Assassin's Creed Brotherhood: Cesare Borgia and the Real History Analysis Share 30 Sept 2026 Written By: Edited By: Samantha Morris Hayden Bird Back To Database Ruthless, cunning, a military genius. Those are just three ways to describe Cesare Borgia in Assassins Creed: Brotherhood . But they can also describe the real Cesare Borgia. But who was he really, and was he quite as ruthless as Brotherhood’s antagonist? Cesare Borgia was born at some point between September 1475 and 1476, though the general consensus puts his birth date as 13 September 1475, to Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia and Vanozza Cattanei. As a member of the Catholic Church Rodrigo had sworn a vow of celibacy, however it was an open secret that churchmen fathered bastard children. Everyone knew that Cesare was the son of Rodrigo, despite the fact that Vanozza was married and the child passed off as her husbands’. He was the oldest of a set of four - Lucrezia, Juan and Joffre. As the eldest child, by rights Cesare should have grown up to go into the military and marry into another noble family, but that path was chosen for his younger brother Juan - it certainly proved to be a point of contention between the brothers. Cesare ended up in the Church, becoming the Archbishop of Valencia when he was just 17 years old and then joining the College of Cardinals after his father became Pope. But even at a young age Cesare knew he was destined for more. He believed in the ideas of Fortuna and Virtu and Machiavalli later described him as believing “himself capable of accomplishing whatever he undertakes.” In the early stages of Assassins Creed: Brotherhood , after Ezio finds his way to Rome, Machiavelli mentions that Cesare Borgia killed his own brother. Now it’s a fact that Juan Borgia was murdered in 1497, and that Cesare was one of the suspects for it. But what really happened? On 14 June 1497, Cesare and Juan attended a party at their mother’s home, believed to be a property next to the church of San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains). The steps (the ‘Salita dei Borgia’) by the church are an iconic area in Rome and said to be the last place that Juan Borgia was seen alive. Cesare and Juan left the party together, along with a strange masked man who had been attending Juan that evening, but they soon split up. According to Juan he had some business of his own to take care of, which wasn’t exactly unusual behaviour for him. Little was said about the decision, only that Rome was dangerous at night so Juan shouldn’t go alone. Instead Juan sent his groom off to fetch his light armour, telling the boy to meet him shortly in Piazza Judea, before leaving with the masked man in tow. Cesare lingered a while with his uncle, the Cardinal Juan Borgia, as they were worried about the way the younger Borgia had left with the masked man. They hoped that he would come back and they could all return to the Vatican together, but when Juan did not show up they took themselves back to the Apostolic Palace. Accounts differ slightly here as to what happened with Juan’s groom - Scalona, the Mantuan Envoy, reported that the lad was attacked and mildly wounded. His wounds were not bad enough for him not to continue to the Piazza to await his master, but when Juan did not show up he returned to the Vatican thinking that Borgia had gotten sidetracked with one of his amours. Other accounts state that the groom was mortally wounded and died the next day. Salita dei Borgia The following day, Pope Alexander VI began to worry when his son did not return home despite the fact that the behaviour was not exactly unusual. But the worry only grew when Juan still had not returned by nightfall. The Pope panicked and ordered that the city be searched for his son. News came on the morning of 16 June 1497 when a timber dealer came forward and reported that he had seen three men dumping a body in the Tiber river the previous evening, When he was asked why he had not reported it straight away, the timber dealer stated that he often saw such things so did not think it very unusual at the time. The river was duly searched with a number of bodies being pulled up, until one caught their attention. It was Juan Borgia, Duke of Gandia. The young man was covered in wounds across his neck, body and legs but interestingly the purse on his belt was full of money. Clearly whoever had murdered him had no wish to rob him. The body was taken to the Castel Sant Angelo where it was swiftly prepared for burial, and then carried to the Borgia family chapel at the church of Santa Maria del Popolo where he was interred. His body still remains somewhere within, but nobody knows quite where as there are no surviving grave markers. Mad with grief, Alexander locked himself away in his rooms and refused to eat or drink. An investigation was immediately launched in order to find the individuals who had murdered the Pope’s son - on Monday 19 June, Pope Alexander called a meeting of the consistory and formally announced his son’s death as well as absolving certain individuals from having anything to do with it: Included within that list was Giovanni Sforza (his daughters husband), Joffre Borgia and Guidobaldo da Montefeltro. A little over a week later, the search for the murderer was called off. But why? Had Alexander discovered who it was and wanted it kept quiet? It certainly felt that way to many and the people of Rome began to whisper. Interestingly, however, Cesare’s name was not mentioned. At least not to start with. It was only the following year that people began stating that it must have been Cesare who murdered his brother. After all, Cesare was jealous of Juan and wanted his military roles. The envy between Cesare and Juan was well known. Yet Cesare did not even benefit from his brother’s death until much later. More likely it was members of the Orsini family who had committed the deed, having a long standing enmity with Juan after he had embarrassed them during earlier military campaigns. In fact, the rumours that Cesare was involved began in Venice which was a town full to bursting of Orsini allies. As with everything connected to the Borgia family, the rumours stuck and even now there are those who say that Cesare Borgia was the one who murdered his brother. Cesare in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (2010) What of Cesare’s relationship with his sister, Lucrezia? Within the game it is alluded to that they are closer than close, and this is a rumour that ran rife while they were still living. Many believed that the entire Borgia family committed incest, especially after Lucrezia’s annulment from her first husband, Giovanni Sforza, in 1497. The claim made against Sforza was that he was impotent so the marriage could not be consummated, which was a ridiculous claim considering as how his first wife had died while giving birth to his child. When he was asked to prove he was not impotent by sleeping with a courtesan in front of a group of cardinals, he refused. It was sealed. The marriage was annulled and Giovanni Sforza was embarrassed as an ‘impotent’ man. So incensed was he that he spat out that the only reason the Pope wanted the divorce to go through was so that he could have Lucrezia all to himself. Those words stuck and it was noted just how close the family were with each other. The people whispered - the Borgia family committed incest and Lucrezia was actively sleeping with her brother. It should be noted that there is no credible evidence that this ever happened - the reports come from biased sources with a hugely anti Borgia sentiment. Whether it truly happened or not we will never know for sure, but the evidence certainly suggests otherwise. In fact, during one of his final scenes with Lucrezia in Assassins Creed Brotherhood the two face off. Lucrezia cries out as he holds her against a wall that she is his Queen, only for him to spit, “You are my sister. Nothing more.” Could this be a nod towards the fact that the incest is all just a rumour? Cesare Borgia’s death came on 12 March 1507, outside the town of Viana in the Kingdom of Navarre. At the end of Assassins Creed: Brotherhood we see Cesare and Ezio fighting atop the walls of town with Ezio eventually winning the day. The reality of it was very different. Following his father’s death in 1503 and the ascension of Pope Julius II (Guiliano della Roverre, who was an enemy of the Borgia), Cesare had been kept in captivity both at the hands of the new Pope in Rome and also the monarchs of Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella. Cesare, of course, made a daring escape from his cell at the fortress of La Mota in Spain and gravely injured himself in the process. But he still managed to make his way to Navarre where his brother in law, Jean d’Albret, was King. Despite the fact that Cesare had not seen his wife since they had first been married, he believed that Jean would help him. After recovering Cesare agreed to help Jean retake the town of Viana, which had fallen into the hands of a group of rebels, led by Luis de Beaumonte. Borgia took command of a large force of soldiers and rode to Viana and began to lay siege to the town and castle. Unfortunately for Cesare, the weather turned. As a vicious storm broke he withdrew his troops to safety, only for a number of Beaumonte’s men to make a run for it. Of course Cesare was incensed at this - the siege was obviously ineffective if these soldiers had escaped, so Cesare and a band of men rode out after them. The storm was so bad that they got split up and Cesare was left alone, while the men rode back to town. He was ambushed, surrounded by the men who had escaped from the castle - as he raised his arm to attack one of the men pierced him with a spear and he fell, mortally wounded, from his horse. Despite the wound he fought on but was soon overwhelmed. Bleeding out, Cesare Borgia was stripped of his armour and left naked, with just a stone (some accounts say a red tile) to cover his modesty. So there was no fight atop the walls of Viana, only the son of Pope Alexander VI being ambushed whilst alone. The only similarity to Assassins Creed Brotherhood is that Ezio gradually removes pieces of Borgia’s armour. The men who had killed him had no idea that they had ended the life of Cesare Borgia and in fact they had been ordered not to kill him should they meet in the field of battle. It only became clear that Cesare Borgia was dead when his squire, Juanito, was shown his armour and the boy burst into tears. Borgia was buried within the church of Santa Maria in Viana, his tomb carved with a simple but fitting epitaph, “here in a scant piece of earth, lies he whom all the world feared’. In 1537, just a few years after his death, Cesare’s body was removed from the tomb as he was seen as evil and thus not worthy of being buried in consecrated ground. His bones were placed in front of the church where he was walked over for centuries, until he was reinterred inside the church in 2007. These are just a few examples of the differences between the video game Cesare Borgia and his real life counterpart. There are certainly similarities between the two - both were excellent military men, cunning and manipulative. However much of the Brotherhood story draws more on the rumours that have surrounded the life of Cesare Borgia for hundreds of years. Still, the lurid tales make for a good story and Cesare Borgia proves to be the perfect antagonist for Ezio Auditore to deal with. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Samantha Morris (Sam) is a historian and author who joined The Ones Who Came Before's Writing Team in September 2026. Sam has always been interested in Renaissance history: the corruption, the art, the religion, the Borgia family, an interest which was fuelled even further by the Assassin's Creed series. It was whilst studying archaeology at the University of Winchester where her interest in the history of the Italian Renaissance began. She is the author of 'Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia: Brother and Sister of History's Most Vilified Family' and 'The Pope's Greatest Adversary: Girolamo Savonarola'. We can't wait to see Sam's historical articles, coming soon to the website! Samantha Morris

