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- Cracking the Isu Code: Part 2 | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Cracking the Isu Code: Part 2 Analysis Share 22 Jan 2022 Written By: Edited By: Preston Carbonaro Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Have you read Part 1 of our codebreaking series? Ready for more? Well, good news! We’re back with some brand new Isu codebreaking goodness for you all! 10th March is steadily approaching, and everyone here at TOWCB is gearing up for Ragnarok! ... No, there won’t actually be a catastrophic end-of-the-world event. Don’t worry. We're referring to the upcoming DLC, Dawn of Ragnarok. The much-awaited expansion for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. In this article we’ll be looking at the Isu text engraved into the stone gate leading to Muspelheim, the realm of fire; home of the fire giants, and guarded by the fierce jötunn Surtr wielding his massive fiery blade. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wiclO4a60A Deciphering the Ragnarok Gate Alongside the Dawn of Ragnarok Cinematic World Trailer, Ubisoft have also been promoting an image of a gate which could lead to another realm. Fans were quick to notice the strange symbols that surround it, which are in fact written in secret language of the highly advanced precursor race known as the Isu. Here is our step by step guide to decoding it! Underlined in blue above is the Isu word for ‘blind’ (wàrh). The character underlined in white denotes that the word is in its singular form. With this information, we can conclude that the word in the yellow box translates to ‘Blind One’ (referring to Havi / Odin), who is missing his left eye after sacrificing it in exchange for newfound wisdom gained by drinking water from Mimir’s well. Note: In Access The Animus’ video, ‘blind’ is replaced with ‘mad’. This is a direct reference to when Loki called Odin the “Mad One” in the game’s Isu era cutscene. As you can see, both words can be used interchangeably without affecting the meaning of the message. The final step, as always, is to form a comprehensible phrase using all of our findings. Thus, the Muspelheim gate message translates to: “Blind One, what did you do?” or “Mad One, what have you done?” But the work doesn’t stop there, as we still have one more symbol left to decode. The one at the very top of the gate. And as most of you could probably tell, this is not in the Isu language. Odin by Mentor Of The Creed Dawn of Ragnarok will be the third story expansion for the game, and is set to be released on 10th March 2022 worldwide on all platforms. The new DLC will further expand upon Norse mythology, and will allow players to travel to the dwarven realm of Svartalfheim where Eivor must step back into the role of Havi (Odin) to rescue his son Baldr from the fire giant Surtr. Link to Access The Animus video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLyG52L3S1c Link to the free downloadable Codex Transferendum 2.0.1, written by ActualSpider-Man from TOWCB's Writing Team: https://www.docdroid.net/wommaEU/codex-transferendum-201-pdf comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Preston is a long-time Assassin's Creed fan of both the games and the soundtracks. He works as a primary school educator, and is also a part-time actor. He takes a keen interest in mythology, symbology, codes and puzzles. Some of his passions include writing, reading, art, gaming, football, and music. Preston Carbonaro
- Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game Hub | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Welcome to the home of the 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, where history is our playground! Here you will find our complete collection of articles, imagining the series in uncharted territories, written by visionaries jumping in and out of history to pitch concepts that may well give readers a glimpse at the future of the Assassin's Creed series. Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game Hub Welcome to the home of the 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, where history is our playground! Here you will find our complete collection of articles, imagining the series in uncharted territories, written by visionaries jumping in and out of history to pitch concepts that may well give readers a glimpse at the future of the Assassin's Creed series. Where would you like to see the series explore next? Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Futuristic Modern Day Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Fall of the Berlin Wall: Written by Colum Blackett Coming Soon Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Building the Perfect Game Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Caledonia (Scotland) Written by James Davis 6/8/25 Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Caledonia (Scotland: Part 2 - Myths and Legends) Written by James Davis 8/10/25 Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Black Eden Written by James Davis 21/11/25 Written by Hayden Bird 09/11/24 Written by Finn Fletcher 28/6/23 Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Chinese Pirates Written by Finn Fletcher 13/9/22 Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game: Aztec Empire: Written by Finn Fletcher 26/7/22
- Promit Majumder (Zeus)
Promit Majumder (@Zeus_Insane) is a social media manager based in India who joined the team in July 2026, specifically to help TOWCB grow on LinkedIn, and engage with community members on Facebook. By joining the program, he is looking to build up his social media management and graphic design experience, and will have the opportunity to work alongside TOWCB Team members, which includes his IRL friend Mr Tom. In 2026 and beyond, we look forward to seeing how Promit works behind the scenes to plan content, and interacts with our audience using a warm and knowledgeable 'brand voice'. Previous Next Social Media Team Promit Majumder (Zeus) Promit Majumder (@Zeus_Insane) is a social media manager based in India who joined the team in July 2026, specifically to help TOWCB grow on LinkedIn, and engage with community members on Facebook. By joining the program, he is looking to build up his social media management and graphic design experience, and will have the opportunity to work alongside TOWCB Team members, which includes his IRL friend Mr Tom. In 2026 and beyond, we look forward to seeing how Promit works behind the scenes to plan content, and interacts with our audience using a warm and knowledgeable 'brand voice'. Work
- Calvin Whiteway
Calvin is a video creator based in the UK who joined TOWCB's Video Content Creation Team in Autumn 2024. Known online for his short comedy videos (skits), Calvin was brought onboard to inject a degree of personality and humour into TOWCB's social media presence. He is a big fan of the Assassin's Creed series who will be helping TOWCB grow, with a particular focus on producing content for Tiktok, Youtube and Instagram. Previous Next Video Content Calvin Whiteway Calvin is a video creator based in the UK who joined TOWCB's Video Content Creation Team in Autumn 2024. Known online for his short comedy videos (skits), Calvin was brought onboard to inject a degree of personality and humour into TOWCB's social media presence. He is a big fan of the Assassin's Creed series who will be helping TOWCB grow, with a particular focus on producing content for Tiktok, Youtube and Instagram. Instagram │ TikTok | Professional Instagram Work
- Unboxing TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition Gaming Chair by Secretlab | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Unboxing TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition Gaming Chair by Secretlab Merchandise Share 22 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to reveal our unboxing video of the upcoming TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition Gaming Chair, kindly sent to The Ones Who Came Before Headquarters by Secretlab! Keep an eye on our social media channels (below) throughout Summer 2022, as we continue our coverage of this stunning Animus-inspired Gaming Chair and the ongoing Assassin's Creed 15th Anniversary celebrations. We here at TOWCB will also soon be collaborating with Secretlab, so stay vigilant Assassins, as all will be revealed very soon. We hope that you enjoy our exclusive first look video! https://video.wixstatic.com/video/06e6c8_4d9215d42cc44cf693c2b394972232c6/480p/mp4/file.mp4 Secretlab Press Release Inspired by the Animus and the characteristic colours of the assassin's robe, the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition is upholstered in Secretlab Neo Hybrid Leatherette and features a tonal red checkered pattern and futuristic Animus detailing on the side wings. The sigils of the Assassin's Creed series are embroidered on the backrest as a timeless ode to its legacy, designed specially for fans who have followed the series since 2007. Built on the award-winning Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 series and available in sizes Regular and Xl, fans can enjoy world-class comfort as they revisit their favourite elements of Assassin's Creed or take a deeper dive into the lore of the highly-acclaimed series with the ongoing 15th Anniversary celebrations. Available for Pre-order now Discover the Assassin's Creed Collection at Secretlab.co.uk , releasing September 2022. TITAN Evo 2022 Assassin's Creed Edition Gaming Chair, Secretlab MAGPAD Desk Mat Assassin's Creed Edition. Secretlab MAGNUS Cable Management Bundle Assassin's Creed Edition. 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)
