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This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 27th to 3rd December Community Share 8 Dec 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. This week the VP admin team have been looking through your shots and have selected the 5 glorious captures below. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Autumn Autumnal Foliage Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ artschoolglases The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: TOWCB VP Admin Team Turid The classical “knight on a horse” composition of this shot makes it almost appear like a painting. Our favourite shieldmaiden is perfectly set in the scene by the harmonising brown and gold tones of the autumn forest. Aaron “The Saxon’s know we are here.” When it comes to Autumnal vibes Assassin’s Creed Valhalla nails it. I found it fascinating to read about the decisions regarding seasons in the Valhalla art book. I think the team did a great job and allowed us to experience such different biomes. This beautiful shot of Eivor riding through the foliage is so peaceful and reminiscent of the English countryside. I do like that you can see the river flowing in the distance. The striking colours of the trees are indicative of the time of year. The composition is perfect, giving the capture a cinematic style. Undergrowth Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Cll3ar “Better to forge axes than swing them.” Since joining the virtual photography community my appreciation for the smaller details in videos games has increased. So much time and effort must be put in by the developers to ensure we get the best simulation experience. Here Raven has exquisitely captured a single tree in the undergrowth. I am loving the depth of field as it highlights the peeling bark excellently. The framing with the grass is gorgeous, especially with the light breaking through behind the tree. Autumn is the first season when you reach England and that tree symbolises Eivor’s new life across the ocean. Scenic View Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ kristina_m0509 “How I miss those days.” It’s been 3 years since Assassin’s Creed Valhalla launched and I still cannot believe how visually stunning the game's environments are. Sometimes I wish I could experience it all over again for the first time. At times it’s only when you stop for a moment in the game that you see the real beauty. This capture is proof of this, I am really liking the composition and how the eye follows the path ahead. The dark clouds and foggy atmosphere add an element of intrigue, while the speckles of sunlight allow for some warmer tones. A beautiful autumnal capture. The Fall Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ ZuziSam “We cannot master this land merely by asking.” England’s fertile land is what drew the Vikings here in the first place. The harsh weather in Scandinavia isn’t as reliable for growing crops. The Vikings didn’t just want to raid and rule, they wanted a better life for their families. The lands in Valhalla are luscious as this capture shows. I would say you couldn’t get a better English autumnal shot than this one. The beautiful browns and golds of the trees are warming and the haze in the background makes me think of those crisp mornings. I would say this is the perfect vibe for this week’s theme. Lonely Viking Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ cop_filip “Scarcely arrived and now we must raid.” Taking scenic shots has never been my strong point. However I have met new people and run theme weeks such as this and learnt so much from them. None more so than Filip who always knows how to capture environments in such an artistic way. This capture is absolutely stunning. The autumnal tones are on point and the details are amazing. Having Eivor feature but not as the subject give a story to the shot. I am loving the fog in the distance as it cleverly focuses your eyes on the undergrowth. The deer walking through the forest is a nice touch, adding to an already impressive capture. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! Join TOWCB Virtual Photography Community on Twitter for a chance to be featured in our weekly VP selection articles! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 6th to 17th May Community Share 28 May 2024 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the biweekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from the AC Partnership Program. Every two weeks we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. This theme has been run by the TOWCB VP team. We have been monitoring the hashtag and the community hub to see all your wonderful shots. Keep an eye on the site as more shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to #ACFirstCivVP for a chance to be featured. Theme: Assassin’s Creed Wisdom Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Majdulf47 The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ TuridTorkil Turid Majdulf has a talent for creating mesmerising shots. The strong red background