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Assassin's Creed Shadows: One Week Later News Share 30 Mar 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database Assassin’s Creed Shadows has now been released worldwide for a week, and gamers across the globe finally have had their chances to experience this long awaited and heavily anticipated journey into Feudal Japan, a location that has been long requested for years, and now the gaming world finally gets the opportunity to experience Japan in the style of what any new Assassin’s Creed game offers. After two significant delays, first from its original release date in November of 2024, then to February this year, and delayed once more about a month later to March 20th, fans were more than ready to get to play Shadows and divulge themselves into a lengthy gaming experience, with countless hours of content put together in one game. Yasuke and Naoe in the Assassin's Creed Shadows TV Launch Trailer Shadows does a great job of showing the past life of Feudal Japan in its own unique way, the format gamers have known and loved for the last years, as Shadows has faced competition from a PlayStation made game from 2020 called Ghost of Tsushima , which focuses on a very similar time period, but it was created quite differently in terms of gameplay and similar in ways that were part of real Japan hundreds of years ago. The Samurai, Shinobi, and all the things that were common back then like wielding longswords known as Katana’s, which was the famed weapon of any Samurai. Shadows brought these historical elements into the game but added their own special touch that makes it a great Assassin’s Creed game overall. Shadows will also continue to face some steep competition after launch as PlayStation has recently announced that in some ways, Shadows ’ sole competitor, Ghost of Tsushima , will be getting a sequel called Ghost of Yotei , another journey to past Japan, which is due to release later this year in 2025, so Shadows eventual post-launch content needs to be a worthy rival of soon to be smash hit Ghost of Yotei if they are to both coexist while performing strong in their own respective categories. The new dual protagonist feature Ubisoft has implemented into Assassin’s Creed Shadows has proven to be a successful and smart move by the developers, as the ability to switch between characters at anytime during the game was a fan-favorite approach that was only briefly featured in 2015’s Assassin’s Creed Syndicate and was short lived, appearing in just the one game, but it remained a beloved feature, so bringing this option back to play between two characters instead of choosing a male or female protagonist at the beginning of the game was a good strategy from the developers at Ubisoft Quebec that has clearly worked out thus far. It is creatively unique that the main characters, Naoe and Yasuke, both have immensely different strengths, as Naoe is a great option for stealth and speed, where as Yasuke is a brute force combat expert, but Ubisoft has made it possible that given how different each character is, the mission can still be completed regardless of who you choose to play as for the designated objective. It seems like a tough task to have both protagonists with different skill sets, can both do missions equally as well, regardless of the choice you pick, but Ubisoft aced their approach in creating this new and improved dual-protagonist system. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed Shadows via Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed Shadows has also succeeded on the technical side of things. Through graphics comparisons, looking at each platform side by side, it is evident to see how each game was crafted for the different platforms, sometimes all with different levels of overall power. For example, on the base high end consoles, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the game runs excellent and was perfectly optimized for both consoles that are likewise equal in internal power levels. You can notice a difference in the less powerful devices too, as for the Xbox Series S and lower end gaming PC’s, the game has had to make graphical sacrifices to perform well on these platforms that lack the pure horsepower that the higher end devices have. But Ubisoft has still managed to optimize and make Shadows run well even with lesser power platforms. Another difference is the very high end systems, such as the PS5 Pro, which is Sony’s high end PlayStation 5 console and also compares well to high end gaming PC’s, where there is a clear visible difference even standing beside the base new-gen gaming consoles, the PS5 Pro has easily visible graphical improvements to the base PS5, even considering the original PS5 is a very powerful console. Ubisoft took their time perfectly optimizing the game so that you get a great experience no matter where you play. The hype of Assassin’s Creed Shadows remains high, as the game is just entering its first full week after release. There is lots still to be explored in this game, both with upcoming post-launch content and future updates that the game may receive. It is evident the gaming community and all Assassin’s Creed fans can be glad with the so far very successful launch last week, and excitement further of what's to come. The new life of Assassin’s Creed Shadows has only just begun, and the fans clearly cannot wait to see how the next months into the games life cycle continues. Assassin's Creed Shadows is available now comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. In 2025, Hayden took on the position of Team Leader for TOWCB's Writing Team, overseeing article releases, assisting with recruitment and providing assistance with internal operations. Hayden Bird

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

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 20th to 26th February Community Share 28 Feb 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed In Plain Sight Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Jakeste66386991 We start this week's showcase with an absolute cracker from Jakester. This shot is all about depth of field and how it highlights the Ezio outfit perfectly. I am definitely getting Brotherhood vibes from this photo. I am always impressed when people can capture the spirit of the old games within the newer ones. Thank you Ubisoft for adding the legacy outfits. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: Judge - Michael Doyle This capture has immortalised what it means to be an assassin, hidden in plain sight, yet with an elegance that stands out beyond the crowd around them. I also get a great sense of nostagla towards the original AC in this shot. Bayek appears ancient and wise, which is unique as this was taken early in Bayek’s life before the brotherhood truly began. The Master Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ reephto This shot was titled "The Master'' and I can't argue with that, In fact, I would say this capture is masterful in itself. For me this photo epitomises the Assassin's and what they stand for. I love that Bayek is in the Hidden Ones outfit, and that stunning shadow across his face/hood symbolises the Creed impeccably. Bayek's beard looks so detailed too, is this really a 2017 game? Ready for Battle Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Nxthxn_Turner18 Next up we have Varin's axe in full view. This axe should be more famous than in is, the details are so impressive. The positioning of this shot is what drew me to it. I like how the depth of field highlights the axe and the hidden blade. You can see Eivor is ready for a fight, and that light forking down in front of her is really something. Saxon Slayer Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ PodToGo I may have some bias to this shot. When you like the hairstyle, armour, and the portrait style, all you can do is feature it. I am in awe of how good this capture looks; I feel like the metal on the outfit just glints in this style. I am definitely going to try this myself now, especially as the Huldufolk set is my favourite. A perfect photo for a Thorsday entry. Fallen Hero Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Platform: PS4 VP Artist: @ _TFoU_ The final shot of the week blends Viking and Isu to give off a real science fiction vibe. I don't usually use these outfits and weapons, but I have to admit it does look cool. The film grain style adds a real sense of grandeur. I love the combo of Fallen Hero, Excalibur, and the band around the eyes. Checkout the link for an awesome close up of Eivor. Link: https://twitter.com/_tfou_/status/1629937557076316160?s=46&t=ouVXsSaqJFul6_HVXb9RLg 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 (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest Guest Mar 01, 2023 Awesome captures everyone!!! 🤗 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

In March 2025, Serajeddine joined TOWCB's Art Team just before the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows, in a bid to re-energise the team with new ideas and projects. He is a digital and traditional artist with a special ink style, often resembling comic books, something which we have been searching for to bring something different to our content. Throughout 2025, Serajeddine worked be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects which range from creating art for fundraising to live art creation watch-alongs! By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aimed to boost his profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. Seraj left the team in October 2025 due to a change in personal circumstances. Previous Next Serajeddine Art Team Previous Partner In March 2025, Serajeddine joined TOWCB's Art Team just before the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows, in a bid to re-energise the team with new ideas and projects. He is a digital and traditional artist with a special ink style, often resembling comic books, something which we have been searching for to bring something different to our content. Throughout 2025, Serajeddine worked be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects which range from creating art for fundraising to live art creation watch-alongs! By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aimed to boost his profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. Seraj left the team in October 2025 due to a change in personal circumstances. Twitter Work

