15 Years of Assassin's Creed II: A Developer Retrospective & In-Depth Analysis Breakdown Share 22 Dec 2024 Written By: Edited By: Zephryss Colum Blackett Back To Database Fifteen years ago, Assassin's Creed II revolutionized the gaming world, laying the groundwork for one of the most celebrated franchises in history. As the sequel to the already successful Assassin's Creed, this instalment refined gameplay mechanics, introduced an engaging narrative, and set the standard for historical action-adventure games. Let’s explore the fascinating journey behind its creation, based on insights shared by Jean Guédon, a former game designer on AC II. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPn0_mpxRC4 Building on the Foundations of the First Game The development of Assassin's Creed II commenced with a careful evaluation of its predecessor. While the original game received acclaim for its groundbreaking visuals, innovative parkour system, and immersive narrative, the development team identified key areas for enhancement. These included refining crowd AI and behavior, diversifying gameplay through a wider range of mission objectives, and streamlining the overall game structure for a more engaging player experience. With the foundation of a robust and stable game engine in place, the development team sought to build upon the strengths of the first game and deliver an elevated and enriched Assassin's Creed experience. Image: Early development footage via Ubisoft Core Gameplay Pillars The team identified three pillars that defined the essence of the franchise: free running, combat, and social stealth. These gameplay elements became the foundation for the sequel. Innovations included faster climbing mechanics for taller structures in Florence and Venice, the addition of corner swings for smoother navigation, and expanded combat options, such as disarming enemies and using their weapons. Image: Three pillars that defined the essence of the franchise - social stealth, free running and combat The Rise of a New Assassin Image: Early concept art of Ezio via Ubisoft Image: Early concept art of Italian Renaissance via Ubisoft The choice to move beyond Altaïr and the Crusades-era setting was not without debate. However, the Italian Renaissance offered a rich tapestry of conspiracies, historical intrigue, and cultural advancements. Enter Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a relatable and dynamic protagonist. Unlike Altaïr, Ezio’s journey begins as a carefree young noble and evolves into a deeply personal quest for revenge after the betrayal and execution of his family. Image: Ezio before becoming an Assassin via Ubisoft Ezio’s character development, from a mischievous teenager to a master assassin, made him a fan favorite. Players followed his life stages, starting with his birth—a tutorial sequence introducing the game’s unique puppeteer control scheme. Integrating History and Fiction The Italian Renaissance setting was a treasure trove of inspiration. Historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci played pivotal roles, providing players with iconic tools such as the hidden blade and a flying machine. The developers seamlessly wove history into the narrative, blending fact and fiction to create a universe where players could explore and interact with the past. Image: Leonardo da Vinci in Assassin's Creed II via Ubisoft Strengthening the Narrative To create a truly immersive experience, the team prioritized a narrative that both guided and empowered players. Ezio's journey of revenge was expertly woven into the gameplay, with each mission highlighting the game's core mechanics. Social stealth played a crucial role in missions Image: Ezio in Assassin's Creed II via Ubisoft Innovations and Additions To create a truly immersive experience, the team prioritized a narrative that both guided and empowered players. Ezio's journey of revenge was expertly woven into the gameplay, with each mission highlighting the game's core mechanics. Social stealth played a crucial role in missions involving courtesans, while Leonardo's inventions provided thrilling opportunities to master the game's unique movement and combat systems. Image: Secret tomb, subject 16 glyphs, caravan chase and flying machine via Ubisoft Several new features debuted in Assassin's Creed II. Monteriggioni served as Ezio’s hideout, where players could invest in renovations, manage their wealth, and display their collections. Secret tombs, puzzles like the Subject 16 glyphs, and iconic sequences, such as the flying machine mission, added layers of variety and intrigue. The Legacy of Assassin's Creed II Assassin's Creed II not only solidified Ezio’s place as one of gaming’s most beloved characters but also set the tone for the franchise’s future. By introducing deeper gameplay mechanics, interconnected systems, and a global narrative structure (nicknamed "The Onion"), the game created a universe teeming with possibilities. Its influence can be seen in later titles like Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and beyond. Image: The Sanctuary was a secret chamber located beneath the Villa Auditore in Monteriggioni via Ubisoft Conclusion Fifteen years later, Assassin's Creed II remains a masterpiece celebrated for its compelling storytelling, innovative gameplay, and vibrant historical setting. Jean Guédon and the development team’s dedication brought this world to life, crafting an experience that continues to inspire players and developers alike. As Ezio would say, Insieme per la vittoria—Together for victory. Image: Happy 15th anniversary to Assassin’s Creed 2 via Ubisoft 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