in this one catches the eye while the moody composition of the raven on the skull makes you stay for a while. It’s amazing to see what one can do with two colours. Aaron “Odin smiles on us today”. Although Assassin’s Creed Valhalla doesn’t have the vibrant scenery of Origins and Odyssey it does have the best moody environments. These are hauntingly showcased in the cursed areas within the game. Majdulf has encapsulated the troubled lands of England with his excellent composition of a Raven atop a shrine. Using just the red and blacks elevates this capture to a new level and makes it stand out from the rest. I love the symbolism of Odin through the Raven and the Paganism that still lives within the Saxon kingdoms. Remains Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ well_jodye “We were three ships in a summer’s dawn”. The Viking longship is key to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Without these impressive vessels the Vikings would never have been able to bridge the gap between Scandinavia and the rest of the world. If you spend any time scouting the shores of Valhalla, you will find dilapidated ships taken back by the sea. This is a beautiful capture of just this with two ships long abandoned and consumed by nature. The sepia tones give this shot a vintage feel that fits with the narrative of neglect. I really like the use of fog to add that feel of the sea and the greens really attract the attention. I think the composition is excellent with your eyes drawn up the beach to the longship. The Sea Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ Jaco8ee “I believe my time here and this trial may help me find the answer”. One of the reasons I play Assassin’s Creed games is for the epic scenery. If you can’t travel the world then at least you can see jaw dropping locations in game. The Assassin’s Creed Odyssey coastlines are some of the most stunning I have seen. Here we have one of these locations with the water looking so realistic. I am impressed with how the shot has been split into two by the arching rock formation. The boats and mountains look fantastic in the distance and add huge depth to the photograph. How could anyone resist performing the leap of faith into that gorgeous location. The Lost Archive Game: Assassin’s Creed Revelations VP Artist: @ cyrielle_vp “Nothing is true, everything is permitted.” I adore covering Assassin’s Creed virtual photography, but it does sadden me how we often lack shots from the old games. I wish there could be a photo mode added to them all. I did not expect to be including a Lost Archive capture in this week’s showcase. The Animus sections of the Assassin’s Creed games are perfect for capturing but unfortunately haven’t featured prominently in the RPG entries. This photo is so unique and breaks the norm for Assassin’s Creed. I am getting serious Control vibes here. The beautiful columns from Subject 16’s memory make for a fantastic shot. Eagle Sight Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ JChoukroun “Our prodigal Hidden One returns”. Assassin’s Creed Mirage certainly lends itself to minimal photography. The vast deserts with their lone trees or rock formations are a dream to capture, but so are Basim and Enkidu. I have really enjoyed capturing the two of them as they scale buildings or cross deserts. Here we have the two posing elegantly atop a sync point. I really like the minimal aspect of this capture but also the old movie making style. Basim is a character that often reflects on his actions, and this absolutely shows that side of him. Synchronization in Assassin’s Creed is all about taking a minute to breath before the famous leap of faith and that for me is what this photo shows us. And that sums it up for this Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out the photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next time keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Best quotes in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (2010) Share Written By: Edited By: Reporter Name Back To Database xfbfbb comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author This is placeholder text. To connect this element to content from your collection, select the element and click Connect to Data. About the Author

5 Reasons to Love Assassin’s Creed Shadows And 5 That Might Let You Down Breakdown Share 21 May 2025 Written By: Edited By: Zephryss Colum Blackett Back To Database After years of anticipation, Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally launched on March 20, delivering a stunning take on feudal Japan. While the game introduced refreshing ideas and rich historical storytelling, it also came with its share of flaws. Here's a look at five things Shadows did right, and five where it missed the mark. Promo image for Assassin's Creed Shadows via Ubisoft What Assassin’s Creed Shadows Did Right 1. Dual Protagonists That Actually Work Unlike Syndicate, where dual protagonists felt uneven, Shadows balances Yasuke and Naoe incredibly well. Their gameplay styles are also very different. Yasuke is all about strength and direct combat, while Naoe focuses on stealth and agility. This contrast keeps the gameplay fresh and interesting. Switching between them feels fun and meaningful, not forced or gimmick like in past games. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed Shadows via Ubisoft 2. The Beautiful Japanese Setting & Stunning Next-Gen Graphics A game set in Japan was one of the most requested settings by Assassin’s Creed fans after Egypt and Greece. From the buildings and castles to the dynamic weather system, Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings feudal Japan to life in amazing detail. With the help of the upgraded Anvil engine, the world feels real and alive, with small touches that show how much effort went into getting things right. Each region has its unique culture and history, and it shows in everything from the clothes to the traditions. Compared to older games that focused mostly on Europe, this is a big and welcome step forward in how the series represents other parts of the world. Image: Feudal Japan in AC Shadows 3. Stealth Is Truly Back Stealth gameplay in Shadows has been improved in a few key areas. Both Naoe and Yasuke have access to the new Observe mechanic, which delivers a fast and easy way to toggle additional information on screen. Observe allows you to identify targets, tag and monitor enemies, and highlight lootable stashes, collectables, and quest objectives. While on a Synchronization Point, it also allows for close examination of nearby locations. Naoe has access to the classic Assassin's Creed Eagle Vision, which allows her to highlight the position of enemies hidden behind walls and other objects. For the first time in the Assassin's Creed series, hiding in the shadows will make you invisible to enemies. During night-time , any pocket of shadows becomes a dynamic hiding spot in which you can progress without being seen. Naoe and Yasuke are the first protagonists able to go prone in the series. Going prone reduces your "visibility" to enemies even further, whether on the ground, on rooftops, or underwater. Not only that, Naoe has four primary tools at her disposal to help ensure a quick kill or getaway: Smoke bomb, Shinobi Bells, Kunai and Shuriken. Image: Naoe attacking enemies with a Kunai 4. A Decent Story The story of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is solid and engaging, set during a rich and dramatic period in feudal Japan. It follows two main characters, Naoe and Yasuke, whose different backgrounds bring interesting perspectives to the conflict. The game mixes personal struggles with bigger political events, staying true to the themes fans expect from the series. While the plot doesn't break new ground, it’s well told and keeps you invested. The setting adds a fresh feel, and the characters help make the story feel more human and grounded throughout the game. Image: Main characters in AC Shadows 5. Beautiful Soundtrack and Voice Acting The soundtrack of Assassin's Creed Shadows mixes traditional Japanese instruments with modern cinematic music, creating a powerful and emotional atmosphere in every scene. It really adds depth to the world and helps bring the story to life. The voice acting stands out, especially when you play in Japanese with subtitles. It feels natural and respectful to the culture, making everything more believable. The combination of music and voice work pulls you into the game like never before. Image: Naoe (@MASUMI_Cherrie) and Yasuke (@_tongayichirisa) from Assassin’s Creed Shadows. What Assassin’s Creed Shadows Did Wrong 1. Yasuke’s Limited Stealth Options Since this is an Assassin’s Creed game, both main characters should have the skills of an Assassin. But Ubisoft made Yasuke very different. He’s a powerhouse in combat, but his stealth abilities feel too limited. Yasuke is a samurai, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be able to sneak and take out enemies quietly. For a game built on the Assassin’s Creed identity, it’s disappointing that half the gameplay focuses more on fighting than on stealth. Image: Yasuke attacking enemies with Kanabo 2. Unpolished AI Behavior The detection system is better than in previous games, but the enemy AI in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is still inconsistent. Sometimes guards see you from far away in unrealistic ways, and other times they walk right past you even when you’re clearly visible. In combat, some enemies just stand to the side and don’t even attack. The difficulty settings also feel unbalanced—“Expert” doesn’t feel much harder than normal. Ubisoft has said a tougher mode is coming in the future, so we’ll have to wait and see how that turns out. Right now, these issues break immersion and reduce the overall tension. Image: Naoe is fighting with one enemy, but the others are just standing there, not attacking 3. Open World Fatigue Returns One of the biggest issues in Ubisoft games is the lack of variety in open-world features, and that problem continues in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The map is