The Ones Who Came Before - 2024 Highlights Community Share 22 Dec 2024 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) TOWCB Team Back To Database 2024 has been a big year for us here at The Ones Who Came Before. We celebrated our 10th anniversary, launched a wide variety of landmark projects - analytical breakdowns, photography, interviews and more - welcomed a number of new content creators to our team, as well as numerous new followers to our site, continuing to become one of the leading platforms for everything Assassin’s Creed. With the year slowly coming to an end, let us look back at some of the highlights and most recognised projects of ours from throughout the year! Thanks to all of our followers for supporting us yet another full year! We look forward to releasing more content on everything AC in 2025, and hope to see all of you stick around for it! 10th Anniversary of The Ones Who Came Before First and foremost, let’s reminisce on our site celebrating its 10th anniversary this recent August. From founder Colum , then only a kid, starting it as a place merely to share cool AC theories with next to no followers, to first being recognised by Ubisoft, becoming a three-man, then the 25+ members team we are today and 60K+ followers later, our site has certainly seen its share of growth and expansion, becoming one of the top Assassin’s Creed fan communities out there. To go with this massive milestone, we also released an array of special content and projects, from a golden version of our logo inspired by the AC15 aesthetic, highlight reels, interviews with high profile community icons and more. Interview with Jesper Kyd & Assassin’s Creed II Soundtrack Covers As part of our 10th anniversary content schedule, we had the opportunity and honour of sitting down with Mr. Jesper Kyd for a chat - the legendary composer behind the iconic soundtracks of Assassin’s Creed 1, The Ezio Trilogy and Valhalla - talking everything from Jesper’s journey in games composing, writing, production and sound design, musical influences and much more! To suitably go with this landmark interview, we also cooked up covers of a number of favourite tracks of ours of Jesper’s from the legendary Assassin’s Creed II soundtrack, among others the iconic Flight Over Venice. Create our versions of these tracks, sticking as true as possible to the originals, while also adding our own unique twists and elements. Full interview with Jesper plus covers of all tracks are up on our YouTube channel! The Meaning Of Edward Kenway’s Tattoos Early on in the year, at last properly relaunching our video venture which we are only looking to further grow and expand, kicking things off was the analysis of the meaning of the legendary pirate trained by Assassins Edward Kenway’s iconic tattoos. The analytical deep dive, turned out one of our best video successes to date on our growing YouTube channel with a couple thousand views, and had viewers getting good discussions started about their thoughts on the subject. What are your thoughts on Captain Kenway’s vast ink collection and the meaning behind the individual pieces? Make sure to let us know and to check out the full analysis available on our channel! East Again, Original Musical Fan Theme Inspired by Assassin’s Creed Mirage In the beginning of the year, following our entry into the world of music with our 2023 project Sounds Of History - an original instrumental EP featuring five tracks inspired by five different games - the brains behind that Gargudon cooked up another track, dedicated to AC Mirage, the three and half minute ambient and action packed fan theme East Again. From starting out on a slower, ambient section perfectly suited for stealth gameplay, then exploding into a louder section towards the end fit for fight, fusing electronic, Metal and traditional Eastern sounds and melodies, this track received praise from community members and was a blast to create! The track is available wherever music is streamed, as well as on our YouTube channel accompanied by an ambient visualiser. Links to listen on Apple Music & Spotify via our LinkTree. Virtual Photography Community & Contest Judged by Magnus Bruun As in-game photography has evolved heavily in gaming overall and Assassin’s Creed specifically with the years, so has a number of online communities dedicated to players sharing their incredible captures, including ours over on X. Run by our incredible photography team, our community passed 1000 members in the summer. Additionally we have hosted a number of photography contests, each with their unique theme, inviting our followers to share their best shots, one of the latest ones to be guest judged by Eïvor himself, Magnus Bruun. Every one has been nothing short of incredible entries, every shot leaving us mesmerised! Thank you to everyone who have joined our photography community thus far, and make sure to do so if you haven’t yet! We look forward to more talent joining and contests in the new year, and till then, keep tagging us in your best shots on X and Instagram @acfirstciv from across the games! Join our virtual photography community on X . AC Community Tattoos Showcase As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations, we asked our followers with such, to share a picture of their Assassin’s Creed themed tattoos with us, for a showcase compilation of the ink found among the community’s members. Featured were community members and fans @djdelange, @ rick_sama , @ valorianru , @ kells_creed , @ kendo_messiah , @ hangmanshand, as well as long-time community member Dave Woodward and his iconic collection, and Gargudon and ActualSpider-Man from our team. We would love to see more of the incredible Assassin’s Creed tattoos found on fans out there and do a part two to this showcase. Do you have any ink inspired by the franchise? Send it to us on one of our socials and we’ll feature it next! Assassin’s Creed Shadows Reveal + Code Breaking One of the major highlights in Assassin’s Creed this year, was of course the official reveal of of the next instalment in the franchise, with what formerly known as Codename Red officially becoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows, at last heading to a fan favourite location over many years, 16th century Feudal Japan. Leading up to the reveal in the last days before, Ubisoft also shared mystic encoded messages, as well as clues and character graphs that might aid those capable of decoding them, and as it happens, we were one of the first to do so, thanks to the incredible codebreakers joining our team. This reveal overall got us working on and putting out a series of Shadows related content, from fanart, custom wallpapers, analytical breakdown videos and more. More content on the game will of course only keep coming leading up to the February release, among other things including our teased original fan theme The Wind Between The Cherry Trees inspired by the game. New Additions to the TOWCB Team And last but not least, throughout the year we of course also welcomed a number of new talented and passionate AC content creators to our ever growing and evolving team, from writers, streamers, video creators, platform managers and more. On the video oriented front, the addition of SisterlyThrower has seen our growing video venture further taking off, with among other things analytical breakdowns and unique psychological analysis of key AC characters. We also welcomed shorts and skits creator Calvin, as well as streamer Laura Jung, who successfully executed our first community stream on Twitch, playing Valhalla while brilliantly cosplaying as Eïvor. Our writing team welcomed codebreaker Edenoi, who was key in solving the coded AC Shadows messages, and it also welcomed back Hayden Bird , a writer who originally joined us in 2020 but had to depart, but is now back with us in style as an article writer. Our latest additions, Zephryss and Renzo, have also brilliantly helped mange our social media platforms and content. We look forward to even further building our team in the new year, and we want you on it! Are you passionate about AC with a knack for writing, streaming, video creation, art or social media managing? Get in touch with us and we’ll take you into consideration, we are excited to hear from you! And that more or less sums it up for the best and most significant highlights for us here at The Ones Who Came Before in 2024. The year is of course not fully over just yet, and we still have bits and pieces of content we are excited to share before the new year. Once again, thanks to everyone one of our followers for supporting us throughout the year! We look forward to welcoming new followers and team members, and continuously creating and sharing an array of cool new exclusive content on everything Assassin’s Creed in 2025. Merry Christmas, happy holidays and new year Assassins! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016, but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews & composing. By joining The Ones Who Came Before in 2019, originally reviving 'The Memory Corridor' podcast, which had been offline for nearly a year, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further develop his skills.

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

John Wick Temporized Breakdown Share 3 Aug 2023 Written By: Edited By: ActualSpider-Man Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to another Assassin's Creed deep dive, this time covering the John Wick film series! In this extensive 316 page breakdown, ActualSpider-Man from the Isu Network Writing Team analyses the similarities between the John Wick franchise and Assassin's Creed! We hope that you find this comprehensive research inciteful! John Wick _ Temporized .pdf Download PDF • 227.28MB Warning: Document is 227mbs Released June 2023: ''With the fourth and (we all know it’s not) “final” Chapter of the John Wick series about to hit home collections, it’s my pleasure to present the most thorough timeline of events you’ll likely ever find! Beginning with my need to know more on the Blood Marker’s back sporting a connection to Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, I’ve spent the last couple months compiling factoids and context that is notoriously slathered in mystery, and I’ve attempted to give us as many interesting insights pulled from the intricately esoteric web of intrigue the series of John Wick speaks to. Stripping all the named players in The High Table’s Assassins, and highlighting the rules and dealings behind their shadow economy, you’ll then be dipping your pinkie into the “Temporized” timeline using all kinds of cited sources that allude to the larger world, laid bare for others to connect. It includes all 4 films entirely scripted, the 2 official spin-off games and John Wick’s Payday outings, the John Wick: Book of Rules comic run teasers/explanation, all we know on the unreleased Continental mini series and Ballerina film, and a few theoretical connections! I did try to stick to strictly charting the cars and weapons John himself interacts with, as the doc is already sizable, but there’s a few really cool things I’m dying to point out here for those that think they’ve seen it all: I’ve fully timed 1-4 down to the minute if shown, and found a never-before-seen tidbit in John Wick Chronicles that tells that little bit more about the femme fatale, Ms. Perkins… then we get into the connections to The Package (2013) and Nobody (2021), with all Administrative documents meticulously pulled apart too, revealing all kinds of missable timeable facts that even the fandom Wiki doesn’t chart! (Not even mentioning there’s no timeline in sight on there, either!) All this and more awaits inside these 316pgs of High Table secrets. I have served. I will be of service. Now it’s your choice. And by all means, if there’s anything I’m missing that you’d like to see covered, do share so I can better refine this in the future! [For anyone hoping to download this doc for later reference, it’s absolutely free, using password zàrhomi , be sure to use the à! A relic of my other Temporizing endeavor, meaning “I am permitted” in Assassin’s Creed’s Isu language! ;)] Your Friendly High Table Assassin'' comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Author of the all-encompassing timeline, Codex Temporis, and the Isu-to-English dictionary, Codex Transferendum, Your Friendly Neighborhood Mentor is here to help unweave the confusing web of AC! ActualSpider-Man

