto Patino and David Wiener, who are known for working on shows like Sons Of Anarchy , Westworld , Halo and more. But why is the highly anticipated series only beginning to properly take shape this long after initial announcement? Is it related to Ubisoft’s dwindling reputation in recent years, (longtime) fans losing faith in the franchise, other setbacks or something else? Was the series considered being scrapped? Maybe ultimately none of those things. While said things may or may not have an effect on it, it is also possible time and resources were merely dedicated to other projects, or putting together a production team and finding the show’s angle took longer than expected. Nonetheless, both of those things are at last slowly coming together now. In addition to the announcement of the first cast member, it seems we are also starting to get a picture of when production on the show will properly begin. According to Nexus Point News, sources have said the show is set to start filming in Italy in early 2026. A return to Italy, what could that possibly include? Italy is famously the setting of some of the most iconic instalments in the franchise, and the birthplace of its most legendary character. Albeit, nothing yet points to a return to the Renaissance, nor the return of Ezio Auditore. According to Nexus, the series will be exploring a different part of Italian history, that ultimately isn’t a complete stranger to the world of AC; Ancient Rome. It will reportedly centre around real historical figures such as the infamous Emperor Nero, and be set around the middle of the first century AD, exploring the Roman Empire and its absolute height. As said, even if there hasn’t been a game directly set in Ancient Rome, the franchise is no complete stranger to it. In Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood set in the city, there were callbacks to the antiquity, for example in the form of letters from and the Armour of Brutus. Some years later, the end of Assassin’s Creed Origins , took players to the time period directly, Aya / Amunet assisting Brutus and accomplices in the famous assassination of Julius Caesar. This event takes place roughly 100 years before the series’ reported setting, but that time period still has lots of potential, and not exploring it could become a missed opportunity, exploring everything from The Hidden Ones’ origins and Brutus’ (of course donning his iconic armour) role in, origins of the Italian brotherhood Ezio would lead 1500 years later and more, and of course in context of the series, backstory on things that eventually play out a century later under the rule of Nero. And of course, what will the primary first century setting include, and how can its historical characters be rewritten into AC lore? Emperor Nero and the larger history surrounding him, is probably one of the most known in Roman history for better or worse. While Nero in his early reign did pass things such as forbidding fights to the death for sport and entertainment, tax reduction and better treatment for slaves, one is not to be fooled by his supposed generosity. Eventually, his true self showed, using his position of power to satisfy own pleasures, rioting in the streets, ordering the death of his Mother and wife, supposedly being behind the burning of Rome to rebuild it in a Greek style and more. All this not even for the good of some alternate agenda, but because he simply enjoyed it for his own pleasure; did Nero as The Joker would say, simply want to watch the world burn? Maybe, maybe not. Another interesting aspect of his life, is his upbringing, family relations and way to power, ultimately set in motion by his Mother, Julia Agrippina, who after poisoning her husband and Nero’s Father, married her uncle Emperor Claudius, securing Nero as successor to the throne. Ultimately, his Mother hoped to control the Roman government through her son, but he decided to act independently. This could be rewritten to suit the show in different ways. For example, Nero’s Father - Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus - could secretly have been sympathetic to The Hidden Ones’ cause. Fearing him influencing their son, Nero’s mother, a secret member of the Order Of The Ancients, takes matters into her own hands, securing the Order’s grip on the Roman Empire once again, through her son as successor. Eventually, things don’t go to plan, Nero seemingly using his position of power for his own pleasure over the good of the Order, perhaps similarly to another iconic also Italian AC antagonist, Cesare Borgia. What leads to this supposed insanity though? Is it just his nature, or could that also find its AC twist? Maybe Nero was a Sage - another human reincarnation of Aita of the Isu - but he never found balance with the secondary mind living inside of him, eventually leaving him with no self control or picture of reality, hence his mischief. Other than this, much still isn’t known about the show, but more news are bound to come in a near future, hopefully also as it at last reportedly starts filming next year. Details on Wallace’s role is still kept under rugs, and whether his character will be sympathetic to the Hidden Ones or Order Of The Ancients, only time will tell. Overall, after half a decade of uncertainty, the show is at last nicely taking shape with a team behind it, the cast list slowly forming, and a shooting and production window within range. Impact on Ubisoft Television Ubisoft’s TV division has been around for a while now, but have yet to really leave their mark with numerous major landmark projects. Their first output, the Assassin’s Creed film from 2016, wasn’t necessarily a success, receiving mostly negative reviews from critics, and underperforming at the