- Celebrating 17 Years of Assassin’s Creed: Reflecting on the Origins and Legacy of an Iconic Franchise | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Celebrating 17 Years of Assassin’s Creed: Reflecting on the Origins and Legacy of an Iconic Franchise Other Share 18 Nov 2024 Written By: Edited By: Zephryss Colum Blackett Back To Database Image: Official Poster by Ubisoft. On November 13, 2007, Ubisoft released Assassin’s Creed, a game that not only redefined the action-adventure genre but also sparked a cultural phenomenon. Set during the Third Crusade, the first Assassin's Creed title introduced players to a world of historical intrigue, philosophical conflict, and stealth-action gameplay that would go on to influence the gaming industry for years to come. Seventeen years later, we look back at the impact of Assassin’s Creed and the journey it began with Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, the mysterious Assassin who first captured players' imaginations. In 2014, we established The Ones Who Came Before Assassin's Creed Community, as a place for fans to share their thoughts and theories on the future of the franchise. Today, TOWCB is a global team of passionate Assassin's Creed content creators producing content for over 60,000 fans around the world. After ten strategic years building a strong and healthy relationship with both Ubisoft and fans, we are today a leading source of information within the community, and a recognisable brand. The Origin of an Assassin Assassin's Creed was originally planned as a spin-off of Prince of Persia and was an ambitious project led by Ubisoft Montreal. However, as the concept evolved, it became evident that the story of Assassins vs. Templars, linked with concepts of freedom and control, was far more expansive. As Altaïr, players explored Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus, completing undercover missions, combat encounters, and parkour-inspired exploration that was innovative at the time. Image: The Animus in Assassin's Creed. The game featured the Animus, a virtual reality device that allowed protagonist Desmond Miles to relive his ancestors' memories, combining the past with a modern-day storyline that added layers of mystery and lore to the franchise. This distinct blend of historical and sci-fi themes distinguished Assassin's Creed from its contemporaries, creating a complex narrative canvas that would be developed upon in subsequent games. Elements That Defined a Genre One of Assassin's Creed's most significant advances to gaming was its open-world design and emphasis on "social stealth," which allowed players to blend into crowds, eavesdrop on targets, and meticulously plan executions. The "Leap of Faith," a hallmark move in which Assassins dive from enormous heights into haystacks, has become one of the game's most recognizable components. These mechanics not only gave players more control over how they conducted missions, but they also helped to create a vivid historical environment. Image: Altaïr doing parkour on rooftop. At the time, this movement system felt groundbreaking, allowing players to interact with the environment in previously unseen ways. Altaïr excelled at parkour, which enabled him to easily scale buildings and navigate towns. While these mechanics have changed over time, the primary gameplay experience of the original Assassin's Creed established one of gaming's most recognizable styles. The Impact of Historical Narrative The first Assassin's Creed was more than simply a game; it was an interactive history lesson. Ubisoft's meticulous attention to detail in recreating historical settings provided gamers with an immersive experience that few other games could equal. The cities were precisely designed, based on historical research and architectural correctness. This dedication to realism became a trademark of the franchise, which went on to explore a variety of time periods, including the Renaissance in Assassin's Creed II, Ancient Egypt in Assassin's Creed Origins, and Viking Age England in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Image: Assassin's Creed II, Origins, Odyssey and Valhalla. This approach to storytelling established a pattern for subsequent games. History was an important part of the Assassin's Creed experience, rather than just a backdrop. The series encouraged players to investigate, debate, and appreciate history, frequently blurring the distinction between reality and fiction while teaching and entertaining. The Influence of Assassin's Creed in Gaming Culture Since its first release, Assassin's Creed has expanded into a massive multimedia series that includes more than a dozen mainline games, spin-offs, novels, comics, and even a feature film. It has introduced fans to a broad cast of characters, including Ezio Auditore, Bayek of Siwa, Eivor Varinsdottir, and Basim Ibn Ishaq. Each protagonist contributed a unique story and personality to the series, letting players to explore various parts of the Assassin Order and its principles. Image: Other protagonists in the franchise The popularity of the Assassin's Creed series encouraged other developers to explore historically inspired settings, leading in a larger trend of narrative-driven, open-world games. Assassin's Creed has influenced the design and approach to world-building of titles such as Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon Zero Dawn, and The Witcher series. Image: Games that were inspired by Assassin's Creed. In addition, the Assassin's Creed franchise's adaptability and evolution have kept it relevant for the past 17 years. Ubisoft has continuously redesigned the game, from its stealth and parkour beginnings to the RPG aspects included in subsequent releases such as Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, to keep it fresh and exciting for both new and existing players. Seventeen Years Down the Line: The Path Ahead As we honor the 17th anniversary of Assassin's Creed, it's incredible to see how far the franchise has gone. Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Mirage, which will be launched in 2023 as a return to the series' stealth-focused beginnings, honors the original game's tradition while pushing limits. The future is bright, with planned expansions, spin-offs, and potentially other historical periods to discover. Assassin's Creed's legacy is not only defined by its revolutionary gameplay and engaging narrative, but also by its influence on how players see history and culture. The series has encouraged people all around the world to immerse themselves in other times, to investigate issues of power and freedom, and to envision a world where history and myth coexist. Image: Upcoming Assassin's Creed games. For both long-time fans and novices, Assassin's Creed continues to demonstrate the power of storytelling in gaming. The Altaïr series is a symbol of ambition, inventiveness, and a never-ending adventure, even after 17 years of glory. Basim and the Brotherhood by Turið Torkilsdóttir 17 Years of Assassin's Creed by Turið Torkilsdóttir comments debug Comments (1) Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest InPassing Oct 26, 2025 Great read! Like Reply 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
