Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 6th to 17th May Community Share 28 May 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: Assassin’s Creed Wisdom Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Majdulf47 The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ TuridTorkil Turid Majdulf has a talent for creating mesmerising shots. The strong red background in this one catches the eye while the moody composition of the raven on the skull makes you stay for a while. It’s amazing to see what one can do with two colours. Aaron “Odin smiles on us today”. Although Assassin’s Creed Valhalla doesn’t have the vibrant scenery of Origins and Odyssey it does have the best moody environments. These are hauntingly showcased in the cursed areas within the game. Majdulf has encapsulated the troubled lands of England with his excellent composition of a Raven atop a shrine. Using just the red and blacks elevates this capture to a new level and makes it stand out from the rest. I love the symbolism of Odin through the Raven and the Paganism that still lives within the Saxon kingdoms. Remains Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ well_jodye “We were three ships in a summer’s dawn”. The Viking longship is key to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Without these impressive vessels the Vikings would never have been able to bridge the gap between Scandinavia and the rest of the world. If you spend any time scouting the shores of Valhalla, you will find dilapidated ships taken back by the sea. This is a beautiful capture of just this with two ships long abandoned and consumed by nature. The sepia tones give this shot a vintage feel that fits with the narrative of neglect. I really like the use of fog to add that feel of the sea and the greens really attract the attention. I think the composition is excellent with your eyes drawn up the beach to the longship. The Sea Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ Jaco8ee “I believe my time here and this trial may help me find the answer”. One of the reasons I play Assassin’s Creed games is for the epic scenery. If you can’t travel the world then at least you can see jaw dropping locations in game. The Assassin’s Creed Odyssey coastlines are some of the most stunning I have seen. Here we have one of these locations with the water looking so realistic. I am impressed with how the shot has been split into two by the arching rock formation. The boats and mountains look fantastic in the distance and add huge depth to the photograph. How could anyone resist performing the leap of faith into that gorgeous location. The Lost Archive Game: Assassin’s Creed Revelations VP Artist: @ cyrielle_vp “Nothing is true, everything is permitted.” I adore covering Assassin’s Creed virtual photography, but it does sadden me how we often lack shots from the old games. I wish there could be a photo mode added to them all. I did not expect to be including a Lost Archive capture in this week’s showcase. The Animus sections of the Assassin’s Creed games are perfect for capturing but unfortunately haven’t featured prominently in the RPG entries. This photo is so unique and breaks the norm for Assassin’s Creed. I am getting serious Control vibes here. The beautiful columns from Subject 16’s memory make for a fantastic shot. Eagle Sight Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ JChoukroun “Our prodigal Hidden One returns”. Assassin’s Creed Mirage certainly lends itself to minimal photography. The vast deserts with their lone trees or rock formations are a dream to capture, but so are Basim and Enkidu. I have really enjoyed capturing the two of them as they scale buildings or cross deserts. Here we have the two posing elegantly atop a sync point. I really like the minimal aspect of this capture but also the old movie making style. Basim is a character that often reflects on his actions, and this absolutely shows that side of him. Synchronization in Assassin’s Creed is all about taking a minute to breath before the famous leap of faith and that for me is what this photo shows us. And that sums it up for this Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out the photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next time keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Spoiler Policy News Share 10 Oct 2020 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We are now less than one month away from the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla! Unfortunately, the final stage before launch is often filled with spoilers and leaks circulating the internet, so here's how we plan on keeping everyone safe. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are now in "Blackout Mode", meaning: - The Anti-Spoiler Filter has been enabled. This means that comments containing 'spoilery information' will be removed, and those responsible may face a ban. - Anyone who messages the page with spoilers from this moment on will be immediately banned. Our admins are all excited to play the game, and don't want to find out the ending via a message to the page! - Our content will be spoiler free/censored so that everyone can enjoy the game without having to worry about spoilers/ leaks.- Spoiler tags will be placed on posts that have minor spoilers. - Increased moderation on posts.The Ant-Spoiler Filter will be enabled for a 3 month period, starting today. We feel that as an Assassin's Creed community, we have the responsibility to make sure that all our fans are able to enjoy the game on release day. For more information on our community standards, please see our Code of Conduct . We thank you for your cooperation, and hope that you're as excited to raid as we are! - TOWCB Admin Team 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)

Rally the Creed Episode 7 Released Podcasts Share 1 May 2024 Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team Colum Blackett Back To Database In Episode 7 of Rally The Creed, host Gargudon is joined by one of the newest recruits on our team, video creator and streamer Andy, also known as SisterlyThrower . At the core of this episode is a proper introduction to Andy, talk about our growing video venture and future content, the American saga and more. Enjoy listening! Edited by FrameHoldPhotography . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA-8_5gAdjc Listen to this episode on Spotify: comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. TOWCB Team

Assassin's Creed Mirage 'A Return to the Roots' Dev Diary Breakdown Breakdowns Share 25 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database As part of the marketing campaign leading up to Ubisoft Forward, the first video in a new series dedicated to the development of Assassin's Creed Mirage was released. Episode one, titled 'A Return to the Roots' focusses on the creative decisions behind the game's production. Mirage promises to be a love-letter to longtime fans of the franchise, placing an emphasis on core pillars and narrative. This will no doubt be refreshing news for many fans, who are longing for a return to stealth which lies at the very heart of the franchise. After numerous entries without playable Assassins, the video makes it clear that the developers wanted the series to return to its roots, in a way that feels authentic. By listening to fans, and asking themselves what are the key points that people love about the series, Mirage pays homage to all that has come before and pushes the boundaries even further, ultimately creating the stealthiest game to date. We can't wait to to learn more about Assassin's Creed Mirage! Here is our breakdown of the first Dev Diary! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1L56mYLF4 20 seconds into the first dev diary we get our first glimpse at new Assassin's Creed Mirage gameplay footage! In the top right hand side we can see that skill points make a return, something which were introduced in Assassin's Creed Origins. This time however, the points are not connected to a sprawling skill tree of abilities. They are simply to enhance skills that Basim learns from The Hidden Ones during his training. Secondly, from the short gameplay clip you can see that Basim has been spotted by civilians in the area, meaning guards are also aware of his presence. Notice how their behaviour changes as he approaches them. You can see them hesitate to approach, and even back away from him, no doubt viewing him as a threat. On the right you can see a staircase, which may be one of the ways in which the player can achieve a non-confrontational playthrough, stealthily bringing them to a new area without being detected. Looking at the right hand side of the screen, you can notice a tiny white dot appear above a seat as Basim approaches. This indicates an interaction opportunity, meaning that Basim will be able to bide his time whilst sitting down, and even strike from a bench / seated area. Next up we have two new pieces of Assassin's Creed Mirage concept art, as the video expresses the desire from the team to take Assassin's Creed back to the beginning. Mirage tells the story of Basim, and his journey towards becoming a Master Assassin. We can see several locations marked on a whiteboard being discussed by a developer during a presentation, which appear to be part of a diagram showing the outer walls of Baghdad. From the notes we can read: Round City (Baghdad) Garden Four Marrels? Mosque Gate of the Greeks Nestorian Monastery Canal Prince Palace Shari District (also known as quarter) Review Ground Fief (of Zubaydia) From my research I believe that the diagram on the whiteboard shows the Northern region of Baghdad, as depicted on this map. You can even see the flow of the river Tigris. That means that the word 'gate' on the diagram is referring to the Khurasan gate. Map via Wikipedia Moving on, we have another piece of new concept art, this time showing parkour. Notice the multiple guards also on the rooftops! The video dives into parkour, and makes it clear that it is a key pillar to the Assassin's Creed experience. Baghdad is your playground, and it has been built to enhance parkour opportunities. During the two second clip showing parkour, we see Basim jumping from post to post through what the video describes as an 'urban environment'. The surroundings appear to take inspiration from Assassin's Creed I, reintroducing stalls and buildings featuring ledge windows. Parkour in Valhalla was described as sluggish by many, but the quick snippet here makes it look like the player has more control and freedom over aerial movement. This is confirmed when Marco Maresca (Senior Game Designer) says that the team looked at past games for inspiration, emphasising fluidity and comfort in movement. Parkour is easy to learn, and the approach is closer to the Ezio games, where it's ''all about keeping the flow and momentum going''. The gameplay demonstrates the return of the corner swing, improved vaulting, rope lifts (evelators) and the introduction of a new mechanic, pole vault, which can be used to help Basim cross larger gaps when navigating rooftops. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/06e6c8_2258716187a14f3ba86df251dbaf726d/720p/mp4/file.mp4 Basim is faster and more agile than Eivor, and animations were produced to give players a sense of speed when running, jumping, vaulting and free roaming. You can see a short video of Basim jumping through a test arena, showing his speed and agility. Next we see two pieces of concept art for Assassin's Creed Mirage demonstrating how the streets of Baghdad have been created with parkour in mind. In both images, we see items positioned to give Basim a lift from which he can begin to climb. ''Streets are narrower, denser, and packed with obstacles to navigate.'' ''By choosing the right path through the environment, you can move from street level to the rooftops in the blink of an eye.'' In the background you can see Assassin's Creed Mirage gameplay, showing a few of the ways Basim can navigate the city above ground. The first shows a rope which can be used to cross between buildings, something which has appeared in numerous AC games before. The second shows more obstacles, this time piled up so that Basim can quickly climb to reach a higher platform. The third shows him climbing a syncronisation point, which looks to be connected to a Mosque. As Basim climbs higher towards the platform, a tiny eagle appears, showing that it is indeed a sync point that can be used to unlock more of the map. The focus of the video shifts to stealth, arguably the core pillar of the franchise in need of the biggest revamp. ''We want players to work in the shadows, plan their next move, strike, and then vanish.'' The video then shows off the numerous ways players can assassinate. The first method is by hiding in a booth, similar to Arno killing his target in the confessional box in Assassin's Creed Unity. Second, we see a particularly brutal hidden blade to the neck kill, quickly dispatching an unsuspecting guard. The next method is the ledge grab, something which dates back to the Ezio games. It seems that Basim will be able to climb up to the very top of a platform and surprise unsuspecting enemies. For players looking for a more confrontational approach, takedowns return, with more variation than ever before. In the first gameplay snippets we see, Basim performs a move that sees him flip over an enemies back in what looks to be a finishing move calling back to Assassin's Creed Revelations. The move looks similar to the 'Hook and Run' maneuver performed by Ezio Auditore, taught to him by Yusuf Tazim. Next we see a different angle showing Basim plunging his curved sword into the left shoulder of a guard, no doubt an extremely painful way to die. The final move we see here is an air assault, knocking the guard to the ground and using the hidden blade to eliminate. Bench assassinations make a return, calling back to Assassin's Creed II which released back in 2009. It's a wonder that such a useful feature would disappear in the first place, but it faded away after Black Flag, where Edward Kenway used the move to assassinate Woodes Rogers in the garden. For me, this maneuver is the epitome of the tenet 'Hide in plain sight'. In another throwback to previous games, killing enemies from the rooftop gardens make a return. This was always a great way for players to eliminate guards circling a perimeter, which was particularly effective when paired with the whistle to lure enemies towards their fate. Narrative Director Sarah Beaulieu narrates the next part of the stealth section, making it clear that the team fully encourages players to be sneaky, as combat for Basim is a last resort. His main approach is to hunt and strike whilst remaining unnoticed. The team reworked the enemy AI to improve the detection and vanishing loops, making behaviours more responsive and readable. This is something which heavily needed improvement after the stealth issues which appeared in Valhalla. Enemies would notice Eivor immediately, making social stealth a challenge for most players, encouraging a combat approach. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/06e6c8_719f061122e842a5ad707a95be7dff15/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 New enemy archetypes will increase the stakes, with the introduction of: The Marksman: Capable of shooting down your eagle companion, Enkidu, preventing you from using the bird-control mechanic. The Spearman: A guard bearing a long spear who pokes through haystacks in search of enemies hiding. The Hornbearer: Equiped with a horn which can be used to call for reinforcements. Narrative Director Sarah Beaulieu confirms that Basim does indeed train with The Hidden Ones in Alamut, the historic Persian (Iranian) castle and later the real-life home to the Nizari Ismailis, also known as the Assassins (1090AD), a splinter sect of Shiite Muslims. The group was led by Hassan-i Sabbāh, who apparently uttered the phrase '' Nothing is true , everything is permitted ” on his deathbed. The novel 'Alamut' by Vladimir Bartol is said to be one of the key inspirations for Assassin's Creed I, which the series adopted into its own lore by making it a stronghold for the Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins. The castle is of huge significance to the series, as it was also built on top of a First Civilisation Vault which housed the Memory Seals which Altair used as keys to access his vault at Masyaf. It'll be interesting to see if the construction of Masyaf is completed during the course of the game, as in the CGI trailer and screenshots, it is still being erected. During his time at the castle, Basim is introduced to the tenets of the creed, by his Mentor Roshan and the other Hidden Ones. Next we get a look at the new and improved social stealth, which brings back systemic blending to mask Basim's movements in a large crowd, allowing him to move undetected. Hide in plain sight. In the gameplay demonstrating social stealth, we can see a rope lift on the left, showing a quick and convenient way for Basim to access the rooftops from ground level. We also get our first look at the navigation bar which has an icon showing a bag, which could represent a vendor of some kind such as a tradesman. We also see the return of the skills icon in the top right hand corner, indicating that the player can level up some abilities. Basim can bribe factions with specific tokens in order to control AI groups, allowing him to move undected through guarded areas. This is very similar to how Ezio would pay a group of courtesans to mask his movements in a crowd. The navigation bar at the top of the screen turns yellow as the group approaches, showing that the guards are becoming suspicious in a guarded area, but Basim himself is hidden by the blend mechanic. The final section of the video focusses on assassinations, and the ways in which players can take down The Order of the Ancients to free Baghdad from their influence. The enemy we see here in the concept art image is also the one who appeared in the Cinematic World Premiere Trailer (CGI). In Assassin's Creed Mirage, The Hidden Ones have established a network of bureaus across the city of Baghdad to monitor The Order of the Ancients. They act as gameplay hubs from which the player can take on side contracts and various objectives, from rescue missions to assassinations, to help The Hidden Ones in their fight for freedom. Here is a 3D model of the mask featured in the Cinematic World Premiere Trailer, once again belonging to the target who tries to run from Basim. One of the most impressive gameplay shots of the whole video features next. I can sense the building anticipation amongst the Virtual Photography community, who are itching to know if the game contains a Photo Mode feature at launch. Everything about this piece of concept art screams Assassin's Creed I. Several of Altair's targets would take part in public speaking, manipulating the masses. In this piece of art, we see Basim watching his target from the rooftops, looking for an opportunity to strike. Narration from Sarah Beaulieu makes it clear that the dev team wants players to immerse themselves in the life of a Hidden One, investigating target's identities, tracking their movements, and sharing information. This is also a callback to direct Assassin's Creed I, when Altair was stripped of his rank and demoted to a novice, needing to collect information before reporting back to the bureau leader, who would eventually give him permission to strike. I wonder if Basim will also report back in a similar fashion before eliminating his target. No word on this as of yet. In Assassin's Creed Mirage, a new Investigation Board replacing the Quest Log, possibly a move which shows the intent to move away from RPG elements in the new game. Stephane Boudon returns to the narration and informs the audience that Black Box missions (first introduced in Assassin's Creed Unity) give players the freedom on how to approach an assassination mission. The piece of concept art above shows Roshan and Basim, wearing a green and brown outfit, possibly a disguise planning their approach. This piece of art heavily reminds me of the player's introduction to Black Box missions in Assassin's Creed Unity, where Bellec and Arno stand on a rooftop overlooking Notre-Dame looking at the ways in which to proceed. The winner in this piece is Roshan's hair. So striking! Finally, the dev team reveal that in a surprise addition to the game for long-time players, a nostalgic visual filter setting has been added which can be applied at any point to give the game a desaturated blue-color palette, similar to the very first Assassin's Creed game (2007). This is a nice piece of fan service, as it adds a level of nostalgia reminding many of us of the fondness we all have for the original game and also how the washed out colours made Altair's robes stand out. That's all for the first Dev Diary, and things are looking promising. Although Mirage isn't doing anything too innovative, the team behind it seem to be rediscovering what mechanics worked well in previous titles and are determined in their efforts to restore them to the franchise. Look out for our coverage of Assassin's Creed Mirage here on The Ones Who Came Before, as we can't wait to explore the new title even further as we get closer to launch. Stay tuned for all things Assassin's Creed with our social media channels, listed below. 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)