Q&A with Nadia Verrucci Interview Share 10 Jun 2017 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Our Admin Col_96 and several Assassin's Creed Community Members had the opportunity to ask Nadia Verrucci questions on her Assassin's Creed experience. (Voice of Juno, Teodora Cobntano and Dilara in Assassin's Creed) Col: Hey Nadia, thanks for joining us today! Before we get started with the Q&A, could you tell us a bit about your work for Assassin’s Creed? Nadia: My work with Assassin's Creed has been very fun! I went in to audition for Sister Teodora, and then I didn't hear back for quite awhile so it was a really nice surprise when I landed the role. I thought an Assassin/Nun/Brothel Owner was a pretty kick-ass part! Somehow, that role segued into voicing Juno...I can't remember an actual audition for that, so I'm not sure if I went in or if it was just offered. I have a terrible memory! And of course, playing Juno has been so fun, I love that people have such different opinions and responses to her character. Col: Juno was first introduced in Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, when she spoke with Desmond Miles. Since then, she has appeared in nearly every Assassin’s Creed Game. What do you like about playing Juno? What attracted you to her? Nadia: I love that Juno is a complicated character. I know that she's a main villain in the series but she's not a cardboard cutout baddie. She's definitely a manipulator - she has a goal and she'll do what she needs to do to achieve it. But what she went through with Aita allowed us to see a different side of her, which I think makes her so much more interesting to watch and portray. Col: How much editing is required to make Juno’s voice sound the way it does? Nadia: To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what they do in the studio once I'm done voicing. As far as I can tell, there's an echo added to varying degrees and (in later games) whatever effects they need to make her voice sound like it's coming through the wires/equipment. But it definitely sounds like my own voice underneath all that! Col: How many of the Assassin’s Creed Games have you played? Nadia: I've watched a lot of the cutscenes, and I've even watched some videos of other people making their way through various games, but I've never actually played one the games myself! Col: Did you see the Assassin’s Creed Movie. If so, what did you think of it? Nadia: Oh boy, everyone asks me that question and honestly, I felt a bit lukewarm about it. I thought it started off quite interestingly, but there was a "glossing over" of characters and storyline that I didn't enjoy. The look of the movie was great, though; the action and parkour was pretty amazing. Col: Juno was recently revealed on the Cover of Assassin’s Creed: Uprising #6 . Have you read any of the Titan Comics? Nadia: Someone else mentioned that to me recently so of course I went online to check it out! It's a pretty nice cover, I quite liked it. I've never been into comic books in general, but I think I'm actually going to pick a few up and give them a try; I love to read and having recently met many artists at the Utica Comicon, I have a new appreciation for the work that goes into creating them. So get back to me in a few months and I'll tell you what I thought of them! Community Questions Claudio Canfora: What is your opinion of the evolution of Juno through the differents games and other media platforms? Nadia: I'm not sure where Juno has appeared on other media platforms, other than perhaps the comics. As far as I know she doesn't appear in any of the short films, but never having seen them I'm not 100% sure. As for her evolution throughout the games, I feel like she was given a really great back story that not only helped make the FC storyline clear, but allowed her to be a nicely fleshed out character. She has been relegated to The Grey to try to regain strength, so now I'm just hoping she can break out and take over the world!! ;) Pan Demonium: How do you prepare for your voice acting role? Do you play the games or just watch gameplay, footage etc? Nadia: When I go into the studio there's only the text to work off of. I can't remember every game situation, but I think there have been times when I received the script in advance and instances when I didn't, but in the latter case it would've been just to record a few lines. Oftentimes while I'm recording they'll do what's called "performance capture", which is like motion capture but just for your face, so they'll use that later to help create Juno’s scenes. From one game to the next it can quite awhile, so I just go back to review where we left off in terms of her storyline, so that I can get back into the swing of it. Sorrosyss : Did anything directly inspire your voice for Juno? Nadia: I didn't really have any kind of reference point for Juno before I started voicing her, so I really went off of her text at the beginning. And of course, the writers and voice directors have input, too! I felt like the spirit of her character came pretty easily, I just played around with the best way to place my voice. I ended up pitching a bit lower, since I felt that sounded more grounded and commanding, and smoothed it out a bit for a more mysterious and hypnotic feel. I hope that comes across! Special Thanks to Nadia for taking part in the Q+A, and to everyone who sent in a question. You can find Nadia on: Instagram comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Assassin's Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji Wallpaper Collection Community Share 30 Sept 2025 Written By: Edited By: Frame Hold Photography TOWCB Team Back To Database We're pleased to reveal the Assassin's Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji wallpaper collection by Frame Hold Photography from TOWCB Core Team! Each wallpaper has two versions, clean or text, which can be downloaded and used as a phone wallpaper. Let us know in the comments which one is your new phone wallpaper! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Frame Hold Photography is a passionate Virtual Photographer who joined our Video Content Creation Team in Summer 2022, as we began our efforts to break away from solely written content. During a period of uncertainty for TOWCB website, FHP stepped up and took on the role of Site Manager, overseeing our restoration efforts. Our website today now sits at the top of many Google searches📈 Outside of AC, she is also a full time editor and visual effects artist on TV commercials, and has been putting her skills to use in the community by creating epic Assassin's Creed tribute videos, miniature figure painting videos and editing episodes of our Rally the Creed podcast! Frame Hold Photography