- Community Questions & Answers: Zephryss | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Community Questions & Answers: Zephryss Interview Share 16 Oct 2024 Written By: Edited By: Zephryss Colum Blackett Back To Database Col: Are you looking forward to working alongside the Social Media Team during the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows? Zephryss: Absolutely! I'm looking forward to contributing to the success of the Assassin's Creed Shadows launch and collaborating with the Social Media Team. As a social media manager and a content writer, I can provide creative content ideas, assist with community engagement, and help analyze social media metrics. I'm eager to see how my skills can support the campaign and connect with fans of the franchise. Col: How excited are you to get your hands on the upcoming installment? Zephryss: I'm absolutely thrilled to dive into Assassin's Creed Shadows. The series has always been a favorite of mine, and I can't wait to explore new historical settings, master new parkour abilities, and unravel intricate narratives. The blend of stealth, combat, and historical fiction is truly captivating. Col: What sort of Assassin's Creed content have you been posting about recently, and what are you working on currently? Zephryss: Recently I have been posting “Did You Know” & “ Assassin's Creed Quiz” series on @ Isu_Network and Assassin's Creed shadows facts on @ ACFirstCiv . Currently I am working on a Halloween special Assassin's Creed article and a special video on the 7th anniversary of Assassin's Creed Origins. Col: Have you visited any of the locations from the games? Zephryss: No, I haven't been lucky enough to visit any of the real-world locations featured in the games. While I haven't been able to physically visit any of the game locations myself, I've explored them extensively through the games and the vast amount of information available online. It's been a fascinating journey to learn about different cultures, historical periods, and fantastical worlds. Col: Which Assassin's Creed game is your favourite and why? Zephryss: Assassin's Creed II is my favorite in the series for several reasons. First, its historical setting in Renaissance Italy is captivating, bringing to life iconic figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Machiavelli. The intricate cityscapes, from Florence to Venice, are beautifully rendered, offering a rich and immersive world to explore. Secondly, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, the protagonist, is one of the most memorable characters in gaming history. His personal journey, from a young noble to a skilled assassin, is both compelling and relatable. His interactions with other characters, particularly his family, add depth and emotion to me. Col: Have you attended any events within the Assassin's Creed Community? Zephryss: No, unfortunately, I haven't been able to attend any Assassin's Creed events yet. I'd love to experience the community and meet other fans, but I haven't had the opportunity to do so. Col: Do you have a favourite Assassin's Creed community moment/ story you would like to share? Zephryss: Absolutely! One of my favorite Assassin's Creed community moments was the widespread fan reaction to the "Ezio's Family" trailer before the release of Assassin's Creed II. The trailer, filled with emotional music and stunning visuals, perfectly captured the essence of Ezio's journey and his bond with his family. It generated a massive buzz within the community, leading to a collective sense of anticipation and excitement for the game. Col: What would be your dream setting for the upcoming AC Netflix TV show or future game? Zephryss: A setting I'd love to see explored in an AC Netflix series or game would be the Aztec Empire. A world teeming with vibrant cultures, intricate architecture, and a rich tapestry of mythology. We could delve into the heart of Tenochtitlan, a bustling metropolis built on a floating island. The series could explore the clash between the Aztecs and the Spanish Conquistadors, the rise and fall of the empire, and the enduring legacy of their civilization. The possibilities for gameplay or storytelling are endless. We could explore ancient temples filled with puzzles and traps, battle fearsome Aztec warriors, and uncover hidden secrets about the empire's history. Col: Do you have any personal AC goals you would like to achieve? Zephryss: Absolutely! As a massive Assassin's Creed fan, I've always dreamed of exploring more of the historical settings and delving deeper into the intricate lore. I'd love to see a game set in ancient India, with its rich mythology and vibrant culture. Imagine battling the powerful Rajas, infiltrating forbidden temples, and unraveling the secrets of the Assassin Order in the subcontinent. Col: What would you say is your most significant community achievement to date? Zephryss: My most significant community achievement is becoming a member of TOWCB, one of the biggest Assassin's Creed communities. Col: What is your favourite part of being a community member? Zephryss: The Assassin's Creed community is known for its dedication and creativity. Being a part of such a wonderful community provides me with a rich and rewarding experience. Col: Do you collect AC merchandise? If so, what is your favourite item? Zephryss: Unfortunately I don't have any AC merchandise right now. But I am planning to start a collection. Col: What advice do you have for people looking to begin streaming? Zephryss: Starting a streaming journey is a fantastic way to connect with people and share your passions. Here's some advice to help you get started: Find your niche: What are you most passionate about? Whether it's gaming, music, art, or something else entirely, focusing on a niche will help you attract a dedicated audience. Invest in quality equipment: While you don't need the most expensive setup, having good audio and video quality will enhance your viewers' experience. Be consistent: Regular streaming is key to building a loyal following. Create a schedule and stick to it. Engage with your audience: Interact with your viewers by responding to comments and participating in discussions. This helps create a sense of community. Have fun: Streaming should be enjoyable. Don't stress too much about perfection. Just relax and have fun sharing your content with the world!” Col: Where can our community members find you online? Zephryss: Community members can find me on our community Discord server. Just search for my name "Zephryss" and you can also find me on Twitter at @ TheRealZephryss . I share updates, news, and engage with the community there. And I have a separate YouTube channel for Assassin's Creed games named as Assassin Zephryss. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Zephryss is a passionate social media manager based in India who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in Summer 2024 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. Recently, he completed his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering and is now preparing to take on a PhD. He loves video games very much, and since childhood has enjoyed playing various types of games in different genres He also has 3 gaming channels (Zephryss, Assassin Zephryss & Spider Zephryss) where he uploads gameplay videos regularly. Zephryss
- Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 15th to 30th January | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 15th to 30th January Community Share 4 Mar 2026 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Back To Database Welcome to the monthly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from the AC Partnership Program. Every four weeks we will be picking our top five favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. This theme has been run by the @ACFirstCiv Virtual Photography team. Every month we will be searching social media to see how creative the community have been. We will also be 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 Curse of the Pharaohs Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: charapof.bsky.social The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Theme Judge: @ wondernoob.bsky.social Rui This triptych is yelling, “Play Origins again, play the DLC!” and it’s really hard to ignore this message, because…just look at it. The setting of Aaru in the Origins DLC is amazingly beautiful – the multitude of Queen Nefertiti statues, and the eclipses captured together bring an otherworldly feel. Charlie did an excellent job highlighting the eclipse and the setting of the Egyptian underworld, and I am especially enamoured by the symmetry on display in this collage. Aaron For all the love I hold for Assassin’s Creed Origins I have never played the Curse of the Pharaohs DLC. I was so hooked on the main game and then the Hidden Ones that I completely skipped it. As Rui mentions above this set of photos really sells the 2 nd expansion. Its hazy feel and giant statues represent