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 6th to 16th August Community Share 10 Sept 2026 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Turið Torkil Back To Database Welcome to the monthly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from the AC Partnership Program. Every four weeks we will be picking our top five 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 special Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced launch theme has been run alongside @Assassins_UK the official account for the United Kingdom. Ubisoft are one of the leading publishers and developers in the gaming industry, most famous for their compelling Assassin’s Creed series. We would like to thank the team for agreeing to collaborate with TOWCB on this unique opportunity. We are very grateful that you took the time to pick this wonderful selection of photos for us. Keep an eye on the site as more shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to #ACFirstCivVP for a chance to be featured. Theme: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced King of the Seas Game: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced VP Artist: @summers458 The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Theme Judge: @Assassins_UK Assassin’s Creed UK Team Of all the stunning photography submitted, this one stood out for its sense of action. It has a real ‘GoPro’ feel to it, we could almost imagine a full video of the Jackdaw crashing through the waves and for that, it’s our winner. Aaron The Jackdaw is a pivotal brig belonging to Edward Kenway that has a huge role to play within the game. Every pirate captain needs his own ship and the tale of how Edward claims his is fundamental to setting the groundwork of the story. I love how this capture creates a feel of impending doom. The depth of field and the spray of the sea creates an illusion of the Jackdaw charging at you. As the viewer you are made to feel as if you are aboard a British or Spanish vessel, waiting to be boarded by the pirates of Edward Kenway. I agree with the Assassin’s Creed team’s assessment, the creative perspective really does make this a worthy winner. Pirates of the Caribbean Game: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced VP Artist: @_GenieCrazy_ Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced adds the finishing touches to an already classic video game. The blend of open world adventure and compelling story transports the player into the Caribbean, allowing us to fulfil that childhood fantasy of being a pirate. If there was ever a shot that gave me Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, then it’s this one. For me this is Black Flag in a photograph, if you mention the game my mind would always picture the Jackdaw at sea. The angle of the ship and the level of detail are insane. You can feel the ship ebbing and flowing just by looking at this shot. I particularly like the tattered sails and the skull and crossbones superbly showcased for us to see. A Pirate’s Life Game: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced VP Artist: @charapof.bsky.social Edward Kenway has a trademark appearance, one that is very fitting with the Assassin’s Creed franchise. However, you wouldn’t say his classic robes were quintessentially pirate like. So, it is nice that we have plenty of options for Edward including some very movie like attire. One of which we can beautifully see in this photograph. I can’t help but think of Treasure Island when looking at this capture of Edward standing Infront of the setting sun. The silhouette, particularly in this apparel is rather striking, especially with Kenway’s reflection on the water. I always gravitate to these story style captures, specifically ones that show a reflective mood. Working in the Dark Game: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced VP Artist: @Ayghan When a new Assassin’s Creed game is announced I often find myself getting excited for the supporting art book. The concepts that are showcased in there are both interesting and inspiring, especially as a virtual photographer. This capture from Ayghan is very reminiscent of what you would find in said books. I adore the letterbox style, creating that cinematic feel is always aesthetically pleasing. Having an action sequence is also impressive as they tend to be trickier to capture due to the amount of moving parts. I have to say the shadow work is very striking, together with the glow of the fires on either side, as a viewer you feel part of the action. Sunset Game: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced VP Artist: @xspartan_aimeex Edward Kenway has the redemption story that rivals many of the greats. The unknown Welshman who builds himself a powerful reputation as one of the most feared pirates in the world. I think intwining the Assassin/Templar conflict into this helps boost him as a cult hero. This capture evokes the feelings of completing Edward’s story. That sense of sadness and joy at what you have experienced. The shadow of Edward is quite spectacular, and thanks to an excellent composition we get to see him look out to sea at the setting sun. I really like how the fiery red is reflected on the water, working with the cold purple hue to give that feeling of dusk. Companions Game: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced VP Artist: @thwippip As it’s a celebratory theme to commemorate the launch of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, we thought a special mention was in order. I was pleasantly surprised to find animal ship companions added to Black Flag, a welcome addition given the lack of birds. Pip has a way of capturing moments that really stick with you. Here we have a delicate moment between Edward and a monkey, embracing the softer side of our swashbuckling pirate. The composition is just brilliant, with the right amount of vignette to highlight the two characters. I think the warm colours represent the time period, adding a melancholy to the shot. Edward Game: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced VP Artist: @archiehanna3 One of the reason for Assassin’s Creed Black Flag’s popularity is the charismatic Edward Kenway. His natural charm and impulsive nature endear him to fans. Perhaps sadly, behind all of this showmanship is a deeply complex character with a heartbreaking story. I for one believe him to be one of the standout characters in the series. I feel like this photo captures the essence of Edward, with his signature look and moody pose. The stormy background provides the seafaring atmosphere, and the colour tones are on point. The shadow work from the hood magnificently portrays that assassin look. 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

Welcome to the Program The AC Partnership Program (Isu_Network) is a community initiative created by The Ones Who Came Before to promote and share content. The program is a great way for content creators to gain recognition for their work within the community and expand to a wider audience. The program hosts a whole range of projects and features content created by talented members of the community. We aim to amplify community voices. The program also aims to create more opportunities for our community members, such as interviews, giveaways, and more. Our team is working behind the scenes on a number of projects, such as art demos, cosplay guides, podcasts, video logs, and walkthrough videos. We are always recruiting and carefully monitoring our social media channels and contacting potential partners. The future is bright, and we would love to get more people involved! For some, the program is a stepping stone into the world of journalism; for others, it is the opportunity to work as part of a team, developing skills and making friends within the community. Our partners are encouraged to create regular content for the Assassin's Creed community, with the help of our admins. Recruitment The AC Partnership Program is seeking to expand its membership through recruitment. If you have a passion for Assassin's Creed and wish to get involved, get in touch and let us know more about your interests and expertise! TOWCB Teams Core Team Aaron Young @Falconswift87 Virtual Photography Team Leader Bio Frame Hold Photography @Frame.Hold.Photograpy Site Manager Bio Zephryss @TheRealZephryss TOWCB Social Media Team Leader Bio Aita_Sageblood @Aita_Sageblood Art Team Leader Bio Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) @Gargudon Team Wellbeing & Support Specialist Bio Colum Blackett (Col_96) @col_96 TOWCB Team Leader Bio Hayden Bird @CloudyMordecai Writing Team Leader Bio Art Team Aita_Sageblood @Aita_Sageblood Team Leader | Digital Fan Art Artist, Painter, & Animator Bio Shaya Fury @shaya_fury Watercolour Painter Bio Blade.Of.Blackheart @blade.of.blackheart Fan Art Artist & Cosplayer Bio Yasmin Page @_minpage Digital Fan Art Artist Bio Jebs @jebs.arts Digital Fan Art Artist Bio jemmajamart @JemmaJamArt Artist Bio Virtual Photography Team Aaron Young @Falconswift87 Team Leader Bio Ubbe.VP @sopphiasco VP Artist Bio RS (WonDerNooB_VP) @WonDerNooB_VP VP Community Moderator Bio Turið Torkilsdóttir @TuridTorkil VP Community Moderator Bio Social Media Team Dinnie20 Bio Taylor McKay (TMAC) @Tmac93x Discord Server Moderator & News Informant Bio MR. TOM (Ishan Yadav) @MrTom0fCreed X / BlueSky Admin & Graphic Designer Bio TheÆlchemist @TomiShinobi X Admin Bio Promit Majumder (Zeus) @Zeus_Insane Social Media Manager Bio Zephryss @TheRealZephryss Team Leader | X / Facebook Lead Admin & Content Planner Bio Video Team Brad Curnow Brad Curnow Video Creator / Podcast Editor / Shorts Specialist / SEO Optimizer Bio James Davis (TopChef1288) @TopChef1288 Video Creator, RTC Host, & Content Planner Bio SisterlyThrower @SisterlyThrower Narrator & Streamer Bio Calvin Whiteway @cw.content_ | @calvinin3d Skits & Shorts Creator Bio Ninja Pringles Streamer / Video Creator Bio Sopphi Streamer / Video Creator Bio Charlie Cooper @_charliemcooper_ Editor & Composer Bio Phie (CaptureCreed) @capturecreed Shorts & Tributes Creator Bio Writing Team Anthony Muzzarelli Anthony Muzzarelli Writer | Fiction | Non-Fiction | News Coverage Bio Samantha Morris SMorrisAuthor Writer | History | Archaeology Bio BellaBee CozyBellaBee Writer | Romance | Fiction Bio Sarald Von Honkington @sarald.von.honkin Writer | History | Archaeology Bio Hayden Bird @CloudyMordecai Team Leader | Writer Bio Music Team Charlie Cooper @_charliemcooper_ Editor & Composer Bio Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) @Gargudon Team Wellbeing & Support Specialist Bio Alumni ActualSpider-Man Bio Aureliusz DArccc Bio Caleb Allen Bio Finn Fletcher Bio James (FlickzKiller) Bio Katrina Stark Bio Laura M. Jung Bio Louise // TheNerdyArcher Bio Mieke Dix Bio Otamotts (Evil) Bio Renzo // CapturesByRenzo Bio Strat Bio UbiCypher (Joe) Bio Al Boncompagni (It’s A Creed) Bio Ben Weal Bio Edenoi Bio Jack Harrison Bio Jarrett and Tiffany Bio Kevin (Going Viking) Bio Lauren Harris Bio Michael Doyle Bio Muhamad Verrell Bio Preston Carbonaro Bio Serajeddine Bio The Maverick Bio William Adler Bio Ashlea Blackett Bio Brandon McDonnell | Sirmcdonnell Bio Eric Allen (Milz_VP) Bio Jaime (aSassysCreed) Bio Junaid Iqbal (Medjay_Graphics) Bio Kyle Marvell Bio Lisa Zaman Bio Michael Smith Bio Noon (TheHiddenVirtuals) Bio Quela Bio Sophia Bio Thea M. Rivedal Bio Yazen // MidnightMarauder Bio

Diving Into A World Of Adventure With JemmaJamArt Community Share 16 Aug 2026 Written By: Edited By: jemmajamart Aita_Sageblood Back To Database To celebrate the release of Assassin’s Creed 4 Black Flag Resynched – here are a couple of beautiful renditions of Edward Kenway that were created by the latest member to join The Ones Who Came Before Art Team; @Jemmajamart The first centres around Edward performing the iconic Leap of Faith. @Jemmajamart is an accomplished artist and a long-time fan of the Assassin’s Creed series; who sought to represent the act in a way that would be seen as fresh, yet recognisable; with the focal point being Edward’s naturally confident demeanour as he, like the fans, dived back into a world of adventure. Going deeper into their inspiration, @Jemmajamart explained that they; “wanted the piece to convey a sense of renewal...I imagined the bright colours of the summer atmosphere and the feeling of being back at sea after all these years.” as well as how they challenged themselves to draw out of their comfort zone to improve the overall composition of their drawing as it helped to “establish the feeling of adventure in the Caribbean setting,” The second piece of art, once again created by the wonderful @Jemmajamart, was a humorous recreation of the photo of a cricket fan named “Muhammad Sarim Akhtar” - colloquially known as the “disappointed cricket fan” meme. Created as a humorous nod to Edward’s posture in a pre-release glimpse at Edward Kenway’s redesign in Assassin’s Creed 4 Black Flay Resynched. @Jemmajamart explained that they noticed how many fans had begun to make fun of his bad posture. “I decided to draw Edward with the same expression {as in the meme} almost as if he himself were fed up with everyone making fun of him.” We at @ACFirstCiv always love to peruse the myriad of many talented artists and creators that make up the Assassin’s Creed fanbase and are not only grateful for @Jemmajamart’s numerous contributions nut honoured to have them be our newest member of the Art Team. Thank you Jemma! <3 comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author jemmajamart is a traditional artist who joined the TOWCB Art Team in July 2026, in an effort to widen the variety of art styles on the team. She is known online for her unusual art style, which can be described as a mix between comic book panels (manhwa), manga and chibi! Throughout 2026 and beyond, Jemma will be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects, which range from creating art for fundraising, art projects to celebrate game launches and landmark anniversaries, and art pieces in collaboration with the social media team. By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aim to boost her profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. jemmajamart

Art Reveal - A Swashbuckling Collection By Jebs Community Share 22 Sept 2026 Written By: Edited By: Jebs Aita_Sageblood Back To Database We are honoured to share with everyone a rather special collection of art created by our very own Jebs! Jebs is a longstanding member of our little Brotherhood and an incredibly talanted member of our art department; who was more than happy to share a collection of their creations centred around the; recently released; Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag Resynced to help promote the 2026 AC Community Fundraiser! Their primary piece is this gorgeous shot of Edward Kenway gazing out to sea while drenched in the golden hues of a sunset. Based on a shot from the trailer for Resynched, Jebs was inspired to focus on the sunset due to its connotations that reflect Edward's journey of loneliness and self improvement: "I think that the sunset is a really important time of day that I always seem to correlate to self reflection and solitude..." For our more artistically interested fans; Jebs also stated that while they had never added landscape backgrounds to their art before, this drawing was a great practice for their own improvement as they were able to experiment with various digital brushes, in particular the "hatching brush" to add texture to their creations. As for their other creations; Jebs compiled a selection of Edward themed drawings taht once again express their talent for textures and expressive characters. Whether its another sunset-soaked piece centred on the reveal of James Kidd's true identity or Kenway enjoying a salty seafood dish in a rare moment of tranquilty; Jebs brings the character to life in their unique style that they describe as: "a blend between doodling, sketching, anime and whatever takes their fancy..." Thank you Jebs for taking the time and effort to help with our community fundraiser as well as share some great examples of your art along the way. For anyone with the financial means to do so, any and all donations would be greatly appreciated to help support the great work of; Blood Cancer United, Wild Wings Birds of Prey, British Heart Foundation and the Ocean Conservancy. http://gofund.me/54d161a9e Safety and Peace. -Aita Sageblood comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author In June 2025, Jebs joined TOWCB's Art Team in an effort to widen the variety of art styles on the team. She is known online for her unusual art style, which can be described as a mix between doodling, sketching and anime, pieces which are often animated, bringing a ton of personality and fun to her work. Throughout 2025 and beyond, Jebs will be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects which range from creating art for fundraising to live art creation watch-alongs! By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aim to boost her profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. Jebs