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 Odyssey: Greek Glory Breakdown Share 24 Jun 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database When Assassin’s Creed Odyssey launched worldwide in October of 2018, many fans and gamers alike were eager to see how the developers at Ubisoft would take the franchise next after a major series reboot began with the previous game, Origins. 2017’s Assassin’s Creed Origins was a major success for Ubisoft and served as a solid and necessary rethinking of the overall franchise. The series was in dire need of something new after the financial disappointment of 2015’s Assassin’s Creed Syndicate which was a direct fan response after many gamers starting feeling that the series itself had run its course after a near decade of its existence, and was badly needing fresh and new life into it. Ubisoft followed the path of a full reboot and after the positive reception from both critics and fans of Assassin’s Creed Origins , Ubisoft had serious momentum heading into 2018. Promo image for Assassin's Creed Odyssey showing Alexios Before the announcement of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey , fans were not even expecting a new game in the series that year as Ubisoft pointed out the need to pause their old strategy of annual installments, as they released a new Assassin’s Creed game every year since 2008 at the time. The series took a full year off before Origins released, and many fans expected much of the same, a quiet 2018 with a potential release the year after. Ubisoft surprised fans at E3 2018 by announcing Odyssey . Fans were very excited to finally be able to explore the heavily requested historical location of Ancient Greece. Odyssey was set to build upon everything that was great and loved with Origins . The fan feedback was positive of the reboot with new RPG style gameplay elements and more advanced character customization than previous games experienced. Ubisoft set themselves up in a good position to deliver with Odyssey and clearly understood they simply had to expand on what everyone enjoyed with its predecessor rather than changing up the format too much again. Ubisoft was in prime position to capitalize on their own success, and they did just that. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey was also a significant first in the series. The ability to choose a character to play as. Ubisoft tried this idea in 2015 with Assassin’s Creed Syndicate by allowing players to switch between a male and female character, but this was the first time you could play as your chosen protagonist for the entire game. Odyssey also allowed gamers to play as a female protagonist for the very first time. The character, named Kassandra, was the fan favorite amongst the pair, while the second playable character was a male named Alexios. The story of the game made it so you choose your own character, but the character you do not select still plays a significant part in the game itself, that way no character is being forgotten. Players also loved the option to choose your own dialogue responses in game. It took the RPG side of the game to a whole new level, as the game before, Origins , did not have an option to select a variety of dialogue choices and featured a single male protagonist, whereas Odyssey switched things up and gave players their own freedom to choose a character of their liking. So, Seeing these big changes for the first time really excited fans all around the world. Promo image for Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018) showing the Cult of Cosmos Assassin’s Creed Odyssey also took different parts of their game and made them bigger and better than before. The game's map was larger than that of any prior game in the Assassin’s Creed series, by quite a lot as well. The map was measured to its full length at 250 square kilometers. A good example of how big this map really was is that if, in game, you made your way through the map from end to end, it would take you two full hours to make it across. The map was unique and was full of famous Greek islands and the many spots of ocean which is known as the Mediterranean Sea in Greece. In the game, the player could earn and acquire a ship to sail across the many plots of the ocean spread out across the map, making traversing the playable area a lot faster and smoother. The fan feedback of this large map was mostly positive, as some loved having such a massive area of land and sea to explore, while others argued the time spent travelling across the map to your different quest objectives got exhausting and they’d rather be able to quickly maneuver the map. But overall, the idea and reality of such a large playable area was appreciated by the fans. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey had many great parts to not only its story, but gameplay as well, but one area of the games fans enjoyed a lot was the DLC, short for downloadable content, that was released and added onto the games story ending. The DLC story arcs were split into chapters where one chapter would be released at a time and fans would have to wait to continue their adventure until the time the next chapter released. The story DLCs were very admired by fans who spent the extra money on the game's season pass in order to get access to these missions. The DLC features two main storylines that were each split up into three chapters. The DLCs were called ‘Legacy of the First Blade’ which told the story of how the famous and iconic signature weapon used by the Assassins in the series that was known as the hidden blade, came to be in the world. The second DLC was called ‘The Fate of Atlantis’ which focused around the fabled underwater kingdom of Atlantis. Both of these expansions were well received and offered the players additional hours of new gameplay after the completion of the main story. Promo image for 'Legacy of the First Blade' The season pass of the game also offered an incentive for fans to spend the extra money on it as it offered a remaster of the 2012 game Assassin’s Creed III along with the standalone expansion, Liberation . The remaster and expansion were later offered as a separate purchase outside the season pass, but it goes to show how much content Ubisoft packed into these DLCs. Two major story expansions along with a remaster of a fan-favorite game in the series. It was a serious payoff for fans who spent the extra money to get access to these great additions to the game. Ubisoft put all their effort into not only the game, but the future of it and player experience post-launch. It is safe to say that Assassin’s Creed Odyssey was a very strong follow-up to a massively successful series reboot. Ubisoft took the correct path by building off the momentum they created a year before, but to still add new things and different changes that were fresh to gamers and made it a worthy journey into Ancient Greece. Ubisoft played their cards right in trying to continue to satisfy longtime fans, but to also introduce new players who could’ve been unfamiliar with the series, and Odyssey was their first experience in the franchise. It catered to all fans both new and returning. Odyssey will certainly be remembered for a long time, as it set the bar high for similar games and the Assassin’s Creed series as a whole. It managed to please fans who were looking to enjoy more of what its predecessor offered, but also include unique elements that made it feel like a true and full mainline Assassin’s Creed game that it certainly was. Kassandra in Assassin's Cred Odyssey (2018) comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. In 2025, Hayden took on the position of Team Leader for TOWCB's Writing Team, overseeing article releases, assisting with recruitment and providing assistance with internal operations. Hayden Bird