a world filled with Gods. The eclipse is absolutely stealing the show with its impact spread across all three photos. Quite remarkable placement each time. The Middle capture is the hero shot with the silhouette of Queen Nefertiti facing that powerful solar eclipse. Artwork Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ yourotherfamilydr.bsky.social I am always a fan of the darker toned entries in the Assassin’s Creed franchise but even I admit it’s been a ling time since we soaked up the vibrant atmosphere of Greece. Although I found Odyssey a tad bloated there are many picturesque locations throughout the world that are truly memorable. Here we have a beautifully captured vista that is framed exquisitely. It truly has that postcard feel, with the colourful foliage and the white buildings. Once again hats off to the timing, that lightning bolt looks incredible, splitting the scene in two. Golden Sky Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @cop_filipvp The eagle has always played an important role to the Assassins. Not only have they been companions in the most recent entries, but their presence can be felt through the insignia and the special vision in which an Assassin can call upon. Therefore, captures such as this are often seen majestically showcasing the eyes of the Creed. The orange and yellow in this capture is very calming and the cloud sneaking in from the right reminds me of milk being poured into a coffee. The silhouette of Ikaros is so satisfyingly executed, standing out amongst the cloud. Contemplation Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @coffeelovingdragon_vp It’s not been long since the beautiful Valley of Memory DLC dropped for Assassin’s Creed Mirage. The story had such a profound impact on the fanbase and Basim himself. I found it so refreshing to experience strong story aspects over combat and exploration. I think this photo fits Basim’s story from his time in AlUla. The composition is very intriguing, and the depth of field takes the focus from Basim, somewhat mirroring his experience in the DLC. I would like to think he is sat there thinking about his childhood, maybe the butterfly is representative of his father’s new life. Tales from Greece Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @Birgamerinalbu1 The immersive experience of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is so captivating through it’s breath-taking vistas to its sun-drenched lands. One thing that always catches my eye is the level of detail applied to the buildings and their decorations. This shot is so striking and elegantly framed. The use of grain makes it feel straight from the movies. The colour balance is on point, with the subtle red of the robe standing out. The essence of the Greek world has been captured here in a single photo. 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
- The Ones Who Came Before - 2025 Highlights | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
The Ones Who Came Before - 2025 Highlights Community Share 28 Dec 2025 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Colum Blackett Back To Database 2025 has been another big year for us here at The Ones Who Came Before. Assassin’s Creed Shadows at last released in March, we got to interview true legends in the world of AC, launched new and built upon existing ventures, welcomed new members to our team and more, all while continually growing and becoming one of the leading and most followed platforms for everything Assassin’s Creed. With only a few days of the year left, let us look back at some of the highlights and our biggest moments from throughout the year! Thanks to all of our followers for your continued support, whether you have been with us from the beginning, hopped aboard just this year or anywhere in between! We look forward to releasing more content on everything AC in 2026, and hope to see all of you stick around for it! Interview with Roger Craig Smith Let’s kick off the list with one of our coolest and biggest landmark projects to date. At the beginning of the year, we had the opportunity to sit down with one of the most popular and in-demand voice actors, as well as one of the most iconic and legendary names in the world of Assassin’s Creed for a chat; the one and only Mr. Roger Craig Smith - the voice of Ezio Auditore - talking everything from Roger’s career, the role of Ezio and preparation for, the character’s legacy and more. We are so glad we could finally make it happen and put it out there for fans to listen to, after what actually ended up being months of trying to plan it. Thanks again Roger for taking the time to do it and being awesome! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qjMRKFHaWo AC Shadows Launch & Original Music Fan Theme Inspired By One of the major highlights in Assassin’s Creed this year, was of course the launch of AC Shadows, after two delays and one of the most intense and controversial marketing campaigns in gaming history, at last taking players to a fan favourite location over many years, 16th century Feudal Japan. Maybe, maybe not against all odds, the game quickly turned out one of the biggest and quickest successes in the history of the franchise, accumulating 1 million players in under 24 hours, with more joining every day. The last stretch of road leading to as well as official launch in March, saw us putting out an array of special content, from early access gameplay and first impressions, exclusive interviews with the game’s directors, as well as launch week community streams among other things. Continuing our entry into the world of music, for the occasion, we also put out another original fan theme inspired by - The Wind Between The Cherry Trees - capturing the peace and tranquility of the vast natural landscapes of Japan, written and produced by our team’s musical brains Gargudon . Available wherever music is streamed; listen on Apple Music or Spotify ! Original track promotional banner The occasion also saw different members of our team attend launch events across multiple countries, representing the site, networking, talking to other fans and content creators, and overall having a fun time. Founder and Team Leader Colum (Col_96) was invited to the Assassin’s Creed UK community launch event, and on the other side of the North Sea, Gargudon attended the fan event at Kappa Bar in Copenhagen arranged by Ubisoft Nordic, enjoying fresh and ice cold “Samurai Sip” cocktails, and even finishing third in the ultimate AC quiz, winning a game code and super cool Shadows themed t-shirt. Colum at the AC Shadows UK launch event The Ultimate Assassin's Creed Quiz kicking off at Kappa Bar CPH Ice cold (0,0%) Samurai Sip cocktails at Kappa Bar CPH AC Shadows Photo Contest In Collaboration with Assassin’s Creed UK Directly following the launch of this newest instalment, we teamed up with our friends over at Assassin’s Creed UK, for a photography contest using the new game’s Photo Mode, them also serving as judge. We received dozens of entries from followers, and every one of them were nothing short of breath-taking! From shots magnificently capturing Naoe and Yasuke in moments of peace, the beautiful and scenic landscapes of Japan, moments of distress and more, there was a bit of everything, and narrowing it down to but a few winners was a real challenge, the top winner received an exclusive AC Shadows themed Displate. Thanks to everyone who participated and sent us their incredible captures, and congratulations to the winners and runner-ups. Stay tuned for more photography contests in the future! Winner photo "Samurai" by AlexKonstantin Launch of Rally The Creed LIVE Podcasting has been an average venture of ours over many years, with (discontinued) discussion based show The Memory Corridor and community hangout Rally The Creed, but both were very occasional, sometimes months passing between episodes. In the summer, looking to produce and put out episodes more consistently and frequently, the latter underwent a bit of rebranding, turning it into livestreams on our TikTok every Sunday evening. Despite still being a very new format, it has quickly turned fairly successful, accumulating a couple hundred viewers every Sunday, and has already featured a number of high profile names from throughout the community, from video creators, cosplayers, fellow team members and more. We hope to keep the show going on this basis in the new year, also having an array of new faces come on, and we hope to see as many of you join us for the streams on our TikTok ! All existing episodes are available wherever you get your podcasts and our YouTube channel , and head to the