Q&A with Aymar Azaïzia Interview Share 7 May 2016 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Col: Hey Aymar. Thanks for joining me today. I have a few Assassin’s Creed topics we would like to discuss today. Aymar: Thanks for having me, especially in a pub, with a beer. Is it a strategy to get me to talk? :) Col: We’ll see if we can get any secrets today ;) So let’s get started. Can you tell us anything about the Apple of Eden replica that was shown off a while back? We saw a prototype but we haven’t heard anything since. Aymar: Sure, right now, the project and the will to make it happen during the year is still very real. However we are trying to find the best execution, quality so expect more news soon! Col: Cool! Okay so I have a very big question! How did Ezio die, and was he assassinated? Aymar: My take on it, is watch the Godfather movie, and focus on the death of Don Corleone. Then watch Embers again, and I would say that Ezio get assassinated. There is a price to pay, and there is no rest once you walk the path of the Assassins. It is a bittersweet ending, Ezio got a nice and long life, yet there was no way for him to die from a heart attack (PS focus on the soundtrack!). Now you can hate me :) Col: Poor Ezio! So I was also wondering about the Nikolai Orelov statue that was shown. Is that still happening? Aymar: Got the only one :) It was a prototype that wasn’t supposed to be shown at that stage. It was a unique resin prototype, and we didn’t moved on with that, yet you can expect more cool figurines from us! Col: Nice! So why did the Davenport Homestead mysteriously disappear after AC3? Aymar: History kills a lot of thing… But there may be another explanation… :D Col: Who was the man at Lucy’s Grave in Initiates? Aymar: What is your call? We know who he is, but we are not there yet :) Col – Interesting. I personally think that it could be an Instrument of the first will, but we’ll have to see! Col: I was wondering if you can tell us anything about the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Movie Novel by Ryder Windham. Aymar: Talking about early announcement :) It is supposed to be a movie script adaptation as far as I know, but I don’t have more details at the moment, sorry! Col: Fair enough! Speaking of early announcements, an Assassin’s Creed Colouring book appeared on Amazon. So what kind of images can we expect to be colouring in? Aymar: We have the guys working on our artbook selecting the best images, so expect a mix between characters, landscape, iconic symbol and more! Col: Awesome! So Assassin’s Creed has released two sets of comic books recently, so I was wondering if any more can be expected in the future? Maybe comics focussing on Erudito or Juno’s Instruments. That could be cool. Aymar: YES! Both Titans and us are really pleased with what is happening at the moment, and I would be lying if I was saying we don’t have more plans for Assassin and Templars :) Col: That’s cool. Speaking of future plans, I was wondering if you guys would ever consider making more Chronicles game’s? Aymar: Right now, we are focusing our game effort on our next Assassin’s Creed game, but nothing is impossible with Chronicles :) Col: Fair enough! So Assassin’s Creed Last Descendants was announced recently, and a new Piece of Eden was mentioned in the description. “The Trident of Eden”. Can you tell us anything about that? Aymar: Yes, but I will have to kill you then :) What I could stay is that it is a very amazing story, I LOVE what Matt did with it, and the trident is a very interesting POE :p Col: Sounds interesting! So I was wondering if we could see the Lydia Frye story going anywhere in the future? Aymar: Haha, Lydia, Haytham, and so many others we want to bring back. So stay tuned! Col: So I left the difficult question until the end. Let’s talk about the precursor box. Does one exist or many. I personally believe that we saw 2 in AC Rogue, but several exist. Aymar: How many visuals versions have you seen so far? Same? :p Col: Interesting. I’ll stick to my theory though! Thanks for your time Aymar. It’s been an absolute pleasure to meet you. Aymar: It was a pleasure, let’s focus on beers now :) comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Assassin's Creed Shadows Phone and Desktop Wallpapers released by FrameHoldPhotography Community Share 18 May 2024 Written By: Edited By: Frame Hold Photography Colum Blackett Back To Database Check out the first wave of Desktop and Mobile Wallpapers for Assassin's Creed Shadows, created by Frame Hold Photography from TOWCB Core Team using recently released key art. Enjoy! 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 Day Artwork Released Art Share 21 Dec 2025 Written By: Edited By: Aita_Sageblood Colum Blackett Back To Database To celebrate Assassin's Creed Day 2025, and to honour the legacy of Desmond Miles (1987-2012) who sacrificed himself to ensure humanity's survival from the impending threat of a solar flare, our very own Aita_Sageblood from TOWCB Art Team has released a new piece of artwork inspired by Assassin's Creed III! Thanks to Desmond's bravery, humanity survived and the Assassins were able to prevent Juno from inhabiting a clone body and taking over the world. We love the use of colour on the pedestal, and the ominous glow enticing the hand of Desmond. The date in the top left hand corner is a callback to the glyphs from the early Assassin's Creed games, left by Subject 16, Clay Kaczmarek. We hope that you enjoyed Assassin's Creed Day, but also took a second to reflect upon Desmond's selfless decision which made everything which came after 2012 possible. Safety and Peace Assassins! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author In June 2025, Aita_Sageblood (Nathan) joined TOWCB's Art Team in an effort to widen the variety of art styles on the team. He is known online for his vibrant digital artworks, bringing colour and energy to each and every project. In January 2026, Nate was promoted to Art Team Leader, and throughout 2026 will be working alongside TOWCB's Art Team on a variety of projects which range from creating art for fundraising to live art creation watchalongs! By joining the AC Partnership Program, we aim to boost his profile within the community and create a meaningful relationship with Ubisoft. Aita_Sageblood

Netflix have announced an upcoming live-action Assassin's Creed series News Share 27 Oct 2020 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Buckley Back To Database Streaming service and production company Netflix have today announced that they are developing a live-action Assassin's Creed series in partnership with Ubisoft. The news broke when the @NXOnNetflix Twitter account posted a short teaser revealing a red Assassin's Creed insignia with the Netflix logo inside. The iconic Assassin's Creed II theme, Ezio's family theme plays softly in the background. Could this be a clue, or simply a nod to the series? “We’re thrilled to create an Assassin’s Creed series with Netflix and we look forward to developing the next saga in the Assassin’s Creed universe.” said Jason Altman, Head of Ubisoft Film & Television told Deadline. Netflix are looking to build an Assassin's Creed TV Universe, entering into a content agreement with Ubisoft to develop live-action, animated, and anime series based on the franchise. According to Deadline, the first series in development is as an epic, genre-bending live-action adaptation, and is being developed Ubisoft Film & Television’s Jason Altman and Danielle Kreinik, who are currently looking for a showrunner. “We’re excited to partner with Ubisoft and bring to life the rich, multilayered storytelling that Assassin’s Creed is beloved for. From its breathtaking historical worlds and massive global appeal as one of the best selling video game franchises of all time, we are committed to carefully crafting epic and thrilling entertainment based on this distinct IP and provide a deeper dive for fans and our members around the world to enjoy.” Peter Friedlander, VP, Original Series, Netflix. Details are currently limited regarding the first Assassin's Creed Netflix series, but you can stay up to date on all the news here at The Ones Who Came Before. Sources: Netflix Deadline 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)