box office. In recent years, their most popular output has probably been mentioned Mythic Quest , which despite cancelation after its fourth season earlier in the year, had a successful run over 5 years. Shows based on two of the company’s most iconic flagship franchises, definitely have the potential to take the company to completely new heights though. After all, we live in a time where the video game adaptation curse has at last mostly been lifted, with shows like The Last Of Us for HBO, and Fallout for Amazon in recent years. If executed correctly, one studio having two successful adaptations, could put them at the front of adapting video games for the screen, setting the standard for it going forward. In addition to these two shows, Ubisoft Television also have a series of other projects lined up, including a project based on Rabbids , as well as a film based on Tom Clancy’s The Division , set to be directed by David Leitch ( Fast & Furious Hobbs & Shaw , Deadpool 2 , John Wick ), starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Chastain. Additionally, should Ubisoft rely more on their TV division to uphold the company and its reputation in the next years? As mentioned, the company has infamously been on a downward trajectory in recent years after internal scandals, losing fans’ trust, plummeting stock prices, financial struggles, potential private buyouts and more. While they are likely slowly coming back from said financial trouble, as well as the controversial marketing campaign for Assassin’s Creed Shadows , the company still has way to go. On the games front, they have for a while now struggled to put out hit after hit like in the early 10’s; both major titles in 2024 underperformed, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has so far failed to create an enduring legacy, and a good chunk of fans are skeptical of the future. So depending on what the company has in store for the future in terms of their games, a successfully growing TV division and its output, definitely has the potential to uphold the company where games might fail, keep old fans hooked, as well as likely bring in an array of new ones, especially in the non-gamer demographic. Conclusion Overall, big days are ahead for Ubisoft Television, with adaptations of two of the company’s most iconic franchises coming in the near future. Both have strong teams behind them and are taking shape nicely, and if executed correctly, they have the potential to change the game of video game adaptations, and to take the company to new heights. What are your thoughts on this, and what are your expectations for both shows, and what do you hope to seem them consist of? Let us know, and stay tuned for more articles covering everything Assassin’s Creed and Ubisoft! Sources • https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/far-cry-tv-series-fx-noah-hawley-rob-mac-1236591190/ • https://www.nexuspointnews.com/post/exclusive-netflix-s-assassin-s-creed-set-to-explore-ancient-rome • https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nero-Roman-emperor#ref5178 comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016, but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews & composing. By joining The Ones Who Came Before in 2019, originally reviving 'The Memory Corridor' podcast, which had been offline for nearly a year, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further develop his skills. His unique skill set made him the perfect candidate for our team. Among other things, he is known in the community for the Sounds Of History project - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental music project, featuring five tracks inspired by as many different games - other original fan themes plus covers of iconic AC tracks, as well as video interviews with a number of high profile names in the world of AC, from Roger Craig Smith, Jesper Kyd and more. Fun fact, among his growing colourful tattoo collection, Gustav is the only member of our team to have the TOWCB logo inked. Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)

Weekly Assassin's Creed News Recap: 17th - 23rd July 2022: News Share 25 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to a new weekly Assassin's Creed News Recap series, hosted by Colum Blackett (Col_96) from The Ubisoft Star Players Program (Formerly Mentors Guild). Every week, we will be rounding up Assassin's Creed News and sharing it here on The Ones Who Came Before website. Keep an eye on the site every Sunday for more weekly recaps, or check out our social media links down below to stay updated on everything Assassin's Creed. In another week full of rumours regarding the future of Assassin's Creed, we decided to look past the sea of leaked information and focus on what really matters: The community 1) We begin this week's Assassin's Creed recap with a collaborative project. Community members Arshak ( AC: Landmarks ), Louise Chase (TheNerdyArcher), Zark ( Master Hekate's Ceremonials ), James ( Let's Talk Assassin's Creed ) & Science_creed all came together to host a 2-hour long virtual tour of London whilst playing Assassin's Creed Syndicate! Viewers were also acquainted with facts about Victorian London, as the hosts turned their extensive research into a fun trivia experience. We love to see collaborative community projects, and this one does a great job at cementing the importance of non-combat game modes like Discovery Tour. We hope to see more streams like this in the future, which compliment the Discovery Tour platform by providing fans across the world with bite-sized chunks of history. 