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 11th to 17th September Community Share 19 Sept 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: ACGrey Queen Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ playpausephoto “Eudoros was a member of the Order of the Ancients, they are responsible for my exile. They tore me from my throne.” Cleopatra was the last pharaoh of Egypt. Her authoritative presence in Assassin’s Creed Origins serves the story well. When you first meet her you would not expect the downfall that is to come. I did enjoy learning more about her in the Origins graphic novel, and how pivotal Aya is to the events. This majestic capture epitomises her so well, with the bright white blending beautifully with her dress. I love the composition too, it is giving off real hero vibes. A black and white shot really does tell the story of a character who isn’t all bad and just falls in with the wrong crowd. Raven Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ G_Assassin90 “The eyes of Odin are everywhere” The bird companion is now a staple of the series and the obvious choice for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was a Raven. Odin has such a huge roll in Valhalla and his Ravens are famous in Norse mythology. Synin replaces Muninn and has links to Baldr and we all know his role in this saga. The Feigr skin used in this capture works perfectly with the theme. I love how the black feathers are amplified by the colour scheme and the bones attached to her really pop. The hovering pose is classic and really gives off a foreboding feel. Link to Set: Streets Game: Assassin’s Creed Unity VP Artist: @ astroghost001 “Only we can decide whether the road we walk carries too high a toll.” Assassin’s Creed Unity will always be one of my favourite games. Having Paris as a huge sandbox filled with life just felt so incredible. The murder mystery style suited the time period and having Arno searching Paris for clues to his father’s death never disappointed. This capture showcases the level of detail applied to the game. There are so many things like this dotted around Paris and they all add to the experience. The depth of field here is working a treat to focus you in on the sunshades, which in turn look marvellous in the black and white theme. A real vintage style capture that fits the time period perfectly. Link to Set: Odin Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Cll3ar “What do you think you know of godhood? In your lifetime has anyone ever worshipped you?” Odin, the All-Father or Havi in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a critical character throughout the story. Eivor is a reincarnation of Odin but not as we know it, with the story leaning more into the Isu side of things. This capture really does give off Havi vibes with the dark hood and cloak, mixed with that impressive looking beard. I love how we cannot see the eyes but we know they are watching us. There is such an eerie feel to this shot intensified by the colour scheme and those trees which are framing this capture exceptionally. Link to Set: Leader Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ KeenEyeVP “Leave me now and you are nothing” The longship in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a critical means of travel throughout Eivor’s journey in England. Eivor and her crew can raid locations throughout the game to gain wealth and glory. The best part of the ship is the stylised figureheads. This capture does a fantastic job at showcasing this. That Eagle figurehead looks so badass, but also represents the Creed, making it an excellent choice for the longship. Eivor’s position here though is the winner, the torch adding just enough light to show little details on both the ship and Eivor. A truly remarkable capture that exudes class. Link to Set: The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge : @ TuridTorkill ''I can't help but call this a money shot. The composition, pose, depth of field, lighting and contrast are just perfect. One can see the experience and effort behind the picture, and instant favourite this week.'' And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 5th to 15th February 2024 Community Share 21 Feb 2024 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett 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 is all about celebrating our 100th article. It has been an absolute honour to feature all your shots over the last 2 years. The collection below is a small selection of our favourites from the last few weeks, with write ups from the artists. We look forward to many more articles in the future. 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. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed 100th Article All Father Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Cll3ar The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Theme ''When it comes to virtual photography, I aim to bring creativity and artistry to every shot. I enjoy capturing everything from dark, moody scenes to vibrant magical moments. Take for example this shot of Eivor (Havi) emerging from the red leaves left behind by a fallen enemy. I’ve been a fan of Assassin’s Creed for ages, and the photo mode features in the latest games have been a real game-changer for me. Allowing me to freeze moments and tell stories through my lens. The Assassin’s Creed community has been awesome, giving me the opportunity to showcase my work in articles and virtual photography magazines early on. This support has meant the world to me. Big thanks to everyone for letting me share my world with you.'' Judge: Admin Team Aaron ( FalconSwift87 ) “The realm is changed. But this is not Surtr’s doing. It is something more.” Assassin’s Creed Valhalla boasts a considerable section dedicated to Havi. When entering these mythical worlds, photography options become a lot more varied. On reflection I cannot wait to revisit them soon. This stunning landscape shot of Havi gives me real box art vibes, in fact it isn’t too dissimilar to what Ubisoft produced. I adore Havi stance as it shows him in pain, something he must endure a lot of during the Ragnarok DLC. The cold tones in the background fit beautifully with the Norse theme, reminding me of the Norway arc. I love the red leaves; they look so graceful fluttering up behind him. The remains of an enemy put to the sword by the High One. Turið Torkilsdóttir Raven has a distinctive way of utilizing the environment of a game. She combines pleasant colours and interesting scenery to create something unique every time. This photo is the best proof of it and well deserved first place. Kai ( KaiVirtualPhoto ) I’m a fan of Raven and her work with colours, and this shot makes no exception. I love the contrast between the red leaves in the foreground and the white/blue tones in the background. Eivor passing by with his eyes covered by shadows, as well as the cinematic aspect ratio, make for a magnificent picture and composition. Congratulations Raven. Jack ( _Virtualtourism ) Raven’s distinct style and perspective consistently yields stunning virtual photography across various games. In this image her talent shines through in her ability to convey motion within the image. The sense of Eivor traversing the scene is heightened not only by a great composition but also the vibrant red leaves, which are drifting through the scene, and helped by being excellently contrasted against the cold blue backdrop. Truly a breath-taking capture. Church Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ PodToGo ''Hi, I’m Payableondeath from Germany and I’ve been doing VP since 2015. I started just taking screenshots for me and my friends, but from 2017 with Horizon Zero Dawn, I discovered photo mode. I was impressed by everything I could do that couldn’t be done in real life photography, such as pausing the action and moving the camera or changing the time of day. I’ve loved challenging my creativity again and again. I got to know Assassin’s Creed back then with AC2. It picked me up during a difficult time and that’s not the only reason why it has a place in my heart. Assassin’s Creed also showed me to be open to foreign cultures and people. It is great to share my passion for both, with this wonderful community.'' Viewpoint Game: Assassin’s Creed Syndicate VP Artist: @ juanmawl ''I remember the exact moment I took this shot (along with others in that location). I was particularly fond of the WW1 sequence in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. I was experimenting with a free roam injector for the PC version of the game. I loved the colours on the horizon, and I decided to place Lydia at the top of London Bridge. I tried some unusual angles, but I think the shot turned out beautifully overall. I love virtual photography in general and Assassin’s Creed in particular because it allows me to capture the details beneath the visuals, such as short angle shots, expressions, or the tranquillity of a landscape. There is so much difference between the gameplay shot and the final outcome. That is one of the things I love the most, comparing the two. I’ve been honing my photography skills since AC3, and shots like this one make me fee proud.'' Restricted Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: Siobhan from AC UK (@ mysticheero ) ''I’m a big Assassin’s Creed fan. I am part of the Assassin’s Creed United Kingdom group and former Mentor and Star Player for Ubisoft. I enjoy virtual photography and exploring the world of gaming through it, capturing scenes I find amazing and inspiring. I love discovering how changing colours, focal points and angles alters our perception of an image. Strong colours stand out and impact the emotion of a scene but, equally the lack of colour can have just as powerful effect. Assassin’s Creed has something for everyone, across all its transmedia sources. The community is a great place to express our love from different viewpoints. It’s always great seeing the community come together to share their passions, supporting and inspiring each other to be part of such an inclusive community.'' Under the Sea Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ RaffGN7 ''This shot was a little difficult to take. I had to centre Eivor with the ship, and Eivor needed to be closer to the camera because of the photo mode restrictions. I took some shots, and this was the one that turned out best. Obviously, it’s a little retouched in photoshop, so you can use it as a wallpaper or poster. My passion for this saga inspired me to take this shot. I call it Between two Worlds.'' Dracarys Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Amaya_Nocturna ''This is truly an honour. This particular shot was all experimental. It was during my first time playing the Dawn of Ragnarok DLC. I was using Sýnin (with the dragon skin) to look for something, until I noticed the smoke from the chimneys. A lightbulb essentially went off in my head. It took a few tries to time it just right, but the result is something I am so extremely proud of. I would like to say that my virtual photography is still very much a work in progress. I am trying new things as often as possible, and I am trying to grow with it. Its like a traditional artist trying to have diverse styles. However, portraits like this are my forte. Virtual photography is fun and is another digital art form that we can explore. When it comes to Assassin’s Creed, I have to say that it is a great series. Personally, it has taught me that history is far more interesting than school makes it out to be. It taught me and continues to teach me history in a fun and engaging way. As far as the community is concerned, it is a place where I have met some amazing people and have formed lots of friendships. I continue to meet new people because of this fantastic series. I even met classmates who are also fans of Assassin’s Creed. I know the community isn’t always perfect, but I think we all need to remember that we are here for a mutual love of this game series. It’s a great community and we need to stick together.'' Tactician Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ 9b75 The good thing about Assassin’s Creed is that as an Assassin we can set the world straight. At the same time, we can get in touch with nature and the lives of the people who lived in that time-period. I don’t know of any other game where we can climb Big Ben, run freely around the Palace of Versailles, or stand at the top of the pyramids. It’s the best. I will continue to take photos of these great moments. I want to thank the community for featuring our work in this way. It is nothing short of a source of energy for us. Thank you so much. Surveying the Land Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ cop_filip ''Assassin’s Creed is the first gaming franchise I ever got into back with Assassin's Creed 2 and it's also where my virtual photography journey started all the way back in 2017. These are the games I've captured and posted most, and even after all this time and all the different games I've captured over the years I still love coming back to them and capturing their beautiful worlds. I really love this series and I'm happy I can be a part of and contribute to the community. '' Anubis Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ zurullotarra ''I love doing virtual photography because I can explore my favourite games looking for beautiful places to capture. That way I can get lost in their fantasy worlds and forget about real life.'' And that sums it up for this Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out the photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next time keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 30th July - 5th August 2022 - 6 Month Anniversary Special Community Share 8 Aug 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week, 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. This week we have our 6 month special, you will find 1 shot from each month ranked by myself. There were so many wonderful captures over the months it really was a difficult task picking out just 6. 