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Partnership with A Nutrition Transformation Announcement Community Share 10 Jun 2025 Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team Colum Blackett Back To Database We are excited to announce that we have agreed terms with Andrew Brown from A Nutrition Transformation for a promotional partnership! Andrew is a qualified GPNi Sports Nutrition Specialist who is looking to work with members of the Assassin's Creed Community seeking to achieve their health, fitness and wellbeing goals. Through our collaboration, Andrew will be offering his services at reduced rates, providing expert advice and education at an affordable price. We can't wait to get started! Keep an eye on our socials for updates. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. TOWCB Team

Carlos Ferro Interview: Da Vinci's Destiny Interview Share 31 Mar 2020 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Buckley Back To Database Our community admin Colum Blackett had the opportunity to interview veteran voice actor Carlos Ferro, best known for voicing Leonado Da Vinci in the Assassin's Creed series and Dominic Santiago in Gears of War. Behind the Voice Actors lists 30 roles that Carlos has been credited with, but he has also provided additional voices such as NPC's and background characters in many games and TV shows. About: Carlos' first career in the entertainment industry was as a DJ. Leaving music for a career in theatre and television, his work eventually led to a stint as an artist in residence at Cornell University. He has since gone on to receive a Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award nomination for Best Solo Performance for his portrayal of Sal Mineo in the show SAL. He has continued acting in television, both on-camera (in Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Genesis) and in animation voice-over (Justice League, Spawn). He also had a short speaking role as Olivero Sisko in Big Top Scooby-Doo!. He has worked with director John Landis and actors Jerry Lewis, Harvey Fierstein and Dudley Moore. (Wiki) His most recent credited voice acting performances were for the 2019 adventure game Shenmue III, where he lent his voice to multiple characters. Col: Hi Carlos, thank you for joining us today! Please could you tell us a little bit about yourself, and the time you spent working on the Assassin's Creed series. Carlos: Thanks for having me! I’m an actor/voice actor that had the privilege of portraying Leonardo DaVinci in the Assassin’s Creed franchise! Col: In Assassin's Creed 1, you voiced the leader of the Assassin Bureau in Damascus. The character adds an element of much needed comic relief to quite a serious game. How did you find the interactions with Altair? Carlos: I wanted to give that character a bit of snark. Let’s just say, it came naturally. LOL 'Most impressive, my friend. The others said you make a mess of things, but not I. No, I was sure you'd come through. And come through you have.' Col: Have you completed AC1, and would you be interested in returning to the series if Ubisoft were to remaster it one day with additional content? Carlos: I try to complete all the games I work on. AC1 blew my mind, to be honest. I would be honored to return in any capacity. Col: When you were first brought in to work on the series, what were your initial thoughts? Could you see the franchise becoming as big as it is today? Carlos: Nobody can really predict that kind of success. Putting History, Geography, Science Fiction, and Action in a gaming context knocked me out. I wanted to be as good as the rest of the cast. Carlos regularly attends comic con conventions. Here is with Assassin's Creed Community members. Col: Do you have a favourite moment of AC1, and are there any elements that you would personally consider vital that all Assassin's Creed games should try to incorporate? Carlos: I’m a big fan of Desmond Miles. I like the idea of ancestors and what may come with them. Col: Moving onto AC2, had you ever had to speak Italian for a role before voicing Leonardo? I have. Though not as much as I do as Leonardo. Michael Corleone springs to mind. I was blessed with Dialect Supervisor Ida Darvish-Gadd being at all my sessions to make sure I didn’t slip up. Col: Most of Leonardo's key moments are in his interactions with Ezio, where he provides the role of both friend and inventor. What was it like working with Roger on these moments, and do you have a favourite? Carlos: Roger Craig Smith is one of my favorite Voice Actors. Whether we were at sessions together or I was hearing his voice in my headphones, it was very easy to get into character. My favorite scene is when I communicate to him that “women provide little distraction.” His delivery of, “I don’t get it” is perfect and hilarious. Col: Have you kept in touch with any of the other voice actors from the AC games, and have you worked with any of them on other projects since? Carlos: Video games have such huge casts, it’s thrilling to see actors I’ve worked with before or actors I admire, in the cast list. Though we rarely record together. Where I see my colleagues often is on the road at Conventions. Roger Craig Smith, Adrian Hough, Matt Ryan, Cas Anvar, Victoria Atkin, and Paul Amos are some of my favorite people and world-class actors. My dream is a full-reunion event with the fans. Col: Other than Leonardo, who else would you have liked to have voiced in the games? Carlos: I want to play an Assassin. Col: Other than the games, you also did the voiceover for Assassin's Creed: Ascendance, a short 8 minute animation where Leonardo warns Ezio about the Borgia influence in Roma. Did this project feel different to working on the games, and how long roughly did it take to record the lines? Carlos: One full day, as I recall. The process was the same but I was knocked-out by the DaVinci styling in the animation. It’s one of my favorite things. Col: Leonardo returned in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, and even got his own DLC. How did you prepare to take on the role of an older, wiser Da Vinci? Carlos: Having created the character from scratch in AC2, it was pretty organic. Col: One of the reasons Leonardo remains so popular is his positive mentality, somehow always managing to see the best in humanity in the darkest of times. He is a true ally to the Assassins, but also helped to provide some of the more challenging missions in Brotherhood. Do you ever hear fans mentioning the difficulty of the Da Vinci's War Machines missions? Carlos: I hear about that Tank...all the time. LOL Personally, I love the flying machine. Col: When you meet fans at events, what are the most requested Da Vinci lines people want to hear? Carlos “HOW EXCITING!” I’m also fond of “I’ve taught a man to fly!” Col: I would like to personally thank you for signing my Hidden Blade, which I now keep in a glass cabinet. Do you own Assassin's Creed merchandise, and did you keep anything at all from your time working on the games? Carlos: I have displays from stores, figures, the flying machine. Though my favorite AC treasures are DaVinci inspired art and gifts from the fans. Leonardo Da Vinci art by Lisa Zaman. You can buy art prints by Lisa for a limited time here , the profits of which are donated to The Italian Red Cross. Col: Do you have any tips for our audience on how to get into voice acting? What would you say is the first step? Carlos: Be an actor first. Study and prepare. That was where it started for me. Col: Have you ever cosplayed as Leonardo. If not, would you ever consider doing so? Carlos: I would! But it would have to be perfect. I’m that guy. LOL I’m blown away by the craftsmanship cosplayers around the world have brought to Leonardo and Ezio. It’s beautiful. Col: Have you been following the more recent games, and where would you like to see the series to explore next? Carlos: I keep up. There was an Assassin’s Creed inspired art exhibit in Paris some time ago. There were Assassins in every time and from every country, it seemed. I remember loving a female Assassin flying through the air with laser hidden blades. I think the sky’s the limit. Literally. We would like to say a huge thank you to Carlos for joining us for this interview, and to Kim Beacham for making it possible! You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram You can also book a personalised message from Carlos on Cameo comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Best Quotes in Assassin's Creed Odyssey Share Written By: Edited By: Reporter Name Back To Database Welcome to a new series written by TOWCB Team, outlining our favourite quotes from the franchise. For some, Odyssey is a controversial game for numerous reasons, such as the decision to introduce two playable characters, or even the fact that is set before the time of Assassin's Creed Origins, making it a prequel to a prequel. That said, the game still has a dedicated following. It is unapologetic, and plays around with a new brand of fun different from anything else we have seen in the franchise, focussing on player choice and dialogue options. Fans love Kassandra and Alexios, so for the quotes selected below, we have gone with the canon version of events to avoid confusion. ''I was protecting my brother because you wouldn't!'' (Kassandra) Edit and VP by Turið Torkilsdóttir comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author This is placeholder text. To connect this element to content from your collection, select the element and click Connect to Data. About the Author