2) We here at TOWCB kicked off the week with an exclusive merchandise review, written by Michael Smith from the Writing Team. Check out our review of the new Assassin's Creed Character Blind Box figures by AC Toys, who kindly sent over a review package. Article: A Look at ACToys’ Assassin's Creed Character Blind Box 3) This week our Virtual Photography Twitter Community passed 200 followers! If you're a photo-mode enthusiast, or simply an admirer of Assassin's Creed screenshots, join the community for a chance to be featured in our weekly ' This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography ' articles! Assassin's Creed VP Captures Community 4) We released the first article in a two-part series dedicated to The Mentors Guild, an Assassin's Creed community program which was sadly closed down in June. In our article, we reflected on the fondest moments and accomplishments of members, and looked back with fondness at a program which opened the doors to hundreds of community members around the world. Article: Mentor Memories: Remembering the Mentors Guild (Part 1) 5) Former lead Ubisoft game designer Stanislav Costiuc tweeted this week announcing a series of farewell sessions to say goodbye to the Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Revelations and AC III Multiplayer modes which are sadly getting shut down. We here at TOWCB hope to see the multiplayer game modes reinstated one day, perhaps with the launch of the mysterious Assassin's Creed Infinity, which was announced back in 2021. The dates for the Multiplayer send-off sessions are: Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood – July 23 and 24, July 29 and July 30 Assassin’s Creed: Revelations – August 5 and 6, August 12 and 13 Assassin’s Creed 3 – August 19 and 20, August 26 and 27 Reddit 6) Another project we launched this week was an unboxing video of the upcoming TITAN Evo 2022 AC Edition Gaming Chair, kindly sent to TOWCB Headquarters by Secretlab! A hidden blade was used to open the box, and we had a ton of fun filming the video, so we hope you enjoy! Article: Unboxing TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition Gaming Chair by Secretlab 7) To celebrate AC Unity Week, Chris Tilton, who worked alongside Ryan Amon and Sarah Schachner on the exceptional Assassin's Creed Unity soundtrack released a sketch of when he was writing the main theme! This behind the scenes image will no doubt be appreciated by music lovers, and is a time capsule dating back to when the main theme was just an idea written on paper! It's a fun little Easter Egg for fans and the sort of content we love to see to mark the 15th Anniversary. You can follow Chris Tilton on Twitter 8) Finally, we conclude this week's news recap by highlighting our weekly Assassin's Creed virtual photography article by Aaron Young , this time featuring shots by: @calisarah1998 @Amaya_Nocturna @MoonsDonuts @punkncreed @Subject_72 You can find the article here: This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 16th - 22nd July 2022 We hope that you enjoyed this Assassin's Creed News Recap! You can look forward to more articles like this, dropping every Sunday! What was your highlight of the week? Let us know in the comments! 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)

TOWCB: 7 Year Anniversary Update News Share 14 Aug 2021 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Hey Assassins! Today we mark seven years since the creation of The Ones Who Came Before! Although we are immensely proud of the community we have created and our fans, it didn't feel right to throw a huge celebration this year. There are much more important things going on in the world right now, such as the widespread sexual misconduct allegations within the video games industry, and the Covid-19 pandemic. It just didn't feel right to us to throw a huge celebration, so we're keeping it low-key. We'll be dropping some Assassin's Creed Valhalla Season Pass Codes on Twitter over the next week, courtesy of Ubisoft. Instead of the usual week-long celebrations, we will be using our platforms to highlight female members of the Assassin's Creed community in an initiative known as the 'Community Uplift Initiative'. We will also be promoting the 'Assassins In Need' community fundraiser, which has raised nearly £1400 for World Federation for Mental Health. Behind the Scenes As many of you know, The Ones Who Came Before is run by Col & Ash, who are getting married in November. The past 12 months have been tough for everyone, and we've actually been struggling financially to support the community in ways that we would like. Worldwide giveaways are no longer a possibility, and the website only remained up and running due to a credit card. To make matters even worse, the gaming PC we used to run the website completely died in June, so things have slowed down on our end as we battle with a slow laptop. It's currently not possible for us to even play Assassin's Creed, but we've started saving for a new machine. As you can imagine, this makes running an AC community pretty hard. If you would like to support TOWCB, or even our Wedding / Honeymoon fund, you can do so via Amazon links. Simply click the links before making a purchase, and we'll get a small percentage from Amazon. It doesn't cost you any extra: Another way you can support us is by purchasing our Assassin's Creed items, which will soon be appearing on eBay. It's up to you, but all support is greatly appreciated. Other than that, we just want to once again express our thanks to the community for an amazing seven year journey. We are incredibly lucky to be Mentors within the community, and we look forward to working on new projects for our fans as soon as possible. Thank you for your support. Col & Ash. 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)

