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The AC Experience: Being a Background Actor in the Assassin's Creed Movie Events Share 4 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Preston Carbonaro Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks his genetic memories, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) experiences the adventures of his ancestor, Aguilar, in 15th Century Spain. Callum discovers he is descended from a mysterious secret society, the Assassins, and amasses incredible knowledge and skills to take on the oppressive and powerful Templar organization in the present day. My casting agent had called me one afternoon, in late July 2015, saying that extras were needed for an upcoming historical science-fiction movie. Would I be interested? Although I had no idea which one she was referring to at that time, I did have an inkling; rumours had already been spreading that scenes from the upcoming Assassin's Creed film were to be shot in Malta. So, of course, I jumped at the opportunity. Actor's note: At this early stage, very little information is given to extras, and they’re not informed of the film's actual title, so as not to give anything away in case they are not able to commit to the project. The following week I was called in for my costume fitting. By then the rumours had been confirmed, and when it came to putting on my costume, it struck me: I am actually a part of this! I am actually going to be in an Assassin’s Creed film! Actor's note: While the whole costume process can be tedious for some, it is actually very fascinating to witness first-hand. The colours, materials, textiles, different costumes and props. The amount of work that goes into making each costume (most of which are tailor-made) is nothing short of remarkable! Filming day arrived in early September, I recall. The scene being filmed that day was the one in which Aguilar and Maria are manacled to wooden posts, freeing themselves shortly afterwards and then engaging in an epic, fiery skirmish with the Spanish soldiers. Being on set truly felt like an escape from the real world. The 18th century Fort Manoel located in Gżira, Malta, was transformed into 15th century Seville. Hundreds of people were there. The attention to detail was phenomenal. The atmosphere was electric. And yes, I was there among the crowd, cheering on, as the two Assassins were about to meet their fate. Just like in the games, I felt as if I’d stepped into the Animus and been transported to an ancestor’s memory. I was physically and mentally there. Actor's note: Did you know? A typical working day for a background actor in a movie is around 13 hours long! Our task was fairly simple. Upon the director's call “ACTION!”, we were to start walking out from the middle of the wooden bleachers, while shouting, cheering, and jeering with fists raised high in the air, and slowly surround the middle platform. Upon which the main sequence took place. Clad in all that material, and with multiple takes being shot, on a scorching hot summer day in Malta, was rather gruelling. But despite this, it was one heck of an experience. After all, not everyone gets to say that they were in a movie based on their favourite video game franchise ever! How awesome is that?! Unfortunately, I didn't manage to exchange words with any of the main actors - Michael Fassbender and Ariane Labed - or with Fassbender’s stunt double, Damien Walters, who was also there. And of course, taking photos on set is prohibited. But I still consider myself privileged to have been in their presence, watching them work just a few metres away from where I stood. I am so thankful to have been given this opportunity! (And I’m hoping there will be more in the future.) A view of Fort Manoel from the sea Part of the piazza and chapel of Fort Manoel. The filming location. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Preston is a long-time Assassin's Creed fan of both the games and the soundtracks. He works as a primary school educator, and is also a part-time actor. He takes a keen interest in mythology, symbology, codes and puzzles. Some of his passions include writing, reading, art, gaming, football, and music. Preston Carbonaro

Understanding the Isu Language: Grammatical Cases and Pronouns Analysis Share 3 Oct 2024 Written By: Edited By: Edenoi ActualSpider-Man Back To Database The Isu language, unlike English but like certain other languages such as Latin, marks the grammatical case of a noun using various endings. The case of a noun essentially describes its role in the sentence. In English grammar, you might be familiar with the terms subject, direct object, etc. The case endings for the Isu language are as follows: Grammatical Case Endings Inanimate nominative no ending Animate nominative -s Genitive -às Dative -àæ Concrete accusative -ch Abstract accusative -á Animate accusative -m Locative -æ Ablative -os Causal -ôd Instrumental -h There are a lot of cases and you may not be familiar with all the terms, so let's go over them. The nominative case is for the subject of the sentence: whoever or whatever is doing the action. However, the Isu language actually has two different nominative endings, depending on whether the noun is animate (describing a person) or inanimate (describing anything else). Note that the Isu may not necessarily consider humans to be animate. The genitive case indicates a possessor, very similar to how you would use the -'s ending (as in "Desmond's birthday") in English. The dative case indicates a receiver, what you would call the indirect object of the sentence in English. In the sentence "I gave my dog a bone," the dog would be in the dative case. The accusative case marks the target of a verb, the direct object. Isu actually has three whole endings in the accusative. We have an animate ending like in the nominative case, but we also have two separate inanimate endings, what we'll call concrete and abstract. Concrete nouns describe things that physically exist, whereas abstract nouns describe concepts. These are essentially gendered endings like you might be familiar with in languages like Spanish or French, but in the case of the Isu language, grammatical gender has nothing to do with being male or female. The locative case indicates the place where the action takes place, for example "in the Animus." The ablative case indicates something which the action is moving away from. For example, in the phrase "a call from my dad," the dad would be in the ablative case. The causal case indicates the beneficiary or purpose of an action, such as "for the creed." The instrumental case indicates a tool being used to perform an action. In the sentence "Assassinate the target with a hidden blade," the hidden blade would be in the instrumental case. Additionally, Isu uses the infix -r- to indicate pluralization. To decline a noun, start with the stem, then add the plural marker if appropriate and finally add the ending for the appropriate case. Personal pronouns are a special case. They sometimes use the same endings as regular nouns, but not always. Isu pronouns can be broken down into first-, second- and third-person in the singular and plural, just like in English. Pronouns Singular First Nominative Hṃ Genitive Hmàs Dative Hmàæ Accusative Hṃ Locative Hmæ Ablative Hmos Causal Hmôd Instrumental Hmh Note that the instrumental case may not be accurate as the instrumental form of the second-person pronoun does behave differently from the other cases, and there are as yet no examples of the first-person singular pronoun in the instrumental case. Likely there's a vowel missing because "hmh" is not actually a syllable and very hard to pronounce. Second Nominative Dű Genitive Duàs Dative Duàæ Accusative Dúm Locative Duæ Ablative Duos Causal Duôd Instrumental Dúh Third Nominative Hoæ Genitive Hàs Dative Hàæ Accusative Hoæm Locative Hæ Ablative Hos Causal Hôd Instrumental Hh The third-person singular pronoun has not actually appeared at all in any of the sources that have been released, but we can guess what it should look like by analogy with the third-person plural pronouns, the definite articles, and the number "one," all of which we'll get to later in this article. Plural First Nominative Ṇsṃ Genitive Ṇsmàs Dative Ṇsmàæ Accusative Ṇsṃ Locative Ṇsmæ Ablative Ṇsmos Causal Ṇsmôd Instrumental Ṇsmh Second Nominative Æű Genitive Æuàs Dative Æuàæ Accusative Æúm Locative Æuæ Ablative Æuos Causal Æuôd Instrumental Æúh Third Nominative Toæ Genitive Tràs Dative Tràæ Accusative Toæm Locative Træ Ablative Tros Causal Trôd Instrumental Trh The definite article (like the English "the") is not required in the Isu language but can be used for emphasis in certain situations, such as when referring to "The Council" that seems to have ruled Isu society. Definite Articles Inanimate nominative Hæz Animate nominative Hæz Genitive Hàs Dative Hàæ Concrete accusative Hæzch Abstract accusative Há Animate accusative Hæzm Locative Hæ Ablative Hæzmos Causal Hæzmôd Instrumental Hæzh The last concept we'll cover in this article is the word for the number one: oænos. This word is used to refer to a single person or object, but it can also mean "once." The word can even be doubled to mean "one and only one." Additionally, it can be pluralized to mean "everything" or "everyone": oænosr. It can also be negated to mean "nothing": ṇoænos. More Isu Studies You can find more articles on the Isu language linked here: Understanding the Isu Language: The Basics comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Eden is a codebreaker who joined The Ones Who Came Before during the Assassin's Creed Shadows promotional campaign, helping the team to decipher numerous codes and puzzles used for marketing. She is also a high school Maths tutor, and has previously published a few short TTRPG's with more projects in the works. She first started playing Assassin's Creed in 2010, and is especially interested in the glyphs and puzzles, and platforms such as Assassin's Creed Initiates that expand the lore in creative ways. Edenoi