AC Community Questions: Jebs Interview Share 29 Jun 2025 Written By: Edited By: Jebs Colum Blackett Back To Database Col: Hi Jebs, thank you for joining me for this introductory interview. Please could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your role within the Assassin's Creed Community. Jebs: Thank you for having me! Like you said, my name is Jebs, and I’m from the UK. I guess you could say I’m a digital artist that draws a lot of anime, but I also quite like video editing. I like to use my drawing skills to make sketches and silly animations of my interests, like Assassin’s Creed, and share them with the community online. Col: In June 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 during the launch of the 2025 AC Community Fundraiser? Jebs: I’m definitely looking forward to it! It’s amazing seeing all the great ideas everyone on the team is coming up with to raise money for both the Blood Cancer Alliance and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It’s such a lovely way for us AC fans to rally together to make an impact and help people. Col: How excited are you for the future of Assassin's Creed? Jebs: I’m really excited for the future of Assassin’s Creed. There’s a lot of time periods that can still be explored or revisited that have such historical richness. With the advancement of the quality of gaming, there’s so much promise as to where it could go, so I’m definitely looking forward to it! Col: Which Assassin's Creed game have you been playing recently, and which game are you playing next? Jebs: Recently I’ve been playing Revelations, which I feel like I should have gotten around to a long time ago, but I just felt like nothing could have beaten Brotherhood. Next, I’ll probably replay one of the older games like Black Flag, since Edward is one of my favourite Assassins. Promo image for AC IV Black Flag Col: Have you visited any of the locations from the games? Jebs: I visit London quite often, so I’ve made it a point to visit as many AC Syndicate locations as possible. The big ones that come to mind include Westminster Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral and the Bank of England. It’s really funny to be able to point at certain buildings and tell my friends ‘I’ve climbed that in Assassin's Creed’. Col: Which Assassin's Creed game is your favourite and why? Jebs: That’s a hard one to say! All of the games have something great about them, however I’d have to say Brotherhood or Syndicate. I really appreciate games that have a character with a good sense of humour trying to navigate a serious situation, and I think those two did it really well. Syndicate’s Jack The Ripper DLC was such a highlight for me because it let you play as Evie post-main story, but in a changed city she had once been so familiar with. The storyline for both games were also really compelling and immersive. Col: Have you attended any events within the Assassin's Creed Community? Jebs: Not yet, but I’m definitely looking out for them. I used to play a musical instrument when I was younger, so being able to see the Symphonic Adventure would be incredible. Col: Do you have a favourite Assassin's Creed community moment / story you would like to share? Jebs: Being able to see all the amazing comments I get on my posts makes me realise how great the community for AC is. Especially since I've opened my drawing requests page, I’ve been overwhelmed with all the great and kind things people have written! Col: What would be your dream setting for the upcoming AC Netflix TV show or future game? Jebs: In terms of the TV show, I think some kind of war setting would be fantastic. I would love to see an Assassin’s Creed set during the War of The Roses or during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign. I love Tudor history so it would be really fun. However, I also really hope they would consider an AC II adaptation at some point as well. With the surge of video game to TV adaptations recently like The Last of Us and Fallout, I think it could happen! Ezio Auditore in Assassin's Creed II Col: Do you have any personal AC goals you would like to achieve? Jebs: I think being noticed by Ubisoft would be really cool. Or, finally getting that last one percent on Syndicate, so that it’s fully completed. Col: What would you say is your most significant community achievement to date? Jebs: Probably joining you guys as part of the Partner Program. It’s nice to see that groups like this exist to show love for such a great game. Col: What is your favourite part of being a community member? Jebs: Being able to see people's interpretations of my artwork and how it coincides with their experience of the game is really fulfilling. I also really love seeing other people’s works such as fanart, fanfiction and edits. It brings so much to the fandom, and I love all of it. Col: Do you collect AC merchandise? If so, what is your favourite item? Jebs: I don’t actively collect it, but I do have a few items. My favourite item has to be Edward Kenway’s hidden blade though. It’s really awesome how the mechanism actually works. Col: What advice do you have for people looking to get into content creation? Jebs: I would say to just do it. Even if you think you aren’t going to get popular, it’s worth it just to get your name out there. There’s going to be an audience for anything, so just be yourself and show what you have to offer to viewers! If you’re passionate about it, people will enjoy it. Col: Where can our community members find you online? Jebs: You can find me on TikTok via my account @ jebsotherposts , or on Instagram @ jebs.arts where I’ve recently started posting! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author In June 2025, Jebs joined TOWCB's Art Team in an effort to widen the variety of art styles on the team. She is known online for her unusual art style, which can be described as a mix between doodling, sketching and anime, pieces which are often animated, bringing a ton of personality and fun to her work. Throughout 2025 and beyond, Jebs will be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects which range from creating art for fundraising to live art creation watch-alongs! By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aim to boost her profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. Jebs

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 4th to 15th November Community Share 28 Nov 2024 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Renzo Back To Database Welcome to the biweekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from the AC Partnership Program. Every two weeks we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. This theme has been run alongside Magnus Bruun the wonderful actor behind Eivor/Odin. You may also know him as Cnut in the hit TV series The Last Kingdom. This is the second time Magnus has joined us for a theme week, and we would like to thank him for giving up his time to select our winning shots. His kindness to the Assassin’s Creed community is really appreciated. Keep an eye on the site as more shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to #ACFirstCivVP for a chance to be featured. Theme: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Blood Will Prevail Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ BetweenDPixels The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: Magnus Brunn Magnus This picture captures a lot of the soul in the game. I love the fiery frame, and the depth in the photo. It’s savage and beautiful at the same time. Also cool people don’t look at the things they burn to the ground. Aaron “For a hundred years there was chaos in our lands.” Assassin’s Creed Valhalla gives you the perfect platform to showcase those Norse inspired shots. Such as this one which looks like its straight out of the movies. Lauren has really brought the drama with this epically framed portrait of chaos. The flames encircling the gateway bring so much theatre, while the bodies hanging from the rafters show the brutality of the time. The shadows serve the shot well by emphasizing the light at the end of the tunnel. Eivor has that hero pose as she walks away from another triumph over the order. The foggy battle ensuing in the distance shows that this fight might not yet be done. Congratulations on capture of the theme. Sýnin Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ FoxPourple “Guide Me.” A Raven was the obvious choice for a companion in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Especially with those strong links to Odin, and Eivor being part of the Raven clan. There are many iterations of Sýnin in the game, but this one stands out. The design is just so striking with those white patterns contrasting beautifully with the black feathers. I feel like this capture has a painting vibe due to the use of fog in the background, and the blueish hue adds to the sense of flight. I love the composition with everything aligned perfectly to showcase the beauty of the raven. It would have been wrong not to have Odin’s eyes in this article. Stand Together Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Murphys_Law_Vp “Shields Up! Shields Together! SHIELD WALL! The art of the shield wall was pivotal during the Viking invasion of England. The battle could easily be lost if you didn’t stand shoulder to shoulder with your warriors in this defensive position. Personally, I was disappointed that we did not get more of this in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. However, you would never think that after seeing this badass shot from Murphy. I feel like this is one of my favourite Valhalla portraits, because the details are just so good. Eivor’s stance is epic, and the shield position works really well. The outfit, tattoos and that amazing snowy background all combine to produce such a Viking photo. A Fine Warrior Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ FoxPourple “I will not be captive to another man’s gaudy design. My destiny is mine to weave.” The ability to play as both female and male versions of Eivor is a real plus point for virtual photographers in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. I believe both Magnus and Cecilie brought their own flair to each version, and thanks to the animus we can swap whenever we like. In this portrait Eivor looks so majestic and full of honour. The lighting on her face is a nice touch and the stance with hands wrapped around the weapon so graceful. I really adore how grounded this capture is with a real feel for the time period. I suspect she is looking on after the battle defiant against her destiny that Odin would try to manipulate. New Horizons Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ PodToGo (@ podtogo.bsky.socia l ) “Shall we raise the sail here, Eivor?” The longship in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a thing of beauty. The customisation options really allow you to personalise your vessel. In essence it is just a flamboyant means of travel, but what a way to do it. Pod has clearly gone all in with the pirate longship as he pays homage to Black Flag. Those sun rays are so strong you can almost feel them, and I do like the warmth of this shot. It is nice that we can see Eivor commanding the longship too. I feel like this is a fitting capture to end our Valhalla special. The ship sailing out into the sunset is a perfect metaphor. Although I would rather believe this is just the start of another adventure. And that sums it up for this Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out the photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next time keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest vprepost Nov 29, 2024 Excellent piece. Great VP by all! Like Reply About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 17th to 23rd July Community Share 25 Jul 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: AC Mounts Tiger Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ TuridTorkil “Eye of the Tiger.” At the start of the year Assassin’s Creed Valhalla teamed up with Ecologi to produce a special pack of mounts to raise money for climate change. The pack was inspired by endangered and vulnerable species. I must say that these mounts look so good, although a little too unrealistic for my liking. I love this shot of the tiger stalking in the foliage. The lighting on the tigers face is beautiful and the greenery surrounding the beast is luscious. You would never believe this was a shot from a Viking game in set in England. Link to set: The Bear Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ G_Assassin90 “Who can guess the ways and the plans of the Gods?” Bears are one of my favourite animals and this wonderful shot shows the magnificent bear mount which was added with the Siege of Paris DLC. I love this mount in Valhalla and it is my go-to when in the mythical worlds. The whole ambience of this shot is stunning, the red flowers look so good but also promote Eivor riding the bear in a stylish way. The saturation is perfect too with vibrant colours all over the capture. I must say Eivor’s outfit works well with the bear, giving off awesome Viking vibes. I would not want to be coming face to face with these two. Link to set: Into the Woods Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Amaya_Nocturna “Thank you, noble harts. I will put this gift to good use and remain your steadfast protector.” Once again we are in Valhalla thanks to the abundance of available mounts in the game. This shot is not just about the elegant reindeer but also the magical environment in which it stands. If it were not for the reigns on the animal then you would think this was a perfectly times nature shot. I adore the forest aesthetic with the leafy floors and the gorgeous light breaking through the trees. The foggy atmosphere adds to the mystical feel. As for the reindeer, it is graceful and wonderfully designed. Such a nice touch to add the flowers to the antlers. Link to set: Travel Time Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ HimboGaymer “You should hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.” The classic mount and staple of most Assassin’s Creed games, the horse. Easily my mount of choice and the variety of styles we have seen over the years has been incredible. If Eivor isn’t floating around in her longship then she will most likely be riding around the sites of England on her trusty horse. I admire the position of this shot with the horse looking straight at the camera as if it’s a selfie. Eivor looks so Norse dressed in her Raven Clan armour and riding a skeleton painted mount. I really like the warm sun on her face and the hidden blade on show. This capture typifies Assassin’s Creed Valhalla for me. Link to set: Zombie Horse Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ artschoolglases “The wild hunt will not come for us this night” Beware of Odin’s horseman for they have been summoned to send you to the corpse hall. Once again we find ourselves in Valhalla with one of the many available mounts. This Draugr mount is a ghost sent back to haunt Eivor’s enemies. The capture is very interesting as the sun represents the polar opposite to the horse. Timing in virtual photography is everything and here it makes the picture. The horse rearing up in the suns glare looks so good, creating a magnificent silhouette. I love how the green undead eyes still have a massive presence, almost as if the sun is piecing through them. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ HiddenOnesN “Rise from the darkness and be born once more” What makes the picture so perfect is how it balances so smoothly between what we know about the goodness in light and the darkness that is represented in the Helhest horse. That is exactly what Assassin’s Creed is all about, that none of them triumphs over the other. 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