From the Desk of Hytham the Acolyte - A Review of AC Valhalla: Journey to the North Review Share 26 Jul 2023 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Colum Blackett Back To Database Banner by Thea Marie Rivedal (Moonchildgecko) from TOWCB Art Team. Deluxe Edition photos by Aaron Young (Falconswift87) from TOWCB Writing Team. Article contains Amazon affiliate links that support TOWCB. One of the current discussions that has been prevalent in the past few years is the lengths of the RPG line of Assassin’s Creed titles vs those of the “classic” games. AC Valhalla being the latest entry in the series (as of this article) was well known to require hundreds of hours for players to dig in and experience the full story of Eivor and her Raven Clan coming to England with a pair of secretive warriors known as The Hidden Ones , to search for their shared enemy in The Order of the Ancients . Eivor traveled across the English countryside, the shores of Ireland, and the streets of Paris while also exploring the influences of Norse Mythology throughout this epic tale of starting over in a new land. However, unlike previous entries which documented the game, such as novelizations, strategy guides, or outside publications. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was expanded upon via multiple pieces of transmedia, but never provided an overview of the complete two-year content line. Even the art book that was released after the game only covered the main game and was more concept art of the landscapes and character types, but not every aspect was represented. Cover Art of Journey to the North In July of 2023, a new transmedia artbook/journal was released for what appears to be the end of the Valhalla story as we begin to transition into Assassin’s Creed Mirage. In The World of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North - Logs and Files of a Hidden One, fans of the series are provided a complete overview of the AC Valhalla story and updated art book told through the eyes of Hidden One, Hytham the Acolyte. This 208-page book is the ultimate text of the story of what occurred in the main game and the paid DLC expansions. The Deluxe Edition photos provided by Aaron Young Deluxe Edition Spine Deluxe Edition Art Prints Journey to the North (as it will be referred to for the rest of this review) is available in two versions as many of the previous art books have been: The standard hardback for $49.99 USD and the Deluxe Edition for $99.99 USD. The deluxe edition comes in a special brown leather style cover contained in a teal slipcover with a folio featuring two art prints. I had originally planned on purchasing this one, but decided to get the standard one for now as I just wanted to read the book and didn’t see a personal value in the double price deluxe option. However, after seeing the images from fellow The Ones Who Came Before writer, Aaron Young, I wish I had. Yet, it is nice to have the concept art cover that I have shared in the image above. The book opens on an overview of what is to follow from the in-world author Hytham. The book is divided into five sections, each one having a vast amount of content organized in such an easy to read format that I applaud the book’s author Rick Barba for. Rick is a well known video game author with over 130 publications to his name including books and guides for series including Assassin’s Creed, God of War, GTA, Red Dead Redemption, and Star Trek to name a few. Previously he wrote Assassin’s Creed: Through the Ages for Scholastic Books during the content window for AC Syndicate. If you collect video game books, you most likely have something of his work without even knowing it. Entry on Sigurd Styrbjornson The first section which covers the Viking Lifestyle gives a history of the Vikings compiled through Hytham’s research and time with the Raven Clan. Speaking with and learning from the people of Ravensthorpe as well as information provided by Jarlskona Eivor Varinsdottir via the plot of Valhalla, Hytham spent time understanding the history of the people that he now considers family, the Viking people. It is in the first pages of the book that I recognized that Hytham was constantly busy while Eivor was progressing through the story of the game. I always felt that Hytham seemed static like a set-piece outside of the mission lines he would provide players, but this book gives him a life that the game was lacking. Having a detailed, but short history of the Vikings and how the Raven Clan came to England is a strong start for the book. Hytham's notes on Odin and Frigg In the second chapter, the full mythos of the Norse gods are presented, both in the story of the Dawn of Ragnarok expansion and the history of creation in the Norse myth and the gods that are worshiped by those around Hytham. Each of the Aesir is described and most of them are presented with the game image from the character’s Codex entry in the game. This is expanded on with the stories of the myths from the creation of everything to Ragnarok itself. It is also here where we can learn Hytham’s thoughts on the Viking beliefs and on the gods, including Loki whom fans know to be the Isu that is hosted by Sage Basim Ibn Ishaq, Hytham’s Mentor. A few of the buildings in Ravensthorpe The Viking Settlement is explored in the third section of the book and this is broken down as a tour of the Ravensthorpe settlement, with each building and citizen of the home to Eivor and Hytham discussed. What I liked most about this section is that each shop is very detailed in what it does and what it offers the people that live there, but also as what it does for players of the game. Knowing that the tanner, Wallace in the Hunting Hut can provide you with trophy mounts for completing special hunts, or that Yanli at the Trading Post can sell you decorations for the settlement, and tattoos for Eivor makes this section not just a travel guide for the settlement, but a guide for players to know who to see about their in-game needs. Eivor sitting with Oswald of East Anglia The last section before the Epilogue is The Viking Age, which is the full story breakdown of the main game, Wrath of the Druids, and Siege of Paris. Hytham describes the region, the Major Factions & Sects, and the Key Events for each “sequence” of the game. It is because of this section that I highly suggest this book for anyone that wants to revisit the game or read through the story without the required playtime. While everything recorded is from Hytham documenting Eivor’s recollection as she turns in the Order Medals from her clearing England from the Order of the Ancients, and later from her informing Hytham of what happened in other countries, his detailed writings of the events of the game provide more than enough information to understand the story without the traveling distance, filler content, or unnecessary dialogue. This is the closest that we will get to a novelization of Valhalla. Eivor (Male) in Concept Art for Seige of Paris The book closes with the Epilogue which is a closing entry from Hytham as he thanks Eivor for her efforts in riding England of the Order of the Ancients, and that his biggest regret is that of his mentor Basim, whom he still cannot believe betrayed the Norse siblings Eivor and Sigurd. He then gives half of the page to speak on Basim’s past which is a heavy reference and transitional text to Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Learning about Basim’s swift rise from street thief to Mentor and how Hytham was tasked with his first mission in Constantinople to keep an eye on Basim and report back to the Brotherhood. Yet, while Hytham understands that Basim’s actions drove him out of the light of his teachings, he hoped that he found the peace he was looking for. Basim Ibn Ishaq from Assassin's Creed Mirage While there isn’t a large amount of direct references to AC Mirage outside of the book’s final page, the written thoughts of Hytham reacting to Basim’s betrayal, of Basim having a son, and on Loki (not knowing the link to his mentor), there is enough to excite players for the next entry in the series. The epilogue alone made me more excited for October 12, 2023 when we will be able to play the new game. Hytham in The Golden City by Jaleigh Johnson I’ve said it multiple times in the past when talking about the transmedia for AC Valhalla and some of the 9th Century content, that Hytham is the anchor for the Valhalla epic. Yes players control Eivor, but outside of the game, Hytham is present in six titles (including the game and this book) and has interacted with multiple storylines and characters. He’s been a guiding hand for all of the transmedia characters in the Valhalla story, Niamh in Sword of the White Horse, Geirmund of Geirmund’s Saga , and in The Last Chapter content update for Valhalla (which is not covered in this book) he takes in a new class of Hidden Ones from the members of Ravensthorpe. Many argue that Valhalla had no Assassins (much like Origins and Odyssey), but I argue that we do have an Assassin in Hytham as the underlying focus of the entire story for this game linking lead characters together like Agent Coulson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I do wish there was more coverage of the free content updates like the Mastery Trials, The Forgotten Tombs, and The Last Chapter, but I can understand that not all of this content was available for this book at the time of release, or even when it was being written by Rick Barba. Some of the region overviews felt a bit short and not all characters were presented with an image and to agree with fellow TOWCB writer, Aaron, not all of the character shots from the game are the best composition or option for a profile photo. I would be curious to know if these were taken by the author, or provided from Ubisoft. I was happy to see game images with concept art, but do wish there was a higher quality at times. Concept Art of Bárid mac Ímair, King of Dublin My bottom line with The World of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North - Logs and Files of a Hidden One is that it is a must have for fans of the game or the series in whole. I could even suggest it to fans of history as this is a fun historical fiction journal from a character in that time period. Nothing is incorrect historically, but may not be something that actually took place in the 9th Century Viking Expansion of England. The additional artworks for the DLC that we didn't have with the original Art of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is something that I would love to see from future games that offer DLC, and hopefully we can see something for older titles if they get remasters. With Mirage around the corner, I’m hoping additional transmedia is provided as it is my favorite aspect of the series by far. The book is available now in the US from publisher Dark Horse Books for the Standard Edition at $49.99 USD, or the Deluxe Edition for $99.99 USD. If you have interest in purchasing the book, consider using our affiliate link with Amazon to help support articles like these and The Ones Who Came Before. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Michael Smith