latter for a number of highlight clips from across the episodes as well! 11th Anniversary In August, it was our anniversary once again, our site this time turning 11 years old. Throughout the month for the occasion, we put out an array of special content, from our version of the legendary Ezio’s Family track, our take on the classic Celtic folk song The Parting Glass famously featured at the end of Black Flag, “The Music Of Assassin’s Creed” community listening stream with Gargudon & Laury_Runs and more. We are immensely grateful for and proud of what our site has and continues to become. From founder Colum (Col_96) , then only a kid, starting it as a place merely to share cool AC theories with next to no followers, to first being recognised by Ubisoft, becoming a three-man, then the 25+ members team we are today and 65K+ followers later, our site has certainly seen its share of growth and expansion, continually becoming one of the leading Assassin’s Creed fansites and communities out there. Coven - Original Music Fan Theme Inspired by Codename Hexe As part of our 11th anniversary celebrations, one of the newest members on our team - Charlie Cooper / TheAssassinLord - composed an original music fan theme, inspired by the upcoming Codename Hexe. Charlie has many different skills under his belt, and has taken on the role of everything from composer, video editor and narrator, graphic designer and more, and is a fresh and valuable new addition to our team. The track described in the composer’s words; “Coven is a reimagining of Ezio’s Family by Jesper Kyd and the Assassin’s Creed III theme by Lorne Balfe, two of my favorite franchise scores. I blend them into a haunting piece inspired by the dark tone of Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe, drawing on my love for composers like Hans Zimmer who fuse nostalgic melodies with tension and scale.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYTPLRu7V-I Assassin’s Creed Syndicate 10th Anniversary Content Turning a decade this October was the final instalment of what could now be considered the original era of the franchise, 2015’s Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. For the occasion, we put together special retrospective looks at the Victorian London epic, looking back at everything from the story and characters, the lively and vibrant open world, the Jack The Ripper DLC, 5 overall things the game nailed to near perfection, as well as what it could have improved and more. Both were a lot of fun to write and edit, and ended up decent successes, and were met with praise from viewers. AC Syndicate - The Grand End Of An Era and 5 Things AC Syndicate Did Right… & Wrong as well as a number of short clips from both videos are all available on our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQFCavk2AIk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxL9c673kik Black Flag Main Theme / He’s A Pirate Classical Guitar Rendition For the occasion of Black Flag’s anniversary in October, Gargudon picked up a classical guitar once again, for an extended and remastered arrangement of the game’s iconic main theme originally written by Brian Tyler, that we originally released a rendition of for the game’s 10th anniversary in 2023. This new version saw the second half of the theme with a different and increased tempo added, as well as its main twist being the fusion with another legendary Pirate theme; the iconic He’s A Pirate from Pirates Of The Caribbean, originally written by Klaus Badelt. Making this guitar arrangement ended up a bit of a challenge at points, but was a lot of fun and the ultimate crossover between the two most legendary Pirate captains, and was met with praise from viewers and community members. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gfdadWrt9c Assassin’s Creed / Ubisoft Halloween Community Showcase For the occasion of Halloween, we looked to the cosplayers among our followers and in the community, for an Assassin’s Creed and Ubisoft themed costumes showcase. We reached out to cosplayers and friends of the site, called upon our own, and were sent incredible photo shoots by followers, showcasing costumes ranging from the most legendary Assassins, to major characters from Far Cry and Watch Dogs. Featured in the showcase on our Instagram were Rick Boer as Edward Kenway, Krishna Dammert as Ezio Auditore, Line Chambet and Blade.Of.Blackheart as Arno Dorian, NeonCosplays as Faith Seed from Far Cry 5, UnknownWrench as Wrench from Watch Dogs 2, and last but not least our own Laury_Runs as Eïvor. New Additions to the TOWCB Team And last but not least, this year of course also saw us welcoming a number of new content creators of many talents to our ever evolving team. Our Art Team was brought new life and taken to completely new heights, with the addition of several new super talented artists; from Jebs’ manga inspired style, Aita_Sageblood’s unique 2.5D leaning style, to incredible portraits by Serajeddine who ultimately came and went, but left quite the enduring mark! On other fronts, our video team welcomed James Davis (TopChef1288) - video narrator/editor, streamer and secondary host of Rally The Creed Live - as well as mentioned multi-talent Charlie Cooper / TheAssassinLord , both key figures in helping our growing video venture further take off. We look forward to building our team even further in the new year, and we want you on it! Are you passionate about AC with a knack for writing, video creation, art or social media managing among other things? Get in touch with us by sending us a message on any of our social media platforms and we’ll take you into consideration, we are excited to hear from you! The TOWCB team, December 2025 And that more or less sums up the best and most significant highlights throughout 2025 for us here at The Ones Who Came Before. There are of course still a few days of the year left, and we still have bits and pieces of content we are excited to share before the new year. Once again, thanks to everyone one of our followers for supporting us yet another year! We look forward to welcoming new followers, team members and creating new content in 2026, maintaining our place as one of the leading fansites and communities for everything Assassin’s Creed. We hope everyone had a magnificent Christmas and holiday season, and happy new year Assassins! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016 - hosting the discussion based show “The Memory Corridor” - but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews and composing. He joined The Ones Who Came Before in 2019 for a merger, publishing new episodes - and reviving the show following nearly a year of inactivity - on our platforms, until phased out in 2023. Today, among other things he is known in the community for the Sounds Of History project - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental music project, featuring five tracks inspired by as many different games - other original fan themes plus covers of iconic AC tracks, as well as video interviews with a number of high profile names in the world of AC, from Roger Craig Smith, Jesper Kyd and more. Fun fact, among his growing colourful tattoo collection, Gustav is the only member of our team to have the TOWCB logo inked. Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)
- AC Movie Press Event London (First 20 minutes (From Memory & Notes) | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