From the Desk of Hytham the Acolyte - A Review of AC Valhalla: Journey to the North Review Share 26 Jul 2023 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Colum Blackett Back To Database Banner by Thea Marie Rivedal (Moonchildgecko) from TOWCB Art Team. Deluxe Edition photos by Aaron Young (Falconswift87) from TOWCB Writing Team. Article contains Amazon affiliate links that support TOWCB. One of the current discussions that has been prevalent in the past few years is the lengths of the RPG line of Assassin’s Creed titles vs those of the “classic” games. AC Valhalla being the latest entry in the series (as of this article) was well known to require hundreds of hours for players to dig in and experience the full story of Eivor and her Raven Clan coming to England with a pair of secretive warriors known as The Hidden Ones , to search for their shared enemy in The Order of the Ancients . Eivor traveled across the English countryside, the shores of Ireland, and the streets of Paris while also exploring the influences of Norse Mythology throughout this epic tale of starting over in a new land. However, unlike previous entries which documented the game, such as novelizations, strategy guides, or outside publications. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was expanded upon via multiple pieces of transmedia, but never provided an overview of the complete two-year content line. Even the art book that was released after the game only covered the main game and was more concept art of the landscapes and character types, but not every aspect was represented. Cover Art of Journey to the North In July of 2023, a new transmedia artbook/journal was released for what appears to be the end of the Valhalla story as we begin to transition into Assassin’s Creed Mirage. In The World of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North - Logs and Files of a Hidden One, fans of the series are provided a complete overview of the AC Valhalla story and updated art book told through the eyes of Hidden One, Hytham the Acolyte. This 208-page book is the ultimate text of the story of what occurred in the main game and the paid DLC expansions. The Deluxe Edition photos provided by Aaron Young Deluxe Edition Spine Deluxe Edition Art Prints Journey to the North (as it will be referred to for the rest of this review) is available in two versions as many of the previous art books have been: The standard hardback for $49.99 USD and the Deluxe Edition for $99.99 USD. The deluxe edition comes in a special brown leather style cover contained in a teal slipcover with a folio featuring two art prints. I had originally planned on purchasing this one, but decided to get the standard one for now as I just wanted to read the book and didn’t see a personal value in the double price deluxe option. However, after seeing the images from fellow The Ones Who Came Before writer, Aaron Young, I wish I had. Yet, it is nice to have the concept art cover that I have shared in the image above. The book opens on an overview of what is to follow from the in-world author Hytham. The book is divided into five sections, each one having a vast amount of content organized in such an easy to read format that I applaud the book’s author Rick Barba for. Rick is a well known video game author with over 130 publications to his name including books and guides for series including Assassin’s Creed, God of War, GTA, Red Dead Redemption, and Star Trek to name a few. Previously he wrote Assassin’s Creed: Through the Ages for Scholastic Books during the content window for AC Syndicate. If you collect video game books, you most likely have something of his work without even knowing it. Entry on Sigurd Styrbjornson The first section which covers the Viking Lifestyle gives a history of the Vikings compiled through Hytham’s research and time with the Raven Clan. Speaking with and learning from the people of Ravensthorpe as well as information provided by Jarlskona Eivor Varinsdottir via the plot of Valhalla, Hytham spent time understanding the history of the people that he now considers family, the Viking people. It is in the first pages of the book that I recognized that Hytham was constantly busy while Eivor was progressing through the story of the game. I always felt that Hytham seemed static like a set-piece outside of the mission lines he would provide players, but this book gives him a life that the game was lacking. Having a detailed, but short history of the Vikings and how the Raven Clan came to England is a strong start for the book. Hytham's notes on Odin and Frigg In the second chapter, the full mythos of the Norse gods are presented, both in the story of the Dawn of Ragnarok expansion and the history of creation in the Norse myth and the gods that are worshiped by those around Hytham. Each of the Aesir is described and most of them are presented with the game image from the character’s Codex entry in the game. This is expanded on with the stories of the myths from the creation of everything to Ragnarok itself. It is also here where we can learn Hytham’s thoughts on the Viking beliefs and on the gods, including Loki whom fans know to be the Isu that is hosted by Sage Basim Ibn Ishaq, Hytham’s Mentor. A few of the buildings in Ravensthorpe The Viking Settlement is explored in the third section of the book and this is broken down as a tour of the Ravensthorpe settlement, with each building and citizen of the home to Eivor and Hytham discussed. What I liked most about this section is that each shop is very detailed in what it does and what it offers the people that live there, but also as what it does for players of the game. Knowing that the tanner, Wallace in the Hunting Hut can provide you with trophy mounts for completing special hunts, or that Yanli at the Trading Post can sell you decorations for the settlement, and tattoos for Eivor makes this section not just a travel guide for the settlement, but a guide for players to know who to see about their in-game needs. Eivor sitting with Oswald of East Anglia The last section before the Epilogue is The Viking Age, which is the full story breakdown of the main game, Wrath of the Druids, and Siege of Paris. Hytham describes the region, the Major Factions & Sects, and the Key Events for each “sequence” of the game. It is because of this section that I highly suggest this book for anyone that wants to revisit the game or read through the story without the required playtime. While everything recorded is from Hytham documenting Eivor’s recollection as she turns in the Order Medals from her clearing England from the Order of the Ancients, and later from her informing Hytham of what happened in other countries, his detailed writings of the events of the game provide more than enough information to understand the story without the traveling distance, filler content, or unnecessary dialogue. This is the closest that we will get to a novelization of Valhalla. Eivor (Male) in Concept Art for Seige of Paris The book closes with the Epilogue which is a closing entry from Hytham as he thanks Eivor for her efforts in riding England of the Order of the Ancients, and that his biggest regret is that of his mentor Basim, whom he still cannot believe betrayed the Norse siblings Eivor and Sigurd. He then gives half of the page to speak on Basim’s past which is a heavy reference and transitional text to Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Learning about Basim’s swift rise from street thief to Mentor and how Hytham was tasked with his first mission in Constantinople to keep an eye on Basim and report back to the Brotherhood. Yet, while Hytham understands that Basim’s actions drove him out of the light of his teachings, he hoped that he found the peace he was looking for. Basim Ibn Ishaq from Assassin's Creed Mirage While there isn’t a large amount of direct references to AC Mirage outside of the book’s final page, the written thoughts of Hytham reacting to Basim’s betrayal, of Basim having a son, and on Loki (not knowing the link to his mentor), there is enough to excite players for the next entry in the series. The epilogue alone made me more excited for October 12, 2023 when we will be able to play the new game. Hytham in The Golden City by Jaleigh Johnson I’ve said it multiple times in the past when talking about the transmedia for AC Valhalla and some of the 9th Century content, that Hytham is the anchor for the Valhalla epic. Yes players control Eivor, but outside of the game, Hytham is present in six titles (including the game and this book) and has interacted with multiple storylines and characters. He’s been a guiding hand for all of the transmedia characters in the Valhalla story, Niamh in Sword of the White Horse, Geirmund of Geirmund’s Saga , and in The Last Chapter content update for Valhalla (which is not covered in this book) he takes in a new class of Hidden Ones from the members of Ravensthorpe. Many argue that Valhalla had no Assassins (much like Origins and Odyssey), but I argue that we do have an Assassin in Hytham as the underlying focus of the entire story for this game linking lead characters together like Agent Coulson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I do wish there was more coverage of the free content updates like the Mastery Trials, The Forgotten Tombs, and The Last Chapter, but I can understand that not all of this content was available for this book at the time of release, or even when it was being written by Rick Barba. Some of the region overviews felt a bit short and not all characters were presented with an image and to agree with fellow TOWCB writer, Aaron, not all of the character shots from the game are the best composition or option for a profile photo. I would be curious to know if these were taken by the author, or provided from Ubisoft. I was happy to see game images with concept art, but do wish there was a higher quality at times. Concept Art of Bárid mac Ímair, King of Dublin My bottom line with The World of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North - Logs and Files of a Hidden One is that it is a must have for fans of the game or the series in whole. I could even suggest it to fans of history as this is a fun historical fiction journal from a character in that time period. Nothing is incorrect historically, but may not be something that actually took place in the 9th Century Viking Expansion of England. The additional artworks for the DLC that we didn't have with the original Art of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is something that I would love to see from future games that offer DLC, and hopefully we can see something for older titles if they get remasters. With Mirage around the corner, I’m hoping additional transmedia is provided as it is my favorite aspect of the series by far. The book is available now in the US from publisher Dark Horse Books for the Standard Edition at $49.99 USD, or the Deluxe Edition for $99.99 USD. If you have interest in purchasing the book, consider using our affiliate link with Amazon to help support articles like these and The Ones Who Came Before. 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