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 25th to 01st October Community Share 3 Oct 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: Assassin’s Creed Origins White Senu Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ PodToGo “Be my eye, Senu” The friendship between Bayek and Senu is heart-warming. She is his only friend while gallivanting around the desert. Senu is Bayek’s eyes in the sky, spotting danger before it is too late. Her ability to distract guards and hunt animals make Senu a powerful alley. This capture of the special white feathered Senu is so good. I love the composition with Senu nestled beautifully between the pyramids. The contrast of colours are charming with the luscious green of the trees popping behind her. I have to applaud the timing, Senu looks so graceful coming in to land on Bayek. Let’s Dive In Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ Defalt368 “Fear not the darkness, but welcome its embrace!” Ezio’s Brotherhood robes seem to be a staple for all Assassin’s Creed games. The legendary Italian is a real fan favourite. He went from young tearaway to Master Assassin thanks to the tragedy of house Auditore. In that sense he mirrors Bayek, making it fitting the Medjay should wear his robes. What I love about this capture is the classic Assassin’s Creed feel. The leap of faith always looks fantastic but add to it those amazing reds from the flags and we have one hell of a shot. The positioning and depth of field really help to showcase the shot, with Bayek nicely in the centre of the flags. You could not wish for a better framed shot. The Hood Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ giraph_1 “Every morning of my childhood, my father and I spoke the Prayer of the Medjay, a promise to those in need” The Egyptian Hedj outfit is definitely one of my favourites in the game. It has such distinguishing features and works perfectly to help Bayek hide in plain sight. I was over the moon when Ubisoft added it to Valhalla. This shot immaculately showcases the finer details of the hood, allowing Bayek to look just like an Egyptian Assassin. The angle is brilliant permitting us to only see his nose and mouth. The sandy tones are beautiful, but the darkness entering from the right really epitomises Bayek’s story. A wonderful capture that tells of Bayek’s fight against evil. Link to Set: The Wonders of Egypt Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ Cll3ar “We will find you. We will find you, in your sleep” There is an elegance to Assassin’s Creed Origins thanks to the beautiful landscapes of Egypt. It must have been a dream for the developers to recreate such a famous place in history. However underneath the visage is a deeply corrupted Order who Bayek must put to the sword. This gorgeous capture could easily be mistaken for a painting. I adore the colours and the framing, and those trees either side of the columns look exquisite. I think Raven has captured the beauty of Origins in this shot, and it shows us why Bayek and Aya were so keen to protect their beloved Egypt. Link to set: The Hidden One Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ KaiVirtualPhoto “You are the Medjay from Siwa” Bayek is one of the last Medjay of Egypt and the co-founder of the Hidden Ones. His time training with his father prepared him for the duty he would later endure. The death of his son to the Order ignited a vengeful streak that saw Bayek cross Egypt in search of those responsible. This cinematic style shot of Bayek is so good. I am loving the assassin come warrior look with the Anubis sword at his side. The desert sandstorm feel is really elevating the shot with those stunning particles blowing pass him. The level of detail here is insane, and I cannot believe how lifelike he looks. I cannot wait to see what Kai can do in the Mirage photo mode. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ DaveWoodwardAC ''The reason I have selected this shot for feature of the week is I absolutely love the colour tone which is a big stand out for me. The use of the sun in order to capture this image is fantastic.'' 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

My name is Yazen, and I'm from Oman. I am very passionate about gaming. To me, interacting with other gamers with the same interests can be just as fun as playing the games; sharing theories and art can be so fulfilling. I am fluent in Arabic and English but can speak Japanese at intermediate level. I worked as a marketing intern for the leading telecommunication company in my country, where I learned to collaborate with colleagues from other departments. My Experience as a marketer allowed me to cultivate my skills in thinking creatively and picking things up quickly. In 2024, I joined The Ones Who Came Before as a Social Media Manager. Previous Next Yazen // MidnightMarauder Social Media Team Previous Partner My name is Yazen, and I'm from Oman. I am very passionate about gaming. To me, interacting with other gamers with the same interests can be just as fun as playing the games; sharing theories and art can be so fulfilling. I am fluent in Arabic and English but can speak Japanese at intermediate level. I worked as a marketing intern for the leading telecommunication company in my country, where I learned to collaborate with colleagues from other departments. My Experience as a marketer allowed me to cultivate my skills in thinking creatively and picking things up quickly. In 2024, I joined The Ones Who Came Before as a Social Media Manager. Twitter Work