Art Launch: Sacrifice for the Creed Community Share 21 Sept 2026 Written By: Edited By: jemmajamart TOWCB Team Back To Database We're pleased to launch a new piece of artwork which pays tribute to the importance of blood to the Assassin's Creed series, created by jemmajamart from TOWCB Art Team to promote the 2026 Assassin's Creed Community Fundraiser! The piece highlights the importance of blood donation, which is an essential resource for those battling illnesses and diseases. In particular, its one way in which Assassin's Creed fans can contribute to the 2026 AC Community Fundraiser, which is raising funds for various causes connected to the franchise, including Blood Cancer United. We love how this piece shows an Assassin shedding blood to make a difference, a necessary sacrifice for peace in all things, and very on-brand! We now call on the AC Community to also make a sacrifice. Say no to that coffee, beer or other expense, and donate instead, helping us to make a difference as a community. You can find more art projects by jemmajamart on Instagram and here on TOWCB website. You can support the 2026 AC Community Fundraiser on GoFundMe. Stay tuned for more Assassin's Creed art projects. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author jemmajamart is a traditional artist who joined the TOWCB Art Team in July 2026, in an effort to widen the variety of art styles on the team. She is known online for her unusual art style, which can be described as a mix between comic book panels (manhwa), manga and chibi! Throughout 2026 and beyond, Jemma will be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects, which range from creating art for fundraising, art projects to celebrate game launches and landmark anniversaries, and art pieces in collaboration with the social media team. By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aim to boost her profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. jemmajamart

Cosplay Showcase - Claudia Auditore by BladeOfBlackheart Community Share 25 Oct 2026 Written By: Edited By: Blade.Of.Blackheart @aita_sageblood Back To Database Greeting assassins, templars and everything in between. Today we want to share with you something different; a cosplay reveal of Claudia Auditore made by our newest addition to the TOWCB Art Team; Blade Of Blackheart! (As well as their mother; blausternchen_cosplay!) As our newest recruit to our growing Brotherhood, Blackheart has proven to be not only an amazing artist, but also a talented cosplayer; primarily known for their costume of Arno Dorian from Assassin's Creed Unity over on their Instagram; Blackheart has recently shared with us their latest creation, a gorgeous rendition of Claudia Auditore. While the duo hadn't planned to make this costume just yet due to "how we are both still learning to sew" - Blackheart and their mother spent a whopping 4 months painstakingly creating the costume from scratch in order to attend the "Peter und Paul festival" - a town Renaissance Festival in Bretten, Germany; to celebrate the 522nd anniversary of their successful defense of their home. Where the organisers had requested guests to attend in period accurate clothing; "we looked for a suitable AC character and immidiately thought of Claudia as she is one of my favourites...I love her dress, not so much her Assassin robes...We made the pattern for the dress ourselves as there weren't any. Which was especially hard as we're still learning how to sew and started from the most difficult thing to actually sew!" In all honesty, the results speak for themselves. A truly wonderful cosplay created by an equally wonderful mother-daughter duo. If you'd like to check out more of the creations; why not head over to their Instagram: @BladeOfBlackheart and @blausternchen_cosplay They deserve the recognition. ;-) Thank you for taking the time to read this article, we hope that you enjoyed it. Safety and Peace. -Aita <3 comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Blade.Of.Blackheart / Phoenix is an active community member and dedicated Assassin’s Creed fan, who joined The Ones Who Came Before in March of 2026, being the newest addition to the Art Team. Blackheart is a talented fan art artist, having drawn a number of original AC themed pieces, and is also known in the community for cosplay, regularly attending events across native Germany, meeting and chatting with other cosplayers and fans. Blade.Of.Blackheart

Art Reveal - Verano House by ShayaFury Community Share 24 Oct 2026 Written By: Edited By: Shaya Fury @Aita_Sageblood Back To Database Today, we'd like to show all of you wonderful people a beautiful artwork of "Verano House" from Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynched that was created by ShayaFury of the TOWCB art team! Shaya was kind enough to let us in on what inspired her creation of this piece, that being a prompt based art challenge where she combined the two prompts "Videogame" and "mansion". Resulting in her bringing Edward Kenway's temporary home to life in her signature style. We especially love the vibrancy of the colours she used to connote a sense of life returning to a once derelict mansion. While many fans and players of the original game simply remember the building as a part of the Great Inagua Hideout that featured as Edward Kenway's homebase during his time in the West Indies; Resynched went a step further by giving it a new "lease of life" in the form of a backstory and ability to add decorations found throughout the game. Originally owned by a mysterious widow by the name of "Lady Summers" Verano House was not only once a bustling plantation and cultural hub in the West Indies; but was also host to a secret bureau for the Assassin Brotherhood led by the enigmatic "Bernard" - at least until the Caribbean Templar; Julian Du Casse arrived... We hope that you enjoy Shaya's art; if youre interested in seeing more of her beautiful Assassin's Creed watercolour painting, you can find her on Instagram and Twitter; @ShayaFury comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Shaya Fury is an Artist/Freelance Illustrator who blends a mix of traditional methods with digital designs to create art pieces that are bursting with colour. Shaya Fury

The Memory Corridor: Potential Sequels ft. Irakli Podcast Share 25 Mar 2017 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Back To Database https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM38_Pc0OC0 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 and versatile content creator, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016 - hosting the discussion based show “The Memory Corridor” - but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews, writing and composing. He joined The Ones Who Came Before in 2019 for a merger, publishing new episodes - and reviving the show following nearly a year of inactivity - on our platforms, until phased out in 2023. Today, his landmark projects include 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)