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

Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe Teaser Analysis Analysis Share 11 Sept 2022 Written By: Edited By: Preston Carbonaro Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Fans of the franchise were given a goodie bag filled with treats at the Ubisoft Forward Assassin's Creed Showcase event , ranging from a gorgeous cinematic trailer for the much-awaited Assassin’s Creed Mirage, updates on the upcoming Netflix show, a new mobile game, and tantalising teaser trailers for future games. One short, eerie trailer in particular - for Codename Hexe - featuring barking dogs, bare trees, and an open fire, has left fans and codebreakers alike intrigued and perplexed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbMh3PFPCDM In his segment during the Ubisoft Forward event, Marc-Alexis Côté – executive producer of the Assassin's Creed franchise - said that he’ll leave it up to us to spot the little secrets. So, let’s get down to business! Starting from the most prominent object in the image. The Assassins symbol, of course. As you can see, it is made out of twigs and twine; very primitive in design. Personally, I couldn't help but think of handmade Halloween decorations when I saw this. More specifically decorations used by pagans during Samhain. Which brings me to my second observation. What seems to be an eight-pointed star (octagram) drawn in chalk on the wall behind the AC insignia. Octagrams have various different interpretations and meanings in various religions around the world, but I decided to focus more on Paganism and Occultism as that seemed to be the theme of the content. Lo and behold, my research eventually led me to The Wheel of the Year, an annual cycle of seasonal festivals, observed by many modern pagans, consisting of the year's main solar events (solstices and equinoxes) and the midpoints between them. A few more searches further confirmed my hunch. The images below are similar to what is seen in the Hexe reveal trailer. Writer’s note: The Yule, Ostara, and Lammas festivals all feature in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. There was also The First Night of Samhain quest. And what of the text in the Hexe diagram, you ask? My first guess was the Theban alphabet, also known as the Honorian alphabet, Runes of Honorius, or witches' alphabet due to its use in modern Wicca and other forms of witchcraft. However, upon further inspection and more research, I concluded it to be from The Alphabet of the Magi. A variant of the Hebrew alphabet, it was used for inscriptions in talismans in 17th-century occultism. It also seems that the chalk wall behind the Assassin's Creed insignia hold a secret, as discovered by Community Member Boukhari Adam. The letters are actually from the Magi alphabet, and spell out ''We work in the dark to serve in the light!''. See how everything is linked? Let’s analyse further... “Codename Hexe” (pronounced hex-uh). ‘Hexe’ is the German word for ‘witch’. In English we use very similar words like ‘hex’ or ‘hexed’, which mean: to cast a spell on; to bewitch. So, taking into consideration all of these ideas and how closely related they are to each other, I am assuming that Codename Hexe will revolve around the witch trials which took place in 17th century Germany. Namely the Würzburg witch trials of 1625-1631. Let us know what you think. Would you be interested in playing an Assassin’s Creed game which involves such themes? And what do you think about the possible setting? One thing is for sure. Dark times lie ahead. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Preston is a long-time Assassin's Creed fan of both the games and the soundtracks. He works as a primary school educator, and is also a part-time actor. He takes a keen interest in mythology, symbology, codes and puzzles. Some of his passions include writing, reading, art, gaming, football, and music. Preston Carbonaro

AC Community Questions: Calvin Whiteway Interview Share 3 Feb 2026 Written By: Edited By: Calvin Whiteway 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 Calvin Whiteway, who joined our Assassin's Creed Partnership program as a Video Content Creator in Autumn 2024, best known for his hilarious skits on the ACFirstCiv TikTok account. Col: Hi Calvin, thank you for joining me for this interview. Please could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your role within the Assassin's Creed Community. Calvin: Hey, my name's Calvin. Content creator. I'm a nerd for cameras, films, acting and just being creative. I also love the gym, getting outside and working hard. I've been a fan of AC since I was a kid, played the games loads. Calvin Whiteway Col: In Autumn 2024 you joined The Ones Who Came Before's Assassin's Creed Partnership Program, known as the Isu_Network. How have you found working alongside the Video Content Creation Team, and how excited are you for the future of Assassin's Creed? Calvin: Grateful for this opportunity to work with this cool team and I'm excited to see the future of the company. It 's been really interesting working with the team. Coming out with ideas and everyone having different styles, which is good to see. Hoping for the future to work together on more projects but all around, happy to create AC content as best I can! Excited to see where the creators take Assassin's Creed but it's hard to best the originals. Col: Which Assassin's Creed game have you been playing recently, and which game are you playing next? Calvin: Playing AC III recently, which is really good. I recommend it if you haven't, I think it's underrated. Col: Have you visited any of the locations from the games? Calvin: I haven't visited any yet but the goal is to head to Rome and Valencia, Italy sometime soon! Col: Which Assassin's Creed game is your favourite and why? Calvin: It's hard to choose a favourite as they all have their styles and story lines but I'm going to say AC Brotherhood, as it had the best story, dialogue and characters you connected with. Promo image for Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (2010) Col: Have you attended any events within the Assassin's Creed Community? Calvin: Haven't been to any events but hoping for a comic con trip, dressed as an assassin will come soon! Col: Do you have a favourite Assassin's Creed community moment/ story you would like to share? Calvin: I think joining the team has been an interesting experience as I've heard and seen a lot more BTS of AC and built connections with people who love the same thing as me. That's been nice. Col: What would be your dream setting for the upcoming AC Netflix TV show or future game? Calvin: Dream setting?! Hmmm. To not remake any moments from the games but create a new story line and to have characters we can relate to and care for as the season goes on. I wish to star in it also, I wouldn't mind that Col: Do you have any personal AC goals you would like to achieve? Calvin: To see my keep consistent in helping the brand. Keep uploading content and experience cool opportunities that I would never have the chance too. Col: What would you say is your most significant community achievement to date? Calvin: Significant achievement in AC? Probably collecting 5 platinum trophies on the AC franchise. Col: What is your favourite part of being a community member? Calvin: Getting inside information, building bonds and connecting with others who like the same thing as me. Also, like to see people debating and banter that comes with it. Col: Do you collect AC merchandise? If so, what is your favourite item? Calvin: Currently got a few collection bits. I've got an AC hat with an Eagle on it and a small figure of Ezio on top of a building. Col: What advice do you have for people looking to get into content creation, in particular, video editing and recording. Calvin: Honestly, build what you want, don't let others tell you what's right and wrong. Find the creative thing you like, get started and keep consistent. Col: Where can our community members find you online? Calvin: The best way to find me is on Instagram (@ cw.content ) or Calvinin3d ) business and personal account. Keep an eye out for more content by Calvin at ACFirstCiv on TikTok comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Calvin is a video creator based in the UK who joined TOWCB's Video Content Creation Team in Autumn 2024. Known online for his short comedy videos (skits), Calvin was brought onboard to inject a degree of personality and humour into TOWCB's social media presence. He is a big fan of the Assassin's Creed series who will be helping TOWCB grow, with a particular focus on producing content for Tiktok, Youtube and Instagram. Calvin Whiteway

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 19th November to 12th December Community Share 8 Dec 2025 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Back To Database Welcome to the virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from the AC Partnership Program. Each theme Aaron and the team will be picking their top five favourite Assassin’s Creed shots from across multiple social media platforms and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website. Our aim is to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. This theme has been run by the @ACFirstCiv Virtual Photography team, with special guest judge @JChoukroun – Jean is a technical artist at Ubisoft Paris and worked on Valley of Memory. However more importantly he is an avid virtual photographer. His passion to the medium shows through his wonderful portfolio of captures. Jean has also been a judge with the VPAwards for the last two years. Keep an eye on the site as more articles are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to #ACFirstCivVP for a chance to be featured. Theme: Valley of Memory Tomb Raider Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: capturedby.allister (Instagram) The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Theme Judge: @JChoukroun Jean I really like this one because it focuses on the biggest component of Valley of Memory: the world of AlUla. The tomb of Lihyan, son of Kuza is AlUla’s most well-known landmark, and is the main focus of this shot. Basim and his camel are looking at it, as if in awe of its beauty, and are gently blurred by the depth of field. This ensures the viewer’s focus remains on the tomb itself. Aaron For me Assassin’s Creed Mirage not only brought the nostalgia back to the franchise, but it also harnessed the vibes we experienced in Assassin’s Creed Origins. The base game and this fantastic DLC are a platform to show how much love and attention went into the development process. I have to agree with Jean; the depth of field is such a contributor to why this shot is so magnificent. The tomb of Lihyan looks majestic in the arid desert. I really like the colour palette here because it makes you feel the harshness of the environment Basim is exploring. Jumping In Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @StormSpider2022 The populated areas within Valley of Memory are so excellently crafted for Basim to explore. Having these playgrounds with lots of parkour opportunities helps to add variety and tie the game to its roots. I found the balance worked well with the wide-open deserts. Here we find Basim performing a leap of faith in front of the AlUla prison. Its presence in the game serving the story well both narratively and visually. Once again, I am enjoying the colours on show, and I find the tilt very satisfying. This is a classic Assassin’s Creed photo that reminds us of why we love this incredible franchise. Alleyways Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: Virtualtourism (Instagram) I always find the details in video games to be some of the most interesting aspects to take in. I found becoming a virtual photographer that I notice so much more of these now I actually take the time to pause and view my surroundings. Jack has always had an inclination for the finer details, most famously his pots and sand. This capture tells me he enjoyed his foray into the DLC. The light and shadow work on show helps the viewer feel as if they are in the alleyway as Basim. I am a fan of the carpets and sheets framing the photo nicely. Its elements like these that bring these world to life. Purple Sky Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: cyriellevp.bsky.social A peaceful moment is not always the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Assassin’s Creed. However, I found that Valley of Memory really embraced this side, especially within the story. The way Basim's journey unfolded showed a lot of emotion which is just as important as the combat. I think Cyrielle has found a nice vibe here that evokes feelings of closure and solace. The minimalist approach has always been a forte of Cyrielle and Mirage obliges with its environments. The purple sky with the orange glow gives a feeling of warmth, and the birds circling a nice touch. Shadows Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @unfazedvp Hiding in the shadows has got to be one of the best things you can do in an Assassin’s Creed game. The towns and cities of these games allow us to be the hidden one and wield the hidden blade as the order intended. Julio’s shot is taking me back to the market section within the main game. I am not sure how he has managed to find one sole person wandering in such a busy place. Once again, we see a nice balance of light and shadows, which help to set the scene. I especially like the silhouette of the person walking toward us. A good use of grain to give that movielike feel. And that sums it up for this Assassin’s Creed virtual photography showcase. Thank you for checking out the photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next time keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