TheÆlchemist is a passionate social media manager based in Japan who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in January 2025 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. He is known for providing in-depth detailed analysis on all things Assassin's Creed, something which we here at TOWCB always strive to provide. He is also a keen video creator, a skill which we hope to nurture through collaborations with our video content creation team. By joining the partnership program, we will be sharing content created by TheÆlchemist with a larger audience, and he will help our fan community surpass 70,000 followers across all platforms. Previous Next TheÆlchemist Social Media Team TheÆlchemist is a passionate social media manager based in Japan who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in January 2025 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. He is known for providing in-depth detailed analysis on all things Assassin's Creed, something which we here at TOWCB always strive to provide. He is also a keen video creator, a skill which we hope to nurture through collaborations with our video content creation team. By joining the partnership program, we will be sharing content created by TheÆlchemist with a larger audience, and he will help our fan community surpass 70,000 followers across all platforms. X | Youtube | LinkTree Work

Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Valley of Memory DLC Release Date, Setting, and Story Details News Share 7 Oct 2025 Written By: Edited By: Zephryss Colum Blackett Back To Database Ubisoft has finally revealed the much-awaited Assassin's Creed Mirage DLC, titled Valley of Memory, set in the AlUla region of Saudi Arabia, on the eve of the game's 2nd anniversary. This new DLC will be released on November 18, 2025, and it will be completely free for everyone. Here’s everything you need to know about it. This Assassin’s Creed Mirage DLC is a major chapter in Basim’s coming-of-age story. The new story arc is called Valley of Memory, where Basim explores a new setting in search of answers about his past, particularly about his father. It’s a meaningful chapter that unfolds just before the final events of Mirage. The storyline takes place in the Valley of AlUla, a location filled with history and echoes of the past. Assassin's Creed Mirage Valley of Memory DLC is jointly developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux and Ubisoft Paris. There are more than 6 hours of gameplay in the new DLC. There will be a History of AlUla codex available in the world for players to collect and read during their journey in the Valley of Memory DLC for Assassin's Creed Mirage. Each region in the Valley of Memory has its own unique atmosphere: The southern region features an urban area overlooked by the ancient Musa-ibn-Nusayr Fort, with dense streets and vibrant spice markets. Near the city lies the Valley's Oasis, a beautiful and lively area filled with camels and rich in agricultural history. AlUla’s wealth attracts robbers both within the city and in the wilderness. A gang of robbers terrorizes the region, led by their fearless leader. The farther you travel from the Oasis, the higher the risk of ambush. The Incense Road, stretching from south to north, is one of the most iconic yet most dangerous routes in the region. Basim can even play the oud now at certain locations once you successfully track down music sheets through parkour challenges. The map is divided into two parts: the northern Land of the Dead, centered around the necropolises of Hegra, and the southern area, full of life and human activity. Landmarks include Elephant Rock and the al-Farid Tomb, among many others. New gameplay features include tool upgrades up to level 3, improved parkour with manual jumps and free ejects, and a new control preset allowing parkour to be mapped to the right trigger for smoother navigation. Basim will also face new challenges from the Robber faction, a more cunning and unpredictable enemy type. Classic Black Box missions return with added twists, along with the ability to replay completed missions and contracts through the new Animus Sequences system. You can replay challenges like “Do not use Eagle Vision” or “Do not be detected” reward players with new outfits, weapons. Quality-of-life improvements include new customizable difficulty options (including new Medium+ and Very Hard modes), and a flexible “à la carte” experience letting players tweak parameters freely. Beyond the main story, Valley of Memory includes contracts, events, Folktales that explore local culture, and Stolen Goods missions tied to the Robber faction. The update adds a wide range of activities, making Mirage more complete than ever. The developers challenge players to complete all missions and challenges under strict time limits and share their most skillful gameplay moments with the community. Assassin’s Creed Mirage is also receiving a massive free update, expanding both Baghdad and the AlUla region. The update includes: New rewards for replaying the main game. Improved parkour mechanics with new moves like Free Jump. New tool upgrades. In-game filters from AC Origins and AC Odyssey, now usable in Mirage. Assassin's Creed Mirage Valley of Memory DLC Teaser Full Breakdown: In the first scene, we see Darvis, a side character in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, walking through a narrow gap between two rocky mountains. He places his hand on the left rock and looks toward a figure dressed in a black outfit. In the distance, we can see Basim wearing his new outfit. In the next scene, Enkidu, Basim’s eagle, enters and flies across them, giving us a clear look at Basim’s new outfit. Basim smiles as he watches Enkidu flying in the sky. Then we see Basim and Darvis standing together. Enkidu lands