AC Movie Press Event London (First 20 minutes (From Memory & Notes) Events Share 12 May 2016 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database I recently attended The AC Movie Press Event in London, and saw the first 20 minutes of the upcoming Assassin's Creed Movie (Amongst many other things). This article is written from my memory and a few notes. (MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE ASSASSIN'S CREED MOVIE) So the movie begins with an Eagle soaring over New Mexico, showing us a high angle shot of the sand below. After flying over several isolated buildings, we zoom in on a small town. The music playing is Young Dead Men by The Black Angels , a song that I thought worked very well with the scene. The lyrics especially made it work. "Run for the hills, pick up your feet and let's go" The Eagle flies off, and we focus in on a hooded young boy riding his bike through a quiet, dusty town. After several cinematic shots showing the boy biking, he bikes towards his home and gets off the bike. The lively introduction music that was playing fades out, and we the boy slowly enters his home. A new song starts playing through a record player, creating a creepy atmosphere. The boy calls out for his mother as he comes in through the back door. The next shot we see is of a woman sitting in a chair, staring across the room. Blood can be seen on her chest, and it becomes apparent that she has been stabbed. The camera slowly pans across her body, and we see that she is holding a strange looking necklace with the Assassin insignia. The necklace is wrapped around her hand, and is covered in blood. The boy walks towards his mother slowly, looking at the injuries inflicted on her. The camera pans towards the right hand side of the room, and we see a hooded man facing the other way. Whispering to himself he says "Laa shay'a waqi'un moutlaq bale kouloun moumkine." (Nothing is True. Everything is Permitted). It was nice to hear the Maxim of The Creed again, but this was a super creepy scene! He turns around, and the camera zooms in on his face. He is a bearded man, and looks like he is possessed. The boy nervously says "Dad", and the man begins to walk towards the boy. The camera focusses in on his hidden blade, dripping with blood. His dad, looking menacing in a dark green hoodie, walks towards his son. In the distance we hear sirens approaching, and Joseph says to his son "Your blood is not your own Cal." As the police cars slowly pull up, Callum runs out the door as his father is arrested. As the cars pull up, we see a Templar Cross Necklace (The Ubiworkshop one) danging from the inside car mirror. (It was the exact same one that I was wearing at the time, and Justin Kurzel had actually noticed we wearing it earlier that day) As the police enter the house, the camera pulls away and focusses on Cal, freerunning accross the rooftops. We see several slow motion shots, as he jumps from roof to roof. As the sirens fade away, we cut to present day, and Lynch is now sat in a prison cell drawing. We see his wall, and the entire segment is filled with dark sketches. several seconds of watching Cal sketch away in his cell, we see a guard talking to a priest. "All he does is draw. It's against the rules, but what can we do. Man likes to draw" says the guard, looking at Cal on the CCTV monitors. We are then told by the guard that Callum beat someone to death. The priest enters the cell to speak to Cal, and sits down beside him. Lynch looks at the priest and says, "Are you here to save me". The priest asks Cal if there is anything he can do to bring him comfort. Cal says that there is a poem that his mother used to say to him as a kid. (It's an extract from " After Apple Picking" by Robert Frost) . The priest and Cal recite the poem together, and then we see Cal being taken to the Execution room. In the room Cal is strapped to a machine that will give him a lethal injection. Lynch appears to show no remorse, as he looks at the family members of the person he killed through the glass. He is asked if he has any final words and he says "Tell my father I'll see him in hell". With this the clock hits 18.00, and we see the liquid being pumped into his arm. This is quite a horrible scene, as Lynch realises that he about to die. Bits of this execution scene can be seen in the first 30 seconds of the trailer . As Callum falls asleep, the camera goes blurry then dark. He then wakes up next to a woman, who tells him that her name is Dr Sophia Rikken. He's in a hospital bed, and is extremely weak. "Where am I" he asks. "At 6pm yesterday evening, you were executed, and pronounced dead. You no longer exist". She tells him that he needs to take some time to recover, as they have to use a liquid so strong that it makes the prison guards think that the convict is dead. "It's the only thing strong enough to get past the guards". She tells him that he is now her patient at an Abstergo facility, and she is going to help him get better. Cal gets out of the chair and tries to escape. As soon as he gets up, his legs give way and he falls into the corridor. Sophia says that it's okay to the guards, and Cal slowly limps around the facility. He sees many other patients wearing the same white outfits that he is wearing. The Abstergo Facility looks like a hospital, and is extremely white and clean. Cal slowly runs underneath the Abstergo logo, and stumbles onto the floor. Getting back up, a little girl says to him "Your blood is not your own". This is the same line that his father said to him earlier in the movie. Cal gets up and continues his slow run around the facility. He enters a room that is filled with trees and plants, being attended to by other patients in the facility. Cal slowly walks towards the edge, where he bumps into Michael K. Williams who says Nothing is True. Everything is Permitted. (In Arabic) Cal walks towards the ledge, and we are shown the building that he is being kept in. The Abstergo facility is in an old church in Madrid. Cal looks out at the city and he is told that there is only one way to escape this facility. Cal gets up and continues his slow run around the facility. He enters a room that is filled with trees and plants, being attended to by other patients in the facility. Cal slowly walks towards the edge, where he bumps into Michael K. Williams who says Nothing is True. Everything is Permitted. (In Arabic) Cal walks towards the ledge, and we are shown the building that he is being kept in. The Abstergo facility is in an old church in Madrid. Cal looks out at the city and he is told that there is only one way to escape this facility. Sophia enters the room with Abstergo guards and Michael K. Williams says "The walls have eyes". Cal looks at the guards, and at the height below, considering whether to jump or not. "You are not a prisoner here" Sophia says to Cal. "You can leave whenever you chose". We are then shown Alan Rikkin, watching the entire thing. Panning across his office, we see the Aguilar's crossbow on his desk. We also see a vast collection of weapons, including hidden blades. Cal looks around the room, and is hit with a tranquiliser dart. Sophia is furious that her patient has been subjected to violence already, but the guard replies tells her that her father ordered it. We are then shown Aguilar and Maria running away from a group of Templars. The fight through several buildings, using several weapons including throwing knives and bow and arrow. Maria is especially talented with hidden blades.The fight breaks into several houses, and after killing many enemies, the two Assassins take to the roof tops. We see several long jumps across buildings, as the Assassins are chased by their enemies. They both jump into a tunnel, and kill the remaining Templars with hidden blades. The fighting is quick and clean, something that can be seen in the trailer. We then cut back to modern day as Callum wakes up. Sophia says "Prepare the Animus" and Callum is strapped in. This scene needs to be edited digitally, as it currently just shows Cal climbing wooden planks. It's like an indoor freerunning course, but with editing, will probably look more like the structures that Aguilar is actually climbing. I really enjoyed the event, and the footage was amazing! Images from UbiBlog 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)
- Assassins Creed Mirage Character Reference Guide Released | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Assassins Creed Mirage Character Reference Guide Released Community Share 26 May 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Aaron Young Back To Database Ubisoft has today released a character reference guide for Assassin's Creed Mirage, featuring close-up turnaround images for Basim Ibn Ishaq and his Mentor Roshan. The guide reveals a number of hidden details that will no doubt make it an essential resource for cosplayers looking to replicate the outfits, weaponary and tools. For non-cosplayers, it is a sneak preview at what is to come in Assassin's Creed Mirage. Check out the guide below, and keep an eye on our social media channels (below) to stay up to date on everything Assassin's Creed! PDF File 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: February 1st - 7th | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: February 1st - 7th Community Share 11 Feb 2021 Written By: Edited By: Kevin (Going Viking) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome back to another round of our virtual photography showcase, which will now be guest hosted by Kevin McAllister (Going Viking) from The AC Partnership Program. Each week, five Assassin's Creed shots will be hosted here on TOWCB website in order to promote virtual photography and community contributions. Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates, as we aim to bring you a great range of community captures. 