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! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSITae7AXeA 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)

No Isu, No Magus: A Review of Assassin’s Creed: The Resurrection Plot (Light Spoilers) Review Share 15 Apr 2023 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Colum Blackett Back To Database Banner by Thea Marie Rivedal ( Moonchildgecko ) from TOWCB Art Team . Revisiting the Assassin’s Creed franchise is a ritual for many fans of the series. Taking journeys that they have made before to relive memories of their favorite characters, remembering the ghosts of lost friends, allies, and even enemies as the scenes of defiance and choice defeat the overseeing hands of order and control once more. Yet, every tale comes to a close as the final page in these tales is read and players are left wondering, what next? Some characters are extended the opportunity of sequels, side projects, or transmedia tales to continue the lives of the Assassin Brotherhood Masters such as Ezio Auditore, Shao Jun, or even Edward Kenway in the foreseeable future. Following these characters from their origins to their final days is a rare occurrence that many have wished to see continue with future stories. Thankfully, there has been a resurgence for continuous world building with the promotion of the transmedia lines from Ubisoft and the Assassin’s Creed team. From the various novels and art books released around AC Valhalla, to the alternative stories from AC China, the unseen periods of the history are being uncovered. It is from this that I was excited to see the second novel of the Engine of History trilogy from author, Kate Heartfield. Assassin's Creed: The Magus Conspiracy and Author Kate Heartfield Last year, The Engine of History kicked off its trilogy of books with The Magus Conspiracy. This entry novel introduced characters Pierrette Arnaud and Simeon Price, an acrobat and soldier respectively that through their intertwining lives both found their ways into the folds of the Assassins Brotherhood and their place through the European Revolutions of the 19th Century. Being witnesses to some of the most newsworthy assassinations of country leaders (or their failed attempts) scattered through the 11-year timeline of this first book, while also meeting and working with historical figures such as Ada Lovelace, Emperor Franz Joseph, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The two worked hand and hand as Mentor (Simeon) and Apprentice (Pierrette) while searching for The Magus, a mastermind that was pulling the strings between the Assassins and their Templar Order for the end goal of creating The Engine of History, a device so destructive that the world in whole was at stake. This story reached its finale with The Magus defeated, and the Engine seemingly prevented from being created. *SPOILER WARNING* Opening of the Suez Canal - Fine Arts America Seven years later, the story picks up again at the opening of the Suez Canal in Cairo, Egypt. Pierrette is now a seasoned Assassin, working with the Cairo Brotherhood. While tracking a Templar target that is rumored to be present at a celebratory opera by where the Empress Eugine of France is also attending. She learns that her target has convinced the khedive, ruler of Egypt, to allow him to build a railway from Alexandria to an uninhabited space in the desert. From this assignment which prevents the death of not only the two leaders, but the hundreds of attendees, Pierrette and her fellow Assassins travel to the end of the Templar railway where she is reconnected with her Mentor, Simeon Price. He joins her group to investigate a cave that the Templar Order were tracked to by Simeon and discover a returning Isu Artifact that I never believed I would see again… but you will have to read the book to learn which one. Empress Eugénie de Montijo of France The story is split between the two Assassins as they work different leads to recover the artifact in question and also stop the construction of the Engine of History which is “resurrected” as a focus for the Templar Order. The two will continue to cross paths over the historical backdrop of the story which includes the Franco-Prussian War, and question their pasts and their trust in each other. Each faces challenges that are haunted by their actions as Assassins and is reflected in their personas as time ages them and the industrious period of 19th Century France, England, and Egypt. My previous praise for the level of detail that author Kate Heartfield had provided in The Magus Conspiracy is strengthened within the first chapter of The Resurrection Plot. I have been working on compiling a list of referenced media including historical books, plays, and films from the Assassin’s Creed series as I work through the entirety of the property. In just the first chapter, I had collected five book titles that gave depth and authority to the detail that Kate made with this title. In addition, Kate provided me with a list of books that she read in part, or whole while researching the history around the fiction of the embedded Assassin’s Creed story. By the end of my reading, I had made note of nine unique titles and the collective works (prior to a certain period in the book) of six authors including Victor Hugo, George Sand, and Emile Zola. Fueled by this excitement to discover more worldbuilding content that would allow me at some point in the future to get into the mind of an Assassin during the 19th Century, I was reminded of the relationship that Simeon had with his mentor and how the art of reading and conversation helped him teach Pierrette the lessons he learned as an Assassin’s Apprentice. Simeon reflects on the teachings of his mentor in times of confusion as he experiences isolation, temptation, and betrayal from outside parties. His demeanor is reforged under the pressure of these situations hardening him and drawing in the breadth of his trust for others. While at the same time, Pierrette reflects on the teachings of her mentor as she is faced with taking on a parental role with the younger members of her past life, something that believed to not have as an orphan, but rediscovers as a member of her circus troupe; her previous brotherhood. French republican politician Léon Gambetta (in hat, centre) about to escape besieged Paris for Tours by balloon, October 1870, during the Franco-German War - www.britannica.com “History is our playground” is the tagline for the Assassin’s Creed series, but the history of this book is no playscape. The Franco-Prussian War is a blanket period for a good portion of the book, the threat of war causing the countries to stand on edge, the depictions of civilians suffering under a government that has abandoned its people, and the undying spirit of a nation’s people as the world moves forward. Political assassinations in multiple countries are also set pieces for the characters, but unlike previous instances it's the people that the Assassins attempt to support while hindering the Templar’s elaborate plan for controlling the world through order. Seeing the world become more connected with new technologies and more importantly modes of transportation, the opening of the Suez Canal was in a way not only a catalyst for this story, but an example of how the age of history was shifting to the modern age. However, there is a retreat from despair that is explored much like Simeon’s time in Switzerland from the previous book, a sidestory of love and understanding between oppositions who tire of the neverending fighting. Tensions that some may have seen right away, or like myself, could see the direction Kate’s writing was going before the flower bloomed. The writing of every scene felt perfect as my respect for the leads and growing favoritism of them was rewarded, even if for a short period of time. Much like the scenes of war, the hopes of peace held strong in the face of opposition. With any Assassin’s Creed property, looking for connections to the other titles is something that fans look forward to finding. In the last book we found connections to Assassin’s Creed Syndicate and AC Underworld with the father of the Frye twins, Ethan Frye, cameoing while characters visit London. This was expanded on with Evie taking a small supporting role in The Resurrection Plot and the combined actions of the siblings post-Syndicate being applauded. Getting to see the twin’s life post Syndicate is a treat for fans of the game. When I finished the book this morning, I was extremely satisfied with The Resurrection Plot and what it did to continue the story of The Magus Conspiracy. Questions I had with the last book were answered and getting to read more of Pierrette and Simeon was something I was looking forward to. Whereas the first book had the feeling of AC II and entry to the Brotherhood, the second is reflective of AC Brotherhood/Revelations. That leads me to hope that the final book in the series reads similar to the final story of Revelations/Ember and blends with the passing of the touch that Ezio gave to Shao Jun. I felt content with how the book wrapped up and have a good feeling about the future of this storyline. The Industrial Revolution time period that was nearly exclusive to AC Syndicate, as The Last Descendants has a crossover story with the characters, is now expanded to include the lives of Simeon Price and Pierrette Arnaud and their work with the European Brotherhoods. Assassin’s Creed: The Resurrection Plot is by far my favorite piece of transmedia for the series and possibly of all AC titles. It is a book that fans of the series should read after finishing the first as it is well supported as a follow-up, but it can stand on its own as enough backstory is provided to new readers. For those that are new to the series, The Engine of History trilogy is a great introduction to the property as it is a fantastic piece of historical fiction that would stand out in any gamer, historian, or reader’s library. The praise I have for Kate Heartfield’s work continues to grow as her acknowledgements to the community that she has found a home in, as a fan-favorite writer, is heartfelt and a nice thank you. I wish only the best for her as she brings The Engine of History to a close. 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

Remembering Mohamed Hamdy In Memoriam Share 22 Mar 2024 Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team Colum Blackett Back To Database We are saddened to hear of the tragic death of Assassin's Creed Egypt co-founder Mohamed Hamdy. The news was announced today in a Twitter post released by the team. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. ''It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of passing of our dear co-founder after a long fight with illness, Mohamed Hamdy. His loss has left us all in profound sorrow, and we struggle to find the words to express the depth of our grief. R.I.P Mentor.'' Assassin's Creed Egypt Mohamed Hamdy Community We would like to take a moment to reflect on Mohamed's life and remember his contributions to the Assassin's Creed community. Back in 2017, we were thrilled to work alongside Assassin's Creed Egypt on the opening episode of our documentary series titled 'Global Networks'. Founders Shady Nasr and Mohamed Hamdy travelled to the Egyptian pyramids to record the episode, and we loved their energy and passion for the community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSrgSjqCLSM Tributes ''It was an absolute please to work alongside Mohamed and Shady on the first episode of Global Networks back in 2017. I loved how the pair were so passionate about creating an Egyptian branch of the community, and the video inspired many Arabic-speaking Assassins to unite. Mohamed was an instantly likeable person with a warm demeaner that we in the Assassin's Creed community will miss terribly.'' Colum Blackett (The Ones Who Came Before Team Leader) If you have a tribute or memory of Mohamed you would like to add, please get in touch with the admin team. Requiescat in Pace Brother comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. TOWCB Team