1) Golden Sands Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Month: June 2022 The winning shot comes from @ PodToGo using the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture Twitter hashtag. I had to pick this as my winning shot, the way the capture is presented mimics the promotional material Ubisoft used when launching Assassin’s Creed Origins. I remember seeing shots just like this one and being super hyped for the game. Origins would go on to become my favourite game in the series despite its move away from the classic formula. Just looking at this photo again now, I love the saturation and how it makes the sky and the sand standout. You also cannot overlook how cool Bayek looks marching across the desert in search of his next victim. 2) Twilight Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Month: March 2022 2nd Place goes to @ dpruttz_vp a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. This capture embodies the Dawn of Ragnarok expansion. At the time I was still pretty new to writing these articles, but its shots like this that just blow you away. A fantastic portrait capturing the whole of Havi as he stands ready to fight for Asgard. This photo could easily be mistaken for a painting it is that good! The Twilight armour came as a pre order bonus for the Ragnarok expansion, and I must say it makes for cracking captures. The excellent timing of this shot allowed the VP to capture the fiery sparks flying around Havi and the turn of the head showcases his famous eye patch. 3) London Calling Game: Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Month: July 2022 3rd Place goes to @ MissEvieFrye , a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. I love this shot as, not only is it different, it comes from a game that, until recently, did not feature too heavily in the VP community. As a fan of in game captures, the AC15 celebrations have been a breath of fresh air, bringing shots from many different games. This photo stood out during Syndicate week due to its elegance. The black outfit with the gold markings and a classic touch of red, stand out thanks to the leap Jacob is currently performing. It’s crazy how the blurred background and the portrait format add to the feel of parkour in action. There are nice touches in this shot but most of all the hidden blade is the standout, subtle but classic 4) Collection Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Month: May 2022 4th place goes to @ Jakeste66386991 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. I am never sure if I looked into this one too much, but then again a photo can mean whatever you want it too I guess. During my time scrolling the many Assassin’s Creed captures, I am always impressed when people edit multiple shots together. I love the way that it create a kind of storyboard. For me this one sums up Valhalla and the time period in which it is set. Eivor representing the Assassins due to the hood and the hidden eyes. The Raven (Odin) signifying the Vikings/Norse Mythology and the cross symbolising the Saxons and King Alfred. The story of how England came to be, right there in a single photo. 5) Fox Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Month: April 2022 5th place goes to @ Gwyn_VP over on Twitter. This shot made my top 6 due to it being something a little different from the norm. I adore how the Ubisoft team have created a living environment in their games. Although Origins had the best predator/prey moments as you travel Egypt, I found Valhalla to be more peaceful and scenic. The fox’s details are wonderful and the pose so characteristic of an animal startled in the woods. It is not easy capturing the wildlife in Valhalla especially as perfectly as this, credit has to go to GwynVP for this. As I said before Valhalla is now the benchmark for Foxes, only time will tell if an upcoming game could takes that crown. 6) Viking Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Month: February 6th place goes to @ Snowy_exe over on Twitter. Featured in my very first article all the way back In Feb 22. Seems like a lifetime ago that I started doing these showcases. This portrait actually inspired me to attempt more black background shots. I love the lighting in this capture, along with the background because it simply allows Eivor to shine. The level of detail captured here is phenomenal. For all the bombastic armour sets we get in the game nothing compares to this classic Viking look. From hair to tattoos, furs to leathers all the intricacies are on show here. A fitting shot to conclude our showcase. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography 6 month special. A special thank you to everyone who has taken part over the last 6 months, I would not be able to do this without you. Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag and Addiction: Remembering Dad In Memoriam Share 1 Sept 2022 Written By: Edited By: Finn Fletcher Ashlea Blackett Back To Database It's 2013, you're 13 years old and waiting for what would become one of your favourite games. You've always loved pirates, spent your childhood watching the Pirates of the Caribbean films so obsessively you nearly know them word for word. You could tell people the difference between a schooner and a brigg, and have visited the last remaining sailing ship of the era docked in London. It's 2013, you're 13 years old and you learn you'll never see your dad again. He introduced you to Pirates of the Caribbean when you were probably too young. He'd bought history books for you, and had plastic sword fights throughout the house with you when you were younger. He's gone now, and you don't know why. 9 years have passed and you still think of that strange autumn, the wild month around your birthday which went from excitement to depression. You remember being too young to really understand what's going on, what account documents you're being told about and the will you've been left with. In all honesty you don't care, what does stuff matter now, just leave me to play my games. 9 years have passed and you still replay Black Flag, no game has ever come close to completely absorbing you since. You remember swimming between islands just to see if you can, and finding a glitch to keep your hood up (because honestly who wants it down). The story progresses, and you realise that it's got more to teach you than you thought. Suicide , you've heard the word before but never really understood it. It was mentioned in bible class when you were younger, but like everything it just washed over your head, a word without any real meaning. Alcoholic is said now and again, you get the concept but now why people end up like that. "Just stop drinking," you'd think, "it's not that hard." Edward Kenway hits rock bottom, he's pushed away all his friends, his families halfway across the planet, hope has disappeared. He tumbles through the memory corridor, an area that's become symbolic for beginning your journey, and the success of defeating another target. Now, it's nothing but the falling ground for a man with nothing but a bottle. It's strange how art can affect you, what it teaches you without you ever expecting. No one went in to Black Flag for an emotional revelation about what it feels like to be hopeless, to give up and turn to bad habits to survive. The fun swashbuckling adventure has slowly peeled away to reveal the sad truths of the heroes of children's books and films, the reality of feeling without a place in a growing world. I struggled to understand my dad, he was distant and strange, without any explanation. He lived in a village in the middle of nowhere, he was part of a church whose rules he didn't follow, and seemed rudderless in everything he did. It's hard to express what being a child and seeing that feels like, trying to comprehend emotions you're too young or naive to experience feels like. That confusion can become resentment, misplaced anger or endless sadness. It's easy to repeat the cycle, act out without reason and continue the self destruction. If it weren't for an odd little game about Pirates and hooded Assassins. This month marks the 9th anniversary of that tumultuous year, and a lot definitely happens in your teen years. You go through your own heartbreak, learn your own lessons, get to experience sot medium, Darby McDevitt, Matt Ryan, and all the other actors, writers and developers made something that can, at least for one gamer, be life changing. It's soppy and melodramatic sure, but these fun corny games can be so impactful. They can last for nearly a decade in the minds of players by trying something, by trying to make a statement or express an emotion. I don't want to interfere in the lives of developers, but there's something so personal to the narrative of Black Flag, a passion to its presentation and themes that shines through. If we don't discuss depression, addiction, greed and imperfections, we're doomed to leave people clueless. Entertainment and art can teach so much, and even without realising, can help improve our understanding of the human experience immeasurably. I love Assassin's Creed, I love it's gameplay, philosophy and history. I just hope to see more stories from more creative, that touch upon something with such raw truth as Black Flag did all those years ago. me of the emotions that once seemed so alien. The best part of growing up is being old enough to hear the full story, to learn details that were understandably kept secret. But that journey, surprisingly of all, started with Assassins Creed showing a real, human and flawed character. It's strange to look back, after games with demigods and narrative choices, to think about how personally impactful watching a pre-written story about a Welsh dude with a few too many guns was in comparison. I know that to many Assassins Creed is pulpy historical fun, like marvel with dysentery. But it can't be understated, especially now in the age of "content" and "games as a service", how important it can be to include these darker moments and themes in your games. Black Flag was undeniably a fun romp, and the team behind it were exceptionally successful in making a great sandbox that you can jump back into after a long d ay. If you are concerned that you or someone you care about has a problem, there are people you can talk to. You can find some useful phone numbers and links here for free and confidential advice. 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