1) Ancient Ruins by Sarah Gurrado This photo shouts Assassin's Creed. A stunning shot of Eivor jumping around the ruins reminds you of the Ezio days. The sun is perfectly aligned under the feet with Sýnin in the backdrop creating a shot that will instantly remind you of what makes Assassin's Creed so great. 2) Family is Home by @ Miss Misthios This silhouette shot of Kassandra and Ikaros defines Odyssey with its beauty and strength. The vibrant sky and perfect use of depth of field makes this photo resemble a painting. 3) Conquering a new world by @ NoviKaiba23 Assassin's Creed Valhalla is filled with limitless things to do and one of those things is raiding. This gorgeous photo captures Eivor blowing the horn in assassin type fashion as Sýnin soars across the sky toward the monastery. The blue sky, red leaves and fog provide this capture with the beautiful environment that Valhalla is known for. 4) Sailing Misthios by @SofaGamersRAW A unique perspective shot with a bird's eye view of a sailing Misthios in Odyssey with the crystal clear blue water. As your eye gravitates to the boat from the top of the sail you can see the ripples in the water trailing behind. Makes me want to jump right back in to Odyssey! 5) Winter Chase by @ StefanieMcMaken A peaceful moment in time. Great timing here to capture the deer running through the snow in Norway. Using the trees to frame the shot with the deer right in the middle provides a picture perfect shot. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Don’t forget to check out next week’s list when that rolls around, and be sure to send your best captures to us directly via Instagram or Twitter for a chance to be featured on it! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Going Viking started as a page focused on everything relating to Vikings including history, archaeology, Norse Mythology, video games, books, TV shows, etc. Kevin then transferred his focus to the video game Days Gone, where he began doing virtual photography, and running a blog. In early 2021, Kevin began his new position as an Online Community Specialist at Sony, working for Bend Studio. We are thrilled to see Kevin joining a company that makes the franchise he loves, but will miss him deeply on the program. We wish him the best of luck in his new position! Kevin (Going Viking)
- What we want from the AC Franchise in 2020
Article by Mieke Dix - What we want from the Assassin's Creed Franchise in 2020. Community The Assassin's Creed Community are raising money for Ocean Conservancy. Donate today Articles What we want to see from the Assassin's Creed Franchise in 2020 Save 10% on officially licensed Assassin's Creed Origins merchandise with the code "TOWCB" Top Stories 29/12/19 By Mieke Dix Edited by Ashlea Buckley Share 5. Assassin’s Creed 1, Version 2.0 This is effectively a repeat from last year’s list which is why it’s first on this one, but it’s just as relevant. The game that started it all has yet to receive a remaster on current-gen platforms, unlike every other previous-gen title. Sure, there are plenty who dislike it due to its gameplay being simplistic and repetitive, particularly in comparison to the later games, but that doesn’t make Altaïr’s story any less compelling. It’s definitely a game that would benefit from a significant technical overhaul instead of merely an aesthetic one, which may well explain why they haven’t remastered it yet - or just won’t bother. However, whether we’ll be seeing this anytime soon or not is unclear, so all we can do is once again cross our fingers that it’ll feature in the upcoming UbiE3 lineup. 4. Next Instalment Announced With all the leaks and rumors that have been abounding on the internet this year, it’s somewhat inevitable that Ubisoft’s E3 press conference in June will feature a teaser trailer for the next game, at the very least. What’s less certain is whether Ubisoft will announce the game for release this year on current-gen only, or wait until 2021 when they can release it on the new Xbox and PS5, whether that’s a dual-release or next-gen only. This is where we can only hope that, if they are planning a dual-release, Ubisoft thoroughly learned their lesson following the disaster that was Rogue/Unity’s release. Whatever the case, we fully expect there to be a new main series title announced at some point in the coming year. 3. The Symphony on CD The Assassin’s Creed Symphony was a wonderful celebration of the many composers who have been a part of the franchise since its inception and their beautiful, emotive music. I personally attended the performance in London (and probably cried 90% of the time). Each game’s soundtrack was arranged into an excellently-composed suite which showcased the music at its best. What would be greatly appreciated, doubly so by those who couldn’t get a ticket for whatever reason, is an album of the arrangements for us to enjoy at our leisure. Of course, what would also be appreciated is an announcement that the Symphony will become an annual event visiting more locations worldwide, or even a series of concerts that would allow for even more arrangements of each soundtrack….! Wait, where was I? 2. Creed-Con 2020? Something that was evident by the response to the Symphony - mainly the rapidity at which it sold tickets - is that there really is a market for official Assassin’s Creed events and experiences. That’s not to say that we demand an official Assassin’s Creed convention or anything, but there is plenty of scope for other events. (I mean, a convention also sounds freaking awesome). The community already organises a fair amount of events of their own accord, but to be able to pull all that passion under one, officially-endorsed roof would be grand. For example: the Symphony becoming a regular event could be a good start. It could be the perfect headline act of a convention, or even a one/two-day festival of celebration for the franchise, especially if it was then streamed live for all to enjoy. 1. A Return to its Roots I plan on getting a bit more in depth about this at some point, but let’s face facts: the series is nothing like it was in the beginning. This isn’t actually a bad thing, and Origins and Odyssey are both fantastic games. However, the criticism that neither game feels like Assassin’s Creed is entirely fair, and there is a good deal of worry that the series will just continue to stray further and further from where it began, until it’s purely Assassin’s Creed by name only. Hopefully we can see a return of the rooftop-skulking, shadow-lurking assassins that we all came to love, and less of the colossal maps half-full of empty space. We love naval combat because it’s fun, fast-paced and exhilarating, but we also love balancing precariously on window ledges four storeys up as we stalk a Templar far below, ready to dive gracefully into the nearest hay bale and wait for the perfect moment to strike. Now that is Assassin’s Creed at its heart, and we desperately want that back. By using our Amazon Links About the Author Mieke is a huge fan of the Assassin's Creed franchise, and is looking forward to creating regular content for the AC community as an online article writer. She has previously written articles for Cultured Vultures and currently runs an online gaming blog. By joining the program, Mieke will be able to write articles on a wide variety of topics for the community. Her work will soon be available in the Community Hub . You can find her on Twitter Mieke Dix Save 15% with the code 'TOWCB' Interview with Magnus Bruun - Eivor Assassins' Creed Valhalla Merchandise Guide Q&A with Abubakar Salim - Bayek of Siwa TOWCB Plans for 2021 Netflix announce upcoming live-action Assassin's Creed series Female Vikings: The Real History Building an Assassin's Creed Community: Getting Started Mentors Guild Announcement Interview with Benoit Richer: Valhalla Co-Dev Game Director Interview with Eric Baptizat: AC Valhalla Game Director Interview with Jordan Van Andel (JorRaptor) Colours in Assassin's Creed: A Short Review 6 ways to stay entertained in the Assassin's Creed Community during isolation Interview with Carlos Ferro - Da Vinci 5 ways you can support TOWCB Interview with Jesper Kyd
- Best quotes in Assassin's Creed II (2009) | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Best quotes in Assassin's Creed II (2009) Share Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team Back To Database The game introduced players to Ezio Auditore, a character who is often rated as the best of the whole series. range 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
- AC Community Questions: Laury_Runs | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