Where to Start With the Assassin’s Creed Series Guide Share 17 Aug 2024 Written By: Edited By: Edenoi Colum Blackett Back To Database Ubisoft has released a new Assassin's Creed game most years since beginning the series in 2007, with over a dozen games in the main series. This can provide a challenge for newcomers looking to get into Assassin's Creed but not sure where to start. With this guide, we'll go through the series, explaining which games make the best entry points and which should be left for later in your journey into the world of Assassin's Creed. Note that this guide avoids side games such as the 2.5D Chronicles subseries, as these are less representative of the series and are generally not recommended as entry points. Assassin's Creed (2007) - Recommended Unsurprisingly, the very first game released in the series makes a perfectly good entry point. If you already know that you want to experience the entire series, then you can just start right at the beginning and play each game in release order (the same order that they appear in this guide). You'll follow every development and can be sure you aren't missing anything. Assassin's Creed II (2009) - Ideal There are, unfortunately, reasons why beginning with the first game may be untenable. The original Assassin's Creed is the only game from the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 era that has not been re-released for later hardware, making it more difficult to play the game than any other if you play games on console. The first game also has essentially no accessibility features, including subtitles, which may make playing it impossible for some. The good news, however, is that the first game is easily skipped. While the modern day storyline of Assassin's Creed II does pick up where the previous game left off, the historical setting which makes up the majority of the game is brand new. Additionally, the plot of the first game is largely dedicated to establishing the basic concepts of the series, which means you really aren't missing too much by starting with the second. Think of it as a story beginning in medias res and you'll be just fine. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (2010) - Not Recommended Brotherhood is a direct continuation of Assassin's Creed II in both the historical and modern day portions of the plot, and is therefore among the worst entry points to the series. Play Assassin's Creed II first, then move on to Brotherhood. Assassin's Creed: Revelations (2011) - Not Recommended Like Brotherhood, Revelations is a part of the Ezio trilogy (named for the historical protagonist) as well as the Desmond saga (named for the modern day protagonist) and is best played after Assassin's Creed II and Brotherhood. Assassin's Creed III (2012) - Not Recommended Assassin's Creed III (actually the fifth game in the series) features a new historical setting, but it also includes a substantial modern day storyline which serves as the culmination of the series up to that point. The Desmond games (all of the games in the list up to here) are best played in order starting with either the first or second game. Assassin's Creed: Liberation (2012) - Not Recommended Liberation was originally released as a kind of companion to Assassin's Creed III for the PlayStation Vita handheld console and is thus not really part of the main series, but was later ported to major consoles and can easily be mistaken for a main game. Liberation is a decent attempt to make Assassin's Creed work in a handheld format that largely preserves the gameplay of the main series, but it is nevertheless hampered by its handheld origins and is thus not the best representation of the series for someone just getting into it. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) - Ideal Black Flag is a highly regarded entry in the series which serves as something of a soft reboot for the series. The historical storyline is technically something of a prequel to Assassin's Creed III as it actually stars the grandfather of the latter game's protagonist, but it doesn't assume any knowledge of previous games. The modern day story features a faceless, nameless protagonist controlled from a first-person perspective who knows nothing about Assassin's Creed lore, so you won't be left behind in that regard either. All told, Black Flag is an excellent entry point to the series. Assassin's Creed: Freedom Cry (2013) - Recommended Freedom Cry is a standalone expansion to Black Flag starring a major character from the latter game, which might sound like a bad place to start. However, the plot of Freedom Cry is largely unrelated to Black Flag. As it isn't quite a major release, Freedom Cry is perhaps not as good an entry point as Black Flag, but it does the job just fine, especially if you prefer to aid a slave revolt over piracy. Also it does not feature a Modern Day storyline so it is a great place to start for new players. Assassin's Creed: Rogue (2014) - Not Recommended Rogue is a sort of interquel between Black Flag and Assassin's Creed III and has strong ties to both games, including major returning characters. Additionally, the game features a Templar as its protagonist rather than an Assassin and subverts the Assassin's Creed formula in certain ways, which you'll appreciate more once you're more familiar with the franchise. Assassin's Creed: Unity (2014) - Not Recommended Unity is a controversial entry in the series which was widely regarded as a buggy disappointment on release, although it has developed a bit of a cult following since. The game has a new setting and barely any modern day story, which means you won't be missing much in terms of context if you start with Unity, but its generally poor reception compared to the rest of the series makes it hard to recommend as a first encounter with Assassin's Creed when there are other options that are more universally beloved. Assassin's Creed: Syndicate (2015) - Ideal Syndicate, like Unity, features a new historical setting and minimal modern day aspect, which takes place in the form of cutscenes, but it also has the advantage of addressing complaints about Unity. Play it for a mostly light-hearted, steampunk take on Assassin's Creed. Assassin's Creed: Origins (2017) - Ideal Origins acts as another soft reboot for the franchise, introducing not only a new historical setting and a new playable modern day protagonist, but also RPG mechanics. The story of Origins depicts the formation of the society that would one day be known as the Assassin Brotherhood, which makes it a great entry point to the franchise. Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (2018) - Recommended Odyssey continues taking Assassin's Creed even deeper into the RPG genre, including male and female character options and romanceable NPCs. The historical portion takes place chronologically earlier than any other game in the series, so early that there aren't actually technically any Assassins in it because those haven't been invented yet. The modern day story does continue following the same protagonist from Origins, but doesn't require any knowledge of the previous game. The main strike against Odyssey as an entry point is that it's so far removed from the other games, it almost isn't an Assassin's Creed game. However, if you want a game that's as much of an RPG as possible, complete with an epic quest and an almost mythical hero, Odyssey is a solid choice. Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (2020) - Not Recommended Valhalla's modern day storyline follows on from major events not only in Odyssey and its DLC, but also as far back as the Desmond saga. In addition, while the historical setting of Valhalla is new, the story features important plot points that build on concepts from the previous games that may be difficult to understand without the proper context. Wait for your Viking adventure until you've played the previous Assassin's Creed games. Assassin's Creed: Mirage (2023) - Not Recommended Mirage is a direct prequel to Valhalla and deals heavily with major revelations from that game, leading to an ending that may make little sense if you haven't played Valhalla first. Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR (2023) - Not Recommended Nexus is the first virtual reality Assassin's Creed game and though it is not part of the main series, it does replicate much of the traditional Assassin's Creed gameplay with motion controls from a first-person perspective. More than the nontraditional medium, what makes Nexus a less than ideal entry point is the fact that it stars three characters returning from previous games and doesn't do much to bring you up to speed on these characters, their stories or the core concepts of the series. Assassin's Creed: Shadows (2024) - ??? Shadows is still an upcoming release as of this writing. It features an entirely new setting and no modern day aspect in the game itself (although it is set to include a kind of launcher presented as an Animus, the device from the series that allows one to experience others' memories preserved in DNA). This suggests it may be a good entry point for the series, but it's hard to say before the game actually comes out. Best Entry Points Assassin's Creed II - Renaissance Italy Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag - Golden Age of Piracy Assassin's Creed: Syndicate - Victorian London Assassin's Creed: Origins - Ptolemaic Egypt All games except for the original (and Nexus) are available on recent PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and all of the games (except Nexus) are available on PC. Nexus is available on Meta Quest headsets. 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