TO BE COMPLETED Assassin's Creed Symphony - The Journey So Far Share 1 Oct 2019 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Back To Database June 29th 2019 - Paris Palais des congrès de Paris comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 10th - 16th September 2022 Community Share 17 Sept 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 1) Gunnar Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This week’s first capture comes from @ TheWInterCzar a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. First up this week we have Gunnar the Smith of the Raven clan. This may be the first time I have seen a shot of this pivotal character. Voiced by the brilliant Thomas W.Gabrielsson and also known for his role as Guthrum in The Last Kingdom. He is one of my favourite characters to talk to when visiting the settlement. This magnificent shot showcases him brilliantly, the black and white style really amplifying his beard and tattoos. Excellent use of the black background resulting in a perfect portrait. 2) Mythical Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Photo number two comes from @ GeeketteAna a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Next up we have Kassandra exploring Atlantis from the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey DLC. I must admit I have never played this section of the game, but after seeing @GeeketteAna’s virtual photography I might just give it a go. I really like the colours of this capture, so vibrant and powerful. I love how you can see the waterfall coming through the eyes in the distance. The armour set also links well with the rest of the shot thanks to the white and gold elements. A very fitting photo for the mythical setting. 3) Odin’s Raven Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Edits: Frans Bouma & Lightroom Classic This week’s third shot comes from @ NovA1990 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Photo number three brings the chill with a nice shot of a raven in the snow. I always like to feature animal photography if I can, and this is the first for a raven. Even though it isn’t the focal point, I do adore the mountains in the background. There is a real haunting feel to this with the dark skies, cold snow and wind swept trees. I believe the shot is in Northumbria as that is the only place with snow in the English part of the game. Either way this Raven looks very happy sat in the snow. As the saying goes Odin’s eyes are everywhere. 4) The Saga Begins Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP number four comes from @ reubenblades1 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community . For our penultimate shot this week I thought I would feature this exceptional capture of Eivor and the long ships. The sepia style of this photo makes it so unique, as it is a colour tone not often seen. The attention to detail is amazing, with the use of vignette and depth of field really bringing the shot to life. I love the old vibes of the capture as it feels fitting of the time period. I wonder where Eivor is heading next? 5) Sunset Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins The final capture of the week comes from @ YouSpoonyBardd over on Twitter. The final shot of the week is part of an awesome set entered into the Ubisoft Photo-Mode contest. Be sure to check out the whole selection below. However this photo stood out the most to me due to the jaw dropping positioning. Even with the sun going down you can see so much in this capture. I love the sun setting between the two pyramids, it is just breath-taking. I also like that you can see a third pyramid to the left and the rocky landscape surrounding it. What a beautiful use of colour and shadows to create this perfect sunset. Link to set And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Updates On The Future Of AC & Black Flag Remaster Confirmed News Share 5 Mar 2026 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Gargudon Back To Database It is an exciting time to be an Assassin’s Creed fan, with Ubisoft yesterday making an announcement on social media, in the form of a video with newly appointed franchise Head of Content Jean Guesdon, giving major updates on the future of the franchise. This provided updates on the heavily anticipated Codename games in the from of Hexe , the mobile game Jade , as well as the multiplayer experience Invictus . There was also word on the remaining support left for Assassin’s Creed Shadows , and of course, the official confirmation of a remaster of Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag , officialy titled Assassin's Creed Black Flag - Resynced . Ubisoft teased its existence with a piece of artwork of protagonist Edward Kenway with the new updated logo for the game with the new title underneath it. They also worded it with some pirate-themed comments to officially confirm that the remaster is real. The significance of this announcement is a true act of appreciation from the developers at Ubisoft, directed at their dedicated fanbase, that has stuck by them for nearly two decades and counting. Their transparency with the community is very respectful and shows that the developers care about their fans, and felt it only right to share these major updates with their loyal audience. The fact that it was a string of announcements and not one singular update shows, they are excited to share what is in store for the franchise, and that nearly two decades later, the series is as strong as ever and not slowing down one bit. The Assassins Creed Logos (via Ubisoft) As mentioned, it was announced that support for the most recent game in the series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows , will slowly start being phased out as the game nears its first anniversary this month, which makes sense and happens all the time in order to give developers time to focus on their future projects, and divert manpower and resources. Guesdon shared that even though support for Shadows is nearing its end, it has some great surprises left and will go out on a high note. It is a perfect send-off to an important game in the series. It only feels right to end with a bang rather than let the hype dwindle down. It is a great thing that Ubisoft plans on ending strongly on such a great game in the series, as fans who loved and still play the game certainly deserve a proper sendoff. The Black Flag remaster was another major surprise. While it was not a full reveal and more of a tease, the official annoucement already has fans excited and worked up, and more news and details are bound to come sooner than later! The information they shared for the highly anticipated upcoming game, Codename Hexe , was short but meaningful. They stated it is set in a pivotal moment in history and that they plan to remain silent for a bit longer, but love the fans' hype and enthusiasm for the project. It was a short update, certainly, but just the fact they are acknowledging the game that so many fans are excited for is a great move from Ubisoft to continue to build up the hype even further. The other game with a codename that received an update was Codename Invictus , which is confirmed to be a PvP online multiplayer game, which is significant because in the past the last time an Assassin’s Creed game had multiplayer as an option was 2014’s Assassin’s Creed Unity , which players loved despite it still being the last taste of online the franchise has seen. Now, over ten years later, a full-fledged online game that is its own title rather than attached to a single player game, is progressing along in development. The interesting part about this is that it is a competitive PvP in the Assassin’s Creed universe, which is something almost unseen before as while Unity had multiplayer as a feature, it was co-op gameplay with friends and teammates, the option to face other players was not available, so a dedicated Assassin’s Creed game that is all about multiplayer is truly an exciting project in the works from Ubisoft, and it's a good thing to get an update on it as word surrounding Codename Invictus was scarce, understandably, the way Ubisoft would want it. Main Protagonists all together (via Ubisoft) Another couple goodies that were announced today was also an update on the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Netflix series, sharing that while it has been a long time coming, the development has been going smoothly over the last months and has even had casting updates announced all within a few months or so. Ubisoft also made sure to give one final treat, in the form of the announcement of a 60FPS update for Assassin’s Creed Unity for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, which is a big deal as many of the older games in the series have received a patch to make it look more advanced, and Unity was considered ahead of its time with visuals and gameplay, so getting this update for a game like this one is excellent news. The update drops today March 5th. All in all, it was an unexpectedly huge day for fans of the Assassin’s Creed series and all gamers alike. There was no way to predict getting such a huge update for all the future projects in the franchise, so the surprise announcement was a good and smart move to treat fans when they would least expect it. In the past, many major gaming franchises would be slowing down or already dead in a matter of a few years, but nearly 20 years in, there are absolutely zero signs of AC slowing down, and the future of the franchise is as bright as it has ever been. Nearly at the two decade mark, Assassin’s Creed continues to be the gaming dynasty it truly is and shows that even with age, this franchise can still be more alive than ever. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. In 2025, Hayden took on the position of Team Leader for TOWCB's Writing Team, overseeing article releases, assisting with recruitment and providing assistance with internal operations. Hayden Bird