smaller than Valhalla’s, but there’s still too much filler content. Many side missions feel repetitive, enemy camps are basic, and fetch quests slow down what could have been a more focused, story-driven game. Open-world activities like finding pages, praying at temples, or archery challenges all feel the same, with no unique twists. Some features like Sumi-E, Hidden Trails, Kata, and Kuji-kiri feel fresh at first, but after a few times, even those start to feel repetitive. Image: Side activities Sumi-E and Horse Archery in Assassin's Creed Shadows 4. Gear and Loot Systems Still Feel Bloated The gear and loot system in Assassin’s Creed Shadows still feels too bloated. There are too many weapons, armor sets, and upgrades that don’t feel very different from one another. This makes managing your inventory feel like a chore instead of something fun. Players often collect gear they never use, and the inventory can be confusing or slow to navigate. While the game tries to offer variety, it ends up feeling more like quantity over quality. A simpler, more meaningful gear system would help players focus more on gameplay and story, instead of sorting through piles of loot that barely change how you play. Image: Inventory menu in Assassin's Creed Shadows 5. Limited Modern-Day Story Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the first RPG-style AC game without a specific modern-day story or main character like in past titles. Instead, it introduces a new feature called the Animus Hub, where you can find data fragments, short stories, and videos, but that’s all. The modern-day storyline used to be a key part of the series, but now it’s almost completely removed. What was once a major part of the franchise now feels like an afterthought. This change may disappoint longtime fans who care about the bigger story and want more connection between the past and present. Image: Modern-Day gameplay in Assassin's Creed Shadows Conclusion Assassin’s Creed Shadows is bold, looks amazing, and brings fresh ideas, especially with how it uses two main characters and brings back stealth. But it’s not perfect. The enemy AI still has problems, the gear system feels too packed, and the modern-day story is weak. These show that Ubisoft hasn’t fully solved the series’ issues yet. Even so, it’s a strong game that shows the franchise is moving in a better direction. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Zephryss is a passionate social media manager based in India who joined TOWCB's Social Media Team in Summer 2024 to help the team prepare for coverage of Assassin's Creed Shadows news and updates. Recently, he completed his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering and is now preparing to take on a PhD. He loves video games very much, and since childhood has enjoyed playing various types of games in different genres He also has 3 gaming channels (Zephryss, Assassin Zephryss & Spider Zephryss) where he uploads gameplay videos regularly. Zephryss

TOWCB Statement on the Unacceptable Response to Assassin's Creed Shadows Community Share 20 May 2024 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) TOWCB Team Back To Database comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Gustav / Gargudon is an active community member, who started out in podcast hosting in 2016, but today mostly specialises in video creation, interviews & composing. By joining The Ones Who Came Before in 2019, originally reviving 'The Memory Corridor' podcast, which had been offline for nearly a year, he has had the opportunity to expand his audience and further develop his skills. 

His unique skill set made him the perfect candidate for our team. Among other things, he is known in the community for the Sounds Of History project - an original Assassin’s Creed inspired instrumental music project, featuring five tracks inspired by as many different games - other original fan themes plus covers of iconic AC tracks, as well as video interviews with a number of high profile names in the world of AC, from Roger Craig Smith, Jesper Kyd and more. Fun fact, among his growing colourful tattoo collection, Gustav is the only member of our team to have the TOWCB logo inked. Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon)

Best Quotes in Assassin's Creed Valhalla Share Written By: Edited By: Reporter Name Back To Database hkjvvhk ''I will not be captive to another man's gaudy design. My destiny is mine to weave.'' (Eivor) VP and Edit by Turið Torkilsdóttir ''I do have a clan as you call it. But no family. I was orphaned quite young. It may be this lack that drove me to join The Hidden Ones. They certainly treated me as a son.'' (Hytham) VP by Aaron Young ( FalconSwift87 ) Edit by Turid Torkilsdóttir ''In the street of the blind the one-eyed man is called Guiding Light'' (Stowe) Edit by Turið Torkilsdóttir VP by Aaron Young ( FalconSwift87 ) ''Gaze upon my face and meet the dragon that will devour you!'' (Ivarr) Edit by Turið Torkilsdóttir VP by Aaron Young ( FalconSwift87 ) comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author This is placeholder text. To connect this element to content from your collection, select the element and click Connect to Data. About the Author