What If?, Vol. 1 - What If Ezio Auditore Was Executed With His Family? Theory Share 25 Jun 2026 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Gargudon Back To Database The Assassin’s Creed series is no stranger to fan theories, and today we are going to explore a rather forgotten plot twist that could have forever altered the story of Assassin’s Creed II . Those who played the game vividly remember the cruel betrayal that a once-considered friend to the Auditore family - Uberto Alberti, the Gonfaloniere of Firenze - lying about receiving documents proving Ezio’s family's innocence, before proceeding to allow them to be executed by the noose. However, Ezio’s entire life could have never happened if he chose to take the kindness Uberto had pretended to give, when delivering the documents to his residence. Uberto offers Ezio a place to spend the night at his home, with the Spaniard and bonafide Templar, Rodrigo Borgia, lurking in the background. If Ezio chose to spend the night at Uberto’s, it is very likely Ezio is arrested and hanged alongside his brothers and father. Ezio refusing this offer prevented disaster to someone who would become mentor of the Assassins Brotherhood and a living legend. The execution of Giovanni, Federico & Petruccio Auditore. The theory of this is that Rodrigo Borgia and Uberto were planning to betray the Auditore family all along, and if Ezio had accepted Uberto’s offer, he would have died with his family to the noose. The story of the Brotherhood would go like this if Ezio had died and never became an Assassin. First of all, the Brotherhood would be weakened without the Auditore family. They would be forced to rely on others to aid them. Without the leadership Ezio would provide, the Templars would succeed in their goal to overtake Rome and the rest of Italy. The Templars find overwhelming strength with Rodrigo Borgia's leadership and later being elected as Pope of Rome. This gives the Templars control in the Papal States and the Chair of Saint Peter's. The influence the Pope gains over his rule of Rome, included with the shared power of the Templars, the Assassins are overwhelmed and the Brotherhood crumbles without the guidance Ezio would bring. The Templars and Rodrigo Borgia successfully win their ancient battle against their bitter rivals. Another aspect of this theory, is that the Templars and the Borgia family expand their reach to the rest of Italy, invading countries with Assassin presence, then starting a hunt for the Templars to take out and eliminate any remaining Assassins. The Brotherhood in Constantinople becomes the next target, and their mentor Yusuf Tazim is killed in an unfair fight with Rodrgio Borgia’s son, Cesare Borgia. Cesare profits from his Father's power status, and uses their control over the Roman Papacy to further empower the Templars, as they seek to kill remaining Assassins, who have gone into hiding with no realistic plan to recover, and challenge this new Templar regime. The Assassins attempt to stage a comeback down the line, but the damage the Templars have inflicted on the Brotherhood, causes them yet another defeat, and there are only a handful of Assassins left across the at the time known world. The theory continues with a revival attempt in secrecy to resurrect the Assassin Brotherhood, without alerting the almighty Templar order. The Assassins turn to Ezio’s sister, Claudia Auditore, to lead their attempt of a comeback, and grow powerful enough to challenge the Templars. Many former Assassins hideouts were ransacked and exterminated following the purge of Assassins across Europe, the Middle East & Asia. Claudia stages an attempt to gather the remaining Assassins in different locations across the world and create a home base in Florence. The Templars are too focused on their power and their victories, to notice the increasingly high number of Assassins popping up across Italy. Claudia starts an Assassin underground unit where living Brotherhood members and recruits, can safely travel Italy and into other parts of Europe. Claudia is several years older from the events of Assassin’s Creed II, and she uses the legacy that her Father Giovanni left behind to rebuild the Brotherhood, and when the time is right, give the Templars a run for their money. Ezio, sister Claudia & Mother Maria Auditore Finally, the Assassin Brotherhood is rebuilt and strong again, and all this happens without the Templars being aware. The order could not believe the Assassins could rebuild after their purge, and pay no attention to the possibility of a return. Once strong again, Claudia and her Assassins take on the Templars, who of late are without their Grandmaster and Pope of Rome, Rodrigo Borgia, who died after eleven years in his papacy in 1503. The Templars scramble and look to his son, Cesare, to lead the Templar order, but under whose leadership the order is weak, the Grandmaster's son having shown no dedication to the order, only serving himself, his own goals and lust for power. Claudia stages a fight against the Templars, coming out victorious. Cesare is captured and imprisoned, while the Templars start to fall in the same downfall that once plagued the Brotherhood. Claudia remains the lead of her Assassins, and the memory of her fallen family gives her strength to carry on and push forward. After over a decade, his sister Claudia finishes the work her family started, and creates a world free of the Templar control. The Brotherhood gets daily recruits, consisting of both civilians wishing to fight or former Templars who have atoned to their crimes and accepted their faults, but Claudia and the Brotherhood offer a place for reformed Templars despite their mistakes. The Brotherhood thrives under Claudia’s control and once again Italy, and the known world, knows peace once more without the oppressive Templar order. Ezio’s death before he started his life as mentor of the Brotherhood, is redeemed by his own family, and despite over a decade of purging the Brotherhood and overwhelming Templar control, they have rebuilt a powerful movement, taking the time to strengthen different parts of the known world, that were once victims to the Templar regime. However, behind the scenes, the remaining Templars begin to plot a rebuild, and achieve the same success the Assassins had with their comeback. They are led by a ruthless, yet mostly unknown person seeking revenge against the Brotherhood, and so starts the long process of rebuilding themselves in the fashion the Assassins achieved, and the plan is underway to restore the Templar order to its former glory. They did it once in 1307, King Philip IV of France erradicating the order and executing Grandmaster Jacques De Molay, the order dead to the public, forcing them underground, and having prepared for this all along. They can do it again... Stay tuned for more What If? articles and stories, exploring how the Assassin's Creed timeline could have looked different, had other key events played out differently! 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: 6th - 12th August 2022 Community Share 13 Aug 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to our 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 capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 1) Cloak Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Platform: PS5 This week’s first capture comes from @ Junos_Wings over on Twitter. First up this week we have a bit of nostalgia, with Eivor dressed in Ezio’s Master Assassin outfit. I love the colour tones of this shot, as it add a certain quality to the photo. The light and the dark make for great symbolism of what Assassin’s Creed is all about. The shot is from a set that is truly beautiful and inspiring. Captures showcasing old outfits in the newer games give us a sense of what a next gen Ezio game would look like. Link to set 2) Huntress Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Photo number two comes from @ Birgamerinalbu1 over on Twitter. Next up we head to Greece for a bit of Kassandra dressed as a true huntress. This photo reminds me of the Assassin’s Creed graphic novels. From memory there wasn’t a comic to go alongside Odyssey which is a shame. I am always a fan of people getting creative with their virtual photography. The lighting behind Kassandra really helps accentuate her magnificent hair, but also does a great job of highlighting the incredible face paint of this set. 3) Desmond Game: Assassin’s Creed III This week’s third shot comes from @ FrameHoldPhotos , a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Photo number three takes us to this week’s AC15 celebration with Desmond, the modern assassin. This is the first time I have featured a modern day piece of VP and I am shocked these section don’t get more love. This capture really does give us an insight into what a modern day game could feel like. I always prefer the historical stuff but I would 100% love a modern day game or even a substantial DLC. Hoods, bows and swords in a city would be like AC meets Marvel and I would be down for that. 4) Wolf Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Platform: Xbox Series S VP number four comes from @ Huldera1 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. I always enjoy wildlife shots from Assassin’s Creed games. The way the animals interact in the world is truly amazing. This impressive capture has three key elements and they all stand out in different ways. The colour of the sky is so rich, the grass slightly out of focus makes you feel like you’re there. Of course the growling wolf is the standout, fantastic timing to align all these elements. I wonder if Eivor made it away alive. 5) Ratonhnhake:ton Game: Assassin’s Creed III The final capture of the week comes from @ nkeiiin over on Twitter. I thought it only right we end the showcase with Connor himself. What a stunning portrait of the Colonial Assassin. The black background with the light pouring down onto Connor adds such an epic feel to this capture. I love the positioning as it showcases the eagle on the hood and touches of the blue on his outfit. I am also won over by the fact the bow and arrows can been seen on his back. The first playable Assassin with a bow, such good times. Checkout the set below for two more breath taking shots. Link to set And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 17th to 23rd July Community Share 25 Jul 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: AC Mounts Tiger Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ TuridTorkil “Eye of the Tiger.” At the start of the year Assassin’s Creed Valhalla teamed up with Ecologi to produce a special pack of mounts to raise money for climate change. The pack was inspired by endangered and vulnerable species. I must say that these mounts look so good, although a little too unrealistic for my liking. I love this shot of the tiger stalking in the foliage. The lighting on the tigers face is beautiful and the greenery surrounding the beast is luscious. You would never believe this was a shot from a Viking game in set in England. Link to set: The Bear Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ G_Assassin90 “Who can guess the ways and the plans of the Gods?” Bears are one of my favourite animals and this wonderful shot shows the magnificent bear mount which was added with the Siege of Paris DLC. I love this mount in Valhalla and it is my go-to when in the mythical worlds. The whole ambience of this shot is stunning, the red flowers look so good but also promote Eivor riding the bear in a stylish way. The saturation is perfect too with vibrant colours all over the capture. I must say Eivor’s outfit works well with the bear, giving off awesome Viking vibes. I would not want to be coming face to face with these two. Link to set: Into the Woods Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Amaya_Nocturna “Thank you, noble harts. I will put this gift to good use and remain your steadfast protector.” Once again we are in Valhalla thanks to the abundance of available mounts in the game. This shot is not just about the elegant reindeer but also the magical environment in which it stands. If it were not for the reigns on the animal then you would think this was a perfectly times nature shot. I adore the forest aesthetic with the leafy floors and the gorgeous light breaking through the trees. The foggy atmosphere adds to the mystical feel. As for the reindeer, it is graceful and wonderfully designed. Such a nice touch to add the flowers to the antlers. Link to set: Travel Time Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ HimboGaymer “You should hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.” The classic mount and staple of most Assassin’s Creed games, the horse. Easily my mount of choice and the variety of styles we have seen over the years has been incredible. If Eivor isn’t floating around in her longship then she will most likely be riding around the sites of England on her trusty horse. I admire the position of this shot with the horse looking straight at the camera as if it’s a selfie. Eivor looks so Norse dressed in her Raven Clan armour and riding a skeleton painted mount. I really like the warm sun on her face and the hidden blade on show. This capture typifies Assassin’s Creed Valhalla for me. Link to set: Zombie Horse Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ artschoolglases “The wild hunt will not come for us this night” Beware of Odin’s horseman for they have been summoned to send you to the corpse hall. Once again we find ourselves in Valhalla with one of the many available mounts. This Draugr mount is a ghost sent back to haunt Eivor’s enemies. The capture is very interesting as the sun represents the polar opposite to the horse. Timing in virtual photography is everything and here it makes the picture. The horse rearing up in the suns glare looks so good, creating a magnificent silhouette. I love how the green undead eyes still have a massive presence, almost as if the sun is piecing through them. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ HiddenOnesN “Rise from the darkness and be born once more” What makes the picture so perfect is how it balances so smoothly between what we know about the goodness in light and the darkness that is represented in the Helhest horse. That is exactly what Assassin’s Creed is all about, that none of them triumphs over the other. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Community Questions & Answers: Zephryss Interview Share 16 Oct 2024 Written By: Edited By: Zephryss Colum Blackett Back To Database Col: Are you looking forward to working alongside the Social Media Team during the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows? Zephryss: Absolutely! I'm looking forward to contributing to the success of the Assassin's Creed Shadows launch and collaborating with the Social Media Team. As a social media manager and a content writer, I can provide creative content ideas, assist with community engagement, and help analyze social media metrics. I'm eager to see how my skills can support the campaign and connect with fans of the franchise. Col: How excited are you to get your hands on the upcoming installment? Zephryss: I'm absolutely thrilled to dive into Assassin's Creed Shadows. The series has always been a favorite of mine, and I can't wait to explore new historical settings, master new parkour abilities, and unravel intricate narratives. The blend of stealth, combat, and historical fiction is truly captivating. Col: What sort of Assassin's Creed content have you been posting about recently, and what are you working on currently? Zephryss: Recently I have been posting “Did You Know” & “ Assassin's Creed Quiz” series on @ Isu_Network and Assassin's Creed shadows facts on @ ACFirstCiv . Currently I am working on a Halloween special Assassin's Creed article and a special video on the 7th anniversary of Assassin's Creed Origins. Col: Have you visited any of the locations from the games? Zephryss: No, I haven't been lucky enough to visit any of the real-world locations featured in the games. While I haven't been able to physically visit any of the game locations myself, I've explored them extensively through the games and the vast amount of information available online. It's been a fascinating journey to learn about different cultures, historical periods, and fantastical worlds. Col: Which Assassin's Creed game is your favourite and why? Zephryss: Assassin's Creed II is my favorite in the series for several reasons. First, its historical setting in Renaissance Italy is captivating, bringing to life iconic figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Machiavelli. The intricate cityscapes, from Florence to Venice, are beautifully rendered, offering a rich and immersive world to explore. Secondly, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, the protagonist, is one of the most memorable characters in gaming history. His personal journey, from a young noble to a skilled assassin, is both compelling and relatable. His interactions with other characters, particularly his family, add depth and emotion to me. Col: Have you attended any events within the Assassin's Creed Community? Zephryss: No, unfortunately, I haven't been able to attend any Assassin's Creed events yet. I'd love to experience the community and meet other fans, but I haven't had the opportunity to do so. Col: Do you have a favourite Assassin's Creed community moment/ story you would like to share? Zephryss: Absolutely! One of my favorite Assassin's Creed community moments was the widespread fan reaction to the "Ezio's Family" trailer before the release of Assassin's Creed II. The trailer, filled with emotional music and stunning visuals, perfectly captured the essence of Ezio's journey and his bond with his family. It generated a massive buzz within the community, leading to a collective sense of anticipation and excitement for the game. Col: What would be your dream setting for the upcoming AC Netflix TV show or future game? Zephryss: A setting I'd love to see explored in an AC Netflix series or game would be the Aztec Empire. A world teeming with vibrant cultures, intricate architecture, and a rich tapestry of mythology. We could delve into the heart of Tenochtitlan, a bustling metropolis built on a floating island. The series could explore the clash between the Aztecs and the Spanish Conquistadors, the rise and fall of the empire, and the enduring legacy of their civilization. The possibilities for gameplay or storytelling are endless. We could explore ancient temples filled with puzzles and traps, battle fearsome Aztec warriors, and uncover hidden secrets about the empire's history. Col: Do you have any personal AC goals you would like to achieve? Zephryss: Absolutely! As a massive Assassin's Creed fan, I've always dreamed of exploring more of the historical settings and delving deeper into the intricate lore. I'd love to see a game set in ancient India, with its rich mythology and vibrant culture. Imagine battling the powerful Rajas, infiltrating forbidden temples, and unraveling the secrets of the Assassin Order in the subcontinent. Col: What would you say is your most significant community achievement to date? Zephryss: My most significant community achievement is becoming a member of TOWCB, one of the biggest Assassin's Creed communities. Col: What is your favourite part of being a community member? Zephryss: The Assassin's Creed community is known for its dedication and creativity. Being a part of such a wonderful community provides me with a rich and rewarding experience. Col: Do you collect AC merchandise? If so, what is your favourite item? Zephryss: Unfortunately I don't have any AC merchandise right now. But I am planning to start a collection. Col: What advice do you have for people looking to begin streaming? Zephryss: Starting a streaming journey is a fantastic way to connect with people and share your passions. Here's some advice to help you get started: Find your niche: What are you most passionate about? Whether it's gaming, music, art, or something else entirely, focusing on a niche will help you attract a dedicated audience. Invest in quality equipment: While you don't need the most expensive setup, having good audio and video quality will enhance your viewers' experience. Be consistent: Regular streaming is key to building a loyal following. Create a schedule and stick to it. Engage with your audience: Interact with your viewers by responding to comments and participating in discussions. This helps create a sense of community. Have fun: Streaming should be enjoyable. Don't stress too much about perfection. Just relax and have fun sharing your content with the world!” Col: Where can our community members find you online? Zephryss: Community members can find me on our community Discord server. Just search for my name "Zephryss" and you can also find me on Twitter at @ TheRealZephryss . I share updates, news, and engage with the community there. And I have a separate YouTube channel for Assassin's Creed games named as Assassin Zephryss. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Zephryss is a passionate social media manager based in India who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in Summer 2024 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. Recently, he completed his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering and is now preparing to take on a PhD. He loves video games very much, and since childhood has enjoyed playing various types of games in different genres He also has 3 gaming channels (Zephryss, Assassin Zephryss & Spider Zephryss) where he uploads gameplay videos regularly. Zephryss

The Maverick is an Assassin's Creed TikTok star based in USA who is known for his comedy sketches and parkour ability. He is also a Modern Day follower of the Creed who strives to make a difference in real life, through actions such as litter picking and fundraising to help the less fortunate. Previous Next Video Content The Maverick Previous Partner The Maverick is an Assassin's Creed TikTok star based in USA who is known for his comedy sketches and parkour ability. He is also a Modern Day follower of the Creed who strives to make a difference in real life, through actions such as litter picking and fundraising to help the less fortunate. Instagram | Twitter | TikTok Work