Assassin's Creed Movie and its Importance Analysis Share 2 Jul 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database Leading up to the announcement and release of the Assassin’s Creed Movie (2016), fans were eager to see a film adaptation of the franchise, and hoped to follow an original storyline in a unique historical setting. The movie, created by 20th Century Fox and New Regency, did exactly that. It excited fans of gaming who enjoyed seeing popular games adapted to the big screen. This strategy used widely by film companies who tried to expand the universe of several major video game franchises, worked at times, and at other times, did not quite as well live up to fan and critical expectations. The Assassin’s Creed Movie was an exciting project for the franchise as the year of its release, 2016, was set to be a quiet one for the series in terms of mainline games. Ubisoft committed to taking the year off of making a new game in the series for the first time in many years. Ubisoft instead put their focus on the movie along with the Ezio Collection , which was a remaster of the three beloved games in the series featuring fan-favorite protagonist Ezio Auditore. Overall, it was considered a quiet year, but there was still much to look forward to for any Assassin’s Creed fan. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed (2016) The movie boasted a serious star studded cast, with big names such as Michael Fassbender in the leading role, popular actress Marion Cotillard, Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons, and other big names that signed on the project. The cast certainly did not disappoint, and the film also hired Justin Kurzel to direct who was best known for directing the Shakespearian play remake Macbeth, ironically also starring Fassbender and Cotillard (2015). The cast and crew was well crafted by the producers and creative team. It made the movie so much more convincing with a cast full of stars. The story follows the journey of Spanish Assassin, Aguilar de Nerha, played by Michael Fassbender, and his life during the Spanish Inquisition and the Granada War. The plot of the film mirrored the modern day part of the story of Callum Lynch, also played by Fassbender. It told the story of the everlasting war between Assassins and Templars and their fight for freedom. This time fans got to experience a project in the series based on historical Spain, an era never touched upon by the games. The story of the film showed Callum, or Cal for short, synchronizing with his ancestor, Aguilar, and the journey he follows to transform himself from criminal misfit to a member of the Assassin Brotherhood. The movie released on December 21, 2016 and went on to gross $22 million in its first six days at the box office. The film ended up not living up to financial expectations, but there’s no doubt the film itself was quite selective and had a more complex following. It went on to gross a total of $240.9 million in its full theatrical run. The film also experienced mostly negative critical feedback, but on some sites such as Rotten Tomatoes, it has a significantly higher fan score than critical, suggesting most fans who watched were satisfied in the end. Since the film’s release, it has gone through several streaming services and most notably recently became the number one most watched movie on HBO Max for over a week and beyond. Sometimes films get overlooked during its initial release and eventually find their footing years later in the streaming category. Promo image for Assassin's Creed (2016) showing Aguilar de Nerha The idea of a movie based on Assassin’s Creed actually began in October of 2011. The film flipped through studios and development phases several times before Ubisoft Motion Pictures announced a year later that Michael Fassbender would be starring in the film. The film also flipped through directors and scriptwriters many times until they settled on Justin Kurzel taking over. After the film got its foundation started, it was initially planned to be the first film in a new series. After finalizing the cast and crew, filming began on August 31st, 2015. Pre-production was in full effect. There were several teases and hints as the film grew closer and the movie trailer was even revealed on TV during an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live. The trailer was very popular during the show and later after being posted shortly after on YouTube where it gathered over 2 million views on just one channel, not counting the dozens of other official and fan pages who released the trailer too. One thing that is a debate is the potential confusion of the story to casual fans who could be unaware of the games and what they are about. The movie was perceived as a bit tricky to understand mostly over the use of the Animus, which is a device used in the games that allows the modern day protagonist the ability to access their ancestors' genetic memories. The portrayal of the Animus in the movie was difficult to understand to more casual viewers. In the end, the movie was and is a big part of the Assassin’s Creed community. Many fans alike went on opening night to movie theaters to see it. It definitely holds a soft spot for fans of the series and gamers in general, and really defined how much bigger Assassin’s Creed is than just a video game series. It's a worldwide media giant. The expansion Ubisoft took to the big screens was a bold move as it showed that the franchise was so much bigger than some fans may realize. It extends deeply into entertainment in general. The movie originally had a sequel announced by 20th Century Fox, but after the Disney acquisition that took over all of 20th Century’s properties, Disney went ahead and canceled the sequel shortly after purchasing Fox, leaving some fans disappointed as the ending to the movie left the door open for potential sequels. This was news to fans thinking the Assassin’s Creed franchise was all but dead in anything aside from gaming, until Ubisoft announced a partnership with Netflix in 2020 to develop a variety of projects based in the Assassin’s Creed universe. Including a live-action TV series and an animated show. This announcement proved Ubisoft was able to bounce back after missteps before and after the Assassin’s Creed Movie . The Netflix show is still in active development, and fans are looking forward to seeing what Ubisoft can bring to the small screen. Early promotional images for Assassin's Creed (2016) The mixed reception of the Assassin’s Creed Movie was a continued chain in the overall bad luck of video games adapted into films. This became so prevalent in the movie industry that most expected every new adaptation to fail, that was until an idea shifted to instead of adapting games to a film each time, instead try adapting into a television series, and this worked perfectly. Many major games have since been adapted to television formats such as The Witcher on Netflix, The Last of Us on HBO, Twisted Metal on Peacock, and others that strayed from the cinema path to instead try the small screen, and the continued success of this idea has only ballooned. Many other video games are set to get the TV treatment aside from Assassin’s Creed partnership with Netflix. The infamous failures of video game movies changed the way the industry thinks and has so far hit the jackpot with TV shows. The Assassin’s Creed Movie is beloved by many fans of the series, and memories shared outside of just the movie releasing itself are important as well. There were countless memories made in anticipation of the film that brought the community closer and of course its surprise success all these years later on streaming platforms. Whether the film was a critical or financial success or not, it created golden memories for the community and all those involved. The impact of the movie is more important than the box office. The time leading up to the movie was one of the best times to be an Assassin’s Creed fan, and regardless of its impression, it was a great experience for the community and the fans. 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