What Netflix can learn from Fallout's Success for Upcoming Assassin's Creed Projects Analysis Share 25 Apr 2024 Written By: Edited By: Finn Fletcher Colum Blackett Back To Database Amazon Prime’s new Fallout show is excellent, and like many people I got a bit addicted and binged the whole thing over the weekend. It's an intriguing, dramatic, action-packed narrative with some really compelling characters and performances. As a fan of the franchise, I felt it perfectly captured the tone that made me love the games, but importantly it was still welcoming to newcomers. This is likely why it's had such critical success, and why all of the games are seeing a massive rise in active players. It's an almost perfect live action video game adaptation, and as we wait for Netflix’s new Assassin’s Creed show, I think there are plenty of lessons that the Netflix production team could take from this success; a few of which I actually think we already got in the Assassin's Creed Movie (2016). While it has its fans, I think the film overall was a failure. It didn't resonate with audiences, and the narrative felt jumbled. But, choosing to create an original story within the world of Assassin's Creed that actively affected canon was the right move. I care about the stories of these games, and while it would be great to see characters show up (you could pull off a pretty cool Kassandra appearance with Melissanthi Mahut), I have no interest in seeing their stories again in live action. If you want to get people interested, show them something new and add to the games. An original story would be a great opportunity to introduce new people to the franchise, while giving hardcore fans something to chew on. With that, I also think that you need to ruffle a few feathers. Some Fallout fans have taken issue with the show’s additions to canon. There's nothing that breaks what came before, but theories and questions were put to bed, while the fate of a major city was decided. It's brave and shows a creative team who weren't willing to do a simple paint by numbers story. There are much easier, less controversial plots that could have been written, but by being bold the show stands out and doesn't feel like a watered down add-on. Even though some fans are annoyed, the decisions were handled well to fit within the narrative of the show (rather than be purely for shock value), by a team of creatives who are clearly fans of the games themselves. If Netflix wants the Assassin's Creed show to work, they need to make some bold decisions. The show could be a perfect opportunity to finally conclude some of the dangling threads left by previous games that Ubisoft no longer cares about answering. We could find out what happened to someone like Bishop and Erudito, get details on the Roman Hidden Ones who Aya led, or even expand on the Juno and Phoenix Project sub-plot which, as far as I know, was quickly resolved in a comic. These are just suggestions, but if you get in a talented team who are also fans, you could pull off something really exciting here. That, I think, was the core problem with the film. The filmmakers were incredibly talented, Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard and director Justin Kurzel had just come off making Macbeth (2015), a genuinely brilliant film. There's talent there, but for whatever reason it didn't manifest into a good adaptation of Assassin's Creed. There could be plenty of reasons for that, Kurzel himself admits the film was a mess and struggled with his first jump into Hollywood Cinema, but I would say that a big challenge may have come from his unfamiliarity with the source material. Recounting his involvement in the film, Kurzel explains that it was Fassbender who first informed and drew him into the project He was introduced to the idea as a director, not a fan. There's nothing necessarily wrong with that, but if Netflix wants to course correct now I think getting an actual fan who's played the games to show run would be an important first step. Jonathan Nolan, Fallout showrunner and brother of Oscar-winning Christopher Nolan, isn't just a talented individual (with work on Westworld, Person of Interest and many of his brother’s films), he's also a huge Fallout fan. He describes Fallout 3 as ‘consuming a year of his life’. He cared for the source material and made a show he would want to watch. That's the kind of person we need helming Assassin's Creed, someone who can't only prove their talent, but bring in the tiny details that made us all fall in love with the games to begin with. Fallout has given me hope, and I think if done right Assassin's Creed could end up as an amazing show. Sources: Deadline Independent Collider Images via Amazon Prime video comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Finn is a creative writer from Rotherham, UK who has previously supported TOWCB's Fundraising events, and raised awareness surrounding Men's Mental Health. Finn's writing covers a wide scope, with releases including reviews, interviews and stories. He is known in the AC Community for his 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website! In February 2026, he left the team to focus on real-world opportunities as a journalist, writing for a newspaper! We're thrilled to see Finn using his skills to build a career! Finn Fletcher

Event Log: Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game Early Access Digital Event Events Share 8 Nov 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) TOWCB Team Back To Database Back in September, we were lucky enough to be invited to attend a digital event for the upcoming 'Assassin's Creed - Roleplaying Game' by CMON Games and Ubisoft, which is due for release October 2024. Those who attended the event were given early access to the reveal trailer, and had the opportunity to ask the Dev Team questions about the project. Immerse yourself in the legendary Assassin’s Creed © video game universe. Play across time from the modern day to the ancient world, experiencing different eras and interpreting characters belonging to cultures from every corner of the planet. The fight between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templars is more than a battle of stealth and blades. It is a conflict between tyranny and free will that affects humanity itself. Designed by Max Castellani and Andrea Macchi (Brancalonia, Inferno: Dante’s Guide to Hell), along with Francesco Nepitello (Lex Arcana, The One Ring), the Assassin’s Creed Roleplaying Game faithfully replicates the atmosphere and setting of the video game, in a cinematic experience that brings together a team of modern-day characters as they synchronize with their ancestors to unlock mysteries hidden in history itself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HX3L0ApU3o I was blown away by the sheer amount of concept art which has been created for the project, which has so far been featured in the promotional campaign and the game itself. It really is incredible how the artists managed to create new concept art for older games such as Brotherhood and Liberation just for the game, whilst remaining faithful to the series. Finally, I was equally as impressed by the team's dedication to player choice, incorporating a huge wealth of Assassin's Creed lore into the game which impact each and every playthrough. ''The Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game is a game promoting strong narrative and creative solutions. The players are encouraged to approach any situation with action and stealth, but can also rely on their characters’ mental acumen or social ability. They will employ skills which are not only those of their modern-day characters, but also those that made their Ancestors famous.'' In particular, the dedication to Modern Day is admirable, after numerous games have stripped away its importance over time. We were also sent a package containing an Altair figurine prototype! Check out the unboxing video on our TikTok channel! Look out for more coverage of the Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game on our social media channels as we get closer to launch! 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: James Davis Interview Share 2 Jul 2025 Written By: Edited By: James Davis (TopChef1288) 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 James Davis (TopChef1288), who recently joined our Assassin's Creed Partnership program as a video content creator! Col: Hi James, thank you for joining me for this introductory interview. Please could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your role within the Assassin's Creed Community. James: Hi I’m James but most people know me as Topchef, I’ve always loved AC & I wanted to make content about it. I post news, tips and historical information videos about places and people, even events that happened at the time during AC games Col: In June 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 during the launch of the 2025 AC Community Fundraiser? James: I’m looking forward to working on the fundraiser , as blood cancer is a serious issue. I wanted to help do anything I can to raise awareness and support for the cause. Col: How excited are you for the future of Assassin's Creed? James: After playing and finishing Shadows, I’m very excited for the future of AC. I’ve loved Assassin's Creed since day one, and I love the lore and history that comes with it. I’m excited to see where they take the franchise next. Col: Which Assassin's Creed game have you been playing recently, and which game are you playing next? James: I recently played Shadows relentlessly and loved every second of it. I’m currently playing Assassin’s Creed III; was one of my favourite but after playing Shadows. I feel it’s lost the magic it once held. Col: Have you visited any of the locations from the games? James: I haven’t travelled much in my life, I’ve been to Big Ben and a few random locations in Valhalla but for my honeymoon we are planning an Italy trip; massively influenced by Ezio. Assassin's Creed Brotherhood capture by Gargudon Col: Which Assassin's Creed game is your favourite and why? James: Assassin’s Creed II will always be my favourite, it introduced us to the greatest assassin of all time. I feel it took what made AC1 so great and made it better. We had some of the best moments, the best protagonist & antagonist. It was truly a masterpiece. Col: Have you attended any events within the Assassin's Creed Community? James: I haven’t attended any events in the community but I would love to. AC has been a massive love of mine and would love to be apart of that. Col: Do you have a favourite Assassin's Creed community moment/story you would like to share? James: My favourite moment in the AC community is watching how everyone is treated & supportive of each other. On a personal level, as you know my daughter was recently in hospital for a serious condition & the community has been very supportive and it makes me happy to be a part of. Col: What would be your dream setting for the upcoming AC Netflix TV show or future game? James: I think we need to see more AC content on Netflix or in media in general but my dream setting for AC would be Scotland during the 1295-1328, I have written a plot and characters for this already. Scottish Assassin Cosplay by Caleb Allen, former member of the AC Partnership Program Col: Do you have any personal AC goals you would like to achieve? James: I would like to be more involved in creating content for TOWCB and really show my worth. Col: What would you say is your most significant community achievement to date? James: I would say joining TOWCB, I wanted to step into the AC space by trying to bring news and entertainment to people. So to be invited to join and be apart of such a great community and team is fantastic. Col: What is your favourite part of being a community member? James: My favourite part, it would have to be listening and sharing with fellow like minded individuals. We all have different strengths and weaknesses but we all support each other. Col: Do you collect AC merchandise? If so, what is your favourite item? James: I would like to start collecting more merchandise, like the statues but I do have some hidden blades. I have Ezio & Edward’s. Ezio’s hidden blade is stunning, even as a toy. Col: What advice do you have for people looking to get into content creation? James: Be consistent, find something you love and enjoy what you’re doing. Passion and joy will get you so far but consistency and patience will get you the rest of the way. And finally don’t worry about others opinions of you. Col: Where can our community members find you online? James: I’m on TikTok @topchef1288 where I spend most of my time and where the majority of my content is. I’m also on Twitter/X @ topchef1288 where I’m trying to post more. Finally I’m also on twitch topchef1288 there too, I am hoping to get back into streaming content as well. We would like to say a huge thank you to James for joining us for this interview. Keep an eye out for his content on his own personal channels (above), and also TOWCB social media platforms (below). comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author James is a video creator based in the UK who joined TOWCB's Video Content Creation Team in June 2025. James was brought onboard to help TOWCB with news coverage on TikTok, and creating a consistent Twitch streaming schedule. He is a big fan of the Assassin's Creed series who will be helping TOWCB grow in late 2025, with a particular focus on TikTok, Youtube and Instagram. By joining the partnership program, we aim to provide James with opportunities to grow and further his relationship with the AC Community and Ubisoft. James Davis (TopChef1288)