Assassin's Creed Valhalla Review - A Return to Form for the Series Reviews Share 1 Feb 2021 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Review contains MAJOR Spoilers Assassin’s Creed Valhalla takes players on an adventure like no other, offering stunning landscapes and captivating story arcs that make it both refreshing and memorable. At times, it feels like the missing link for the franchise, striking a good balance between the classic Assassin's Creed games and the new RPG formula, masterfully bridging the gap. The game carefully finds a way of improving upon many of the core Assassin's Creed pillars, by adding more options than ever before. Although marketed as a Viking adventure game, Valhalla takes a successful leap of faith towards taking the series back to its roots, easily making it one of the most exciting and ambitious Assassin’s Creed projects in recent years. It’s a return to form for the series, offering countless opportunities for the player to master their own playstyle, and immerse themselves in another historical adventure. Valhalla is a game that looks to the past to drive the series forward, and operates in the space between old and new, making it feel both familiar and original. The narrative arc story structure overseen by the guiding hand of Assassin's Creed legend Darby McDevitt and his team of scribes are proof that the series should never be afraid to move away from annual releases, and take the time it needs to improve. It’s immediately clear that a great deal of thought and care went into building the game, that goes way beyond simple fan service. It's an injection of pure creativity, and a game that should not be missed. The World There's never a dull moment whilst exploring the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, as it continues to find ways to surprise the player at every turn. It's the first game in the series to properly fill the open world, making it feel dynamic and life-like. As you navigate the Kingdom's of England, you'll discover endless activities such as flyting challenges, cursed areas, world events and more. Exploration is encouraged, and the game rewards you for your efforts, generously offering XP points (skill levels) and loot upon completion. The open world experience is unlocked early on in the game, and as you tie up loose ends in Norway, you can sale across the sea to England to begin the adventure. On your travels you'll begin to uncover the mysteries of England, as you encounter numerous puzzles that keep the player guessing. Puzzles are a nice feature that really add to the experience, taking different forms throughout the game. Valhalla always finds a new way to challenge the player, and encourages the use of all the tools at your disposal to overcome them. Sometimes you need to destroy a weak wooden wall to loot a chest, or shoot at a door's barricade through a slightly open window to enter. There are a ton of scenarios like this that test your skills as a player, and require a bit of thought before gaining a reward. There's also a great range of environments to explore, from the snow-covered mountains of Norway, to the swamps of East Anglia, so don't be surprised if you start to clock up hours using the photo mode tool as you capture each perfect moment. It's easily one of the most visually impressive games ever created, and it's immediately noticeable. England is vast in Assassins' Creed Valhalla, and each kingdom feels different to the last. There's always something new to discover, so look out for the coloured dots on your mini map to uncover loot that will improve your progress. You can hit bandit camps to gain supplies such as leather and iron ore, which can be used to upgrade weaponry and armour, or complete a raid on a monastery to steal riches that can be used to expand the Ravensthorpe settlement. Crafting is an essential part of the game, and you use the spoils of your adventures to do this. One thing that sets Valhalla apart from recent entries is the unpredictability of the world. In some ways, it feels like a Far Cry game, where many animals will attack on sight. It's not just animals though, as Eivor will be pursued from all angles whilst navigating the world. Bandits hide in bushes, waiting for your arrival. Zealots track you across the map. Snakes crawl out from under barrels. Wolves strike as you stalk the perimeter of an enemy camp. You never know when you may need to defend yourself, the world you explore is as deadly as it is beautiful. This level of unpredictability adds to the experience and brings it to life. It's extremely easy to gain XP just by playing the game, and you are constantly rewarded just for taking part. The cities of England bare a resemblance to that of Assassin's Creed I, taking the series all the way back to its origins. London has featured in the franchise several times, but the version you see in Valhalla is very different, a city built in the shadow of Roman ruins. All across England you'll see the ruins, and get a sense of the widespread influence the Romans had over the land. Even the Ravensthorpe settlement holds a memory of the past, as the pillars of an ancient structure can be seen near the longhouse. Later in the game you can even help local resident Octavian establish a museum, to house all of the Roman artefacts you discover. As the game progresses, you will also travel to surprise locations, such as Vinland and Jotunheim, expanding your reach even further. There's so much to see and do in Valhalla, and all your adventures start from Ravensthorpe. The settlement itself is right in the heart of England, and acts as a base for Eivor and the Raven clan. It's in a good central location, close to the city of Leicester. All narrative arcs begin and end here, as the wind calls you back to Randvi to report your progress. By upgrading and improving the settlement, you open up new opportunities such as ship customisation, romance options and legendary animal hunting rewards. You also give the members of Ravensthorpe a purpose within the clan, and make it feel more like a bustling hub. It's worth taking the time to familarise yourself with the settlement, as the traders and locals are essential to Eivor's progression. For example, Gunnar the blacksmith will upgrade weaponary and armour, whilst Reda will supply new contracts and rare items. The cultural differences are represented well in Valhalla, as Saxon cities feel completely different to those inhabited by Vikings. Architecturally, the structures are also different, and even the layout of the cities differ. Religious beliefs are also depicted well in Valhalla, as Viking sites such as Jorvik have statues for the Gods, and locals will even reference them in conversation. You will hear talk of Thor, Freja and Tyr as you walk the streets of Jorvik, whilst you will hear about Jesus Christ and God when wandering a Saxon city. Even the camps held by bandits or cultists all contrast each other. Accents also appear in the game depending on location, making a southern territory easily distinguishable from a Northern one. The team did a great job at adding variety in all areas, and that's just one of the reasons players will get lost in the expansive world, and fall in love with the game. Story The main story of Assassin's Creed Valhalla is both interesting and memorable by using creative storytelling methods to slot nicely into Assassin's Creed lore. Players will embark on a twisting adventure with many story arcs, all different from one another and each with their own characters, plot twists and outcomes. There's no doubt that it's a great story set in the Assassin's Creed universe, and one of the longest games in the series. Completing Valhalla's main storyline will easily take you over 100 hours, but that's not a bad thing. It's a gripping tale with many twists and turns, and you'll notice that each quest has a purpose, as Eivor looks to build alliances across the map. Both Cecilie Stenspil and Magnus Bruun deliver a solid performance, full of charisma and making Eivor an instantly likeable character. Valhalla immediately gives you the key to your own destiny, as for the first time ever, you play as one character with a male and female counterpart. You can let the Animus decide, or change Eivor's appearance at any time. The reasoning behind this is explained later in the game, and it's a clever take on previously established Assassin's Creed lore. The game is, in some ways, the spiritual successor to Black Flag, as Eivor works alongside the Assassins (Hidden Ones), without joining them, as their motives align. Both sides benefit from this union, and even manage to cooperate without any disagreements. Basim sees potential in Eivor straight away, even when Hytham questions it. You have the opportunity to play like a true Assassin, without even joining the Brotherhood. The Order of Ancients returns, once again acting as a shadow group influencing the land. Information on the group is scarce, so Eivor has to investigate to find out names and motives. Once you commence your hunt, taking down one member will lead to information on another, making it possible to track them all down. All information gained on the order will be stored in the inventory, giving you hints on where to begin your search. In this sense, it's more like the original Assassin's Creed game, where Altair had to learn information before beginning an assassination mission. It really adds to the game, as you focus your efforts on wiping out the Order. There's also an incredible new animation when you assassinate a target, rewarding players with some of the best white room conversations in the entire franchise. By eliminating members of the Order, you also gain new abilities and skills from Hytham, such as the Leap of Faith, making it worthwhile, and maintaining the 'Assassin's Creed' elements of the game. As we have already mentioned, all narrative arcs begin and end at the Ravensthorpe homestead. This is thanks to a new feature called the Alliance Map. Eivor pledges allegiance to a cause taking part in one of England's territorys, and travels there to form an alliance for the Raven Clan. The new quest system introduces self contained story arcs that act more like chapters of a book than scattered missions. Each quest has a purpose, and brings Eivor closer to a resolution in the area. Some are definitely stronger and more memorable than others, with some feeling like filler content at times, but they all come together eventually to form a solid conclusion. Although the game moves away from side quests, and replaces them with narrative moments and activities such as World Events and Cursed Areas, it does a really good job at filling the open world, and even provides some great moments for Eivor. World Events are some of the best side activities since AC III's homestead missions, and really help to develop Eivor's character further. You don't have to take part in them, as they are not tracked on the quest radar, but should you choose to ignore them, you are missing out on some great content. They all vary in tone, but it's worth taking some time away from the main storyline to focus on the other activities available in the world, even just to increase your XP or improve your charisma through flyting battles. You won't regret it. In regards to Isu lore and First Civilisation history, Ubisoft really cranks it up a notch. By completing the Animus Anomalies, the secrets of the past begin to unravel, and with the help of the settlement seer, Eivor begins to understand. For new players, the twist regarding Havi and Eivor is no doubt confusing, but for old fans, it makes a lot of sense. Assassin's Creed Black Flag introduced the concept of Sages, reincarnations of Juno's husband Aita. Valhalla takes this notion even further, as the Scandinavian Isu look to return after the impending disaster known as the Great Catastrophe using a supercomputer that can insert DNA and memories into the human gene pool. Essentially, the Isu technology leads to reincarnation, explaining the gender choice option in Valhalla. Later on in the story, players will begin to understand the true motives of Loki, another member of the Scandanavian Isu known for his trickery and mischief. The story also replicates the end game of the series protagonist Juno, who returned using cloning before being destroyed by Charlotte de la Cruz in the comics. It's a really interesting twist for the series that takes Isu lore to another level, and adds a fresh layer. The end sequence in the vault also ties up a number of loose ends, regarding Layla and the fate of Desmond Miles. The ending of AC III finally has consequences, and the modern day storyline in Valhalla finds a way to resolve another potential disaster. The Heir of Memories arc also concludes, and a new chapter begins with Isu antagonists, which could ultimately lead to Loki becoming a bigger threat than Juno ever was. It's an interesting conclusion and drives the series forward by adapting established plot points. Hopefully we see this storyline progress further in the DLC content One big difference to its predecessor Assassin's Creed Odyssey is that a romance option doesn't lurk around every corner, but when they do, they generally occur through the main storyline. Romances in Valhalla feel more developed than the previous entry, as it requires Eivor to spend time with them on quests before anything blossoms, rather than rushing into a forced connection. It's also possible to be rejected for the first time, something which occurs if an NPC already has a partner or simply isn't interested, adding increased depth to the romance options. Another change is the replacement of the usual eagle companion in favour of a raven, something which roots itself in Norse mythology, as Odin had two ravens called Huginn and Muninn. Although Valhalla has brutality in combat, the tone of the game never really drops to a dark place like in previous games, and even when faced with loss, Eivor remains determined and composed. The character is clearly very different to what the marketing campaign tried to portray. One thing I did notice however is that the game sometimes shies away from the dark history of Viking culture, with themes such as slavery and pillaging barely even getting a mention. Assassin's Creed should never be afraid to tackle difficult topics, especially those which are a part of history, and it's interesting that these themes didn't really surface. Characters in the main storyline are all very different from each other, and each narrative arc introduces a conflict which Eivor can resolve. The game does a really good job at hiding character motives, making betrayal even more surprising. Basim for example arouses suspicion early on, but it takes a full playthrough to discover his true intentions. Each arc has you question those around you, as you secure the future of the kingdom. The wrong decision can have catastrophic consequences, as seen in Linconshire when selecting a new ealdorman. Choices never stray too far from a fixed narrative, and although the game has multiple endings, they all follow a similar pattern. The dialogue options have also been improved, and do a good job at reflecting Eivor's personality, rather than giving options that don't line up with their personality. Eivor isn't a blank slate, and no matter which version you play, you're going to see the same character traits. Voice acting in particular is solid across the board, with a number of stand-out performances making the game even more immersive. Players feel compelled to resolve each narrative arc, and return back to the settlement to progress. The balance of tone is well executed, and although the game is long, it's worth the time spent. The big issue with the main storyline is that the Hidden Ones are completely sidelined, barely featuring in comparison to the alliance objectives. New fans to the series can't learn much about the Brotherhood, as Eivor doesn't join them in the main storyline. At times it feels like the Hidden Ones don't matter to the story, as you can go several narrative arcs without speaking to Hytham or Basim. You always have the chance to wipe out members of the Order, but the majority of members are just ordinary civilians, and unless you read all the documents, you don't even know why you're eliminating them. You do get a satisfactory white room conversation, but there are only a few members of the Order you will actually remember upon completion. It's such a shame to see the Assassin / Templar conflict becoming an afterthought. Even though the game has a great story set in the Assassin's Creed world in terms of lore, the pre-cursor Assassins are barely involved in that. It's clear that this has to be the last 'warrior' game, and future instalments need to circle back to playing as an established Assassin before the franchise loses it's identity entirely. That being said, Valhalla finds a different narrative to explore, and finds a way to bring history to life. Perhaps Viking Assassins are not to be, but there is still time for DLC content to explore a different path for Eivor. Parkour Parkour is a fundamental pillar of the Assassin's Creed series, and is probably the only franchise pillar that Valhalla hasn't progressed forward with in some way. At times it can be frustrating, as Eivor takes a long time to navigate rooftops, making a direct approach more and more tempting. Although parkour feels slow and uninspired, the game offers a huge variety of environments that increase opportunities. There are more chances than ever before to use parkour to your advantage, with many climbable buildings. Scaffolding is also something that features in the game, making it easy to navigate from above. Some buildings such as churches and longhouses also have open windows which can act as an entry point, or you can destroy a stained glass window to gain entry, all of which are accessible thanks to parkour. Beams and ropes also string houses together to increase parkour opportunities, and cities such as York also have Roman ruins scattered around which can also be navigated. Tree parkour makes a return, and is a useful feature that should never have been removed. Some of the trees you scale are incredibly impressive, especially in Jötunheimr, and it's great to see this feature restored. Don't expect style though, as Eivor's parkour technique is basic at best. With Basim away and Hytham injured it's clear that not much (if any) training was given. It can be argued that Vikings didn't know parkour, but it's something players expect in an Assassin's Creed game. Parkour in Valhalla isn't great, but the opportunities to do so are. It's clear that the team spent a great deal of time creating parkour environments, and even when it feels sluggish, it can be to the players benefit to use it. Animus Anomalies are probably biggest parkour failure in the game, as players control Layla Hassan through tedious platform challenges to gain information. Although the feature itself is a cool idea, parkour makes it difficult to enjoy, as it lacks any sense of urgency. Looking back to Arno Dorian, or even Desmond Miles, it's clear that parkour has drastically lost any sense of speed or style, which is a shame. Valhalla brings back floating pages to collect, which takes Eivor on numerous parkour routes. It's nice to see them return, but they can take a few attempts to collect. Parkour clearly needs to be revamped, but the many opportunities that Valhalla introduces to do so are a welcome addition to the franchise, opening many new doors and avenues of exploration. Some of the best parkour opportunities in the game are at the Hidden Ones bureaus, which are scattered across the map. Not only do they provide a glimpse at the history of an Assassin precursor group that once worked in the shadows, but they also store unique gear and codex pages. Each bureau is different, but they all require puzzle solving and parkour to unlock their secrets. To find them, you have to think like an Assassin