Best Quotes in Assassin's Creed Origins 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)

Best quotes in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (2010) Share Written By: Edited By: Reporter Name Back To Database xfbfbb 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

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 20th to 31st May Community Share 12 Jun 2024 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett 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 by the TOWCB VP team. We have been monitoring the hashtag and the community hub to see all your wonderful shots. 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: From Red to Shadows Red Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: Rosshiro (@ q9j9p ) The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ CapturesByRenzo Renzo A few weeks ago, AC Codename Red was finally revealed as Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set in feudal Japan. In order to celebrate the occasion, we decided to run the “From Red to Shadows” theme. During the last couple of weeks, we saw many amazing shots from the AC community, but this particular photo stood out. Taken in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, this shot from Rosshiro captures the essence of the theme, showing Eivor in the Yurei Bushido armour set, as well as their mount and their loyal raven Sýnin. The colour splash was perfectly executed and makes the red tones stand out from the rest of the scene. Let’s not forget about the great composition. Take all these elements and you get a winning shot. Congratulations Rosshiro. Aaron (@ FalconSwift9 7 ) “We must honour their sacrifice”. What I enjoyed about last year’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage announcement was the creativity we saw from the virtual photography community in recreating shots in Assassin’s Creed Origins. This time an even bigger challenge has been set with the Japanese theme proving trickier. That being said, this capture fully embraces the theme with the red colour splash and the Assassin’s Creed Shadows logo present. The Yurei Bushido armour set means you’re a far cry from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and fully embracing the Japanese setting. Excellent work from Rosshiro and fully deserving of shot of the week. Blade in the Dark Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: Raven (@ Cll3ar ) “Where has my path brought us?”. I am expecting Assassin's Creed Shadows to bring a lot of katana photo opportunities. This weapon is one of the most elegant swords in history. The unmistakable curved edged blade with that magnificent square guard and wrapped grip is a sight to behold. Raven has managed to replicate that grace with her beautiful black background shot. Basim’s blade looks deadly with the lighting perfect for showcasing the stunning details of the sword. I also love how the light elevates Basim’s hood. You get a real Assassin vibe from this photo coupled with the darker tones of the Valhalla robe. A truly exceptional piece of virtual photography. Flame Bearer Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ NickVPgamer “How dare you think your destiny, your greatness, outweighed all of ours”. The torch is a real virtual photographer’s dream, when lighting isn’t quite right it can be deployed to great effect. I remember seeing the early photos from the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla announcement and there were quite a few that featured the torch. Eivor looks so good here with that warming glow from the fire highlighting his Raven Clan outfit. The way the light falls on the hood and his lips leave a perfect shadow across the eyes. That cold wintery background uplifts the capture further enhancing the effects of the torch. An awesome capture that takes me back to the launch trailers for Valhalla. Misthios Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ _fallenmemory_ “Sometimes the face we show to the world needs to be one of strength, despite the chaos we harbour underneath.” Kassandra has become a real fan favourite, especially for us virtual photographers. Her character design is quite something and lends itself to being captured. Although Kassandra will never be considered a real Assassin, her part in the bloodline is extremely important for what will unfold in Egypt. This striking portrait is completely up my street, with the gorgeous, muted blacks and the excellent shadow work. I adore how the red of the Misthios outfit blends with the dark to really encapsulate this week’s theme. For me this is a real movie moment where the hero appears from nowhere to enact justice. Red Mist Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ ValkyrieQ8 “No enemy is untouchable, no matter how powerful they appear”. The theme from red to shadows encompasses the life of Basim. He goes from street thief to an apprentice within the Brotherhood. His skill and determination eventually result in him wearing the famous red sash. However, it is this moment in his life that the darkness and shadows betray him, and he is lost to Loki. I think his attire in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla depicts this theme with the mix of red and black. This capture gives such a dream vibe with Basim caught between two paths. I like how his eyes are hidden behind the beak of the hood, with the whites trying to break out. The reds and blacks mix almost signifying the confusion in Basim's mind as he fights to find out who he really is. And that sums it up for this Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out the photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next time keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Assassin's Creed: Valhalla Merchandise Guide - Part 3 Updated 20/3/21 By Colum Blackett Edited by Ashlea Buckley Share Here we will be logging all of the merchandise we find for Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. Please note that this guide contains Amazon affiliate links, Learn more The ultimate guide for Assassin's Creed Valhalla Merchandise. Literature Assassin's Creed Valhalla Official Novel by Matthew J Kirby (cover not final) Discover the epic adventure of a legendary Viking warrior in this new novel set in the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Pre-order now from Amazon UK Waterstones The Art of Assassin's Creed Valhalla (cover not final) This masterfully designed oversized hardcover art book invites the reader on a visual journey through the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: A world defined by the harsh beauty of Viking life, rich with fascinating characters and breathtaking landscapes. Ubisoft and Dark Horse Books offer this enticing collection of art and commentary that is sure to attract returning fans and newcomers alike. Pre-order now from: Xzone Cz Amazon Amazon UK (Kindle Edition) Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Song of Glorycomic book series by Cavan Scott, Martin Tunica, and coloured by Michael Atiyeh. Published by DarkHorse #1: Eivor, a Viking warrior, observes a village raided by a neighboring kingdom. Bloodshed and mayhem erupt as she seizes the attack in her own favor—but will her victory be a blessing to her clan or a terrible curse? Elsewhere, another Viking searches for a different kind of prize, one of crucible steel . . . Hardcover version available on Amazon Discover the epic adventure of legendary viking Geirmund Hel-hide in this new novel set in the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Mid-9th century. The Viking attacks and invasions are shattering England's kingdoms. Born into a royal lineage of Norwegian kings, Geirmund Hel-hide sets out for adventure to prove his worth as a Viking and a warrior. A perilous journey across the sea brings him into contact with a being out of myth and grants him a mysterious ring that promises both great power and bitter betrayal. As Geirmund rises in the ranks of King Guthrum's legendary army, he will have to use all his cunning to face the many dangers of a land ravaged by war . . . Fighting alongside his band of loyal warriors, his path will soon lead him into a conflict as old as the gods themselves. Available on Amazon The Art of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Deluxe Edition This masterfully designed oversized hardcover art book invites the reader on a visual journey through the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: A world defined by the harsh beauty of Viking life, rich with fascinating characters and breathtaking landscapes. The Assassin's Creed series is renowned for its skillful blend of historical fiction, epic environments, and exciting action. This art book offers an insider's look at the immersive art direction of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the first title in the franchise to explore Norse culture and the Viking invasion of England in the 9th century. Featuring iconic artworks ranging from stunning settings to brutal weapons, as well as developer insights. This deluxe edition includes: • An exclusive cover • A decorative slipcase • A gallery-quality lithograph print Pre-order now from Amazon Mugs Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mug by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mug by GBEye Eivor Mug by GBEye Valhalla Assault Mug by GBEye Valhalla Assault Mug by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mug Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla Raid Mug Available from Zavvi Assassin's Creed Valhalla Eivor Mug Available from Zavvi Photos/Prints Eivor Print by GBEye Eivor and Wolf print by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Poster by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Print by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla poster by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Print by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla Print by GBEye Assassin's Creed Valhalla poster by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla poster by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wall Art Available from the Ubispft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wall Art Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Other Assassin's Creed Nordic Backpack Available from the Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Raider's Backpack Available from the Ubisoft Store Pin designs by PinClub Assassin's Creed Valhalla Backpack by Difuzed. Available from XZone Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Eivor Keyring by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: 3D Shield Keyring by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla: 3D Axe Keyring by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Gamlery , Xzone Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wristband by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Hammer Necklace by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Ladies Zip Wallet by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Bifold Wallet by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Bifold Wallet by Difuzed. Available for pre-order from Merchoid , Xzone , Gamlery Assassin's Creed Valhalla Akedo high top trainers, Sold out from Zavvi. (Limited to 100 pairs) Assassin's Creed Valhalla Stickers Available from the Ubisoft Store Retailers Brloh.sk and Jrc.cz are offering an #AssassinsCreedValhalla F ace mask by Difuzed as a pre-order bonu s Limited edition #AssassinsCreedValhalla lithograph by Raphael Lacoste available when you pre-order the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Bundle from PureArtsLimited . Assassin's Creed Valhalla Goblet Available from Ent247 Assassin's Creed Valhalla Tankard Available from Ent247 Eivor 1/4 scale statues Available from PureArts Assassin's Creed Jigsaw Puzzles by DarkHorse Available from Derive Figurine Assassin's Creed Valhalla Axe/Crest backpack by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mousepad by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Keyring by AbyStyle Assassin's Creed Valhalla Collector's Box Available exclusively from WooBox Assassin's Creed Valhalla 2020 Calendar Currently Unavailable Assassin's Creed Valhalla Axes Towel Available from the Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Club C Revenge Shoes by Reebok Available from the Reebok Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla CL Legacy Shoes by Reebok Available from the Reebok Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Zig Kentica Trainers by Reebok Available from the Reebok Store Various Assassin's Creed Valhalla Phone-Case designs can now be found on eBay Assassin's Creed Valhalla Comics Packpack Available from Ubisoft Store Assassin's Creed Valhalla Headset by Astro Assassin's Creed Valhalla Backpack Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Backpack Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Slides Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Water Bottle Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Lanyard Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Notebooks Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Jewellery Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Pillows Available exclusively from Ubisoft Store Brazil Assassin's Creed Valhalla Mug by Jinx Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wallet by Jinx Are we missing anything? Let us know and we'll update the article Did you buy anything from the Merchandise Guide? Let us know in the comments! PART 1 PART 2 Assassin's Creed Valhalla Holdall bag. Available July 2021 via GroovyUK Assassin's Creed Valhalla Runes Zippo Available now from the Zippo website Merchandise

Introducing Sounds Of History - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental project by Gargudon Other Share 25 Feb 2023 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to announce “Sounds Of History”, an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental project by our very own Gargudon ! A unique fan project, never really seen before in the Assassin’s Creed community, featuring five original tracks written, arranged and produced by Gargudon, each inspired by different AC games. A tribute to the soundtrack, to sneaking, fighting and free running throughout the years, and the composers behind them who have shaped the sound of the franchise. French Highlands - Inspired by the Parisian Medieval remnants of Assassin’s Creed Unity …Away From The Crowds… - Inspired by the mystery, abandoned undergrounds and ominous ambience of Assassin’s Creed II & Brotherhood 60’s - Inspired by British (Soft) Rock, the spirit of which partially originated during the era of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Eagle’s Path - Inspired by the Native beliefs, Colonial settlements and history of a nation birthed during the era of Assassin’s Creed III Tales Of The Winds And Waters - Inspired by the colonies, cultures and waters of the Caribbean and West Indies explored, settled and sailed upon during the era of Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag Coming soon! Stay tuned here on The Ones Who Came Before for updates. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016, but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews & composing. By joining The Ones Who Came Before in 2019, originally reviving 'The Memory Corridor' podcast, which had been offline for nearly a year, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further develop his skills.