briefly on Basim’s hand before taking off again, as both of them look ahead. In the distance stands Qasr al-Farid, a monumental rock-cut tomb located within the ancient Nabataean city of Hegra (also known as Mada’in Saleh) in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Some people are traveling on camels in front of the monument, surrounded by many small and medium-sized rocky mountains in the area. Ubisoft has shared two new promotional images for the upcoming Assassin's Creed Mirage Valley of Memory expansion. Assassin’s Creed Mirage Valley of Memory DLC launches November 18th as a completely free update. Whether you’re a returning player or exploring Baghdad for the first time, this is the most complete way to experience Assassin's Creed Mirage. What do you think about this new Valley of Memory DLC for Assassin’s Creed Mirage? Share your thoughts 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

Assassin's Creed Community Fundraising Campaigns for Charity Fundraising We here at The Ones Who Came Before regularly dedicate ourselves to raising money for a charity / fundraising cause with links to the Assassins' Creed franchise. Assassins in Need is an annual event which brings the community together, with the aim of supporting various causes around the world. We are incredibly proud of our community fundraising efforts, and each year aims to be bigger and better than the last. £3478 raised 2025 We are proud to announce that the 2025 Assassin's Creed Community Fundraiser will be raising funds for Blood Cancer Alliance and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), a collection of charities around the world leading the fight in the battle against Blood Cancer. GoFundMe 2025 Fundraising Total: £1022 2023 The Ones Who Came Before joined fellow content creators within the Assassin's Creed community to raise funds for Save The Children Foundation to raise funds for the devastating earthquakes affecting Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria. The collaborative effort, led by AC Landmarks raised a total of $25,660.00, the largest amount ever raised by the Assassin's Creed community. 2023 Fundraising Assisted to raise $25,660.00 2022 Assassins in Need: Heart of the Creed Community Fundraiser: On the 15th August, we launched our 2022 community fundraiser for British Heart Foundation and The American Heart Association, two incredible organisations providing critical cardiovascular medical research and education to facilities around the world. This lifesaving campaign launched by The Ones Who Came Before in association with various different companies and communities hopes to be our biggest yet, 2022 Fundraising £430 raised 2021 Assassins in Need Community Fundraiser: On the 1st July 2021, we launched this year's Assassin's Creed Community Fundraiser for World Federation for Mental Health in partnership with over 20 different content creators! Learn more We're teaming up with community member Gustav Poulsen to promote and support the launch of a new initiative called 'Forgotten Youth', a project that aims to shed a light on the long-lasting consequences of worldwide lockdowns. 2021 Fundraising £1380 raised 2020 The Ones Who Came Before are raising money for The Italian Red Cross (IFRC), who are doing everything possible to combat the Coronavirus. Learn more GoFundMe Art Sale 2020 Fundraising Campaign: £530 raised 2019 To celebrate World Oceans Day, we are proud to announce that this year's Assassin's Creed Community Fundraiser will be supporting Ocean Conservancy, a movement dedicated to protecting the ocean. Our partners for the campaign are Assassin's Creed United Kingdom and The Mentor's Guild. Learn more 2019 Fundraising Campaign: £264 raised 2018 We're pleased to announce a new collaborative fundraising project between Access the Animus and The Ones Who Came Before for Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation! £282 raised by the Assassin's Creed Community! 2018 Fundraising Campaign: £282 raised

Merchandise Guides Assassin's Creed Mirage Merchandise Guide Sept 16 2022 Colum Blackett Merchandise Read More Assassin's Creed 15th Anniversary Merchandise Guide Part #1 Sept 21 2022 Colum Blackett Merchandise Read More Assassin's Creed 15th Anniversary Merchandise Guide Part #2 Sept 21 2022 Colum Blackett Merchandise Read More Assassin's Creed: Valhalla Merchandise Guide Part #1 Mar 20 2021 Colum Blackett Merchandise Read More Assassin's Creed: Valhalla Merchandise Guide Part #2 Mar 03 2021 Colum Blackett Merchandise Read More Assassin's Creed: Valhalla Merchandise Guide Part #3 Mar 20 2021 Colum Blackett Merchandise Read More Assassin's Creed Odyssey Merchandise Guide June 12 2018 Colum Blackett Merchandise Read More Assassin's Creed Origins Merchandise Guide Dec 06 2019 Colum Blackett Merchandise Read More Assassin's Creed Movie Merchandise Guide Sept 18 2016 Colum Blackett Merchandise Read More Assassin's Creed Funko Pop! Vinyls Merchandise Guide Jan 11 2021 Ashlea Buckley Merchandise Read More Assassin's Creed Rogue Merchandise Guide Mar 17 2018 Colum Blackett Merchandise Read More Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Merchandise Guide March 10 2018 Colum Blackett Merchandise Read More 10 Year Anniversary Hub Nov 17 2017 Colum Blackett Merchandise Read More