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 19th to 13th June Share 25 Jun 2025 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Turið Torkilsdóttir 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 theme has been run alongside @ itsphysicsjim a longstanding member of the virtual photography community. Sammie is a YouTuber and Twitcher but also likes to post VP, most recently from Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Sammie really enjoys Japanese culture and has produced great photography in Ghost of Tsushima. We are delighted she agreed to join us for this theme. 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: Weapons The Hidden Blade Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ cyriellevp.bsky.social The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Theme Judge: @ itsphysicsjim Sammie I love this particular shot by Cyrielle for several reasons. The black and white emphasises the sleek design of the hidden blade and the intricate details of the gauntlet. This gives it a timeless and artistic feel. The upward angle and minimalist background also draws all the attention to the subject. This makes the photo feel powerful, iconic and instantly recognisable. Aaron In the last few weeks, I have actually thought about Assassin’s Creed Mirage and how the game had much more of an impact on me than Shadows. The focused Assassin story probably played a huge part, and the fact you are largely based in a city. When looking at this beautiful capture from Cyrielle I was instantly transported back to the game. I adore the minimalist approach; it really pays off when attempting to highlight specific weapons in virtual photography. Capturing this moment in game is a stroke of genius and takes more effort than you might think. The white background and the position of the hand are so reminiscent of the original Assassin’s Creed. Fantastic photography Cyrielle, a worthy winner of the theme. Weapon of the Gods Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ wondernoob.bsky.social It’s got to be said that Assassin’s Creed Odyssey has some very cool looking weapons. None more so than the spear of Leonidas. The decision to use this as the ‘hidden blade’ of Kassandra’s story worked a treat. Here we can see the blade in all it glory, beautifully highlighted on Kassandra’s back. The ornate design makes it standout despite being attached to her quiver. Wondernoob has done an excellent job of showcasing this piece of weaponry through a smart use of the depth of field and some top-notch lighting. The black background really helps to elevate the image and further focus our attention on the subject. Ready to Duel Game: Assassin’s Creed Shadows VP Artist: @ G_Assassin90 I think most of the Assassin’s Creed fan base has waited a long time to finally explore the world of Japan. It’s probably beneficial that we finally get it during the RPG reign, where we can explore to our hearts content. One of the key features on the time period is beautifully designed weapons and armour. There is a stylish efficiency to the Japanese culture, and you can see that in this capture from G_Assassin. I thought it was very smart to capture this in the snowy season as the background helps to elevate the details. I think this photo wonderfully shows off the hard work the developers put into creating all the little details from the various markings on the katana to the flower designs on the armour. This shot really meets the theme and arguably shows why we love the Japanese setting so much. Perspective Game: Assassin’s Creed Shadows VP Artist: @ TakaSanGames Assassin’s Creed Shadows features quite a few new weapons to the franchise, and they all come with new takedown animations that can lend themselves to great captures. Couple that with the implementation of character poses and you have the receipt for some very intriguing captures. Taka is often known for creating stylish compositions and that once again become the case with this shot. It is such an eye catcher with the chain exquisitely framing Naoe’s head as she swings the kusarigama. As the viewer it really feels like the metal ball is about to hit me in the face. It’s the striking nature of this photo that really stands out to me and Taka has very kindly created a mini video showing us how to do it. Stay Your Blade Game: Assassin’s Creed Shadows VP Artist: @ framecapturevp.bsky.social The filters that were added to Assassin’s Creed Shadows really give the photographer additional opportunities to create unique and interesting captures. It has been refreshing to see Ubisoft add to the photo mode with quality-of-life upgrades. I think Mario has truly captured the essence of the Creed with this ink silhouette of Naoe’s hidden blade. The filter does the work of making this feel as if it has been drawn. The composition then adds to the photo by perfectly showcasing the released blade right after an assassination. I do love the splash of colour from the blood falling from the blade. The silhouette nicely highlights the intricate details of the hidden blade culminating in a classic piece of virtual photography. 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

Breaking News: Ubisoft reveal sneak-peak at Ubisoft Forward 2023 line-up News Share 8 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Ubisoft has spent the last week giving fans a sneak-peak at the upcoming Ubisoft Forward showcase event by sharing promotional images and videos of upcoming Assassin's Creed projects to build anticipation for the event. New images and teasers for Assassin's Creed: Mirage, Nexus and Jade have been shared, and we can't wait to cover all three in full when more information drops at Ubisoft Forward and beyond! Assassin's Creed Mirage Learn more about Assassin's Creed Mirage Friday June 9th, when episode one of a special three-part video series dedicated to the game's development releases. Screenshots from the promo video Here we see an underground staircase for Basim to use in a resticted area. This may be one of the ways in which players can achieve a non-confrontational mission playthrough, which stealthily brings him to his target area without being detected. Next up we see a new piece of concept art for Assassn's Creed Mirage showing two Assassins freerunning around Baghdad. Notice the similarities between the robes worn here and the Levantine Brotherhood in Assassin's Creed (2007). Here we see another piece of concept art, this time showing a masked figure hiding from a guard in a poor area of Baghdad. Could this be Basim in disguise making his way through a slum? Although poor quality due to being a recording of a monitor, we can briefly see tree parkour in action. Basim jumps from a wooden plank and onto a tree branch. Here we see a 3D render of an Assassin, likely Basim produced during the development stages of Assassin's Creed Mirage. On the left you can see another screen showing an Assassin wearing a hidden blade / vambrace gauntlet. The next shot is a sketch showing a diagram of a rope lift, something which first appeared in the Ezio games. It's great to see this mechanic return in Mirage as it is a quick and easy way to access rooftops. On the left, you can see the new Pole Vault mechanic, which allows Basim to jump across buildings. Here we see the pole vault in action, as demonstrated in the Assassin's Creed gameplay trailer. Towards the end of the video we see social stealth in action! In a return to its roots, Assassin's Creed Mirage is set to fully reimagine stealth, starting with blending. Hide in plain sight. A blade in the crowd. This is an essential part of being an Assassin. Using your surroundings to mask your appearance. The outline around the NPC's shows that they are unaware of Basim's presence, and also means that enemies will not notice his approach. Assassin's Creed Mirage will be unveiled in full at #UbiForward , on 12th June, 6PM BST. Assassin's Creed Nexus VR Assassin's Creed: Codename Jade Stay tuned for more Assassin's Creed coverage as we prepare to fully immerse ourselves in Ubisoft Forward and all the news it may bring. Check out our social media platforms below for further updates. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