Children of Danu: A History Breakdown Share 14 Apr 2021 Written By: Edited By: Lauren Harris Ashlea Buckley Back To Database We are moving ever closer to the release of Assassin Creed Valhalla’s first story expansion DLC, Wrath of the Druids, which is due to release on the 13th May. The new content will see Eivor travel to Ireland where she will forge alliances with Gaelic Kings and battle a druidic cult known as the Children of Danu. But who were the Children of Danu and how might they factor into this new piece of the Valhalla story? Wrath of the Druids is the first downloadable content expansion for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and is set to launch May 13th 2021. Danu is a goddess in Irish mythology – though she is a bit different to what we may assume when we think of mythological gods. Danu is a hypothetical god and functions as a mother goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann, which translates roughly as “the people of the goddess Danu”. We can assume that the Tuatha Dé Danann are the cult Eivor will be fighting, or at the very least it will be worshippers of the Tuatha. Interestingly, there are no surviving myths or legends associated with Danu in the medieval Irish texts, though Danu is sometimes assumed to be an alternative name for Anu who is another Irish goddess. It is possible that Danu was inspired by Dôn from Welsh mythology, who was a mother goddess in the Mabinogion. It is also possible that Danu is actually Danand, daughter of Delbáeth and mother of Brian, Iuchar, and Iucharba, though this is disputed. According to some interpretations of the myth, Danu had a relationship with a sacred oak tree which grew two giant acorns. The acorns fell to the ground and out came The Dagda and Brigid, who would later become important figures within the Tuatha Dé Danann. Another interpretation is that Danu is actually the Greek goddess of the sea, Eurynome. Eurynome was once known as Danae or Dana, which could suggest a connection between her and Danu. Eurynome is usually represented as a mermaid with bright red lips, piercing blue eyes, pale skin, and long blonde hair. It is also theorised that Danu may represent the Danube River, further connecting her to water. The Tuatha Dé Danann were a pantheon who have appeared throughout Celtic mythology in various forms. They were a supernatural race rather than a cult in Irish mythology, which could suggest that Eivor will meet human followers of the race rather than the race themselves due to Assassin’s Creed generally not including supernatural phenomena. According to legend, the Tuatha Dé Danann live in the realm of the deities known in Celtic mythology as the Otherworld. In other legends, it has been known as Annwn, Avalon, and Tír na nÓg. Despite living in the Otherworld, the Tuath Dé often visit the human world and interact with humans. Their rivals were the Fomorians, who the Tuath Dé defeated in the legendary Battle of Mag Tuired. Over the years, the legend surrounding the Tuath Dé has evolved and been altered by those who have interpreted it. The pantheon have been regarded as ancient kings and queens with supernatural abilities, as fallen angels, or even as gods themselves. Eventually, the Tuatha Dé Danann came to be known as the aes sídhe in Irish and Scottish mythology. The Tuath Dé are generally associated with nature and each member is connected to one aspect of life or nature. Some of the more well known members of the Tuatha Dé Danann pantheon include The Dagda, god of fertility, agriculture, strength, magic, Druidry and wisdom; The Morrigan, a crow who was associated with war, fa te, death and doom; Manannán, god of the sea; and Brigid, goddess of wisdom, healing, protection and animals. Concept art for Ireland coming from the Assassin's Creed Valhalla Season Pass Trailer. Legend tells that the Tuatha Dé Danann hailed from four cities in Ireland’s north: Falias, Gorias, Murias. and Finias. The Tuath Dé taught their skills in sciences, the arts, architecture, magic and necromancy to the humans in Ireland. According to Lebor Gabála Érenn, the Tuath Dé arrives in Ireland “in dark clouds” and “brought a darkness over the sun for three days and three nights” before burning the ships they sailed in on. According to the Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland, the Tuatha Dé Danann arrived in the country in 1897 BC. They almost immediately became caught up in a battle with the previous settlers, the Fir Bolg. The Tuath Dé overthrew the Fir Bolg but their king, Nuada, lost his arm in the battle and could not continue to rule. He was replaced by Bres who was a tyrant. Dian Cecht managed to replace Nuada’s arm with a prosthetic. Dian Cecht’s son Miach used a spell to force flesh to cover the prosthetic and essentially give Nuada his arm back, but Dian Cecht was furious at being upstaged and murdered his son. Nuada became king again, but this enraged Bres who ended up bring