in the cities of England. That may mean performing a leap of faith, or climbing down into the sewers to remain undetected. Parkour is the theme that links them all, as players will navigate platforms and beams resembling the Assassin tombs from the earlier games. Some of the bureaus even require swimming from room to room to gain the rewards. Once inside, you'll notice that the main areas resemble the bureaus visited by Altair in Assassin's Creed 1, and show that the order worked in similar ways hundreds of years before the days of Masyaf. Valhalla provides countless parkour opportunities, but the bureaus are a great example of how the game at times encourages players to use it to gain rewards, something that should definitely make a comeback in the next game. Stealth There's a lot to be said about the stealth in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Essentially, some of the features are the peak of the series, and others are below the standard we expect. Stealth in general is excellent, but social stealth needs to be improved. At times. Valhalla feels like the stealthiest Assassin's Creed game, thanks to fresh kill animations, new environments such as corn fields, and the return of bushes, haybales and tree parkour. As was the case with parkour, the game also provides many opportunities to be stealthy, with the majority of quests accommodating to both a direct or sneaky approach. Enemy camps can be cleared out without arousing suspicions. Air assassinations, sleep/poison arrows, haybale kills and distraction techniques can all be used to replicate an Assassin approach. The whistle also returns, drawing enemies towards their swift end, and bodies can be hidden to prevent the alarm being raised. Alarms, which first appeared in AC4, can also be destroyed to prevent the arrival of reinforcements. In cult camps, bone charms will rattle if you proceed too quickly, alerting enemies. The best stealth feature that makes a return is the instant kill hidden blade assassination, which now has a timing mechanism to dispatch your enemies. Odyssey had enemies that would survive a hidden blade assassination, no matter how much you upgraded your weapons, and in turn encouraged players to ignore stealth and use combat instead. Valhalla takes the best elements of stealth from previous entries and adds even more to make it better than ever. At the start of the game, players choose a level of social stealth. Selecting the hardest difficulty makes it nearly impossible, no matter how hard you try. Blending with crowds returns, as guards protect entry points. Distrust areas are introduced, meaning Eivor wears a hooded cloak to avoid detection. Numerous social stealth mechanics return, and new ones are added so that hiding in plain sight is no longer a thing of the past. Monks walk the streets in groups, imitating the original game, and the very first trailer ever released for the franchise. It's great to see so many old features such as bench stealth find their way back to the series. Eivor can also pretend to cook food, or weave fabric in social spaces, but with guards on high alert in distrust areas, it can be very difficult. The point of social stealth is to be inconspicuous in public spaces, and mask within surroundings. Valhalla has many great stealth features, but social stealth is something that definitely needs more work to be useful. The main problem is that guards see everything, and immediately attack. After 150 hours of game time, I'm still not sure if I have managed to perfect social stealth. You can also lure drunks to distract guards, or throw your torch to make them move. This is extremely useful if you're looking to enter a restricted area. Shooting from a haybale, or destroying hanging objects to make a kill look like an accident can also be used. It's clear that stealth has been expanded upon, and is much better than the options available in Odyssey. Odin's sight is a watered down version of eagle vision, acting as a short burst, but seems to be much more useful than 'Animus pulse'. Improvements have definitely been made in this field, as it highlights everything from loot chests to story hints. Order of Ancient members are taken out using the Hidden Blade, which has a new kill animation. Sýnin can distract guards, and locate points of entry. There are so many ways to be stealthy in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and although it can be challenging, mastering it and all the tools you posses is no doubt one of the best stealth experiences created by Ubisoft. Take the time you need to become the stealthy Viking the marketing campaign tried to hide. There's much more to Valhalla than raids and brutality. The only tools that are missing really are throwing knives and varied smoke bombs (Revelations). Combat In combat, timing is everything. Every enemy has a weakness, and Eivor can exploit that. The game highlights them so it's obvious where to aim. Valhalla has a huge variety of attacks that can be used, including abilities that you unlock throughout the game. Successful blocks or attacks build up adrenaline which make abilities available to use, and severely damage or finish off opponents in a brutal fashion. New animations have been created especially for the game, which is immediately clear, as Eivor will decapitate or even impale enemies with their own weapons. Even after 60+ hours, you will encounter new enemies in the world, waiting to finish you off with their unique attacks. Some kick dirt to distract, and others spill oil and light it to set you ablaze. The great variety of enemies makes the game more interesting, as combat requires a balance between timing and thought to determine how to proceed. Dodging is another good way to beat enemies, but stamina does deplete, leaving you open to attacks. It's also worth noting that not all attacks can be blocked, making dodging or even a well timed shot a better solution. The Rope Dart from Assassin's Creed III makes a return in the form of a harpoon, which is an ability you earn through skill points, and it's more lethal than ever. Rather than hanging enemies from trees as Connor did, Eivor lasso's them closer before striking. At any moment in the main storyline, a boss battle can occur. You can literally be thrown into a fight at any moment, sometimes after a tough battle mission, leaving you unprepared. Another problem the boss battles present are the locations in which they take place. The worst offenders in the game for this are the Faravid, where you unexpectedly fight in a tiny room, and Ivar the Boneless, where you fight on the edge of a cliff. The environments in which you fight make all the difference, and small spaces make it even more difficult. In general, most fights will take place in the open world, which can be used to your advantage. The new health system means that you restore depleting health through the rations bag, which you fill with berries and other food sources on your travels. You can also leave a fight at any point to find food, as raspberry bushes are scattered across the land. Mushrooms are another food source, but some will make Eivor sick, so choose carefully. Crafting returns in a basic form, giving you the option to upgrade quivers and ration bags, increasing their effectiveness. Gear and Weapons also also upgradable through collected resources, improving your stats. You can visit the settlement blacksmith to improve the quality of gear and weaponry, but this does change it's appearance, and not always for the better. Arrows can't be crafted like they could be in Origins and Odyssey, but there's a good chance you'll find them in the world, especially close to a boss fight or random tree stumps in forests. The three hardest enemies to defeat in the game are: The Daughters of Lerion, Zealots and Legendary Beasts. Defeating all of them will take time, as each of them need to be slowly weakened in different ways. There are so many different abilities in the game that can be used in combat, so you have to find the ones that work for your own personal playstyle. Valhalla brings back the three bow options, resembling Bayek's weaponry choices. Each of them are useful in different situations, and mixed with abilities are a deadly combination. If an enemy camp is near water, Eivor can blow a horn to signal a raid. This can be especially useful in a higher level area. Combat is diverse and interesting in Valhalla, and is the most improved upon feature from Odyssey other than having a more dynamic open world. It's a standout feature, and really improves upon everything that has come before. Customisation Customisation certainly is mixed in Valhalla, as you can edit Eivor's gender, hair or tattoos at any point. There are so many combinations that can make the character look like a different person entirely, if you choose to. Ubisoft even added the AC Sisterhood logo as a tattoo, a nice touch and something which means a lot to fans. Unfortunately there are a lack of in-game clothing options, with limited rewards for players. You can randomly stumble across cloaks, pants and other gear items in the world, or pay a random wanderer for their location. They come in the form of sets, but there are only nine to be discovered. Rather than unique loot everywhere. the game focusses on the player unearthing set pieces through completing puzzles and raiding tombs. You can also unlock a few gear pieces through the Ubisoft Store rewards, such as Bayek's Robes, or as always, visit the Helix Store to pay for a better set. It's a shame that there are such limited options in the game, as most RPG's usually reward the player in this way. For example, it would have been nice if every Zealot defeated unlocked new and unique armour pieces or weaponry, rather than gaining a medallion for Hytham and another name ticked off a list. In comparison to Origins and Odyssey, Valhalla really does limit the player's look, with only a few customisation options. Items do change upon upgrading with the Blacksmith at the settlement, but until the Transmogrification feature is introduced, players are left with the gear quality they have upgraded to, which isn't always the best visually. You can of course, visit Reda, the local trader, but it's highly unlikely he will have anything of value in terms of gear. Although gear and weapons are limited in Valhalla, what the game does have can sometimes be enough. You can unlock First Civilisation weapons such as Excalibur and Mjolnir, a must-have for fans of the Isu. These weapons take a great deal of time and effort to unlock, but they are amongst the best in the game. You are also, on occasion, be randomly rewarded for your choices in the game. For example, Petra will gift Eivor a bow, and Ubba will send a weapon if your relationship with him is intact. If Assassin's Creed continues to go down the RPG road, it should consider rewarding players more frequently. Another feature that should return in future games is the robe dye from Assassin's Creed Brotherhood era. There's no reason why we shouldn't be able to determine clothing colours. Simple features like this, and the increased gear options would have dramatically improved the overall player customisation experience. It would have been nice if Basim had gifted Eivor a version of his own gear, which features a unique blade and similar robes to Altair. When travelling to Vinland, Eivor unlocks a special Native American inspired outfit, but unfortunately it can't be brought back to England. The same goes for the Gloucestshire narrative arc, where Eivor wears a skull mask. There's no real reason to take these items out of players inventory, but the game does, and you can only wear them during the short time you spend in each area. The Drakkar owned by Eivor can also be customized upon upgrading the settlement, but again, the options are limited, with most unique and interesting appearance choices purchasable on the Helix Store. Figureheads are the best in-game Drakkar options, really changing the look and making it more interesting. The settlement itself has a few cosmetic features that you can edit as you play, to make make it feel more like home. Add a little figure of Odin to Immerse yourself in Norse culture before you raid, or head to the stables to change the appearance of your horse. There are a few options in-game, my favourite of which turns the horse into a giant wolf. You can also change the appearance of the bird companion, something which is new to Valhalla. Sýnin can change colour, or even into a different bird entirely such as a pigeon. The most useful customisation features added in the game are the horse upgrades, where you can train your mount to swim or improve its speed and stamina. This makes a real difference when exploring the open world. The options that are available in-game are pretty good, but it's clear that players are limited when you look at the crazy items available for purchase in the Helix store. Hopefully future updates will make more items available. Conclusion There's no doubt that Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a great game, and feels like a real adventure for the player. Although it's probably the longest game in the series, it's well worth diving into and exploring in detail. The gender options and exceptional voice acting performances make the game worth playing twice, so you might get 400+ hours out of Valhalla and really get your money's worth. It's a dynamic experience with a real variety of opportunities that'll still bring surprises even after 150+ hours of gaming. The open world is expansive and interesting, full of activities scattered around beautiful landscapes. Dig beneath the surface and discover new Desmond Miles audio clips and the return of the Database, once again written by Shaun Hastings. The story has meaning, in terms of the overarching narrative. Assassin's Creed often has a problem of carrying forward plot points and acting as stand-alone entries. Valhalla is a conclusion in some ways, wrapping up multiple plot points dating back years, and in other ways, it's the start of something new. The rebirth of the Hidden Ones in England and even the evolution of the Order of Ancients into the Templar Orders slowly begins to take place. There's no doubt that future Assassin's Creed games will be exciting, and the series is certainly heading in the right direction. Valhalla has a great story set in the Assassin's Creed universe, and is the first game in years to provide an actual cliffhanger ending with consequences for the modern day. Eivor is a great character, who only gets better as the game goes on. One thing that stands out for me is the amount of care that went into producing the game. There are so many features from the older games such as social stealth, and even sounds from previous entries that find their way back to the series. The game provides a unique perspective on the series, and develops lore plot points further that were established years ago. It's clear that the series should never rush to meet annual releases, and should take whatever time required to produce games of this quality. In my opinion, Valhalla is the last pre-cursor Assassin game needed, and stories of this kind have now wrapped up, establishing how and why the two orders were created. Future games should once again explore an established brotherhood, with players being a member of the Assassin order. That being said, this is an extremely strong entry that has a great story and characters, and is a game that will be remembered. Valhalla is the final piece of the puzzle, and a return to form for the series. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 20th to 26th November Community Share 30 Nov 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 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 week’s guest judge is Ultra Violetra a real talent within the virtual photography community and known for some beautiful Assassin’s Creed captures. Ultra is also a Mod @ VGPNetwork and @ ThePhotoMode . 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: NPC All Father Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ _Virtualtourism “Rise, Eivor….and awaken” I love Norse Mythology so having it feature so prominently in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was excellent. The whole Loki and Odin face off was interesting to watch, especially with how the two are so pivotal to the events of Ragnarok. I did love the assassination scenes too as Eivor fought between two personalities. I felt Jack captured the essence of Odin so well with this shot. Surrounded by darkness and riddled with pain, Odin appears from the shadow of his own hood. I really like how the lighting gives us a glimpse of his grey beard and showcase the runes on the tip of the hood. Such a brilliant capture of the All-Father. The Details Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ Dario_OtherEyes The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ UVioletra Dario has captured a beautiful NPC that appears curious yet weary. The character’s skin texture and the lighting is perfectly matched, creating a gorgeous shot of the week. Aaron “Stay your blade from the flesh of the innocent” Something Assassin’s Creed Mirage has perfected is the variety of NPC’s. The amount of different cultures walking the streets of Baghdad is quite special. It adds so much variety and makes for some really interesting NPC shots. This beautiful capture shows exactly what I mean. I adore the lighting of this shot, with the shadow covering half of her body. The warmth of the photo really does give you the feel of the desert whilst also highlighting the details of this amazingly crafted NPC. She definitely looks like she is being tailed by the order, let’s just hope Basim gets to her first. Valka Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ NIKOOO_WOLF “I am better than well. I am present.” Valka is the Raven Clans Seer and the women responsible for guiding Eivor in her visions. Her stunning character design and warming personality have led to her being one of the stronger NPC in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. This side shot of her is extremely beautiful. I love the white mist in front of her and the clouds in the background. It reminds me of when we first meet her upon the snowy mountain. The level of detail on her clothing and face have been emphasised, and together with the saturation makes this shot look like a piece of art. Randvi Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Kristina_m0509 “Married off in service of peace between two clans.” For me Randvi is one of the best but most underused NPC’s in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. She serves as a strategist and potential love interest. However I was always disappointed that she didn’t accompany you more often. This capture of Randvi is exceptionally beautiful, the colours on show match the feel of the game. That stunning blue sky behind her not only looks great but elevates Randvi’s presence. I think the little details of her character design are wonderfully shown through that luscious golden sunlight. Excellent virtual photography of an NPC. Stowe Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Kristina_m0509 “Eivor, I beg you, Alfred’s men or not, they are Saxons and Christians.” Stowe is The Reeve of Lunden and close friend of Eivor. It was nice to see our Viking hero team up with an Anglo Saxon. Stowe is a man of pride and honour who plays a critical part within the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla story. The Lunden arc is probably the most 'Assassin' section of the game and I really enjoyed it. Here we have a strong portrait of Stowe surrounded by a striking wintery background. I quite like how he is framed in this shot, and the details are impressive. The shadow across his face adds mystery and I am getting super hero vibes from his stance. Once again an excellent NPC capture to round off the showcase. 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