5 Things in the Assassin's Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji Expansion We Want to See More of Breakdown Share 15 Oct 2025 Written By: Edited By: Eric Allen // Milz_VP Colum Blackett Back To Database Article features Spoilers for Assassin's Creed Shadows: Claws of Awaji. The first major DLC for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, titled Claws of Awaji, released in September of 2025, and many eager Assassins have uncovered its secrets since then. The DLC sees Yasuke and Naoe head to the island of Awaji, where Templar threats still remain. Like the main game, Claws of Awaji gives us targets to take down and several new additions to gameplay. Let’s unpack the five things Awaji did that we need to see more of in Assassin’s Creed going forward. Promotional image for Claws of Awaji 1) Lateral Playable Cut Scene One of the most unique elements of Claws of Awaji is how it introduces Naoe and Yasuke to the island. The pair attend a puppet show that seamlessly transitions into a fully playable lateral sequence. As the storyteller unveils the tale of a mysterious shinobi, you travel across the screen, delivering silence upon your enemies. This play style harkens back to the titles included in Assassin’s Creed Chronicles. In both artistic direction and execution, this scene serves as an excellent path between the events of the main story and the new journey about to unfold on Awaji. 2) Both Protagonists on the Battlefield at the Same Time In the main campaign, Naoe and Yasuke acted mostly independently during missions; you would decide who would take on each objective, and that was that. But Claws of Awaji changes this dynamic. Here, both protagonists take the field of battle simultaneously. You fight as Yasuke, protecting Naoe while she finds the way forward, and during key moments, you’re prompted to switch between the two for smoother execution of your goals. This approach feels more immersive and gratifying for both characters in a narrative sense; in the next DLC, we’d love to see even more teamwork like this built into the dual-protagonist system. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed Shadows 3) New Ambush Encounters Want to spice up your open world? Make it more dangerous. On Awaji, even the most innocent-looking villager may be hiding a blade poised to strike. Traps lie unseen beneath your feet, triggering surprise attacks that catch even seasoned assassins off guard. These moments form part of the new ambush mechanic introduced in Claws of Awaji. In a game with such a vast open world, players often develop a sense of safety outside of missions. Claws of Awaji deliberately strips that comfort away, making you vulnerable to sudden, unpredictable encounters. The result is a subtle but powerful tension; every step feels uncertain, every shadow suspicious. It’s a great addition that unfortunately fades too quickly if you rush through the main story; but signs point to this mechanic returning. Ubisoft has confirmed that the upcoming Valley of Memory DLC for Assassin’s Creed Mirage will contain ambush encounters. It will be free to all players who own the game when it launches on November 18. Danger lurks in the shadows on the island of Awaji 4) The Boss Fights The crown jewel of Claws of Awaji are the boss fights. The DLC provides 30 new targets for Yasuke and Naoe. There are four main adversaries and 26 minor targets all out to keep our heroes from achieving their goals. Hunting down the lesser targets remains similar to the main campaign, but facing down the primary antagonists is where Claws of Awaji shines brightest. Each of the encounters has narrative weight to it and is more unique than any of the enemies Yasuke and Naoe have faced before. The structure draws inspiration from the best elements of prior games: the open-ended “black box” assassinations of Valhalla and the “weaken your enemies first” progression found in Odyssey. Some lesser foes can be eliminated strategically to gain advantages in later encounters, while one key target even receives a cinematic assassination that nails the DLC’s tension perfectly. These showdowns deliver some of the most memorable combat in the series; if future titles continue to build on the depth and creativity of these boss encounters, they could set a new standard for Assassin’s Creed combat. Tomeji in Assassin's Creed Shadows: Claws of Awaji 5) Becoming More a Part of the Wider Assassin–Templar Conflict It’s been a long time since players truly stepped into the era of the Assassins and Templars. Since Origins, we’ve followed the Hidden Ones and their allies, watching the early philosophies that would one day define the Brotherhood. But with Shadows, the series finally returns to a period where both factions exist in full. This marks a return to form and, more importantly, stabilization of the overall narrative. Naoe and Yasuke indeed discover the existence of the Templar Order, but neither becomes a part of the Assassin Brotherhood. Claws of Awaji introduces us to Japan’s only Assassin of the Brotherhood; Naoe’s mother, Tsuyu. She was the first Japanese Assassin but failed a mission and became trapped on Awaji. Once she joins with Yasuke and Naoe, they too become part of the larger picture. Perhaps in the next DLC, we will see them meet more members of the Brotherhood and aid in a plot involving the Templars and Isu tech. They never mentioned Isu artifacts in the main campaign, so the door is wide open. Fujibayashi Tsuyu Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Claws of Awaji expands the base game in meaningful ways. Between its tense ambush encounters, unforgettable boss battles, and long-awaited return to the true Assassin–Templar conflict, this DLC feels like the bridge fans have been waiting for. If this is where Shadows begins to connect its world to the wider saga, the next chapter could be something truly special. Scenes from the Claws of Awaji Launch Trailer comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Eric is an experienced social media manager who joined TOWCB Social Media Team in February 2024 in an effort to help the team establish a clear identity for Isu_Network. Professionally, Eric has managed social media platforms in a number of fields such as fashion, trucking and more, working alongside 300+ brands. Taking on the role of social media coordinator, we will be working alongside Eric in 2024 and beyond to create consistent social media content that is both engaging and memorable. Eric Allen // Milz_VP

Rally The Creed Podcast: Episode 2 - October Round-up Podcast Share 29 Oct 2020 Written By: Edited By: Ashlea Blackett Back To Database comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author 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

Jaime is a Twitch Streamer / Artist who was selected to be a member of The Mentor's Guild in 2021, an Assassin's Creed community program hosted by Ubisoft. Jaime left our partnership program to focus on her studies, so we wish her the best of luck with all her future projects, Previous Next Jaime (aSassysCreed) Video Content Previous Partner Jaime is a Twitch Streamer / Artist who was selected to be a member of The Mentor's Guild in 2021, an Assassin's Creed community program hosted by Ubisoft. Jaime left our partnership program to focus on her studies, so we wish her the best of luck with all her future projects, Twitter | Twitch Work

New piece of Assassin's Creed Shadows Fanart Released by Yasmin Page Art Share 13 Jul 2024 Written By: Edited By: Yasmin Page TOWCB Team Back To Database Check out this brand new piece of fanart by our very own digital artist Yasmin Page from the AC Partnership Program! Inspired by a scene from the Assassin's Creed Shadows Official World Premiere Trailer, this new piece of fanart reflects the pain that Naoe experiences in the destruction of her village. She finds the strength to keep going, demonstrating great resilience and determination. As always, Yas has brought the character to life in a way that stays true to the source material, acting as a frozen moment in time. We can't wait to share more 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! Artist: Yasmin Page Yasmin is a Digital Artist based in Melbourne, Australia who discovered the Assassin's Creed series in 2019. Since then she has fallen in love with the franchise and created beautiful realistic digital artworks of several of the main characters. By joining TOWCB, we hope to introduce Yasmin to the AC Community by collaborating on a number of exciting projects such as art releases and podcasts. Instagram | ArtStation | Tumblr | Twitter comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Yasmin is a Digital Artist based in Melbourne, Australia who discovered the Assassin's Creed series in 2019. Since then she has fallen in love with the franchise and created beautiful realistic digital artworks of several of the main characters. By joining TOWCB, we hope to introduce Yasmin to the AC Community by collaborating on a number of exciting projects such as art releases and podcasts. Yasmin Page