Aztec Empire: Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game Wishlist Share 26 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Finn Fletcher Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Since the release of Assassins Creed II, one of the most exciting aspects of the franchise has always been fantasising about how the creed could apply to different places in history. Although many websites have created drawn out listicles, I want to try something different, creating a detailed pitch for a games setting. Discussing the true history, the style of the story, and the type of unique gameplay that could be applied to this period. One of the most important factors when choosing a setting is applying themes relevant to the turmoil and struggles of the time. AC III used the American Revolution to discuss freedom and corruption, while Black Flag used piracy to discuss greed and inequality. So today, I'm going to take the opportunity to pitch a game in what is currently one of the most heavily rumoured settings, the Aztec Empire. Now simply saying "Aztecs" is pretty broad, covering a people and Empire who existed for centuries. First things first then, a little history. The legend goes that the Aztec people founded their capital city of Tenochtitlan under strict instructions of one of their gods Huitzilopochtli. He told the settlers to build a city where they find a giant eagle eating a snake while perched on a cactus (a symbol which is now used on the Mexican flag). Supposedly, this strange event was seen in the marshy land of Lake Texcoco around 1325 CE, and construction began. The city's construction was a technical marvel, consisting of multiple connected artificial islands, that allowed for irrigation of gardens as well as construction for towering pyramids. Moveable causeways connected the islands to the mainland, while also functioning as dikes that could separate the freshwater and saltwater of the lake. It truly was a floating marvel, like Venice on steroids, that at its height was the most populated city in Mesoamerica. Originally one of many city states in pre-colonial Mexico, the Aztecs' impressive military conquered the surrounding land, with the aid of an intelligent group of diplomats and traders. By the early 16th century, the Aztecs had come to rule 5 to 6 million people across 200,000 square kilometres. It was around this time that tragedy struck. The arrival of the Spanish led to the destruction of the empire and genocide of it's people. Through disgusting military tactics, and the spreading of diseases that the native people lacked immunity to, the Spanish managed to tear the entire civilization to the ground, destroying centuries of history and culture in the process. This is the period I believe the game should be set, during the final war of the empire against the Spanish. This period of tragedy could be used as a great foundation for a discussion of grief, loss and imperialism. What a perfect time for this story to be released, after we ourselves have come out of the biggest pandemics of our lifetime and are currently facing rising temperatures causing wildfires across the planet. If done well, this touching story of someone watching the destruction of everything they know, the whole world from their perspective, could allow for a relevant and inspiring journey for players. The story will follow Guatemoc (OC: name translates to 'attacks like an eagle'), an elite soldier of the Eagle Warrior guild. From a poor background, he worked in the military as all men were expected to at the time, showing great prowess and rising through the ranks. The greatest units of soldiers were the Jaguar or Eagle battalions, with soldiers having to take enemy captives to rise to this divine duty, a group Guatemoc rightly earned his place in. The opening of the game will be set before the Spanish arrived in Tenochtitlan, with NPC's discussing and questioning the rumours about new arrivals to the land. During this time the player will be sent on tasks for the Eagle warriors, acting as a gameplay tutorial, while the open world will give an opportunity for exploration of a still fully native Aztec world. The city of Tenochtitlan will be filled with different activities, allowing for full immersion in the period. Mainly I would love to see mini games (a fan favourite within the franchise, just think of Orlog), that would allow you to play Ullamaliztli, an Aztec sport, as well as Patolli, a board game of the time. Ullamaliztli would definitely be more difficult, a type of proto-basketball where two teams of seven players aim to get a rubber ball through a ring on either side of the court. If this is too difficult to create in gameplay, it would still be great to watch and potentially place bets on games played by NPC's. I believe the open world as a whole would benefit from remaining rather small, focusing mainly on the city of Tenochtitlan, which needs the same level of detail as Paris or London from previous titles. I do however believe it's important that the game isn't limited to a single city, with the surrounding area offering an important perspective for the period. Smaller towns and villages can provide quest opportunities and loot for players, whilst ancient ruins, functioning as tombs, unravel a larger mystery and provide access to late game armour. Veracruz, the Spanish headquarters in Mexico, needs to be a secondary city in the game that can be used to shine a better light on Spanish culture, and will also offer a completely unique setting to explore for this game. In terms of gameplay, I think it's important to return to the roots of the series somewhat, especially in regards to parkour. As much as I may enjoy the recent RPG games, the parkour has been undoubtedly lacklustre, providing nowhere near as much complexity and style as before. Traversing across rooftops shouldn't be a simple task, it needs to be challenging, where finding and successfully pulling off the best route will reward you with more speed, and some visual flair. I would also love to see the return of tree climbing from Assassins Creed III. The Aztecs lived among rich jungles that were difficult to travel across. It would be amazing to see a change from the usual use of horseback, in favour of full parkour, where in a seamless open world you can travel from city to city across tree branches while never touching the ground. Combat meanwhile needs to retain the grittiness of the newer games, especially Origins, while fine tuning to adjust for new weapon types. Aztecs used a variety of weapons, from short spears to clubs, and having the option to use them all would be incredible. Obviously when meeting the Spanish, players will also be introduced to early muskets, as well as more European weapons like lances and crossbows. These should definitely be usable by the players, though I would like guns to be temporary tools, similar to muskets in The Kenway Saga, where they can't be added to the players main arsenal. After completing these introductory tasks for the Eagle Warriors, the narrative will introduce Hernán Cortés, when he arrived at Tenochtitlan in November 1519; one of the most important moments in Aztec history. Cortès was a vile human, a bloodthirsty warmonger who's only thought was who to kill next. He even directly defied the orders of his higher ups in his determination for nothing short of genocide. These historical accounts provide a clear path for Cortès to be the main villain of this title. His arrival in Tenochtitlan however, was unusually peaceful as he entered the city as an honoured guest of King Montezuma. This diplomatic invitation was quickly upended, when Cortès slaughtered his way out of the house he was staying in, entered the Royal Palace and took the king hostage, claiming the city as his own. I imagine this event being a major set piece for the game, with Guatemoc acting as a guard for the Montezuma and Cortès, allowing peaceful interactions with the villain prior to the conflict. Additionally, for the keen eyed players, a white hooded figure can be seen skulking in the shadows, watching the ensuing events. The conquest of the palace will then play as a drawn-out action sequence, where Guatemoc fights his way through the burning city, barely escaping after failing to kill Cortès. It would be obvious to make Cortès a Templar, however I feel that his cartoonishly evil behaviour doesn't fit with the more sympathetic Templars we've come to expect. Instead, I would make him a failed Templar candidate, someone aware of the ancient struggle who was denied entry to the Templar Order due to his brash attitude and uncontrolled rage. Since that point, he has aimed to surpass the Templars, his ego getting the best of him as he hopes to someday show the Order what they missed. By taking over Tenochtitlan, he effectively became the Spanish ruler of the land, leaving him somewhat in command of even Templar officials. Meanwhile, the loss of his home will leave Guatemoc in the worst position of his life, and it is here that we will be introduced to the Assassins. Alejandra is a Spanish master Assassin, born to wealth and finding the Brotherhood after her curious young mind spent too many hours searching through the inconsistencies of historical texts. She's a devout follower of the creed, loyal to her core. When learning of the "new world", she snuck aboard a ship, hiding away to attack the Templars who have already settled in America. After the attack on Tenochtitlan, she would follow Guatemoc, a clearly skilled soldier closer to the king and culture than she will ever be. Finding him passed out in the dirt, she will wake him and introduce him to the creed, giving him the hidden blade. Despite being deep within the rainforest, Alejandra needs to be perfectly clean, with every inch of her robes in place. Her upbringing left her with a posh sensibility; she speaks well and even as an Assassin, looks down on others. Guatemoc only earn her respect because he is useful to her. It is then through her, that the player will learn more enhanced stealth techniques, as Guatemoc becomes a blend of Aztec warrior, and ancient Assassin. This game could finally provide a return to the much beloved stealth of older Assassin's Creed games which has been missing from recent titles. Stealth will be vital for our Aztec Assassin, with a return to tools and a need for fleeing from battle when outnumbered. Spanish Conquistadors will be unstoppable in open combat, heavily armoured with better weapons. Attacking from the shadows will be the only option, with in-depth social stealth mechanics playing a key role. As an Aztec soldier, appearing in Spanish controlled areas will instantly attract attention, meaning a hood and crowd blending approach will be the only effective way to travel safely. I would also love to also see the option to raise and lower the hood at will, just for the aesthetic. A range of new and exciting tools will be available to players, I personally would like a range of poisons that cause different effects to enemies. These can be deployed through atlatls, Aztec dart and spear throwers that would be a historically accurate and unique weapon for this outing. Additionally throwable smoke bombs and the bows of Origins are a must. This will provide the basic foundation for the rest of the game, as Guatemoc assassinates Spanish Templars across the land, working his way to Cortès. Each target needs a solid reason for invading, with some being completely opposed and trying to take down the manic Cortès, while others have become corrupted by his actions. Historically speaking, it was decades after the invasion that Cortès died in Spain after fighting dysentery. Part of me wished to change this to allow for a final battle to the death in Tenochtitlan, possibly atop one of their incredible pyramids, however after reflection I don't think this is the best solution. That fight could still take place as the climactic action scene of the game, but there's something more tragic about Cortès escaping and living a full life despite his despicable behaviour. This made me reconsider, with Cortès' death still taking place during the epilogue of the game set at a much later date in time. In 1547, having spent his life trying to save his people and culture, Guatemoc is a bitter old man. His people have been killed, his history tarnished, and Mexico is now nothing more than an extension of the Spanish Empire. Having tracked Cortès down, the man whose actions he cannot forget, Guatemoc approaches him while he's stuck in bed worsening from his illnesses. Even after all these years, Cortès recognises the old Aztec and smiles. They have a discussion about what's been lost. Having mellowed somewhat in age, Cortès does admit to regretting some of his actions, having children of his own now from Aztec heritage who he truly cares for (according to historical accounts). Still, he can't help but smile when thinking back to those days, clinging on to the moments where he "ruled the world". Angered, Guatemoc finally finishes off Cortès, knowing full well it means little now. Everything he knew is gone, and the killing of an old man is the only compensation he can get. Throughout the story, Alejandra, while an ally, will grow into a more antagonistic role. Her self determination and snooty attitude contrasts with Guatemoc's humble beginnings, and the further she pushes him to her own ideals, the more he feels distanced from his cultural beliefs. This could even progress into her initiating plans which include the destruction of Aztec monuments, rigging them to blow with Templars inside. In the end, even the Assassins in this story are colonisers, judging the Aztec culture as primitive and in need of their guidance to progress. This may cause contention with some fans, but I believe this story would be most effective if by the end Guatemoc disowns the Assassins, turning his back on all those who's petty political and philosophical struggles led to the destruction of his home. He, like us, is the everyman, watching as titans battle with little care for those they claim to protect. And so that's it, my pitch for Assassins Creed Aztec. I've tried to provide something different, while not forgetting what made the series great. I hope you enjoyed it, and we would love to hear your ideas for future Assassin's Creed games in the comments. A special thanks goes to all the artists whose work continues to amaze, especially BQoverlord0 who's work helped create a visual inspiration for our original creation. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Finn is a creative writer from Rotherham, UK who has previously supported TOWCB's Fundraising events, and raised awareness surrounding Men's Mental Health. Finn's writing covers a wide scope, with releases including reviews, interviews and stories. He is known in the AC Community for his 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website! In February 2026, he left the team to focus on real-world opportunities as a journalist, writing for a newspaper! We're thrilled to see Finn using his skills to build a career! Finn Fletcher