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 11th - 17th June 2022: Origins Scenery Edition Community Share 24 Jun 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) Scenic Shot Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins This week’s first capture comes from @ RobbyRose69 over on Twitter. First up this week is a stunning landscape shot. The scope of this capture is truly breath-taking, it feels as if you can see for miles. I like that this photo captures a lot of the varied environments of Assassin’s Creed Origins. The crops growing, the ships sailing and the random island in the middle of the water. Then you have the glamour of the pyramids and the desert in the distances. It really is an amazing photo. 2) The Colourful Desert Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Photo number two comes from @ UVioletra over on Twitter. Following on from the first capture we have some more spectacular environments. I think what is so striking about these are the colours. The final shot in particular has such a great mix of dark and light, especially from that amazing sun bursting over the water. I think the mix of sand and vegetation is what makes Assassin’s Creed Origins so beautiful. 3) The Fire Burns Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins This week’s third shot comes from @ NovA1990 over on Twitter. Photo number three is so striking, I love the simplicity. These are the sort of shots I never really think of doing. The character of the capture is what draws me to it. I really like the tree line in the background with the dark sky. Obviously the fire is the hero of the shot. I can just imagine Bayek resting here on his travels across the desert in search of the Order. 4) Leaping Assassin Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP number four comes from @ TektoNickgames over on Twitter. This shot actually gave me Ghost of Tsushima vibes. What a fantastic action shot of Aya leaping from ship to ship. I am very impressed by the silhouette against the backdrop of fire rising from the ships below. The temperature and saturation here plays such a pivotal role. It makes me long for an Aya expansion to Assassin’s Creed Origins. 5) Coast of the Sinai Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins The final capture of the week comes from @ flyingfeather_g over on Twitter. Another magnificent bird’s eye portrait shot to end this week’s selection. I just love how realistic the water looks in this. It is amazing how you can see into the water and rocks below. I also adore the shadow of the sail in the sand. The birds and the ram on the beach have not gone unnoticed either. This shot reminds me of searching for papyrus rewards, although I usually end up beaching the boat on the sand. 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

New Assassin's Creed Shadows Fall Roadmap Full Breakdown Breakdown Share 25 Oct 2025 Written By: Edited By: Zephryss Colum Blackett Back To Database Ubisoft has finally revealed the new Fall Roadmap for Assassin's Creed Shadows. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s coming to Assassin's Creed Shadows in the next few months. Parkour Update 2 The new Parkour will be released on October 28. This update will feature a new toggle option named "Advanced Parkour". It will remove all parkour barriers, allowing players to do side ejects and back ejects from any height. There will be some tweaks with side eject on parkour down, giving players more freedom of expression. The vertical ledge grab in regular parkour will now work in more situations, including non-standing objects, whether or not the advanced parkour toggle is on. From those non-standing objects, developers are also introducing a new beam manual jump option and reintroducing a much-requested feature called the directional catch ledge mechanic. Corrupted Castles A new Animus themed activity called Corrupted Castles will also be released on October 28. Any previously completed castle may get corrupted and filled with Animus anomalies, including Samurai Daisho and their corresponding reward chests. Up to five Corrupted Castles will appear on the map each season, allowing players plenty of opportunities to reengage those castles and higher levels of play for even greater rewards. Free Story Drops The 3rd story drop called "A Puzzlement” will be released on November 25th. This quest has a much more humorous, silly tone, much more akin to something like AC Odyssey, in which players are digging up old foes from Naoe's past who are looking for a bit of redemption. As the name suggests, "A Puzzlement", also introduces a brand new and intricate environmental puzzle which will include some Isu content. Yes, Ubisoft has heard the AC community, and they are finally adding Isu content to Assassin's Creed Shadows. The two protagonists will also learn new skills from each other: Naoe will learn how to perform her own spectacular version of Yasuke's war kick ability. Yasuke will learn how to stealthily dispatch enemies in a non-lethal way. The next special collaboration will also be released on November 25th and It will be something big. Ubisoft has also announced that there will be more surprises including new finishers, special missions, animus-themed rewards, and store content until the end of this year. AC Shadows on Nintendo Switch 2 Assassin's Creed Shadows is coming on the Nintendo Switch 2 on December 2nd. It will have all the recent updates and free content drops, except for the Claws of Awaji Expansion that will come later in the new year. It will also work with cross-progression to Ubisoft Connect, so players will be able to pick up where you left off. Switch 2 also offers a new way to play with touch screen features in all menus including world map, store and hideout. What do you think about the new Fall Roadmap for Assassin's Creed Shadows? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 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

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 16th - 22nd July 2022 Community Share 23 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) Berserker Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This first capture comes from @ calisarah1998 over on Twitter. First up this week we have a capture of Eivor deep in thought. This is a powerful photo depicting the Viking theme of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. There are true Ragnar/Norseman vibes about this capture. Checkout the full tweet below to see some impressive editing skills from @ calisarah1998. I love how the darker colour tones and the cool haircut/tattoos all add to the story of a Viking contemplating battle. Link to set 2) Reflections Game: Assassin’s Creed Unity Photo number two comes from @ Amaya_Nocturna a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP TwitterCommunity. In this next image we head to Assassin’s Creed Unity, the game of choice this week for the AC15 celebrations. It is such a shame that Unity does not have a photo mode. That being said, you would not know it judging by the shots that are in this selection. This stunning photo, which is part of a glorious set by @ Amaya_Nocturna , really shows off the beauty of buildings. I adore the use of light bursting through the glass and settling on Arno. A real Assassin’s Creed photo. Link to set 3) The Kassandra Braid Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey This week’s third shot comes from @ MoonsDonuts over on Twitter. Photo number three really caught my eye due to the different perspective. Where portraits of the protagonist are usually from the front or the side, this one gives you a birds eye view aspect as seen by the player. What I admire is how @ MoonsDonuts has managed to showcase Kassandra’s amazing hairstyle. In addition we get a great look at the spear, quiver, bow and arrows. A true Misthios pose, beware of this warrior’s fury. 4) The Lonely Viking Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP number four comes from @ punkncreed over on Twitter. What I love about photo number four is the peaceful simplicity. A capture that very much symbolisesthe start of Eivor’s journey. The sun poking out from behind the mountain gives off Origins vibes, yet the cold colours say otherwise. Great use of the camera angle adds scale to the shot. You just know there are some gold icons on that mountain which need collecting. 5) Paris Game: Assassin’s Creed Unity The final capture of the week comes from @ Subject_72 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VPTwitter Community. I thought it only right that we returned to Unity for the final capture of the week. Once again this photo is from a brilliant selection and it was difficult to choose just one for this showcase. I picked this image due to the level of detail and French feel. Arno looks iconic in his classic dark blue Assassin’s outfit, watching out over the city. There are some excellent details on the buildings that just make Paris feel alive. I can’t wrap up without mentioning the exceptional Statue of Liberty, a fine addition to this game. Link to set comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 20th to 26th March Community Share 28 Mar 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed Thor Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Twisted95733554 What a way to start this week’s showcase, this capture of Havi dressed as the God of Thunder is truly magnificent. I love the edit on this shot, the blurred lines give a sense that he is flying through the air. The details are captured so well with every bit of that helmet shining through. For me this is a work of art, I would happily hang it on my wall. Red Hood Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ missroseplays Next up we have a wonderful portrait of Kassandra. This shot has an epic contrast between the black background and that dazzling red hood. Loving the shadow work across her face adding to the intrigue. The whole pose for me vibes vigilante, hiding in the shadows. The mix of Assassin hood and warrior armour works a treat. It’s just such a beautiful capture. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: Judge: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Taking the title of Photo of the Week this round is ''Red Hood'' by @missroseplays. A beautiful shot with a very cinematic vibe, that perfectectly captures the stealth and shadow of an Assassin's iconic hood. An interesting blend of colours, that perhaps also has a certain movie poster element to it. Wanderer Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ DawnX90 Up next this week we have Bayek wandering the desert. I remember doing this a fair bit in the early parts of the game. At the time the desert just looked so immense, and the scale of the map was larger than what we had previously seen. The contrast here between the sand and the sky just makes the shot. Nice touch to have Bayek walking, especially with the sand kicking up behind him. Gates to Valhalla Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Kaizen_VP Photo number four is so captivating. Without the tags this shot could easily be from God of War Ragnarok. I am really enjoying the perspective of this capture, everything about it peaks my interest. The door slightly ajar makes me wonder what is beyond, and I love the candles lighting the way. The tree overhanging is so ominous, almost giving me Yggdrasil vibes. Without question a perfect shot for our unofficial #Thorsday tag. A Quite Ride Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ UVioletra We end this week’s showcase with a beautiful shot of Kassandra riding through the woods. This capture is from a breath-taking set that tells the story of the Eagle Bearers travels across Greece. What drew me to this particular shot is the frame, once added it makes for a wonderful piece of artwork. Although I am loving the greenery, it’s that red on the helmet that really stands out. I can’t wait to return to this game now. Link to set: And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

New Member Dave Rutter joins TOWCB Virtual Photography Team News Share 15 Oct 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) TOWCB Team Back To Database We are pleased to announce that Dave Rutter ( @ dpruttz_vp ) is the latest member to join our @ Isu_network , taking on the role of Engagement Strategist for the Virtual Photography Team! Dave first started playing Assassin's Creed back in 2020 when Valhalla launched, capturing memorable moments using his expertise with the photo mode tool. By joining the program, Dave will have access to our social media platforms and website from which he can use to promote his captures and virtual photography in general. He will also take on new responsibilities as a moderator for our VP Twitter Community, making him a recognisable leader in the AC VP Community. Team structure We look forward to working with Dave & the rest of the Virtual Photography Team as we aim to shine a spotlight on community captures. Twitter Community Do you plan on using photo mode in Assassin's Creed Mirage? If so, it's time to share your captures in our Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography Community! VP Safe Space Here to support the #virtualphotography community. Because sometimes everyone needs a #safespace & someone to talk to. VP Save Space is a DM support service for the Virtual Photography Community for people who need someone to talk to. Here to support you when you need it with a place to reach out, vent or for a friendly chat. You are NOT alone. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Assassin's Creed Origins: Starter Guide Guides Share 15 Feb 2021 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Assassin’s Creed Origins is the first entry in the series to fully embrace RPG elements. Origins lays the foundations for both Odyssey and Valhalla, whilst acting as a prequel to Altair’s crusade. Origins alters the formula for the series as it ushers in a new player base, whilst trying to retain the magic of the original games. Origins is a visually magnificent game that will leave you in awe of both its beauty and size. Spanning across the whole of Egypt, you will embark on a journey of revenge to right the wrongs inflicted upon your family. You begin with one of my favourite cinematics in the series. The game will then throw you straight into the action. Origins is not a slow burner, and you will be fully involved from the start. This can lead to a steep learning curve, but one you will soon master. In this guide I will try to give you the best possible start to your Egyptian adventure. Bayek of Siwa Bayek is the protagonist of this story, an Egyptian Medjay, and the first location for you to explore is Siwa. This city is the home of Bayek and his wife Aya, and acts as the introduction to the game. There is much to do in this part of the map and I would recommend exploring it all. The main quests will act as the foundations of what is to come, however the side quests and extra locations will teach you the basics of what to expect throughout the game. Levelling System Origins introduces a levelling system that will define what you can do in the game. You will earn XP for completing activities within the world. By earning XP you will be able to level up and slowly become more powerful. Even in Siwa there will be areas that are initially too dangerous for you, which indicated by red skull icons above enemies. In some cases, it is possible to defeat them or just sneak past, but I highly recommend either matching their level or going just above. To do so you will want to find a balance between story, side quests and undiscovered locations. The main story will provide you with the most XP, however this will not be enough on its own. The game can restrict your progression if you do not deviate from the main story. This isn’t a bad thing as the map is full of interesting things to discover. If you open the map and check each area of Egypt, you will notice that it has been assigned a power level, and visiting there early can be a frustrating task. My advice would be to follow the organic path set out by the game. Ability Points and Playstyles Every time you level up you will be rewarded with an ability point. This can be added to your ability tree in order to gain new skills. It is a relatively common practice in games now, but at the time it took a bit of getting used to. Your ability tree is split into three playstyles. You can choose to master one, or split your abilities to allow for a more balanced experience. Either way, by the time you reach the conclusion of the game, the chances are that you will have all the skills. The three styles are: Hunter: Focuses on ranged abilities Warrior: The emphasis here is on melee Seer: This is for gadgets/perks that lend themselves to an Assassin’s playstyle Weapons and Combat AC Origins has a lot to offer in this department. There is a real magnitude of weapons available to choose from, and each weapon has a rarity ranking. Blue: Regular Purple: Rare Yellow: Legendary The rarer the item, the more you get from it. You can choose to sell these items for Drachma (money) or dismantle them for resources. I would recommend keeping your favourites from each category, and then dismantling any unwanted regular weapons and selling the rare ones. It is good to know that the rarity often links to stats such as critical hit bonuses. Always compare your gear to see which one offers you the best stats for your playstyle. Keep an eye out for attributes assigned to your weapons. Blacks are standard attributes, but gold will provide you with a nice little boost. The red ones (cursed) are the most interesting as they provide you with high damage but at the cost of reducing your health. Don’t worry if you find a weapon that you like but feel that it is too low a level. A trip to one of the many blacksmiths will provide you with the opportunity to boost it up to your current level in exchange for some Drachma. Combat is a lot more difficult in comparison to the blocking and countering of the old games. Now you can go all-out attack if you wish. Be warned though, that you cannot just button bash, and there is still the need to defend and this is where the shields comes in. Bayek’s shield will be your saviour when surrounded. Use it to parry incoming attacks, but also utilise it as cover from enemy archers. Senu and Loot Senu is your eagle and companion as you travel across Egypt. You will not start with Senu but if you follow the main quest you will soon be reunited with your companion. Senu is easily accessible by pressing up on the D-Pad (console). From here you will be able to fly Senu around the map, with the option to scout areas in advance. Use Senu to discover and tag enemies, loot, resources and objectives, however if you over use this function the game can become less challenging. Sync points will give you a stunning view of the surrounding area, but most importantly increase Senu’s perception. In turn, this links to the loot hidden around the map. You will find a lot of chests hidden underwater and the better Senu’s perception, the more likely you are to find them. Just be aware of crocodiles and hippos, as fighting them off in the water can be challenging. The loot in Origins is critical to so many aspects of the game. Just grab as much as you can, and sell or dismantle it to fill your pockets with Drachma or crafting materials. Crafting Crafting in Origins is all about 6 pieces of gear that you secure very early in the