Assassin's Creed Shadows Stealth Article Breakdown Breakdown Share 21 Nov 2024 Written By: Edited By: UbiCypher (Joe) Colum Blackett Back To Database The first Assassin's Creed Shadows article has been released giving us insights on the game's stealth system and how it will apply to the world's environment, enemies and traversal, let's recap the article's highlights! It is abundantly clear that Assassin's Creed Shadows is focusing on stealth making it the prime element to play with in the world Ubisoft will make us explore on February 14th 2025, to the point of borrowing certain elements inspired by other IP's in their roster of games. 👁️ Observe 👁️ This new feature will allow Naoe and Yasuke to display additional information about their targets and environment on-screen as well as loot & collectible locations and quest objectives. It will be possible to pair it with a Synchronization Point to further analyse the area. 🦅Eagle Vision🦅 We know how it works, however, only Naoe will be able to access it hence why the Observe mechanic was developed in order to not undermine Yasuke's involvement in infiltration and exploration since these two mechanics work independently revealing different information for us. The Shinobi Art In the likes of Splinter Cell and Ghost Recon, for the first time in the Assassin's Creed Franchise we will see the addition of a feature that will allow us to hide in the shadows as well as create hiding spots by taking out light sources in order to covertly move around. ⛩️Crouching⛩️ They have cranked up the stealth penalties by having the guards extremely sensitive to your movement in order to force you to be thoughtful of your actions pushing you to the limit making the most of the overhauled stealth system allowing you to go prone outdoors and indoors. ⚔️Their Arsenal⚔️ Smoke bombs are making their return -although properly this time- as consumables rather than passive or active perks. We will be able to use throwable Shinobi Bells to distract enemies, Kunais to one-shot enemies with precision and Shurikens to create environmental distractions. ⛩️Hiding Spots⛩️ Given her size, Naoe can squeeze through tiny wall cracks, and she can hide inside small storage spaces and boxes to avoid detection as well as perform assassinations. Now, if you want to take down an enemy from a bush you'll have to manually grab them and drag them in with you. ⚠️Detection System⚠️ When spotted and breaking the enemies line of sight, they will remain in a constant state of alert and "suspicion" that will make them hard to lure into traps and hiding spots, actually, attempting to do so will result in a logical and straightforward reaction from them: spot you. ⛩️Enemy Archetype Reactions⛩️ Samurais won't be able to be One-shotted and will evade the area of effect produced by a smoke bomb, they can also deny your assassination attempt, this will be distinguishable when you'll see a red prompt over their heads meaning they can't be killed via the Hidden Blade. Ashigaru soldiers (weak enemies) are however, easily dispatched, the same goes for the Servants (Alarm Ringers). (It is important to note that Smoke Bombs can be used to disperse Samurai groups ought to engage in combat with you, allowing for a swift escape for Naoe). All in all, the Assassination system will be classified as follows: 🔴 Red for Assassination Denial. (Samurais & Elites). 🟡 Yellow for Assassinations that deal some damage. ⚪️White for Insta-kill Assassinations. ⛩️Stealth for Yasuke⛩️ While the whole article seemed to have centered around Naoe and her Shinobi mastery of assassination and traversal, Yasuke will also have some balanced attributes to level the playing field between the two, of course, keeping in mind that he will be mainly combat-oriented. When he uses his bow for example, Yasuke can deliver stealthy blows without ever needing to draw his katana if precise. He can even sneak behind enemies and assassinate them silently with an aggressive yet swift kill with his devastating arsenal blending close combat with stealth. This is it for now! Ubisoft will be releasing more information soon. Next up, they will drop yet another detailed article about Yasuke's role and gameplay. Stay tuned Assassins!🦅 Did you enjoy our breakdown? Check out the original thread on the Isu_Network X account! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author UbiCypher (Joe) is an Assassin's Creed Transmedia expert who worked as the Lead Admin for the Isu_Network social media team, providing consistent social media content in the form of Assassin's Creed lore trivia, puzzles and news coverage, spending countless hours researching the series and real history. In 2025, he stepped back from his social media duties to pursue other opportunities. UbiCypher (Joe)