Phie, better known as Capture Creed is a TikTok video content creator, who joined TOWCB in early 2026 to help the team inject a degree of personality and fun into future content. She is known on TikTok for her Assassin's Creed edits using CapCut and other platforms, and is excited to work alongside the team in 2026 and beyond to expand her reach within the community and increase her opportunities. We are thrilled to welcome Phie to the team and look forward to working with her to create unique content which is both memorable and engaging. Previous Next Video Content Phie (CaptureCreed) Phie, better known as Capture Creed is a TikTok video content creator, who joined TOWCB in early 2026 to help the team inject a degree of personality and fun into future content. She is known on TikTok for her Assassin's Creed edits using CapCut and other platforms, and is excited to work alongside the team in 2026 and beyond to expand her reach within the community and increase her opportunities. We are thrilled to welcome Phie to the team and look forward to working with her to create unique content which is both memorable and engaging. TikTok Work

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 Artist Sophia 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

AC Community Questions: The Ælchemist Interview Share 5 Feb 2025 Written By: Edited By: TheÆlchemist Colum Blackett Back To Database Hi The Ælchemist , thank you for joining me for this introductory interview. Please could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your role within the Assassin's Creed Community. Col: In January 2025, you joined The Ones Who Came Before's Assassin's Creed Partnership Program, known as the Isu_Network. Are you looking forward to working alongside the team during the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows? The Ælchemist : : Yes! I'm very much looking forward to working alongside the team. AC Shadows will be a lot of fun. I've been waiting for this instalment since I first started playing Assassin's Creed. Col: How excited are you to get your hands on the upcoming instalment? The Ælchemist : As a person born and raised in the region where the game takes place, that has only increased my hype further. Col: Which Assassin's Creed game have you been playing recently, and which game are you playing next? The Ælchemist : I'm currently playing Syndicate on my Xbox due to its 60 FPS update. I'm having a lot of fun with it and will likely play AC Shadows next. Col: Have you visited any of the locations from the games? The Ælchemist : I have visited London many times and love the Elizabeth Tower. I enjoy visiting historical locations. Col: Which Assassin's Creed game is your favourite and why? The Ælchemist : don’t really have a favorite AC game, but the closest to my favorite is Black Flag, as I love the naval combat and the Moby Dick mission. Official Promo Image for Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag Col: Have you attended any events within the Assassin's Creed Community? The Ælchemist : I haven’t attended any AC events specifically, but whenever there’s a convention I’m at, I make sure to check out their displays. Col: Do you have a favourite Assassin's Creed community moment/ story you would like to share? The Ælchemist : My favorite moment was meeting Desmond's voice actor, Nolan North, and hearing him talk about voicing Desmond Miles. Col: What would be your dream setting for the upcoming AC Netflix TV show or future game? The Ælchemist : My dream setting for upcoming AC content would be WW2 or the Inca empire. Col: Do you have any personal AC goals you would like to achieve? The Ælchemist : My personal AC goal is to someday become involved in some way with the making of a AC game, (voice actor, writer, Mocap Actor etc). Animus Hub: The new home of all things Assassin's Creed Col: What would you say is your most significant community achievement to date? The Ælchemist : My most significant community achievement would probably have to be, becoming a partner with, The Ones Who Came Before. Col: What is your favourite part of being a community member? The Ælchemist : My favorite part of being a community member is being able to talk to and make friends with people who have similar interests. Col: Do you collect AC merchandise? If so, what is your favourite item? The Ælchemist : I do collect AC merchandise, mostly books, but my favorite is a behind-the-scenes book of the movie. Col: What advice do you have for people looking to get into social media management? The Ælchemist : My advice for people looking into social media management is: Work hard, show kindness to your community, and never take anything personally. As long as you work hard and are kind, good people will follow you. Sadly, there will always be bad people on the internet. Don’t engage with them—they want a reaction. Ignore them, and either they will go away, or if they don’t and start talking about you on their accounts, it’s free advertising. As an Asian person on the internet, I’ve seen my fair share of racism. I strive to keep my communities free from discrimination and racism, and I have a zero-tolerance policy for it. So in short, just be nice, be kind, be smart, and work hard—you will grow as a person as well as your following. It’s always slow in the beginning, but once you get things rolling, it will start to pick up speed. Never give up and always work hard. Col: Where can our community members find you online? The Ælchemist : You can find me on: Youtube: @ TheÆLCHEMIST Twitter: Master Shinobi comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author TheÆlchemist is a passionate social media manager based in Japan who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in January 2025 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. He is known for providing in-depth detailed analysis on all things Assassin's Creed, something which we here at TOWCB always strive to provide. He is also a keen video creator, a skill which we hope to nurture through collaborations with our video content creation team. By joining the partnership program, we will be sharing content created by TheÆlchemist with a larger audience, and he will help our fan community surpass 70,000 followers across all platforms. TheÆlchemist

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

Product Review: MADRINAS x Assassin’s Creed Shadows Boba Teas Review Share 6 Nov 2024 Written By: Edited By: Frame Hold Photography Colum Blackett Back To Database Experience a taste of Assassin's Creed Shadows with two new boba teas from MADRINAS! Thanks to MADRINAS for sending me this item to review! MADRINAS, an online specialty coffee and tea brand, recently released its collaboration with Assassin’s Creed Shadows on October 17th. This drop includes two boba tea flavors–cherry blossom fruit tea and strawberry matcha milk tea, and a limited-edition Collector’s Box. MADRINAS sent me a Collector’s Box to review, so let’s jump into everything that’s included! The Collector’s Box has one tub of cherry blossom and one tub of strawberry matcha tea mix. Each tub can make eight drinks (1 scoop of mix per drink). Each tea comes with its own boba pearls. For the fruit tea, you receive four packets of Honey Popping Boba Pearls, and for the milk tea, you receive four packets of Brown Sugar Tapioca Pearls. The Collector’s Box also includes a super awesome Assassin’s Creed Shadows shaker cup, which is exclusive to this box set. The shaker cup features the MADRINAS logo and the Assassin’s Creed logo alongside silhouettes of Naoe and Yasuke. The Japanese text featured on the cup are Naoe’s and Yasuke’s names. I absolutely love the artwork on this shaker, and I will happily use it as I count down the days to Assassin’s Creed Shadows' release on February 14th, 2025! Lastly, the Collector’s Box includes eight plastic boba straws and easy-to-follow instructions on how to make your teas. Instead of single-use straws, it would have been nice to have a reusable Assassin’s Creed Shadows-themed straw to go along with the shaker cup, but the provided straws work well to suck up the boba pearls. I have had boba tea before but have never tried a product from MADRINAS, so I was very excited to try their boba teas! First, I tried the cherry blossom fruit tea. To make the tea, pour one scoop of mix into 13 oz. of ice-cold water and shake. After about 20 seconds of shaking, the powered mix dissolves quickly into the water. I then added some ice and a whole packet of Honey Popping Boba. I have never had popping boba before, so trying them was a super fun experience! The tea has a pleasantly light cherry flavor, and the popping boba provides small, sweet bursts of honey. Since the drink is quite sugary for my taste, I found making it with half a scoop of mix and 13 oz. of water to be to my liking. I encourage anyone who purchases this set to play around with the ratios of mix to water to find what you enjoy most! Next, I tried the strawberry matcha tea. To make this tea, you follow the same steps as the fruit tea. However, to prepare the Brown Sugar Boba, you must open the packet and cook it in the microwave for 40 seconds. Despite the short time in the microwave, these boba pearls get very hot, so it is best to let them cool down for several minutes before handling them and adding them to your drink. Since this is a milk tea, it gets surprisingly frothy once you shake your drink! This tea has a strong matcha flavor, and the tapioca pearls are sweet and chewy. Like the cherry tea, I found adding half a scoop of mix to 13 oz. of water to be the better ratio for me. When diluted, the green tea notes become much lighter, allowing the strawberry flavor to come through more. If I had to pick a favorite between these two, it would be the cherry blossom fruit tea! I love its light fruity flavor, and the popping boba is so much fun. Overall, this is a lovely, high-quality Collector’s Box of boba teas, and the shaker cup is an awesome Assassin’s Creed collectible! Thanks again to MADRINAS for sending me the Assassin's Creed Shadows Collector's Box to review! To pick up your own limited edition Collector’s Box or one of the two boba tea mixes, visit MADRINAS’ website at: https://madrinas.com/products/assassins-creed-shadows-collectors-box And follow MADRINAS on socials: Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) YouTube TikTok Check out our video review of the MADRINAS x Assassin’s Creed Shadows boba teas here! 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