Aureliusz is an active community member who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in Summer of 2024 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. He is a well-known source of information in the Polish AC Community and is committed to responding to all comments, creating long-lasting engaging discussions. Previous Next Aureliusz DArccc Social Media Team Previous Partner Aureliusz is an active community member who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in Summer of 2024 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. He is a well-known source of information in the Polish AC Community and is committed to responding to all comments, creating long-lasting engaging discussions. Twitter Work

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok Press Event Round-up Events Share 13 Feb 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We can now reveal that on the 2nd February 2022 we attended an online Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok Press event! Here are some of the key points! - Dawn of Ragnarok (DOR) kicks off Year 2 of Assassin's Creed Valhalla Content. - It follows the personal saga of Odin, as he attempts to rescue his son, Baldr. - DOR Expands Viking Mythology: Svartalfheim, a realm torn by war. - DOR Introduces Dwarven Race. Odin needs help from the Dwarves, who are hidden in 'shelters'. Follow clues to find them. Shelters vary: unusual crystal caves with vendors that can help Odin. - Odin's powers enhance core pillars. - New Divine Quality gear. - New 'Arena' Combat Game Mode - Players see a new side of Odin's personality. - Surtur's family introduced. Son of Surtur, Glod (below) - New weapon: Atgeir (polearm) - AC III DLC style powers: Upgradable. Shapeshift into a raven. X3 powers equipped at a time. System based on 'Hugr'. Rip the life force from enemies. Power of Rebirth. Reanimate the dead to join Odin. You can exchange health for more Hugr. - Power of Muspelheim: Odin becomes a Musphel to leave combat. Social Stealth Tool. Blend In. - New DLC HUD. Greener. - You can exchange health for more Hugr. - New enemies: Musphels. There are various Musphel enemies: Flame Keepers can reanimate fallen foe so best to kill them first. Fire combat: Musphels use lava attacks - Recommended power level: 340. - Game requires you to adapt: change powers often. We would like to say a big thank you to Ubisoft_UK and The Mentors Guild for the opportunity! Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök, the most ambitious expansion in franchise history releases 10th March 2022. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Product Review: GravaStar’s Mars Pro Limited Edition - Assassin's Creed Apple of Eden Speaker Review Share 8 Aug 2024 Written By: Edited By: Frame Hold Photography Colum Blackett Back To Database Futuristic design meets incredible quality in this limited-edition Assassin’s Creed-inspired speaker Thanks to GravaStar for sending me this item to review! GravaStar’s Mars Pro Limited Edition Assassin’s Creed Apple of Eden speaker is truly a marvel of art and technology. GravaStar is a technology company specializing in speakers, computer mice, earbuds, and chargers. However, GravaStar’s approach to design is incredibly unique. Inspired by sci-fi and mecha aesthetics, the company aims to embrace “ a future-forward lifestyle where technology and art merge to redefine the ordinary .” On May 20th, 2024, GravaStar released 1,000 limited units of the Assassin’s Creed Apple of Eden speaker. Inspired by this iconic Piece of Eden, the speaker is a golden metal orb with various LED lights, which creates an Isu-tech feel. The speaker also has an attachable cloth hood for that classic assassin look. Let’s dive into everything that is included in the box! The speaker arrived in a sizeable box decked out in graphics from Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Despite this product’s 2024 release date, I was surprised to see Odyssey imagery on the box, not 2023’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage or the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows. However, I am not complaining since Odyssey is my favorite game in the entire series. Four Apples of Eden, or Atlantis Artifacts, were present within Odyssey’s story. Kassandra was awarded four throughout the game–one for defeating each mythical creature boss (The Cyclops, The Minotaur, The Sphinx, and Medusa). One of the Apples present within Assassin’s Creed Odyssey The box opens like a treasure chest, and the speaker is securely nuzzled between thick styrofoam to ensure a safe delivery. Two cords are slotted next to the speaker– a USB to USB-C for charging and a USB-C to 3.5mm AUX for direct audio connection. An instruction manual in multiple languages is also included, which helps explain how to connect to the speaker via Bluetooth and how to adjust various settings. The instruction manual was extremely helpful and straightforward, with super handy diagrams that helped me get my speaker up and working within seconds. A thin black box with many goodies inside is slotted on the speaker's right side! First, you will find a cloth hood with miniature sleeves to attach to your speaker. The sleeves pull up over the speaker’s three robotic legs, and the hood fits snugly around the central orb and can either be pulled over the speaker’s head or left down. The front of the hood has a thin metal wire inside to shape it around the speaker to your liking. The material of the hood is thin enough not to muffle the speaker's sound and is made out of a lovely, shiny gold fabric. The hood's design sort of reminds me of the headgear from the Armor of the Dikastes set you obtain in Atlantis in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Next, you will find a clear bag filled with 18 Odyssey-themed stickers. These stickers have excellent print quality and a nice matte finish. The stickers include: Three Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Logos Two collage images of Kassandra Two mercenary helmets Two collages of weapons One Odyssey logo over the Adrestia’s shield One Odyssey logo over The Parthenon One Cult of Kosmos mask One Adrestia shield One collage of Kassandra, Alexios, and The Spear of Leonidas One jumping Alexios (this is from Odyssey’s opening game menu) One GravaStar logo in the style of the Adrestia’s shields One GravaStar logo One image of the Mars Pro Limited Edition - Assassin's Creed Apple of Eden Speaker Lastly, you also receive a double-sided Odyssey art card. On one side, you have the game cover art with Kassandra, and on the other, an image of Athens. Since this speaker is limited to 1,000 pieces, each has its number printed on the side. I was sent speaker number 0171. Connecting my phone via Bluetooth took seconds after switching on the speaker. Unlike other Bluetooth devices I have used in the past, this speaker has had zero connectivity issues so far. You can adjust the volume by gliding your finger up and down a touch-activated indicator on the top of the central orb. This speaker has an excellent range in volume–it can go from pleasantly quiet to extremely concert-level loud, all while maintaining audio quality and remaining undistorted. I like that changing the volume doesn’t involve clicking on any buttons that could interrupt the audio you are playing. Next to the power and Bluetooth buttons on the back of the speaker is a third button to control the speaker’s LEDs. The LEDs can be switched between six colors: red, light blue, dark blue, orange, green, and pink. You can set the lights to be static, gently fade between all colors, flash in sync with the playing audio, or all be off. The bright and colorful LEDs make the speaker look and feel like a futuristic device. With my phone connected and the LEDs set to my favorite color, light blue, I played a song that I felt was very fitting for this device: Legend of the Eagle Bearer, the main theme of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. As soon as the first notes played, I could tell this speaker was truly special. The sound quality is outstanding. Everything sounds crystal clear, and the bass is deep and reverberating. According to GravaStar’s website, this speaker is equipped with a “20 Watt Dual Speaker System” and a “passive bass radiator” that give the speaker the ability to produce “deep bass, accurate mids, and crisp highs.” This claim is 100% true, and I do not believe I have ever owned a Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as this one. After my unboxing, I spent the next hour listening to music and marveling at just how good everything sounded out of this device. Not only is this speaker a unique art piece to have in your home or office, but it is also an incredible high-fidelity device that provides an excellent listening experience. It is effortless to set up and has a battery life that can last up to 15 hours on one charge. I genuinely believe this speaker is worth the money, and I highly recommend it to any Assassin’s Creed fan and audiophile alike. Thanks again to GravaStar for sending me the Mars Pro Limited Edition Assassin’s Creed Apple of Eden speaker. You can purchase this item on GravaStar’s website here: https://www.gravastar.com/products/mars-pro-limited-edition-assassins-creed-apple-of-eden And follow them on socials here: Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) Facebook YouTube Also, you can check out our video review here! https://youtube.com/shorts/nLI2BRLBh6M?feature=share comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Frame Hold Photography is a passionate Virtual Photographer who joined our Video Content Creation Team in Summer 2022, as we began our efforts to break away from solely written content. During a period of uncertainty for TOWCB website, FHP stepped up and took on the role of Site Manager, overseeing our restoration efforts. Our website today now sits at the top of many Google searches📈 Outside of AC, she is also a full time editor and visual effects artist on TV commercials, and has been putting her skills to use in the community by creating epic Assassin's Creed tribute videos, miniature figure painting videos and editing episodes of our Rally the Creed podcast! Frame Hold Photography