Interview with Carlo Rota (Basim/Loki in Assassin's Creed Valhalla) Interview Share 30 Apr 2021 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We are proud to release our interview with Carlo Rota, who provided the voice and mo-cap performances for Basim and Loki in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. This is the fourth interview in our Valhalla series, covering the game with the cast and crew that brought it to life. Please note that this interview contains FULL SPOILERS for Assassin's Creed Valhalla Colum: Hi Carlo, thanks for joining us today! Please can you tell us a little bit about yourself, and your time working on the Assassin's Creed series. Carlo: Hello AC world and thank you Colum for the invitation to answer a few questions about this excellent game that Ubisoft has made. In looking over your questions I realize that this is a welcome chance for me to debrief myself about the amazing time that was spent being involved with Valhalla and all the talented individuals I was lucky enough to work with. My last day of physical work on the game was on Friday March 13th 2020. For most of us in N.America, that was the last day of normalcy before we stepped into the COVID whirlwind from which we are still to emerge. Here is to emerging soon!!! But in the meantime let me dive right in: So yes, I’m Carlo Rota and I’m an actor with quite an extensive and varied resume ( I’ve actually been in some really good projects and sad to say, maybe not so good ones…). I normally live in Los Angeles with my wife and kids which is where Ubisoft would shuttle me back and forth from to shoot and record the game in Montreal. I say normally, because at the time of writing, I am living as a refugee in Toronto. It's where my family and I escaped to, because we thought things were getting too hairy in LA and we wanted the kids to attend school, which have been open here. Of course I use the term refugee in a tongue in cheek way. I actually used to live in Toronto and yes, surprisingly to many, because I certainly don’t sound like it, I’m happily Canadian as well as American as well as a UKer. I am a total mixed bag culturally with major connections to Italy but grew up in a lot of different places that spanned from England to Hong Kong and many countries in between. If you presume that I am culturally confused you are entirely correct. Perhaps this is a cry for help?? Colum: Before working on the game, did you know much about the franchise? Carlo: The short answer is, no and full disclosure here, I have had scant gaming experience. Yes , I have played early versions of games like Doom and GTA and Uncharted but I hadn’t touched a gaming console in years. I haven’t even played another lovely Ubisoft project that I had a significant role in a few years back , Splinter Cell. Anyhow, everything changed the very first day I arrived at Ubisoft HQ, Montreal. Lead writer Darby McDevitt swooped down on his Irish educated wings and ensured I received a head spinning and rapid AC PHD. Not only did he introduce me to all the main players involved in making the game but he also gave me a super involved history of the Franchise with more detail and precision then my noob brain could possibly handle. Magnus (who plays the lead character of Eivor) and I had this running joke that when Darby spoke about the game he would always start by saying “Let me give you a quick five minute explanation about……” then an hour and a half later of detail upon story upon history, your head felt cudgeled and buffeted! Like you’d smoked something intensely psychedelic. ( not that Magnus or I would know of such things, we are, after all very innocent family men. Very innocent ). Essentially, what Darby was eloquently explaining was that Assassins Creed is SO much more than a game. The fact that the word Creed is in the name is very apt. Search the meaning of the word and you find…”a set of beliefs or aims which guide someones actions” This holds true not only for anyone playing the game but also for those making it. The AC world is so layered and textured and honoring that world is so vital to Darby and his colleagues it's practically a philosophy. The beauty of the game is also that if you only want to dip a toe in and play a super enjoyable TPS with killer artwork and action and not worry too much about the Isu thing then that’s amazing too. And speaking of which after my introductions and education at Ubisoft I was packed off back to my hotel with a copy of “Origins”. I played it in my room like I was possessed. You know, ordering room service and not washing for 48 hours. I think the hotel staff thought of me as some weirdo shut in. Fun! Colum: Have you had the time to play Assassin's Creed Valhalla since its release? Carlo: YES! I had to return to LA November last. I was asked to appear for my interview for my US citizenship and because of COVID you are asked to be in the country at least 2 weeks before the interview. So I holed up in a friends apartment in Venice and he had the game. What a blast! Loved seeing it all in its finished glory. The art and detail create a visual feast. Strange seeing Basim and hearing my voice. Certainly , Basim is more beautiful then me. Not much more!…. Joking. Basim is the man I’ve always wanted to be. Colum: How did you find the motion capture experience, and how does it compare to other methods of acting? Carlo: That's a great question. Motion Capture or MOCAP as it is called is both extremely liberating and a little bit confining at the same time. Liberating because performance can be freer without being too precious of camera angle and marks. MOCAP is all performed in the “Volume” (forgive if I'm repeating stuff you already know). The Volume is essentially a huge room with scaffolding that holds a “shitload” (official term) of cameras. These record the movement of those little white balls on our mocap suits. There are also handheld cameras that record more intricate stuff. Also, each performer wears a basket like headpiece with lights and cameras to record facial movements. So, essentially its like performing theatre in the round where the audience surrounds the stage. Your actions can also be bigger and more lifelike then the limited amount that’s allowed with close up camera work in TV or Film. Also when participating in mocap you can really live in your imagination. Like, BIG in your imagination. After all, the actors are not dressed in the clothes they will eventually be seen in, the props are rudimentary: spongy swords and styrofoam axes ( spoiler alert; the Staff of Eden was a glorified painted broom handle ). With the keen help of the extremely professional producers, directors and crew at Alice Productions where the game is shot, mocap can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. As far as the previously mentioned; "little bit confining", goes; that is almost exclusively related to the headpiece that you are forced to wear. I’m sure as technology continues to unfold this headpiece might become more user friendly but for now it can literally be a pain in the neck. It’s lights and cameras need incessant “fiddling”. I found myself constantly bashing into other actors with it thus causing a stoppage in shooting so that fiddling the cameras and lights back into proper position could occur. The headpiece also inhibits the touching of ones own face or head as well as getting too close to other actors faces which is sometimes necessary. In the scene where Loki is comforting his wolf son, my actors inclination was to kiss his head, like I would if I was comforting my own son. Not possible. Another example of living in ones imagination. Which, even as I write this, makes me smile at my own ridiculousness. After all, on the day we shot this scene my" wolf son “ was neither a wolf nor my son but a talented local actor who was lying on the ground in a mocap suit making remarkably lifelike injured wolf noises. Colum: Did filming during lockdown present any challenges? Carlo: We were lucky enough to have wrapped up filming by the time I left Montreal in March ’20. There was still substantial voice to be recorded which did present a challenge. Since it all had to be done remotely I tried several times to create a pro environment at home in LA to record but ultimately it was decided to choose a safe studio in LA that did a great job of providing safe and spectacular connectivity with Montreal for recording. Colum: Players are introduced to Basim early on in the game, and his true intentions remain a mystery until the very end. Did you do anything in particular with your voice to make the character come across as such an enigma, or was it mainly in the dialogue? Carlo: As you probably know, voicing a game makes up the majority of an actors work. The ratio of voice work to mocap is hundreds to one! The first day I attempted Basim was classic. I was lucky enough to work with Thor Bishopric, famous Montrealer and veteran voice director. It turned out that my first day was also his first day. We worked all day but since neither of us had a handle on Basim or how and why he delivered certain lines it was kind of like the blind leading the blind in a dress rehearsal. Needless to say, we repeated the first whole day after things had been explained by the likes Darby ( cue the psychedelics …). Finding Basim’s “voice” was a nuanced process and I have to thank Thor immensely. The trick was to not go too “Bad Guy” with him early on. In fact, having played my fair share of bad guys in TV and Film I have often argued for a more nuanced performance because I firmly believe that characters that have secrets and do underhanded things are far more interesting if you can relate to why they are doing what they are doing….Basim has a deeply, insanely hidden agenda. And his agenda is family driven. What can be more important than that?! Ok so his son was a wolf. Big deal. Surely everyone knows someone that has a child with Canid tendencies….but I digress... So to specifically answer your question, YES! Much thought was given to Basim’s enigmatic qualities. The fact that you ask the question gives cause too celebrate. Hopefully we achieved close to what we wanted to which was to have Basim float through the early parts of the game without having too big a label on him. He was the eponymous Assassin. May he rise again!! Colum: The campfire scene between Eivor and Basim has been deemed by many fans to be the best moment of the game, and one of the best cinematic moments in the entire franchise? Do you agree with this, and what are your memories of recording the scene? Carlo: This is such an amazing question (s). This was a beautifully written scene with great depths of story that percolates in the background. It also has what eludes so many scenes in the gaming world; a real conversation with emotion and backstory that teases something much bigger without hitting that thing on the head! It was also the first scene that I was shown assembled and I was blown away by it. I think everyone thought it was special from the get go. The fact that anyone else saw the beauty in the scene is super gratifying. Shooting the scene was a bit of a surprise because it was scheduled to be shot the following day but we were ahead of schedule so it was decided that we shoot it when neither Magnus nor myself was really 100% ready. Luckily Magnus, being the great actor that he is, was vey enthusiastic to work the dialogue so that it actually resembled a conversation. Again, imagination here was key because the scene was shoot in a corner of the Volume with super bright lights , me sitting on a box, Magnus leaning against some other box, me poking some styrofoam bricks that were supposed to be logs on fire….I think what we managed to achieve with the help of great direction from Laurent Bernier and Felix-Etienne Roque (our shepherds of mocap) was the feeling of a respectful relationship between these two characters sitting around a campfire. Its not an easy thing to achieve but I’m ever so glad its appreciated. Colum: Fans were quick to notice the similarities between Basim's robes, and Altair's from the original game. Do you like Basims Outfit, and do you think Ubisoft should add it in a future update so players can wear it? Carlo: Yes, I’m very happy with Basim’s style. Unlike, live action where an actor may have some input into his clothing , this is completely out of the actors sphere in a game like AC. That creative choice is made further top the line. I also noticed similarities between Altair’s garb and Basim’s but it was never mentioned to me if that was a creative choice or a fine coincidence. I thinks Basims outfit should be readily accessible. I’m going to be Basim for halloween next if returning to parties is ever going to be allowed !! Colum: Loki is the second character that you play in Valhalla, and true to his name, he's mischievous. What do you think is his ultimate end goal, and will there ever be an end to the pain he feels? Carlo: Even in a game as massive as AC Valhalla there is not enough space, not nearly enough narrative bandwidth to do Loki justice. Most people think of Loki as described in Marvel films. A morally compromised mischief maker. In Norse mythology Loki is so much more than that. He is so complex and plain old Norse interesting in his habits, sexuality, children and ability to move from form to form that by necessity to fit into any story ( that is not solely about him ) he needs to be condensed. A trippy headsspin is a simple Wikipedia search of Loki of Norse Mythology. When you get to the mention of Loki in the form of a mare being impregnated you’ll see what I mean. For AC Valhalla purposes, yes Loki is a cheeky bastard whose son happens to be a wolf. This fact, weird and barely covered in the game, is actually a HUGE motivating part of the Valhalla storyline. The name Wolfkissed is not a coincidence and Loki’s ultimate quest in the form of Basim ( I like to think of them as one character that evolves ) is payback! So to answer you question more specifically Loki wants vengeance , vengeance motivated by deep pain/loss. Will that ever go away? I think optimistically yes. As things evolve Loki/Basim could evolve…….though that pain was a mile deep motivator so it’ll have to be replaced by something equally compelling…... Basim looking in the Mirror by SophiaEA16 Colum: Have you seen any of the cosplay / fan art / projects inspired by Basim or Loki? Carlo: Absolutely love the stuff I’ve seen. Some of it is inspirational. In watching renditions of Basim/Female Eivor told with the slant of a love story or rather a lost love story I was blown away. It never occurred to me prior to seeing this and yet it makes so much sense regardless of wether its Female or Male Eivor. Love and hate are two sides of the same coin….. I should also say because I genuinely liked it so much and actually got the chills when I first saw it, Sophia’s "Basim looking in the Mirror" is wonderful. Colum: What would you say is the first step to getting into voice acting work, and how people prepare for it? Carlo: Practice practice practice. Get a decent mic and start recording yourself. Read from scripts or books or transcripts of ads. Don’t just mimic someone else’s read. Discover your own voice through practice. The microphone is a very interesting device. It records intent and emotion in ways that are not necessarily obvious. Voice lessons have some value but beware that voice work is an insanely crowded and competitive field and anyone who says their lessons will lead to voice work is probably not worth the money! For me, the voice work I am lucky to do is almost incidental to being an Actor. So really a truthful ( for me ) answer to your question is you prepare for voice work by becoming and actor and preparing as an actor. Colum: Other than Basim and Loki, who would you have liked to have voiced in the game? Carlo: Sorry for this short blunt reply but Basim/Loki file me. I couldn’t think who else I’d like to voice. Colum: If you could meet Basim in real life, what would you ask him? Carlo: I’d ask him what is it like to have such great hair and WHO cuts it??!! Joking, I’d ask him about the ability caused by and consequences of, fierce undying intent. Also , what wisdom must be acquired when you are aware of the incredible longevity of your existence. What a historian Basim must be! What things he must have seen! He’d make a fantastic interview, hell he’d be an entire awe inspiring jaw dropping documentary series! So many questions. Basim Explained : 40 Thousand years of wit and wisdom. Narrated by Carlo Rota……can’t wait! We would like to thank Carlo for joining us for this interview! Assassin's Creed Valhalla is available now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PC and Stadia. 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)

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: Feb 12th - Feb 18th 2022 Community Share 23 Feb 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the new weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week, we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 5) Raiding Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This week’s first capture comes from @KupOfGreenTea using the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture A stunning capture of Eivor’s longship docked at a raiding point in England. I love the stillness in this shot especially knowing the carnage that is likely happening behind the lens. The clouds coupled with the mist really make for a moody scene. The sun breaking through adds a warmth that makes this shot very picturesque. 4) Paradise Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Photo number two comes from @Helenthirty over on Twitter. A beautiful shot from Origins which really stood out. Most Origins landscape captures are of the desert so this one caught me out. I don’t actually remember the location from the game. I love the vibrant colours, the light blue sky with the thick white clouds really makes this shot pop. The ancient structure and the placements of the boats gives a real Odyssey feel. 3) Assassin’s Creed Game: Assassin’s Creed This week’s third shot comes from @RobRagiel over on Twitter. What a gem. I have not played this game since 2007. A true great that started it all. This capture really defines Assassin’s Creed. Altair on top of a building looking out across the city. The whites and greys so focal back then with the red of the Assassin standing out amongst the crowd. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young