Article detailing the location of Grand Magister Vitus Burial Site in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and the clues that can lead you there. Community Guides Assassin's Creed Valhalla Guide: How to find the Secret Burial Site of Grand Magister Vitus By William Hede HojelseSkole 5/4/21 Share Top Stories The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today In this article I am going to be show you how find Grand Magister Vitus' burial site in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Magister Vitus was a high-ranking member of the Hidden Ones who oversaw the evacuation of the brotherhood in the fifth century. Vitus is mentioned a few times throughout the game in documents found in the Hidden One’s bureaus, and in the description of the Magister armour set that can be found throughout the various regions. Edited by Ashlea Buckley Finding the clues Interview with Magnus Bruun - Eivor Assassins' Creed Valhalla Merchandise Guide Q&A with Abubakar Salim - Bayek of Siwa TOWCB Plans for 2021 Netflix announce upcoming live-action Assassin's Creed series Female Vikings: The Real History Building an Assassin's Creed Community: Getting Started Mentors Guild Announcement Interview with Benoit Richer: Valhalla Co-Dev Game Director Interview with Eric Baptizat: AC Valhalla Game Director Interview with Jordan Van Andel (JorRaptor) Colours in Assassin's Creed: A Short Review 6 ways to stay entertained in the Assassin's Creed Community during isolation Interview with Carlos Ferro - Da Vinci 5 ways you can support TOWCB Interview with Jesper Kyd Top Stories Decrypting the Code We hope that you found this guide useful! Check out the Database for more Assassin's Creed Valhalla Tips, Tricks and Guides. Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" In order to find him we will have to travel to the southern coast of cent. More specifically to two towers called Dover Pharos and Dover fortress. Once you are at the Dover Pharos you will need to climb to the top. There you will find a marking in the shape of a triangle. Left of the triangle there should be the Roman number: l. Next up we will travel to Dover fortress. There you will find a tower similar to the one at Dover Pharos. Again, we will have to climb to the top of the tower you will find another triangle a little different from the one found in Dover Pharos. Instead of the roman number l there will be the roman number ll just right of the triangle. Now this took me a while to figure out but the hint here is to consider Dover Pharos and Dover fortress as the first and the second vertexes of the triangle. As seen below. Now the third vertex is where you will need to go in order to find Magister Vitus’ unmarked burial site. Near the area seen above you will find a well, covered with wooden planks. Break the wooden planks and you will be able to climb down into the well. Here you will finally find the remains of Magister Vitus. You will also notice an Assassin insignia engraved on the floor. In the back of his tomb you will find different things such as the roman number lll confirming that this is the right location. You will also find the hidden one’s insignia at the bottom of his tomb. As one of the last things you will find a cryptic message on a scroll. Now this message can be deciphered by reading the letter every other two letters. Original text mlmaoensadqmvvacixanimomvsasdclovimlbipenane tnvetir tiavlts deciphered text m lm a oe n sa d qm v va c ix a ni m om v sa s dc l ov i ml b ip e na n e t n v et i r t i av l ts Now using a decoder will leave us with the message:' Mandvcamvs libenter allos qvi nos dominent at mea maxima cvlpa vitvs Which if you translate it in latin means: "We gladly bite those who would dominate us, but I failed. Vitus ." With this translation we can for sure be certain that this is Magister Vitus burial site About the Author William is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who recently joined TOWCB AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer. Throughout 2021, William and other writers will be joining the admin team in a collaborative effort to create an Assassin's Creed Valhalla Guide Database, which you can find here . William Hede HojelseSkole

Music Preview: East Again - An Original AC Mirage Inspired Instrumental by Gustav Poulsen Other Share 17 Feb 2024 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Colum Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to announce East Again, an original instrumental track inspired by Assassin’s Creed Mirage, out 24th February on music streaming platforms and The Ones Who Came Before’s YouTube channel with a special ambient visualiser! The Assassin’s Creed inspired track was created by Video Content Creation Team Leader Gustav Poulsen ( Gargudon ), and was inspired by and acts a tribute to the newest instalment in the franchise, returning East where everything began. Here is a 30 second preview for the track, which releases 24th February! We can't wait for you to hear it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVT3agrMN70 Gameplay captured by UbiCypher: Twitter Kenway_Joe Instagram UbiCypher comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016 - hosting the discussion based show “The Memory Corridor” - but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews 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, among other things he is known in the community for the Sounds Of History project - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental music project, featuring five tracks inspired by as many different games - other original fan themes plus covers of iconic AC tracks, as well as video interviews with a number of high profile names in the world of AC, from Roger Craig Smith, Jesper Kyd and more. Fun fact, among his growing colourful tattoo collection, Gustav is the only member of our team to have the TOWCB logo inked. Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)

Assassin's Creed Unity - A Great Game With A Bad Reputation Share 15 Feb 2025 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Gargudon Back To Database 2014’s Assassin’s Creed Unity, marked the beginning of a new era. It was the first game exclusive to a new generation of video game consoles, built solely with that powerful technology, meaning less restrictions and new possibilities. This made for an ambitious, graphically stunning and chaotic yet lively portrayal of 1790’s Revolutionary Paris, offering a wide array of activities making for dozens of hours of gameplay, one of the best storylines to date with remarkable characters, what might be the smoothest parkour to date, the widest selection of character customisation options yet, and of course, fun action packed Co-op missions to be played with friends and much more. Underneath all of this though, is a game infamous for being rushed in development, that was simply put out too soon, many players finding it unplayable at launch, having purchased an ultimately unfinished product. Numerous patches and a while later though, the game was finally able to be played as it was always meant to, with the years it having become a fan favourite among a number of fans, many even calling it their favourite instalment overall. However, none of this changes the rushed and disastrous launch, forever impacting and plaguing the reputation and legacy of an otherwise great and fun game, maybe even the franchise as a whole. Join us for a deep dive into all of this and more, in our new in-depth retrospective look at the game. Full video available now on our YouTube channel! Video written and narrated by SisterlyThrower, co-written and edited by Gargudon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJQDpSUul8 comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016 - hosting the discussion based show “The Memory Corridor” - but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews 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, among other things he is known in the community for the Sounds Of History project - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental music project, featuring five tracks inspired by as many different games - other original fan themes plus covers of iconic AC tracks, as well as video interviews with a number of high profile names in the world of AC, from Roger Craig Smith, Jesper Kyd and more. Fun fact, among his growing colourful tattoo collection, Gustav is the only member of our team to have the TOWCB logo inked. Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)