AC Community Questions: Laury_Runs Interview Share 27 Sept 2024 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) TOWCB Team Back To Database Col: Hi Laury, thank you for joining me for this introductory interview. Please could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your role within the Assassin's Creed Community. Laury: Hi Colum, I’ll try to make it short. So I’m Laury, born and raised in Germany but I travel a lot as I work remotely. I’ve got two beautiful bengal cat-leopards, I love lore deep dives into complex dystopian or futuristic worlds and I like to write and draw. The Assassin’s Creed series is my favourite game series of all time, so I will gladly be contributing hours and hours of gameplay in live stream and videos. Col: In September 2024, you joined The Ones Who Came Before's Assassin's Creed Partnership Program, known as the Isu_Network. Are you looking forward to working alongside the Video Content Creation Team during the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows? Laury: Absolutely! Since I played Black Flag I’ve been wishing and waiting for an Assassin’s Creed game setting in Japan, so I am very excited for the release of Shadows. It’s a whole new experience for me to be sharing gameplay online and I find it so much more enriching to share and discuss Assassin’s Creed related content with a community that loves the series as much as I do. Col: How excited are you to get your hands on the upcoming instalment? Laury: So excited! I’ve been hoping for an Assassin’s Creed game that plays in Japan since many years now, and now that I’m streaming it brings me even more joy to play games. I have high expectations, I know that’s dangerous. But if the world will be as broad and scenic as all the games before, Shadows cannot disappoint me already. I hope for some new juicy facts and intrigues about the Isu and Abstergo. Sure, I’m a little bit sad about the delayed release date, but I rather wait a little longer instead of playing a broken game…we saw what that does to people at the Cyberpunk 2077 release. Col: When did you first start streaming, and what would you say are some of the recurring themes that regular viewers will recognise in a Laury_Runs stream? Laury: I started streaming in winter 2023 when I was playing Baldur’s Gate 3. When you catch me on stream, besides Assassin’s Creed, you will usually find me playing any Open world RPG’s in the science fiction genre, sometimes fantasy. I like to cosplay from time to time, challenge myself with challenge runs, death counts or bets with the chat. Also you will see my cats getting in the way from time to time, begging for attention…or food. Col: What are some of your most recent Assassin's Creed Community Projects, and what are you working on currently? Laury: Trying to beat the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Niflheim DLC at the moment. Next on the list are the chronicle games, as they are the only Assassin’s Creed games I have not played…yet. Col: Have you visited any of the locations from the games? Laury: I’ve been to Greece, Rome, Paris, Norway, England and Israel. I had planned a trip to Florence (yes, mainly because of Ezio climbing around on the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore), but Covid got in the way. So it’s still on the list. I am very interested in archaeology, so I would also love to travel to Egypt and check out some cool excavation sites. Col: Which Assassin's Creed game is your favourite and why? Laury: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is my favourite game of all time. I also love the setting of Origins, but when it comes to the gameplay, characters and questlines, Odyssey just hits a special nerve. Also I’ve always been super interested in Greek history and mythology, so meeting all the “Greek” Isu, Pythagoras in the Atlantis DLC and seeing all my favourite themes and places come to life boost this game all the way up on the list. When it comes to “older” Assassin’s Creed games, I really enjoyed Syndicate and Black Flag. My first game I ever played on console was Assassin’s Creed II, so it will always have a special place in my heart, as I consider this game to have made me a gamer and I have never stopped playing the series ever since. Col: What would be your dream setting for the upcoming AC Netflix TV show or future game? Laury: I was always hoping for Japan as a setting, which we will now get with Shadows. The movie from 2016 was good, but it couldn’t really capture the complexity of the game series with its different timelines. So I am hoping for a more suspenseful experience, where several timelines will all come together in a big climax. When it comes to settings, I don’t think I can be disappointed, there is nothing specific on the list. The more complex the story and theme similarity to the games, the better. As I am from Germany, maybe I would like to see it in the upcoming Hexe game, and I know many people would love to see Germany during the Second World War. Col: What advice do you have for people looking to begin streaming? Laury: Only do it if you enjoy communicating with the viewers. I am not a multitasker so that has been challenging for me in the beginning, however I enjoy playing games so much more, since I can share my experience playing them live. Also: consistency is key. Don’t do it because you want to get famous overnight, do it because you love it. Col: Where can our community members find you online? Laury: You can find me on Twitch as Laury_Runs . I play Assassin’s Creed during the week and other games on the weekends. Soon you’ll be able to catch my first blind unspoiled RDR2 stream on Youtube, also as Laury_runs. We would like to say a huge thank you to Laury for joining us for this interview. Look out for her Assassin's Creed streams at Laury_Runs and stay tuned for all things Assassin's Creed here at The Ones Who Came Before. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author 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)
- Michael Smith
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. Previous Next Writer Michael Smith Previous Partner 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. Twitter | Timeline Work
- Updates On The Future Of AC & Black Flag Remaster Confirmed | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
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
- Codex Transferendum v2.0.2 | The Isu-to-English Dictionary & Language Guide Released | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
Codex Transferendum v2.0.2 | The Isu-to-English Dictionary & Language Guide Released Analysis Share 16 Mar 2024 Written By: Edited By: ActualSpider-Man Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to Codex Transferendum v2.0.2 , where Isu 101 is only the beginning! Inside there are 460 pages of sourced breakdowns, sentence complexity, a formulaic list of every word we’ve seen and how they’re built, followed by a comprehensive compilation of every possible rearrangement and conjugation of every root word, interpreting quite a few fun possibilities for words unseen! Hopefully this translation and language guide can help all of us solve any upcoming Isu puzzles that much faster, and for anyone interested it is entirely free to download. Enjoy, and always remember: ṇoænos wahæáid oænosr zàrhṇdichṛ Your Friendly Neighborhood Mentor PDF Download comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Author of the all-encompassing timeline, Codex Temporis, and the Isu-to-English dictionary, Codex Transferendum, Your Friendly Neighborhood Mentor is here to help unweave the confusing web of AC! ActualSpider-Man
- Mieke Dix
Mieke is a huge fan of the Assassin's Creed franchise, and is looking forward to creating regular content for the AC community as an online article writer. She has previously written articles for Cultured Vultures and currently runs an online gaming blog. By joining the program, Mieke will be able to write articles on a wide variety of topics for the community. Previous Next Writer Mieke Dix Previous Partner Mieke is a huge fan of the Assassin's Creed franchise, and is looking forward to creating regular content for the AC community as an online article writer. She has previously written articles for Cultured Vultures and currently runs an online gaming blog. By joining the program, Mieke will be able to write articles on a wide variety of topics for the community. Twitter | Gaming Blog Work
- Assassin's Creed Mirage 'A Return to the Roots' Dev Diary Breakdown | TheOnesWhoCameBefore
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)




