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 20th to 31st May Community Share 12 Jun 2024 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the biweekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from the AC Partnership Program. Every two weeks we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. This theme has been run by the TOWCB VP team. We have been monitoring the hashtag and the community hub to see all your wonderful shots. Keep an eye on the site as more shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to #ACFirstCivVP for a chance to be featured. Theme: From Red to Shadows Red Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: Rosshiro (@ q9j9p ) The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ CapturesByRenzo Renzo A few weeks ago, AC Codename Red was finally revealed as Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set in feudal Japan. In order to celebrate the occasion, we decided to run the “From Red to Shadows” theme. During the last couple of weeks, we saw many amazing shots from the AC community, but this particular photo stood out. Taken in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, this shot from Rosshiro captures the essence of the theme, showing Eivor in the Yurei Bushido armour set, as well as their mount and their loyal raven Sýnin. The colour splash was perfectly executed and makes the red tones stand out from the rest of the scene. Let’s not forget about the great composition. Take all these elements and you get a winning shot. Congratulations Rosshiro. Aaron (@ FalconSwift9 7 ) “We must honour their sacrifice”. What I enjoyed about last year’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage announcement was the creativity we saw from the virtual photography community in recreating shots in Assassin’s Creed Origins. This time an even bigger challenge has been set with the Japanese theme proving trickier. That being said, this capture fully embraces the theme with the red colour splash and the Assassin’s Creed Shadows logo present. The Yurei Bushido armour set means you’re a far cry from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and fully embracing the Japanese setting. Excellent work from Rosshiro and fully deserving of shot of the week. Blade in the Dark Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: Raven (@ Cll3ar ) “Where has my path brought us?”. I am expecting Assassin's Creed Shadows to bring a lot of katana photo opportunities. This weapon is one of the most elegant swords in history. The unmistakable curved edged blade with that magnificent square guard and wrapped grip is a sight to behold. Raven has managed to replicate that grace with her beautiful black background shot. Basim’s blade looks deadly with the lighting perfect for showcasing the stunning details of the sword. I also love how the light elevates Basim’s hood. You get a real Assassin vibe from this photo coupled with the darker tones of the Valhalla robe. A truly exceptional piece of virtual photography. Flame Bearer Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ NickVPgamer “How dare you think your destiny, your greatness, outweighed all of ours”. The torch is a real virtual photographer’s dream, when lighting isn’t quite right it can be deployed to great effect. I remember seeing the early photos from the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla announcement and there were quite a few that featured the torch. Eivor looks so good here with that warming glow from the fire highlighting his Raven Clan outfit. The way the light falls on the hood and his lips leave a perfect shadow across the eyes. That cold wintery background uplifts the capture further enhancing the effects of the torch. An awesome capture that takes me back to the launch trailers for Valhalla. Misthios Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ _fallenmemory_ “Sometimes the face we show to the world needs to be one of strength, despite the chaos we harbour underneath.” Kassandra has become a real fan favourite, especially for us virtual photographers. Her character design is quite something and lends itself to being captured. Although Kassandra will never be considered a real Assassin, her part in the bloodline is extremely important for what will unfold in Egypt. This striking portrait is completely up my street, with the gorgeous, muted blacks and the excellent shadow work. I adore how the red of the Misthios outfit blends with the dark to really encapsulate this week’s theme. For me this is a real movie moment where the hero appears from nowhere to enact justice. Red Mist Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ ValkyrieQ8 “No enemy is untouchable, no matter how powerful they appear”. The theme from red to shadows encompasses the life of Basim. He goes from street thief to an apprentice within the Brotherhood. His skill and determination eventually result in him wearing the famous red sash. However, it is this moment in his life that the darkness and shadows betray him, and he is lost to Loki. I think his attire in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla depicts this theme with the mix of red and black. This capture gives such a dream vibe with Basim caught between two paths. I like how his eyes are hidden behind the beak of the hood, with the whites trying to break out. The reds and blacks mix almost signifying the confusion in Basim's mind as he fights to find out who he really is. And that sums it up for this Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out the photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next time keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Sophia is a talented artist and Twitch streamer from Venice who joined the program in early 2021. During her time on the program, Sophia worked closely with our community members on a number of art different projects, such as competitions and fundraising campaigns. Previous Next Sophia Artist Previous Partner Sophia is a talented artist and Twitch streamer from Venice who joined the program in early 2021. During her time on the program, Sophia worked closely with our community members on a number of art different projects, such as competitions and fundraising campaigns. Twitter | Instagram | Twitch | Tumblr Work Art Reveal: Brotherhood Ezio by SophiaEA16 Art Art Reveal: Basim and Loki by SophiaEA16 Art Art Reveal: Hytham Sketch SophiaEA16 Art