The Road to Trust: A Review of Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Daughter of No One & Interview with Author Maria Lewis Reviews Share 20 Nov 2023 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Colum Blackett Back To Database Banner by Thea Marie Rivedal (Moonchildgecko) from TOWCB Art Team. Roshan images provided by Jack (_VirtualTourism), Aaron Young (FalconSwift87), & Dave Rutter (Dpruttz_vp) from TOWCB Virtual Photography Team. Minor Spoilers for Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Daughter of No One. How do you find trust in the help of a stranger? To some, it's as simple as a hopeful view of the world, that good triumphs, and at their core people are genuine in their aid. To others, trust has to be earned and while assistance can be a step towards such a bond, it can sometimes hide one’s true intentions. This is a concept that has been explored on a deeper level in the Assassin’s Creed series. From the Assassin, Altaïr, who had to repair a trust broken with his brotherhood, to the Viking Shieldmaiden, Eivor, who found trust in outsiders that helped her people move to a new home, Assassin’s Creed has consistently asked players to trust in the Brotherhood and those around their key characters. Roshan (image by VirtualTourism) What trust does one have if they are not part of such a fellowship? When isolated or forced to hide from the world so that one can have some resemblance of freedom? How does a person not only gain the trust of strangers, but accept that a person is trustworthy? These are aspects that Roshan bint-La'Ahad (the lead character of the new Aconyte novel, Daughter of No One , written by award-winning screenwriter, and best-selling author, Maria Lewis), is questioning throughout her young life as a street-raised fugitive. A woman forced into a life of solitude after killing the man she was sold to as a young bride, a life before she took the mantle of Mentor to fellow Hidden One, Basim Ibn Ishaq. I have been a big supporter of the transmedia line in the Assassin’s Creed series, and Aconyte Books has released time after time, some of the best stories in the franchise with a variety of genres and stories from centuries of history. Previous titles have touched on European wars, Chinese philosophy and kung-fu, English mythology, and a middle eastern political thriller. * Daughter of No One continues this trend as it shifts between two parallel timelines from the origin of Roshan as a fugitive hiding in The House of Wisdom in 819 to Cairo five years later where Roshan is imprisoned for crimes of her past and is offered her freedom by joining ragtag group of warriors, criminals, and specialists, tasked by the hooded figure to steal a mysterious object from a cultist group called The Martyrs of Agaunum. The Silk Road The Silk Road returns to the Assassin’s Creed franchise for this new adventure with an ensemble of unique characters from around the known world. *Within this cast readers will meet the Welsh swordswoman, Mared; a Roman soldier-turned pirate, Dias; a Persian informant, Azadeh, and her wolf, Onyx; Viking twin brothers Geir and Gud, Wei, the Chinese explosives specialist; Nafanua, the Samoan warrior; the French Christian prophet, Francis; and lastly, Roshan, the intelligence for the group. Failure is not an option and through the pages of Daughter of No One these nine strangers will learn the cost of joining this mission in return for money, family, and for some, their freedom. The cast of Ocean's Eight (image by Warner Brothers) My first thought when I read about the various characters was to the Ocean’s Eleven films where a group of specialists came together to perform a heist against a wealthy target. However, the longer I read, the more I realized that this was more reflective of The Suicide Squad , and I was all in on the story at this point. The detailed action set pieces that filled the chapters of this part of the book made me look at each character as a living being and not as just person A, B, and C. They each had personality and backstory, some of which reference back to previous titles in the Assassin’s Creed universe, tying the transmedia even closer together, and I had emotion towards each member to various degrees and absorbed each piece of intel about them. This group's adventure runs Roshan through similar emotions as she finds both friends and enemies amongst her colleagues, yet is always questioning a person’s true intentions. Roshan (image by AaronYoung//FalconSwift87) Looking back at the earlier points in Roshan’s life, readers learn of a time where she was a prisoner of another kind under the control of a man with multiple wives that he treated more as slaves than people. The origin of the Hidden One mentor is a story of hope and adaptation where Roshan finds a safe haven within the House of Wisdom in Baghdad and a friend and teacher in scholar and inventor, Bakhit. Learning how to read and write in various languages and numbers, how the world works, and how she could have a better life as an assistant to the inventor. From here the story will progress and introduce Roshan to characters who will teach her combat, show here that women can be successful on their own in a world run by men, and how to find the freedom she is fighting for. Comparing Daughter of No One to other titles under the Aconyte Books umbrella, I would say that it would be higher on the list of favorites. With the exception of the Engine of History trilogy (which has been my top series thus far) I would say that DoNO has surpassed the other titles such as Geirmund’s Saga, Sword of the White Horse, and The Golden City . I am a fan of the ensemble cast/character stories as there is so much potential for that story to branch off for additional world building. So when I read the pages of Maria Lewis’ book and saw that was what I was getting into, I was excited for the adventure. Between the various interactions of combos of characters, learning their backstories, and seeing how they responded to the situations set before them was captivating. Plus the forces they faced with the Martyrs of Agaunum added a supernatural component as expected with an Assassin’s Creed story. Trying to determine what Roshan and her team was up against, compared to the mystics of The Ming Storm or Isu artifacts that fans know from the history of this fictional world, kept me on my toes. Wanting to solve the mystery of the box that this group is after, and being surprised and obtaining the satisfaction of twists and “WOW” moments, made this a fun read, and a quick one that I didn’t want to set down. Author Maria Lewis’ writing showcases not only her style as a novelist, but also as a screenwriter, providing easy visualization of the action scenes and moments between, making this book truly come to life. Yet, I will state that my experience playing Assassin’s Creed Mirage and knowing various details of the series already provided me a good understanding of what to expect with the story, but not to the point where I could predict what was going to happen. In the earlier chapters where Roshan sought shelter within the House of Wisdom, I knew what the environment looked like as I had explored the building myself in the parent title game. Regardless of this, her writing gives great scale to the environment to where any reader should have no issue in visualizing scenes similar to how I did as an avid fan of the series. There were moments where I did find myself confused, specifically one of the larger set pieces where Roshan and her companions attacked a large two tier caravan pulled by four camels and surrounded with guards who provided additional defense. In moments of this fight, characters moved on and around the transport and I found myself questioning “how large is this thing?” I think that my imagination was blowing the size out of proportion, but the combat and action was smooth and pushed me forward without fixating on the scale. While I did wish the book was longer as I wanted to read more about Roshan’s life, Daughter of No One is another great example of stories that do not require a lot of time to read, but provide the insight and backstory to characters that deserve more focus in the games, but are unable to obtain due to the focus of such. It would be great to see a sequel to this story from Maria Lewis as there is so much left open to close the forty year gap between this book and Assassin’s Creed Mirage . Author Maria Lewis (photo by Michelle Grace Hunder) Aconyte Books offered an opportunity for me to ask the author, Maria Lewis questions ahead of my review, which I was thankful to do. I wanted to focus on questions about Maria’s history with the series, writing process, influence, and research into her story, Daughter of No One . Having written an origin story for Roshan, a rapidly growing favorite character in the Assassin’s Creed universe, what was your experience with the franchise up until this point and did you believe there was something missing that you wanted to add to your entry in the series? I’ve been a huge fan of Assassin’s Creed since the beginning, well before I got more actively into gaming, because as someone whose job it is to build worlds that was the first thing that hooked me: the world building of Assassin’s Creed. It’s such expansive, interesting storytelling, which feels easy but actually requires so much thought and labour. I’m also a big history nerd, so with each additional instalment in the franchise – whether that was the main games or one of the spin-off media properties like Oliver Bowden’s books – I was very curious about what time period and geographical playground they were in, especially because that shaped how the central story would need to evolve. And look, I’m a woman so selfishly my answer to what I wanted to see more of is always women! Women of different ages, ethnicities, background, sexualities. Because so much of history is written by men, for men, women get pushed to the sidelines or erased altogether. Taking on this project, one of the big appeals for me was colouring the world with all different types of women: not just those who were assassins or physically strong, but those who were devious and strategic and financially intelligent. To survive during that time, you had to be. Aconyte has had multiple authors that have worked on both the Assassin’s Creed series as well as written novels for Marvel. How do you find writing historical fiction vs the superhero genre? Well, outside of my Aconyte work I have ten other best-selling novels that span different genres and time periods, ranging from horror and high fantasy, to paranormal romance and historical fiction. So I’m used to hopping from one category to the other as an author, plus my full-time job is as a screenwriter so within the space of a calendar year you have to bounce from an Indigenous vampire hunters series for AMC to an outback crime drama for Netflix. You have to be nimble and genre diverse in this kind of work, which to be honest is great for me because the only category I don’t really enjoy are melodramas and that doesn’t tend to be the kind of project people approach me for. Although this is my first time working on an Assassin’s Creed title, I had worked with Ubisoft on a gaming project for several years before Daughter Of No One so I felt like I had a head start in terms of understanding how they operate and how extensive they are in terms of universe craft. Similarly with the superhero work, although I hadn’t worked for Marvel on a novel, I had worked with them in the past and also at DC Comics for a project that was killed in the Discovery merger, so I was familiar with what it takes to manage a character that has decades of canon within a legacy brand like that. Do you find writing a novel comparative to screenwriting in your writing process? Is it easier to plan the full story before writing, or do you like to write around set pieces? Did you have a plan for the ensemble story before you began writing Daughter of No One? Screenwriting and novel writing are very different, namely because in the former you have to be economical with your storytelling: whether it’s film or television, a script isn’t that long so anything that ends up on the page has to be absolutely critical to the storytelling. A novel, you have much more real estate. A character like Roshan, for instance, isn’t a big talker so you need to make sure the world is populated with other aspects outside of dialogue and elements for her to interact with so you can continue fleshing out the story whilst keeping the reader engaged. I always have a plan, regardless of what I’m writing, and the detail of that plan shifts depending on the project and who my boss is. For Daughter Of No One, each element of the story needed pre-approval from the Ubisoft team so the plan was extremely detailed and broken down at each stage. By the time I got to physically write the book, I had a very intricate map of where I was going. On the subject of the ensemble story, did you have influence on how you wanted to diversify the cast and build on their personalities? I think to the Ocean’s 11 series, Suicide Squad, and even films like Inglorious Bastards which have a broad cast of characters that can be isolated as a favorite. To that, did you have a favorite character in your story that you liked developing? I’m so glad that you picked up on the team nature of the story, as that was something that I really wanted to lean into with Daughter Of No One and to set it apart from a lot of the other Assassin’s Creed novels, which can lean more solitary. Ronin was a big inspiration for me, the idea of a highly skilled group of dangerous strangers being brought together to achieve a specific task. It’s such a simple premise at its core, yet the longer the story unravels there are betrayals and blindsights within it. The time period of the novel can feel very isolating and foreign to the audience, balancing that with familiar story conventions of your Ocean’s 11, your Suicide Squad’s, your Ronin’s was a handy way to make an old world feel modern. A Tafesilafa’I The character of Nafanua was one that was really important for me to include and develop in the novel, even though she is just a supporting character and member of the core troupe. For me, that’s one of the big oversights of the Assassin’s Creed franchise as a whole: for a property that has spanned so many time periods and countries, there has been almost zero inclusion of Pasifika characters. Nafanua was me pushing my agenda through as a Pasifika woman, with a lot of the elements of her story perhaps not being super obvious outside of the culture – her backstory with her brother or even her namesake the Sāmoan warrior goddess – but I wanted to lay story groundwork so someone else could wield the Tafesilafa’I another day, whether that’s me or a different writer. Lastly, I wanted to ask if you had any research books or materials for your story that you would be willing to share? Being a fan of the series, I have discovered an interest in history and seeing the Silk Road return again to the series (previously seen in Assassin’s Creed: The Silk Road by Mathieu Rivero), I am curious in learning more about the time period represented and what you would have possibly read in preparation for this story. Great question! That was obviously one of the biggest hurdles when writing the novel, as an Assassin’s Creed game has a staff of hundreds to pour over historical documents and architectural plans whereas I have just me. So it was a challenging task to try and get the balance of history and story just right, but one of the books that I found really useful was In Xanadu: A Quest, which is essentially a historical memoir if such a sub-genre can exist. It’s one thing to visit the places where your stories are set, but you can’t visit the time periods themselves so much of it comes down to reading and learning about the feel: the scents, the tastes, the sounds. The author William Dalrymple does an incredible job of that, so would highly recommend in terms of dipping your toe into that time period and setting. Roshan (image by Dpruttz) Do you feel that you could write a sequel to Daughter of No One if you were provided the chance? Is there a period of Roshan’s life that you would like to explore further, or would you have interest in writing a different Assassin’s Creed story? Oh, absolutely! No spoilers obviously, but the novel ends just as Roshan has agreed to join the Brotherhood (or Hidden Ones, in this time period) and although so much of my intent with the novel was to get the audience to this point where they’d understand why she joined, what happens after is hugely interesting to me. But, again – that’s over to Ubisoft and whether they’re keen for Roshan to have more story real estate in their spin-off media and up to the readers in terms of whether they want to spend more time with her as she trains up through the Assassin ranks. In terms of a different Assassin’s Creed story, again, I think Pasifika has been a largely untapped and in-depth story world that I would love to see more of in the franchise. It’s not just one island, it’s thousands with rich mythology and cultures and traditions that interact with pre-existing Assassin’s Creed stories already. I think our legacy as warriors, storytellers and navigators aligns perfectly with the Assassin’s Creed ethos so kind of baffled why that hasn’t happened yet, but … who knows? Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Daughter of No One releases on November 21, 2023 via Aconyte Books on global ebook and US paperback. The UK paperback releases on January 18, 2024. If you have interest in ordering the book, we will provide our Amazon affiliate link below so you can get a copy yourself. We would like to say a big thank you to Maria Lewis for taking the time to talk to us, and to Aconyte for making it happen! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Michael Smith