Best Quotes in Assassin's Creed Rogue Share Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Back To Database ''Even the devil can quote scripture, to suit his own purposes''. Shay Cormac (Assassin's Creed Rogue) Promotional image used for Assassin's Creed Rogue. Edit by Colum Blackett ''A war and a revolution have ended, and another is about to begin. May the Father of Understanding guide us all''. Shay Cormac (Assassin's Creed Rogue) VP and Edit by Turið Torkilsdóttir comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author 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)

Music Mash-up: The Amazing Spider-Man theme by James Horner & Ezio’s Family by Jesper Kyd Other Share 12 Feb 2022 Written By: Edited By: ActualSpider-Man Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Check out this original mash-up by our partner Actual Spider-Man, who has managed to combine 'The Amazing Spider-Man' theme by James Horner with the iconic 'Ezio’s Family' by Jesper Kyd. Although only a short extract, the piece captures the heart of both franchises, and kicks off our ambitions of releasing more original music later in the year, stemming from our AC Partnership Program. We hope that you enjoy this first piece! https://video.wixstatic.com/video/06e6c8_c28956e2c26b489ea31c9d065c46db21/360p/mp4/file.mp4 comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Author of the all-encompassing timeline, Codex Temporis, and the Isu-to-English dictionary, Codex Transferendum, Your Friendly Neighborhood Mentor is here to help unweave the confusing web of AC! ActualSpider-Man

Art Reveal: Hidden Blade by Shaya Fury Other Share 2 Aug 2025 Written By: Edited By: Shaya Fury Colum Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to reveal a new piece of art by a member of TOWCB's Art Team! Shaya Fury is a talented watercolour artist who is known in the community for vibrant paintings, fusing together a blend of colours and styles. We particularly admire the use of red droplets in this piece which act as blood, bringing a sense of danger to the still, majestic beauty of the blade. Shaya states on X that this piece was created in her travel sketch book, making it even more impressive as she may have been at work or on the move at the time of it's inception. It's easy to see why this piece has already picked up praise online from the official Assassin's Creed X account, and we hope to see her tackle more interpretations of Ezio in future art projects. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Stay tuned for more exclusive art reveals here at The Ones Who Came Before. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author 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

Learn about the reasons for the creation of Assassin's Creed Day Community Interview with Benoit Richer: Valhalla Co-Dev Game Director Interview with Eric Baptizat: AC Valhalla Game Director Interview with Jordan Van Andel (JorRaptor) Colours in Assassin's Creed: A Short Review 6 ways to stay entertained in the Assassin's Creed Community during isolation Interview with Carlos Ferro - Da Vinci 5 ways you can support TOWCB Interview with Jesper Kyd The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today History Female Vikings: The Real History Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" Top Stories 27/10/20 By Lauren Harris Edited by Ashlea Buckley Share When the first trailer for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla released and fans were introduced to the protagonist, Eivor, who can be played as either male or female, it was the subject of much discussion. Fans debated over how realistic the concept of a female Viking warrior was. Could a female Eivor be historically accurate? Or was it simply a gameplay decision made for the benefit of representation and player choice? In this article, we look at the true history of women during the Viking era and the role they played in their society. According to Judith Jesch, Professor of Viking Studies at the University of Nottingham and the author of Women in the Viking Age (1991), women could not be Vikings as the Old Norse word “vikingar” only applied to men. The idea of female Viking warriors being a historical fact seems to have originated with a DNA study into the remains found in a grave in Birka, Sweden, in 1889. For over one hundred years, the remains were assumed to be of a male warrior. However, in 2017, DNA proved that the bones belonged to a woman. The researchers then published their assessment that the deceased must have been a warrior woman. The reasoning for this was due to the possessions found in the grave, such as pieces of a chess-like board game. Items like this were often found in the graves of warriors, and so the assumption was made that this must have been a warrior. Vikings historians were quick to dispute this conclusion, however. For one, there was no concrete evidence that board games had any connection to warriors. Also, it was very possible that bones had been mixed together during burials, and that this was not specifically a warrior’s grave. Sadly, most scholars believe that female Viking warriors simply did not exist. However, that does not mean that women had no role in Viking society. Actually, research shows that Viking era women had a level of equality with men that most societies would not achieve for many, many years. In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, players can let the Animus choose which perspective to view the memory stream from depending on its strength. This is to encourage fans to play as both characters, rather than as just one. Women had a number of important roles in Viking society. Many of these involved work around the house and farm – but women were not simple housewives. In fact, they were responsible for all the wealth in their household. The women controlled the money and the keys to the property. If the men wanted to use either of these things, they would have to go to their wives first. Additionally, since the men were often away exploring, raiding, or voyaging, the women were in charge of making the decisions. They were the ones left behind to keep the economy flourishing and prevent the village from falling apart. In what was an incredibly progressive move for the time, women were allowed to have occupations outside of the home. They were traders, priestesses, and even rune masters. Often, women would produce textiles and sell them in the village. Sometimes, the power of a woman could overshadow her husband. Some men would admire their wives for this fiery personality, but others would feel emasculated. Regardless, society always respected a powerful woman. Evidence of a powerful Viking era woman was found in a burial in Oseberg. Remains of a woman, assumed to be of nobility or even royalty, were found buried in a large ship. She was interred with carved wooden furniture, a tapestry, fine bedding, and household utensils. This suggested that she had power within the society and was respected by her peers. Law was also much fairer to women in the Viking Age than in other periods of history. Women were able to inherit land from their parents, though less than their brothers would receive. A woman would also receive money from her groom upon marriage, of a similar value to the dowry she would present to him. Married couples in the Viking Age were able to divorce, a progressive concept in itself, and if they did, the woman would get to keep her own dowry and that of her groom. They were also free to remarry without judgement. Abuse of women was not tolerated in Viking society. Rape of a woman was a crime punishable by exile, and a woman could demand a divorce if her husband hit her three times. That said, female infidelity was not acceptable and was punished, though men were allowed to have mistresses. Another way that Vikings showed their appreciation for the women in their lives was through rune stones. Whilst most rune stones were erected for men, many were also erected in memory of women. This shows that Vikings wanted people to remember their women and felt that they deserved the same memorial as the men. Despite the historians suggesting that female Viking warriors did not exist, there are many stories in Norse literature of women riding into battle alongside the men. Where did these myths come from? The Icelandic sagas with tales of Viking shield-maidens and Valkyries were written centuries after the Viking Age, which makes it difficult to believe the stories they tell. However, what these sagas do show is the way the Norse respected and admired strong women in their society. The women in these stories were depicted in various ways. Some were Valkyries sent by the god Odin to retrieve fallen warriors from the battlefield and bring them to Valhalla. Some were mortal but with supernatural powers, like fortune tellers and prophets. Others were regular humans who picked up a sword and shield and went into battle with their male counterparts. Famous female warriors in Norse literature include Sigrdrifa the Valkyrie, who appears in the poem Sigrdrífumál also featuring Sigurd the Dragonslayer. While little historical evidence has been found to support the idea of Viking warrior women existing, there have been some accounts which could lend support to the theory. One is from an Irish history book written in the 12th century which speaks of a warrior named “The Red Maiden” who attacked Munster with a Viking fleet in the 10th century. Another is from 11th century Greek historian Johannes Skylitze who recorded that there were armed female Vikings among the warriors who attacked the Byzantines in Bulgaria in 971. As with the Icelandic sagas, though, the fact these sources were written hundreds of years after the Viking age makes the stories less credible. Other evidence which could suggest female Viking warriors existed comes from two sets of remains found in Norway. One set was the skeleton of a woman around 20 years old who was buried with a complete set Viking weaponry. The other was a skeleton of a woman around 18 years old who had a full set of weaponry along with equipment for a horse. There is little reason for the women to be buried with these possessions unless they were important to them, suggesting that they could have been warriors themselves. However, under Viking law, a woman would gain all her husband’s belongings upon his death. It could be that these weapons belonged to their warrior husbands and were buried with the wives for sentimental reasons. To conclude, historians believe that the existence of Viking warrior women is unlikely – and so too would be a character like female Eivor. However, it is clear that women held more power in Viking society than any other culture for years to come. Women were not subservient and they were free to make their own decisions in life. It is said that no one could tell a Viking era woman what to do. We have to wonder then if a woman wanted to be a Viking warrior, who was going to stop her? In that case, maybe there were female warriors lost to the annals of history – and maybe Eivor was one of them. About the Author Lauren is a online article writer who loves the Assassin's Creed franchise. As a member of the AC Partnership Program, she will be writing regular articles for the AC community, and her work can now be found in the Community Hub. Lauren is especially interested in Assassin's Creed lore, and will be exploring this more in future articles. Lauren Harris Support TOWCB Support TOWCB By using our Amazon Links Save 15% with the code 'TOWCB' Eivor is a fierce Viking warrior, and the leader of the Raven Clan. Available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®4, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Store on Windows PC, as well as on UPLAY+, and Stadia. Also coming to PlayStation®5. Related Articles: Viking Weaponry We Might See in Assassin's Creed Valhalla Interview with Co-Dev Game Director Benoît Richer Q&A with Game Director Eric Baptizat Assassin's Creed Valhalla Merchandise Guide Interview with Magnus Bruun - Eivor Assassins' Creed Valhalla Merchandise Guide Q&A with Abubakar Salim - Bayek of Siwa TOWCB Plans for 2021 Netflix announce upcoming live-action Assassin's Creed series Female Vikings: The Real History Building an Assassin's Creed Community: Getting Started Mentors Guild Announcement