Charlie Cooper (TheAssassinLord) joined TOWCB Video Content Creation Team in July 2025 in an effort to help the team further the identity of TOWCB and its members on video platforms. He is a talented videographer, writer, editor and composer with experience in multiple fields. In his first week on the team, he created the iconic intro sequence for our Rally the Creed Podcast, and stepped in to the role of editor for the series. Throughout 2025 and beyond, we will be working alongside Charlie on a number of exciting projects, ranging from capturing and recording exclusive interviews with special guests on our podcast, to music releases. Previous Next Charlie Cooper Social Media Team Charlie Cooper (TheAssassinLord) joined TOWCB Video Content Creation Team in July 2025 in an effort to help the team further the identity of TOWCB and its members on video platforms. He is a talented videographer, writer, editor and composer with experience in multiple fields. In his first week on the team, he created the iconic intro sequence for our Rally the Creed Podcast, and stepped in to the role of editor for the series. Throughout 2025 and beyond, we will be working alongside Charlie on a number of exciting projects, ranging from capturing and recording exclusive interviews with special guests on our podcast, to music releases. Personal Instagram where I share my video production creations: @ _charliemcooper_ I run a screenwriting channel on TikTok: @writtenbycharlie2 I’ve also got a YouTube gaming channel focused on the game Toribash: @ matarikatoribash YouTube: TheAssassinLord Twitch: theofficialassassinlord X (formerly Twitter): @ Assassin_Lord_ Work Assassin's Creed Hexe Fan Theme Released Other AC Community Questions: TheAssassinLord (Charlie Cooper) Interview

Art Reveal: The Capitoline Triad by Serajeddine Art Share 12 May 2025 Written By: Edited By: Serajeddine TOWCB Team Back To Database Check out this new piece of artwork by TOWCB Art Team member Serajeddine! A closer look: This artwork of the Capitoline Trio, containing Juno, Minerva and Jupiter was created to mark Serajeddine becoming a member of TOWCB, something which we are thrilled to see come to fruition! Look out for more incredible art releases and collaborations with TOWCB over the coming months! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author In March 2025, Serajeddine joined TOWCB's Art Team just before the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows, in a bid to re-energise the team with new ideas and projects. He is a digital and traditional artist with a special ink style, often resembling comic books, something which we have been searching for to bring something different to our content. Throughout 2025, Serajeddine worked be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects which range from creating art for fundraising to live art creation watch-alongs! By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aimed to boost his profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. Seraj left the team in October 2025 due to a change in personal circumstances. Serajeddine