In our new article, we begin to imagine an Assassin's Creed Black Flag style game set during The Golden Age of Piracy in China. The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today Community ? Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Addiction Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" Top Stories 16/9/22 By Finn Fletcher Edited by Ashlea Blackett Share It's 2013, you're 13 years old and waiting for what would become one of your favourite games. You've always loved pirates, spent your childhood watching the Pirates of the Caribbean films so obsessively you nearly know them word for word. You could tell people the difference between a schooner and a brigg, and have visited the last remaining sailing ship of the era docked in London. It's 2013, you're 13 years old and you learn you'll never see your dad again. He introduced you to Pirates of the Caribbean when you were probably too young. He'd bought history books for you, and had plastic sword fights throughout the house with you when you were younger. He's gone now, and you don't know why. 9 years have passed and you still think of that strange autumn, the wild month around your birthday which went from excitement to depression. You remember being too young to really understand what's going on, what account documents you're being told about and the will you've been left with. In all honesty you don't care, what does stuff matter now, just leave me to play my games. 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 Article may contain ads that support TOWCB. Top Stories 9 years have passed and you still replay Black Flag, no game has ever come close to completely absorbing you since. You remember swimming between islands just to see if you can, and finding a glitch to keep your hood up (because honestly who wants it down). The story progresses, and you realise that it's got more to teach you than you thought. Suicide, you've heard the word before but never really understood it. It was mentioned in bible class when you were younger, but like everything it just washed over your head, a word without any real meaning. Alcoholic is said now and again, you get the concept but now why people end up like that. "Just stop drinking," you'd think, "it's not that hard." Edward Kenway hits rock bottom, he's pushed away all his friends, his families halfway across the planet, hope has disappeared. He tumbles through the memory corridor, an area that's become symbolic for beginning your journey, and the success of defeating another target. Now, it's nothing but the falling ground for a man with nothing but a bottle. It's strange how art can affect you, what it teaches you without you ever expecting. No one went in to Black Flag for an emotional revelation about what it feels like to be hopeless, to give up and turn to bad habits to survive. The fun swashbuckling adventure has slowly peeled away to reveal the sad truths of the heroes of children's books and films, the reality of feeling without a place in a growing world. I struggled to understand my dad, he was distant and strange, without any explanation. He lived in a village in the middle of nowhere, he was part of a church whose rules he didn't follow, and seemed rudderless in everything he did. It's hard to express what being a child and seeing that feels like, trying to comprehend emotions you're too young or naive to experience feels like. That confusion can become resentment, misplaced anger or endless sadness. It's easy to repeat the cycle, act out without reason and continue the self destruction. If it weren't for an odd little game about Pirates and hooded Assassins. This month marks the 9th anniversary of that tumultuous year, and a lot definitely happens in your teen years. You go through your own heartbreak, learn your own lessons, get to experience some of the emotions that once seemed so alien. About the Author Finn is a creative writer from Rotherham, UK who has previously supported TOWCB's Fundraising events, and raised awareness surrounding Men's Mental Health. On a blog dedicated to writing, Finn has been sharing reviews, stories and thoughts. By joining the AC Partnership Program's Writing Team, we are hoping to take Finn's passion for writing to the next level. Finn Fletcher Community Hub Blog Twitter Instagram The best part of growing up is being old enough to hear the full story, to learn details that were understandably kept secret. But that journey, surprisingly of all, started with Assassins Creed showing a real, human and flawed character. It's strange to look back, after games with demigods and narrative choices, to think about how personally impactful watching a pre-written story about a Welsh dude with a few too many guns was in comparison. I know that to many Assassins Creed is pulpy historical fun, like marvel with dysentery. But it can't be understated, especially now in the age of "content" and "games as a service", how important it can be to include these darker moments and themes in your games. Black Flag was undeniably a fun romp, and the team behind it were exceptionally successful in making a great sandbox that you can jump back into after a long day. It's just amazing that through that medium, Darby McDevitt, Matt Ryan, and all the other actors, writers and developers made something that can, at least for one gamer, be life changing. It's soppy and melodramatic sure, but these fun corny games can be so impactful. They can last for nearly a decade in the minds of players by trying something, by trying to make a statement or express an emotion. I don't want to interfere in the lives of developers, but there's something so personal to the narrative of Black Flag, a passion to its presentation and themes that shines through. If we don't discuss depression, addiction, greed and imperfections, we're doomed to leave people clueless. Entertainment and art can teach so much, and even without realising, can help improve our understanding of the human experience immeasurably. I love Assassin's Creed, I love it's gameplay, philosophy and history. I just hope to see more stories from more creative, that touch upon something with such raw truth as Black Flag did all those years ago.