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

Going Viking started as a page focused on everything relating to Vikings including history, archaeology, Norse Mythology, video games, books, TV shows, etc. Kevin then transferred his focus to the video game Days Gone, where he began doing virtual photography, and running a blog. In early 2021, Kevin began his new position as an Online Community Specialist at Sony, working for Bend Studio. We are thrilled to see Kevin joining a company that makes the franchise he loves, but will miss him deeply on the program. We wish him the best of luck in his new position! Previous Next Writer Kevin (Going Viking) Previous Partner Going Viking started as a page focused on everything relating to Vikings including history, archaeology, Norse Mythology, video games, books, TV shows, etc. Kevin then transferred his focus to the video game Days Gone, where he began doing virtual photography, and running a blog. In early 2021, Kevin began his new position as an Online Community Specialist at Sony, working for Bend Studio. We are thrilled to see Kevin joining a company that makes the franchise he loves, but will miss him deeply on the program. We wish him the best of luck in his new position! --- Work

Why Assassin's Creed Remakes Will Succeed Wishlist Share 12 Jul 2024 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot announced recently that some of the classic original Assassin’s Creed games would be getting remakes, which means completely rebuilding and overhauling the original games in the series to hold up better against modern gaming years later since the beginning days of the series. Given the technology in the gaming industry has rapidly advanced since the start of this franchise, it makes sense for Ubisoft to use this modern tech to their advantage. The Assassin’s Creed series has been active and alive for over 15 years and counting, and over that time the games have changed a lot. The original games from the beginning were ground-breaking games in the industry that still have impacts to today’s game development. The stealth and parkour formula became an inspiration for other games following this same template. Even today, stealth themed games are in some way created by the foundation that is the Assassin’s Creed series. Now that Ubisoft has shown more interest in their roots of the franchise, only good things can come of this development direction from the company. Assassin’s Creed as we know it is unlike its past. Which has been a change for the good, as certain aspects of the older games simply do not hold up today, like oblivious side characters and enemies, old reused mechanics, or features from the original games that would make the current state of these games seem outdated and considered being out of touch with the rapid change of the gaming industry. Times have changed in this business, and to survive, Ubisoft has to evolve with the median, otherwise the series would remain stuck in the past and unoriginal. Ubisoft shows they not only care about the future games of the franchise, but also showing their appreciation to their beginnings. Creating these remakes is a huge step forward for this world-wide game industry giant, as they are aware that Assassin’s Creed is still as popular as ever, and doubling down on their best franchises is the way to succeed as a company. The future of the series already has several games announced and rumored, and now the idea of remaking the older games would be great for the reputation of these all time classic games. While the originals still are impressive and great, some of them do not hold up well in today's standards, both graphically and mechanically. The technology used in 2007 is much different than what we have today. The tech industry is a quick and ever evolving business, meaning you're forced to adapt with the change, or you could be left behind. The graphics from the original games were considered impressive at the time of their release, but now in an era where games can be created in almost life-like visuals, the state of the classic games look outdated. So, remaking these games can do justice to their legacies by improving on what are already industry-changing games, and making them hold up in our modern standards. Ubisoft has many years to plan and decide on the exact direction to take for these remakes, but from what we know already, fans should be excited for what to expect in the future. Ubisoft could make these games impressive in today’s vision by not only improving their visuals, but also going in depth into development and changing the way these games are played that would match what we expect today. It's clear Ubisoft knows that to create these remakes, the games should be updated but not abandoning its core. A way Ubisoft could approach this idea is by changing the more outdated mechanics of the past, but keeping the concept the same. Such as updating the parkour from the original games, by cleaning up the outdated parkour such as accidentally ejecting off tall building one has climbed by pressing the wrong button, which, thankfully, has been changed in the more modern Assassin’s Creed games where accidentally jumping to your death is not very possible anymore by not allowing it to be so easy to fall down. Ubisoft could also update these games with adding enemy AI awareness. In the past when playing the game it sometimes would be easier to pretend to be spotted until the enemy notices enough to come and investigate your position and you could take them down from there. This altered the way enemies are traditionally supposed to react, and is unrealistic to how modern enemies in gaming are. Which makes you have to be more careful about being spotted, instead of using it as an unfair advantage. Ubisoft is capable of perfecting these remakes to the point where it plays similar to current Assassin’s Creed series mechanics. The graphical updates could also have the game look as the developers would have originally envisioned, given the lack of advanced technology at the time of the games creation. Now, since games look so close to life-like graphics, these classics will look like they would have if the gaming world had today's technology available years prior. It is up to Ubisoft on how to approach these remakes. Whether it be remaking all of the originals, or remaking the ones they think would play best in modern standards. Ubisoft has plenty of options to choose from as the production could begin in the near future. However they decide, fans should trust that the vision Ubisoft has selected for these remakes will be a faithful adaptation of these all-time great gaming masterpieces. It is smart Ubisoft is investing their efforts so much into the Assassin’s Creed franchise, and not only focusing on future installments, but other ways to bring this beloved franchise to life. Remakes of these games are a brilliant idea from Ubisoft, as it will cater to all fans of this series, and those who may be new to Assassin’s Creed . Now that remasters and remakes are all the rage now, plenty of popular classic games are getting that treatment, so Ubisoft has picked a smart time to take advantage of this rise in popularity, and honor the roots of this franchise with remakes that rejuvenate the history of the series and perhaps one day have all the rather outdated Assassin’s Creed games match modern standards and once again have them become a staple of the industry, just as the did when they originally released many years ago. The Assassin’s Creed fan base should be excited for the future of these games, and Ubisoft’s dedication to admiring and adapting their massive money-making franchise. comments debug Comments (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest YoverAar1 Feb 06 Assassin's Creed II remake Like Reply 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