game. From this point on you will need to collect resources to upgrade them. When highlighting the gear you will be shown which resources you need to collect. Hidden Blade: Who does not like this, the staple for any assassin? You will get this once you arrive in Alexandria. You have 10 upgrade levels, each adding to the damage the blade can do. Essential for anyone wishing to play the way of the assassin. Quiver: You will only need to upgrade this 5 times, allowing you to carry additional arrows. A big favourite of mine as the introduction of the bow really mixes up the gameplay. Stabilizer Glove: This compliments the quiver, providing you with increased damage with the bow. Just like the Hidden Blade you will need to level the glove 10 times. Bracer: These can be upgraded 10 times for additional melee damage. Breastplate: Upgrade this to further increase your maximum health, there are 10 levels. Tool Pouch: Only 5 upgrades for this one, and one I did not bother with in the early game. If you follow the Seer abilities focus on this gear piece. Outfits and Mounts If you are playing Origins after Valhalla or Odyssey then you may slightly be disappointed with the customisation options. There are many outfits in the game but they do not have interchangeable parts. Bayek’s clothing does come with the same rarity as his weapons but unfortunately they are purely for cosmetic purposes. The same can be said for the mounts, although you can switch out your horse for a camel if you wish. Do not be put off by this though as there are some very nice outfits in the game. Thanks for reading our Assassin's Creed Origins Starter Guide. We hope that you found it useful! 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

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

5 Reasons to Love Assassin’s Creed Shadows And 5 That Might Let You Down Breakdown Share 21 May 2025 Written By: Edited By: Zephryss Colum Blackett Back To Database After years of anticipation, Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally launched on March 20, delivering a stunning take on feudal Japan. While the game introduced refreshing ideas and rich historical storytelling, it also came with its share of flaws. Here's a look at five things Shadows did right, and five where it missed the mark. Promo image for Assassin's Creed Shadows via Ubisoft What Assassin’s Creed Shadows Did Right 1. Dual Protagonists That Actually Work Unlike Syndicate, where dual protagonists felt uneven, Shadows balances Yasuke and Naoe incredibly well. Their gameplay styles are also very different. Yasuke is all about strength and direct combat, while Naoe focuses on stealth and agility. This contrast keeps the gameplay fresh and interesting. Switching between them feels fun and meaningful, not forced or gimmick like in past games. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed Shadows via Ubisoft 2. The Beautiful Japanese Setting & Stunning Next-Gen Graphics A game set in Japan was one of the most requested settings by Assassin’s Creed fans after Egypt and Greece. From the buildings and castles to the dynamic weather system, Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings feudal Japan to life in amazing detail. With the help of the upgraded Anvil engine, the world feels real and alive, with small touches that show how much effort went into getting things right. Each region has its unique culture and history, and it shows in everything from the clothes to the traditions. Compared to older games that focused mostly on Europe, this is a big and welcome step forward in how the series represents other parts of the world. Image: Feudal Japan in AC Shadows 3. Stealth Is Truly Back Stealth gameplay in Shadows has been improved in a few key areas. Both Naoe and Yasuke have access to the new Observe mechanic, which delivers a fast and easy way to toggle additional information on screen. Observe allows you to identify targets, tag and monitor enemies, and highlight lootable stashes, collectables, and quest objectives. While on a Synchronization Point, it also allows for close examination of nearby locations. Naoe has access to the classic Assassin's Creed Eagle Vision, which allows her to highlight the position of enemies hidden behind walls and other objects. For the first time in the Assassin's Creed series, hiding in the shadows will make you invisible to enemies. During night-time , any pocket of shadows becomes a dynamic hiding spot in which you can progress without being seen. Naoe and Yasuke are the first protagonists able to go prone in the series. Going prone reduces your "visibility" to enemies even further, whether on the ground, on rooftops, or underwater. Not only that, Naoe has four primary tools at her disposal to help ensure a quick kill or getaway: Smoke bomb, Shinobi Bells, Kunai and Shuriken. Image: Naoe attacking enemies with a Kunai 4. A Decent Story The story of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is solid and engaging, set during a rich and dramatic period in feudal Japan. It follows two main characters, Naoe and Yasuke, whose different backgrounds bring interesting perspectives to the conflict. The game mixes personal struggles with bigger political events, staying true to the themes fans expect from the series. While the plot doesn't break new ground, it’s well told and keeps you invested. The setting adds a fresh feel, and the characters help make the story feel more human and grounded throughout the game. Image: Main characters in AC Shadows 5. Beautiful Soundtrack and Voice Acting The soundtrack of Assassin's Creed Shadows mixes traditional Japanese instruments with modern cinematic music, creating a powerful and emotional atmosphere in every scene. It really adds depth to the world and helps bring the story to life. The voice acting stands out, especially when you play in Japanese with subtitles. It feels natural and respectful to the culture, making everything more believable. The combination of music and voice work pulls you into the game like never before. Image: Naoe (@MASUMI_Cherrie) and Yasuke (@_tongayichirisa) from Assassin’s Creed Shadows. What Assassin’s Creed Shadows Did Wrong 1. Yasuke’s Limited Stealth Options Since this is an Assassin’s Creed game, both main characters should have the skills of an Assassin. But Ubisoft made Yasuke very different. He’s a powerhouse in combat, but his stealth abilities feel too limited. Yasuke is a samurai, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be able to sneak and take out enemies quietly. For a game built on the Assassin’s Creed identity, it’s disappointing that half the gameplay focuses more on fighting than on stealth. Image: Yasuke attacking enemies with Kanabo 2. Unpolished AI Behavior The detection system is better than in previous games, but the enemy AI in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is still inconsistent. Sometimes guards see you from far away in unrealistic ways, and other times they walk right past you even when you’re clearly visible. In combat, some enemies just stand to the side and don’t even attack. The difficulty settings also feel unbalanced—“Expert” doesn’t feel much harder than normal. Ubisoft has said a tougher mode is coming in the future, so we’ll have to wait and see how that turns out. Right now, these issues break immersion and reduce the overall tension. Image: Naoe is fighting with one enemy, but the others are just standing there, not attacking 3. Open World Fatigue Returns One of the biggest issues in Ubisoft games is the lack of variety in open-world features, and that problem continues in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The map is smaller than Valhalla’s, but there’s still too much filler content. Many side missions feel repetitive, enemy camps are basic, and fetch quests slow down what could have been a more focused, story-driven game. Open-world activities like finding pages, praying at temples, or archery challenges all feel the same, with no unique twists. Some features like Sumi-E, Hidden Trails, Kata, and Kuji-kiri feel fresh at first, but after a few times, even those start to feel repetitive. Image: Side activities Sumi-E and Horse Archery in Assassin's Creed Shadows 4. Gear and Loot Systems Still Feel Bloated The gear and loot system in Assassin’s Creed Shadows still feels too bloated. There are too many weapons, armor sets, and upgrades that don’t feel very different from one another. This makes managing your inventory feel like a chore instead of something fun. Players often collect gear they never use, and the inventory can be confusing or slow to navigate. While the game tries to offer variety, it ends up feeling more like quantity over quality. A simpler, more meaningful gear system would help players focus more on gameplay and story, instead of sorting through piles of loot that barely change how you play. Image: Inventory menu in Assassin's Creed Shadows 5. Limited Modern-Day Story Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the first RPG-style AC game without a specific modern-day story or main character like in past titles. Instead, it introduces a new feature called the Animus Hub, where you can find data fragments, short stories, and videos, but that’s all. The modern-day storyline used to be a key part of the series, but now it’s almost completely removed. What was once a major part of the franchise now feels like an afterthought. This change may disappoint longtime fans who care about the bigger story and want more connection between the past and present. Image: Modern-Day gameplay in Assassin's Creed Shadows Conclusion Assassin’s Creed Shadows is bold, looks amazing, and brings fresh ideas, especially with how it uses two main characters and brings back stealth. But it’s not perfect. The enemy AI still has problems, the gear system feels too packed, and the modern-day story is weak. These show that Ubisoft hasn’t fully solved the series’ issues yet. Even so, it’s a strong game that shows the franchise is moving in a better direction. 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