About The Ones Who Came Before Assassin's Creed Fan Community was created on the 10th August 2014 as a place for AC fans to share their passion for the brand. We originally focused on sharing theories with the Community, but we now aim to provide interesting opportunities, news, and content for our fanbase. Although the franchise has changed dramatically over the last nine years, our passion for the games and the community has remained. We have always done our best to share community content on our social media channels, with campaigns such as Community Corner highlighting the talent and achievements of the fanbase. Our goal for 2019 was to launch two major projects that had never been done before: an Assassin's Creed fan magazine and a Partnership Program. You can find more information on The Animus Archives and The AC Partnership Program below. Meet the Team Colum (Col_96) Team Leader Hi Everyone. My name is Colum, and I'm the Team Leader of The Ones Who Came Before, an Assassin's Creed Fan Community. I'm also a former Community Builder for The Mentors Guild and have been playing Assassin's Creed games for over 9 years now. I have represented the community as a brand ambassador since 2014. I am very interested in the lore of the franchise, and I love how the Creed connects fans all around the globe. You can find me on social media platforms as Col_96. Michael Doyle Strategist Hi Everyone. My name is Michael, and I am the Strategist for The Ones Who Came Before Core Team. My main responsibilities include overseeing major campaigns, establishing internal systems and managing charity efforts for the group. You can find me on Twitter @MichaelDoyle03 The AC Partnership Program The AC Partnership Program is a community initiative created by The Ones Who Came Before which aims to promote and share content. The program is a great way for content creators to gain recognition for their work within the community and expand to a wider audience. You can learn more about the AC Partnership Program and our members here. History Back in August of 2014, The Ones Who Came Before was established as a place to host the theories of community member Col_96. The Assassin's Creed franchise has a lot of unanswered questions, so an AC Community was the perfect space to share ideas and potential future plot lines. Caroline (who has since departed the team) was brought on board to boost the profile of our community, and worked to create opportunities for our small group. We were initially affiliated with Your Assassin's Creed Fix (no longer in existence) and The Lore Pages of Assassin's Creed (now The Codex), which helped us to gain a small following. Towards the end of 2015, two more community members, Irakli and Sofija joined the team. In 2016, Col was selected as a Ubisoft Star Player, and attended Gamescom in Cologne. The same year, we joined forces with UbiCentral, a partnership which created a number of opportunities for the community such as giveaways, videos and articles. in 2017, Sofija was selected as a Ubisoft Star Player, and attended Gamescom. Also that year, Graphic Designer Irakli rebooted our graphics, and created our iconic Assassin Hood logo. In 2018, Irakli was selected as a Ubisoft Star Player and attended Gamescom. Towards the end of 2018, Ashlea joined the team as Editor, and reviews all of our work before publishing. 2019 - Launch of The Animus Archives and The AC Partnership Project Assassin's Creed Community Fundraising Campaign Launch of our new website AC Partnership Program Established 2020 - £1000 raised for various charities 2020: We established a network of Assassin's Creed fans known as the Isu Network / AC Partnership Program, a global team of content creators around the world. 2021: Col and Ash are selected to join The Mentors Guild Program. 2022: TOWCB reaches 40,000 follower s on social media platforms, and sits at the top of Google for the search Assassin's Creed Community. AC Partnership program expanded, 20+ members. Assassins in Need: Heart of the Creed fundraiser raises £1200 for heart causes. 2023: TOWCB reached 60,000 followers across all platforms. 2024: Ongoing

The Ones Who Came Before: Plans for 2021 News Share 29 Dec 2020 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Buckley Back To Database 2020 is nearly over, and it's been a crazy year for everyone. Although we were all limited due to restrictions, we here at TOWCB tried to make the most of it . The new year is almost here, so in this article we will be outlining some of our plans and goals for 2021. Huge thank you to everyone who has supported TOWCB this year, and especially to those who have been shopping via our Amazon links , helping to keep the site running and ad-free. Assassin's Creed Valhalla Review Look our for our review for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which was delayed due to the sheer size of the game, and time required to complete. By pushing our review back, we have given our fans a window to explore the game for themselves, and make up their own minds. It also gave fans who received the game for Christmas a chance to play without spoiler-related discussions appearing online. Here's a sneak peak: "There's never a dull moment whilst exploring the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, as it continues to find ways to surprise the player at every turn. It's the first game in the series to properly fill the open world, making it feel dynamic and life-like" Anti-Spoiler Filter Removed We will also be removing