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

The Bold Assassin's Creed Syndicate Analysis Share 9 Aug 2024 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database ‘Assassin’s Creed Syndicate’ was released by Ubisoft in October 2015, and was immediately greeted with fan love and appreciation. This game was the next title in the long-running ‘Assassin’s Creed’ franchise, and it had fans excited because the historical setting of this game would be the most “modern” game yet in the series, meaning it is the closest time period yet to modern day, set during the year 1868 in London, England during the famous Industrial Revolution. This era in history was a great setting for the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series to visit, as ‘Syndicate’ had to change things up in order to accurately match the authenticity of London during this time. Previous games in the series were set further back in history, so certain elements of the era then were quite different from that of previous historical settings. Specifically the way people lived and acted during the Industrial Revolution. People did not walk around carrying swords on their hip anymore, so Ubisoft had a challenge to be different from the past games, while also making the game realistic to players. Ubisoft took a different path than what fans were used to in prior ‘Assassin’s Creed’ games, by still giving players the option to carry around and customize their weapons, but not sacrificing the authenticity of the era. Ubisoft introduced new weapons and elements to the game that made sense in this era. Instead of the protagonists carrying around swords and daggers strapped to their belt, they instead introduced weapons like cane swords, which were common during that era, having a large blade hidden inside a cane like one used for walking with. Ubisoft also brought in brass knuckles for the very first time, which also made sense in this era. Gang members and fight clubs used these weapons frequently, making Ubisoft’s attempt at historical accuracy a win for the company, and still giving fans the full experience of an ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game without worsening the experience for players and still being true to the Industrial Revolution in London. Aside from the weapons that were introduced in ‘Syndicate’ , Ubisoft also had to face the challenge of transportation. People in this era got places in different ways. Horse pulled carriages were very popular at the time, the majority of all major streets in the Industrial Revolution London were filled with carriages. So, Ubisoft brought the idea of being able to ride or hijack carriages seen throughout London, and being able to use them as destruction devices. You were able to ram other carriages to damage or destroy enemies pursuing you, or to catch the enemies running away you had to chase down. It was a breath of fresh air for the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series, as mechanics like this were brand new in the franchise. Ubisoft also had to introduce the important railroad system. Trains were all the rage in this time period in London, the railroads were used for everything back then, meaning Ubisoft had a challenge to implement this important factor in history into their game. Ubisoft took advantage of the opportunity and made the trains a big part of the game itself. A little bit into the story, gamers had access to their own train. It was a full on homebase almost, as everything you did in the game, a lot of it came down to your train. You could earn money through a safe on the train or upgrade your supplies needed within your group. It was a great deal of creativity from Ubisoft, as they had to face big challenges by being authentic to 1860’s London. Ubisoft also introduced the first dual-protagonist system, a first for the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series. Previous games had you mostly playing as one character throughout the majority of the game, so having the choice to switch characters freely at any time was a welcome addition to the series. Ubisoft also allowed gamers to play as a female protagonist for the very first time. This was significant as every prior playable main character in the games were all males. The two characters were twin Assassins Jacob and Evie Frye, who you could switch to either character at any time during the game. The game even had missions designated for both Jacob and Evie, meaning you got to use both of them equally in the story, and still have the freedom to play as whichever Assassin you wanted while exploring London and what the massive city had to offer. Many fans had been asking for years to finally play as a female protagonist, and Ubisoft delivered in ‘Syndicate’ . The template of a male and female lead-character in an ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game was in a way, a precursor to the future of the series. Each game following ‘Syndicate’ offered the choice to play as either a male or female protagonist, showing the importance that ‘Syndicate’ provided. Ubisoft also brought in a very unique addition to the series by introducing a new way to scale and zip across buildings and towers across London, a new rope launching grappling hook. This device was used to quickly climb buildings and structures without the need to take time to physically scale the walls. This was a very unique addition for fans as it was something unseen in the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series before. Gamers could use the rope launcher to escape combat against enemies and quickly disappear without taking too much damage or being outnumbered, and the players were also able to use this launcher as a zipline. If two buildings were far apart and separated, gamers could zipline across the two structures and get there fast without having to possibly encounter enemies and be spotted in your stealth mission. There were also unique things you could do while on the zipline, such as assassinating enemies from above. This addition to the game is still a fan-favorite feature in the series that made ‘Syndicate’ more unique than any other ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game. ‘ Syndicate ’ faced a hefty challenge for its release. The ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game released prior to this one, ‘Assassin’s Creed Unity’ in 2014 was met with criticism upon its launch. There were a significant amount of bugs and glitches that hurt the fan experience when the game was released. These issues put Ubisoft in a tough position. They now had to gain the trust back from the fanbase, and also had to deliver a relatively bug-free game after ‘Unity’ . Ubisoft had not been in this position before, so they knew they had to recover with ‘Syndicate’ as expectations were high and fans wanted to see a game that was well-polished and fun to play. ‘Syndicate’ , however, did in fact, deliver to fans who were anticipating its launch. The game ran and played particularly well when fans got their hands on the game in late 2015. ‘Syndicate’ also marks a significant timeline for the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series. It is considered the “final” game of the original formula that the series was created in. After the launch of ‘Syndicate’ , Ubisoft took a full year off from creating an ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game. This was a major decision from Ubisoft, as all games in the series were annual releases, meaning a new game was launched every calendar year. The tradition of annual releases in the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series began in the early days of the franchise. The last time an ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game before ‘Syndicate’ took a year break was 2009’s ‘Assassin’s Creed II’ . Which was released two years after the original game in the series which began in 2007. Ever since then, an ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game was released every single year until the break in 2016. Ubisoft decided to reevaluate the series after ‘Syndicate’ and instead of releasing a major game that year, they focused their time on the anticipated release of the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ movie, and also released a collection of remastered games in the series that were heavily popular among fans, which was always labeled ‘The Ezio Collection’ which was a tribute to the franchises most famous protagonist, Ezio Auditore, who had three main solo games to himself, a feat still no other game in the series has yet to touch, as Ezio is still the only main character to receive more than one game. So the launch of this collection of his three games were a requested bundle from fans and gamers alike. While 2016 was technically a year off for the franchise, it was still filled with great and exciting projects for fans to enjoy while they waited for the next installment in the series. ‘Syndicate’ still marks the close of the classic format the series had grown so accustomed to, because after the 2016 pause, Ubisoft rebooted the franchise with ‘Assassin’s Creed Origins’ in October 2017. This game was very unlike any previous games in the series. It introduced new gameplay mechanics the series had never seen, and created features like a new leveling system, RPG elements, an abilities tab where you can equip special abilities to give you an edge against enemies, and even the option to scan and examine your surroundings with your own pet eagle. These features were brand new to the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series, and for the majority of the fanbase, were a welcome sight. The significance of ‘Assassin’s Creed Syndicate’ still remains evident today. It was clearly the most creatively bold game in the series to date, and also the end of a long run of recurring mechanics and gameplay styles that the series had known for so long. Ubisoft had to be bold with ‘Syndicate’ as they knew the importance of the game, knowing they were under pressure to regain fan trust and to create a game that plays and feels authentic to the Industrial Revolution in London. It took a lot of creative gambles and choices to historically honor this era of history while also remaining true to the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series and its fanbase. It's unclear if Ubisoft will touch on a similar time period again as we have seen with ‘Syndicate’ , or if the series will visit another era this relatively far up in history, but the importance and relevance of this game remains vital. Ubisoft faced a big challenge while creating ‘Syndicate’ , as they had many important factors to take into account while creating this game. To many gamers today, ‘Syndicate’ remains a fan favorite for the series, and clearly the boldest ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game to date. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. In 2025, Hayden took on the position of Team Leader for TOWCB's Writing Team, overseeing article releases, assisting with recruitment and providing assistance with internal operations. Hayden Bird