RS (WonDerNooB_VP) is a virtual photographer who joined TOWCB in 2025, helping the team to grow and expand across multiple platforms. Since joining the team, RS has provided assistance with theme coordination, VP article launches and testing our photo mode features, releasing incredible lifelike captures. In 2026 and beyond, we hope to continue building our relationship with both RS and the Assassin's Creed virtual photography community, and look forward to seeing all future VP content. Previous Next Virtual Photography Team RS (WonDerNooB_VP) RS (WonDerNooB_VP) is a virtual photographer who joined TOWCB in 2025, helping the team to grow and expand across multiple platforms. Since joining the team, RS has provided assistance with theme coordination, VP article launches and testing our photo mode features, releasing incredible lifelike captures. In 2026 and beyond, we hope to continue building our relationship with both RS and the Assassin's Creed virtual photography community, and look forward to seeing all future VP content. X (Twitter) Work

Junaid is a UK-based digital artist who joined the art team in Summer 2022. In 2017, he created various art pieces to mark the 10 year anniversary of Assassin's Creed, and by joining the program, we will be collaborating on a number of projects that create exclusive artwork for the community to mark events such as the 15 year anniversary, and the annual AC community fundraiser for charity. Previous Next Artist Junaid Iqbal (Medjay_Graphics) Previous Partner Junaid is a UK-based digital artist who joined the art team in Summer 2022. In 2017, he created various art pieces to mark the 10 year anniversary of Assassin's Creed, and by joining the program, we will be collaborating on a number of projects that create exclusive artwork for the community to mark events such as the 15 year anniversary, and the annual AC community fundraiser for charity. Twitter | Instagram | Website Work

Assassin's Creed Mirage Early Access Demo Gameplay Round-up News Share 12 Sept 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Back To Database On the 12th September 2023, an embargo lifted for Assassin's Creed Mirage which saw a flood of content circulate the internet. The coverage included gameplay, screenshots and information captured and documented by media outlets, community members and Youtubers, taken from the first few hours of the game. We here at The Ones Who Came Before made a conscious decision not to share any of the footage on our social media channels as we are so close to launch. Instead, we have decided to round-up all of the gameplay videos we can find and share them here on our website! Please enjoy and support the content creators listed below, and always be considerate when sharing unreleased content. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc9DbG-jzbc Footage by Jackfrags and first impressions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHgaolJLQoY Footage by IGN. Previewed on PC by Nick Maillet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY-Gak8DPVk Footage captured by theRadBrad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-ztu_HV-6Y Footage captured by Luke Stephens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-9Yq8cF2Uk Footage captured by jayvee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXniX4XRzek Footage captured by Zanar Aesthetics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB9YDYcsB-g Footage captured by JorRaptor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJONnDtGfrU Footage captured by That Boy Aqua https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRtRjcQxmMw Footage captured by GameSpot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH3FVTf3XB4 Footage captured by GameRiot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH-9o00quMY Footage captured by Hollow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AiCFUugMT0 Highlights video by Playstation Access https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RTrT23Kb_0 Footage by Nick930 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d2SXYLILmA Footage by Easy Allies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnxsizQ7PuY Footage by Arekkz Gaming https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Dwhl9sTmWc Footage by Rickster2344 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRWMTUS18i0 Footage by Shirrako https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wFu8mpx9i8 Footage and Impressions by Franky Boy and JorRaptor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMxDQrRO6DI Footage by Mirror Gaming https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UADDzQAePRQ Footage by MadMorph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6dQcQeK_e8 Footage by GamersPrey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kguGcnteYbw Footage by Access the Animus Screenshots Image captured by @ LegacyKillaHD Screenshots by RockPaperShotgun Screenshots by TheLoadout Did we miss your early access coverage of Assassin's Creed Mirage? Message us privately to be featured on the site! 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)

Author of the all-encompassing timeline, Codex Temporis, and the Isu-to-English dictionary, Codex Transferendum, Your Friendly Neighborhood Mentor is here to help unweave the confusing web of AC! Previous Next Writer ActualSpider-Man Previous Partner Author of the all-encompassing timeline, Codex Temporis, and the Isu-to-English dictionary, Codex Transferendum, Your Friendly Neighborhood Mentor is here to help unweave the confusing web of AC! Twitter | YouTube | Twitch | Subreddit Work