our Anti-Spoiler filter in January, meaning we will finally be discussing plot points and other elements that we have not yet covered. It's a great opportunity to dive into some Isu lore and dig our teeth into the real history that inspired the game. With the help of our Partnership Program team, we will be covering fresh aspects of the game that we have not yet explored. More opportunities and giveaways We were recently invited to join The Mentors Guild, an official community program that bridges the gap between community members and developers. So far, Ubisoft has so far arranged two giveaways (Valhalla codes) along with constant social media support, creating numerous opportunities for members of the AC community. We are looking forward to working closely with Ubisoft in the new year on the program, and strive to make the most of our new position. Wedding Prep! Ash and Col from the admin team are getting married in November! As you might expect, the wedding may have one or two Assassin's Creed related elements! Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates, or check out the Rally The Creed podcast Reboot The AC Partnership Program In 2021, we are looking to do a soft reboot of our AC Partnership Program, a community initiative that provides a platform for content creators to shine. We are always looking out for the next wave of passionate AC fans who are creating content on a regular basis, and we hope to discover new talent in 2021 to join us. If you are interested, simply message our social media channels and send some of your projects our way. Fundraising projects 2020 was our biggest year so far for fundraising projects, and we would like to recognise the efforts of Ashlea Buckley and Lisa Zaman who helped raise over £500 for The Italian Red Cross! These efforts provided resources for Italy in it's time of need, and brought the entire community together. We will be doing even more fundraising in the new year, and Ashlea, who is now our Charity Project Coordinator, will be taking charge of these efforts. Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates. We hope that you enjoyed our last article of 2020! As you can see, we have a lot planned for 2021, and we can't wait to get started! See you all in the New Year! 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)

Learn about the reasons for the creation of Assassin's Creed Day Community 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 The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today History Female Vikings: The Real History Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" Top Stories 27/10/20 By Lauren Harris Edited by Ashlea Buckley Share 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. 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. About the Author Lauren is a online article writer who loves the Assassin's Creed franchise. As a member of the AC Partnership Program, she will be writing regular articles for the AC community, and her work can now be found in the Community Hub. Lauren is especially interested in Assassin's Creed lore, and will be exploring this more in future articles. Lauren Harris Support TOWCB Support TOWCB By using our Amazon Links Save 15% with the code 'TOWCB' Eivor is a fierce Viking warrior, and the leader of the Raven Clan. 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. Related Articles: Viking Weaponry We Might See in Assassin's Creed Valhalla Interview with Co-Dev Game Director Benoît Richer Q&A with Game Director Eric Baptizat Assassin's Creed Valhalla Merchandise Guide 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

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok Press Event Round-up Events Share 13 Feb 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We can now reveal that on the 2nd February 2022 we attended an online Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok Press event! Here are some of the key points! - Dawn of Ragnarok (DOR) kicks off Year 2 of Assassin's Creed Valhalla Content. - It follows the personal saga of Odin, as he attempts to rescue his son, Baldr. - DOR Expands Viking Mythology: Svartalfheim, a realm torn by war. - DOR Introduces Dwarven Race. Odin needs help from the Dwarves, who are hidden in 'shelters'. Follow clues to find them. Shelters vary: unusual crystal caves with vendors that can help Odin. - Odin's powers enhance core pillars. - New Divine Quality gear. - New 'Arena' Combat Game Mode - Players see a new side of Odin's personality. - Surtur's family introduced. Son of Surtur, Glod (below) - New weapon: Atgeir (polearm) - AC III DLC style powers: Upgradable. Shapeshift into a raven. X3 powers equipped at a time. System based on 'Hugr'. Rip the life force from enemies. Power of Rebirth. Reanimate the dead to join Odin. You can exchange health for more Hugr. - Power of Muspelheim: Odin becomes a Musphel to leave combat. Social Stealth Tool. Blend In. - New DLC HUD. Greener. - You can exchange health for more Hugr. - New enemies: Musphels. There are various Musphel enemies: Flame Keepers can reanimate fallen foe so best to kill them first. Fire combat: Musphels use lava attacks - Recommended power level: 340. - Game requires you to adapt: change powers often. We would like to say a big thank you to Ubisoft_UK and The Mentors Guild for the opportunity! Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök, the most ambitious expansion in franchise history releases 10th March 2022. 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)