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

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 9th - 15th July 2022: Portraits Community Share 16 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the new weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week, we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 1) Shadow Queen Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla The first capture of the week comes from @ Lidertzz over on Twitter. This week’s portraits special begins with an image of Eivor looking very gothic. I love this capture as it is so intriguing due to the colour choices. I always feel that black is a difficult colour to work with as it can overpower a shot. This isn’t the case here where instead, it adds to the image, giving a menacing and mysterious feel to Eivor. I would not want to see her emerge from the shadows if I were a member of the order. 2) Warrior Queen Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Photo number two comes from @ 6VAC1 over on Twitter. Next up we move to Odyssey and everyone’s favourite Misthios. I have spent more time with black and white virtual photography recently and have become quite a fan. This shot instantly caught my eye when it popped up on my feed. Here we have a striking capture of Kassandra that shows her deep in thought. She looks very much like a woman on a mission here. The lighting is perfect too and highlights much of the detail of Kassandra’s armour. 3) The Hidden One Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins This week’s third shot comes from @ JamesTiddlyQuid a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. I have been looking for a portrait of Aya for quite some time, lucky for me this one showed up in the perfect week. A fantastic shot of Aya contemplating what she is about to do. Dressed as an assassin, she very much looks the part. I adore the amount of detail that has been captured here, it really shows off the amount of work that went into designing this character. I recommend checking out the full set of images captured by @ JamesTiddlyQuid as it showcases the whole scene brilliantly. 4) London Calling Game: Assassin’s Creed Syndicate VP number four comes from @ MissEvieFrye a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community . Syndicate captures are hard to come by, however thanks to the AC15 celebration week I came across multiple worthy candidates. This one stood out as my favourite though as the outfit and the stance are perfection. I am really impressed that this photo has been taken as a portrait, it really adds to the sense of falling. The incredible work blurring the background makes you feel like you’re playing the game. The outfit is the winner here though with the amazing red, black and gold showcased so beautifully. The hidden blade also catches the eye making this a true Assassin’s Creed shot. 5) The French Assassin Game: Assassin’s Creed Unity The final capture of the week comes from @ ophierian_vp over on Twitter. This last shot comes from Unity and actually completes a mini Assassin’s Creed timeline for this week’s showcase. This was a hard choice as the set in which this capture comes from is flawless. Once again we get to see the assassin in all his glory thanks to beautiful work with the depth of field. This photo gives me the sense that time is passing Arno by quickly as he awaits his next target. A fantastic outfit which gives off that French vibe, and the leather bracer with the Assassin symbol is just genius. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Photo Mode Review Community Share 18 Mar 2025 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Turið Torkilsdóttir Back To Database Ubisoft are back with another entry into the wonderful world of Assassin’s Creed. This time we are off to the highly sought after Japanese setting. This series just seems to be going from strength to strength and is now one of the most established franchises in the gaming industry. With Ubisoft doubling down on their core IP’s it is safe to say that this is only the start of a new wave of games from the historical playground that is Assassin’s Creed. Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t deviate too far from the previous RPG titles, but then again why would it. They have all seen huge success and Shadows even takes some cool learnings from the extremely popular Mirage. Once again Shadows features a photo mode but for the first time Ubisoft have moved away from the classic UI. This latest entry sees us enter Japan with a focus on dual protagonists. Something that Ubisoft Quebec have dabbled with before in Syndicate. We are thrown into 16th century Japan towards the end of the Sengoku period. For the first time in the RPG titles, we will have the Assassin Brotherhood fighting against the Templar Order. The player can flip between Fujibayashi Naoe a female shinobi, or Yasuke, an African samurai who is inspired by an historical figure of the time. The story starts off very promising and aligns itself in a similar way to Origins. Shadows does well to introduce characters and give them meaning. There is a clever use of flashback to further our connection to Naoe, this serves the story in deeper ways than we have previously seen. The early stages of the game can feel a bit slow and the lighting flat, but once you exit the prologue the game becomes far more impressive. There is a considerable leap in night-time lighting which does allow for some very unique captures. Gameplay wise Shadows really pushes forward with the mechanics of the previous entries. There is an increased sense of satisfaction when entering an encounter and the finishers are brutal. Everything just seems so smooth and effortless. At its core though Shadows is a Ubisoft game and does what it knows best. There is a world building that is so rich and full of life that you really feel like you are in the Animus playing out a genetic memory. The Photo Mode: If you have played any of the RPG games, you will be familiar with the Assassin’s Creed photo mode. Ubisoft have pretty much run the same system for four games now with just minor evolutions. It was a solid photo mode and despite not having the bells and whistles of a Sony version it was widely appreciated, especially for newcomers, to the virtual photography world. This time around we have a few upgrades with the new UI being the most noticeable. Accessing the photo mode has not changed, with a click of L3 & R3 you will be free to snap away. We are still not able to capture during cutscenes, but this isn’t common practise, so I am not surprised. Despite the new UI everything works as you would expect, and we only have four tabs to work with, making this a soft reboot of the photo mode. The composition mode has minimal on-screen distractions with all your options being confined to a box in the lower right-hand side of the screen. A simple press of (triangle/Y) will remove the editing functions and allow you to view your capture unimpeded. The camera action closer resembles what you would use in real life. The movement however is a little rough and lacks the smoothness of the old version. There is a generous range, but it remains restrictive especially now we don’t have a bird companion to use. The bumpers on your controller are able to rotate 90 degrees for those nice portrait shots, a simple function that is essential to a virtual photographer. The zooming function that I so loved in the previous games has been replaced with focal length and the narrowing of the field of view still acts in the same manner but feels a little rougher and lacks the speed we are used to. Now that it is controlled by a slider you can at least see the value so once you find a nice setup it is easier to repeat. There are a few grids to play with but in the most part you will probably find yourself only using the rule of thirds option. The camera will still pass through characters if you get too close and collision course with objects in the world can sometimes impede a nice composition. However, Assassin’s Creed has always been generous with movements of the camera and this remains in Shadows. You can even take it underwater for those quirky captures. You will be pleased to know that in my time with the game I have not observed that the DoF has any bugs like previous versions. There is no flicker when DoF and high contrast combine and the DoF issue where it would sometime just not operate has been fixed. The DoF function has been slightly complicated by adding focus distance and aperture sliders. The auto focus cursor of the old titles has gone, and you don’t have just one slider to operate. There is an auto focus toggle that mostly comes in handy for close-up captures. Once again, its baby steps in terms of evolution, and it’s mostly a case of learning to use it. The third tab on the new UI is where you will find arguably the most interesting improvements. Filters have now been removed from the upper section of the photo mode and instead we have two options: FX Filters and Filters. The former being the most intriguing with filters that complement the setting of the game. Most notable are the Red Dragon and the Ink as they can turn a normal capture into something quite different. Sadly, we cannot make any manual adjustments to the FX Filters, but it is possible with the standard filters. This is good because I found these to be limited. Along with the filters we have our other colour-orientated sliders. You can increase/decrease the values to adjust temperature and tint to balance the colour tones of your capture. In addition, saturation can be used to increase your vivid output or introduce some nice black and white to proceedings. The pace in which these sliders move can be quite frustrating and you will find that the higher values can negatively affect the skin tones of character making them appear sunburnt. That being said, this is not too dissimilar to what we have experienced before and functions adequately for the user’s needs. I was very surprised to find the fog option has been removed. This for me feels like a huge loss given it was a much-celebrated function that is rare to see in a photo mode. Bloom has also been removed so you are left to rely on the games weather and lighting to create atmospheric photos. Both of these options were so interesting to play around with, however I have found Shadows to be on another level in terms of lighting and ambiance so hopefully we won’t miss out too much. I mention above that the lighting has improved and that is the case for the majority of the game. There are times when things will look a little flat and muddy, but I often found the landscape to be quite majestic and vibrant. The real noticeable improvement with lighting is at night where people and points of interest seem to have a spotlight on them. Admittedly this can seem a bit forced but I have found it to be hugely beneficial for night-time photography, something that was mostly impossible in Valhalla. Sadly, we haven’t been given the custom lighting options or the ability to change the time of day. The latter is something that I wish Ubisoft had implemented, especially as it featured recently in Star Wars Outlaws. We are not left without options though with the games new seasonal mechanic there are ample opportunities to diversify your captures in varying ways. It is worth noting that Ubisoft has continued with their support to virtual photography by including the ability to capture straight to Ubisoft Connect. Your captures will be compressed but they will be uploaded to Shadows Photo Mode website for you to obtain. Not only that but they will appear on the world map in the location of your photo. Other players will then be able to view these, making it a great feature for showing off your Shadows adventures. Shadows features two extremely powerful protagonists who contrast perfectly. The cleverly designed switching between the two allows us to take photos of each with ease. They both make for great subjects and the return of loot drops from Odyssey, means there is far more variety of styles to capture. Unfortunately, with no tattoos or hair customisation like we had in Valhalla there are limited options to put your own stamp on both characters. Additionally, both characters lack expressions meaning most portraits look the same. Nonetheless we have been treated to a fluid combat system that includes some devastating finisher moves. All of which pose opportunities for interesting and stylistic photos. Plus, the world we are in is so populated with both intriguing places and inhabitants who act out their daily lives. There are small villages and huge castles to explore, that have been well executed in terms of design and detail. Being an Assassin’s Creed game we are obviously treated to picturesque scenery and distinct wildlife. All of this plays into the hands of a virtual photographer who can at a click of two sticks turn feudal Japan into works of art. Rating: Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t pushing any boundaries with the game or the photo mode, but I am not sure it has to, and it doesn’t stop it from being one of the best entries in the series. It is however probably the most polished Assassin’s Creed we have had to date. Ubisoft perhaps finds themselves fighting against unrealistic expectations brought about by the quality of the Sony exclusives over the last few generations. What’s obvious is that Ubisoft knows how to handle the Assassin’s Creed franchise, and you can see the love and dedication that has gone into this entry. There will not be many of the core fanbase who are not happy with what they see. Ubisoft should be praised for giving us a new photo mode, despite it being a little safe. There are better and more intuitive photo modes out there, but it could always be argued that if it isn’t broke why fix it. Assassin’s Creed is all about the characters and the beautiful world in which it is set. A standard functional photo mode is all you need as the beautiful backdrop of Japan will provide the rest. Thanks to Ubisoft for providing a code for the purposes of this review. 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