the Fomorians to battle the Tuath Dé. In the Second Battle of Magh Tuireadh, Nuada was killed and Lugh took over as king. It is said that a third battle occurred, this time between the Tuath Dé and the Milesians. The Milesians met three Tuatha Dé Danann goddesses Ériu, Banba and Fodla, and their husbands Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine. The three husbands were kings at the time and called a truce between the two groups – however the Tuath Dé broke the peace by creating a magical storm. In the end, the Milesian Amergin was called on to split the land between the two peoples. He gave the land above ground to the Milesians and sent the Tuatha Dé Danann to live underground in the Sidhe mounds, thus ending their reign in Ireland. One of the most interesting pieces of the Tuatha Dé Danann legend is the Four Treasures. According to the myth, the Tuatha Dé Danann brought four magical treasures to Ireland, one from each of their home cities. These treasures were a cauldron, a spear, a stone, and a sword. Is it possible that we will see these treasures in Wrath of the Druids? After all, each treasure sounds like the perfect basis for a Piece of Eden. The treasure from the city of Falias was the Stone of Fal. The stone itself is real and still stands in Ireland today. It is now known as the Lia Fáil, meaning Stone of Destiny, or as the Speaking Stone. It can be found on the Hill of Tara in County Meath. The Lia Fáil was said to have supernatural powers. Legend states that the stone would “roar” when the rightful High King of Ireland put his feet on it. It was also said to have the power to rejuvenate the king and bless him with a long reign. According to Lebor Gabála Érenn, the stone can no longer do this due to being split by Cú Chulainn, the Irish demigod and Lugh’s son. The stone also provides the origin of the name Inis Fáil, an ancient name for Ireland. Journey to Ireland and unravel the mysteries of an ancient druidic cult. Fight your way through haunted forests and dazzling landscapes while gaining influence among Gaelic kings. The second treasure was the Spear of Lugh from the city of Gorias. The story of the spear has been told several ways, but generally it involves Lugh demanding the spear which belonged to the King of Persia. The spear was said to be impossible to overcome and would answer to spells. One of these spells was “Ibar” which caused the spear to always hit its mark, and another was “Athibar” which caused the spear to return to its owner. Some writers have also suggested that the spear was alive and thirsted for blood and only a pile of fresh poppy leaves could prevent it from killing everyone around. It also may have been able to shoot flames or even lightning. It is starting to sound like a Piece of Eden we have seen before. The treasure from Findias was the Sword of Light and it belonged to Nuada, the king. Much like the Holy Grail in Arthurian legend, the Sword of Light frequently appears as a quest object in Irish and Scottish mythology. It is thought that the Sword of Light and Cú Chulainn’s sword Cruaidín Catutchenn may be one and the same. The sword is also described as a “fiery and bright lightning weapon” which could emit sparks. The final treasure is the Cauldron of the Dagda which came from the city of Muirias. The Dagda could control life and death, the weather and crops, as well as time and the seasons. He was skilled in magic and Druidry which may explain his connection to the cauldron. The cauldron was known as the coire ansic and was said to be bottomless and left no man unsatisfied. It was also said to have a ladle so big that two people could fit in it. According to the Annals, at least ten members of the Tuatha Dé Danann were High Kings of Ireland at one point. These were Nuada, Bres, Lugh, Eochaid Ollathair, Delbáeth, Fiacha, Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine. However, as all of these kings reigned before the Common Era, it is unlikely we will see them in Wrath of the Druids. All that said, what can we expect to see in Wrath of the Druids? As many scholars of Irish mythology have pointed out, Danu is essentially a blank slate. With no concrete myth or legend surrounding her, any writer is free to do what they wish with the goddess. As such, the writers of the DLC really do have the freedom to interpret Danu and her influence on Ireland however they like. As for the cult itself, that is harder to anticipate. It is unlikely that the cult will be the Tuatha Dé Danann themselves. Instead, it will probably be a cult who either believe themselves to be the Tuath Dé or who worship them. What kind of fight will they put up? They are druids who follow a supernatural race, so it is likely they will be using potions and mysticism in their battles. What is perhaps most interesting is whether the Four Treasures will appear? Considering how important Pieces of Eden are to the Assassin’s Creed mythos, and how many fantastic weapons appeared in the main story of Valhalla, it would be very disappointing to not see at least some of the treasures in the DLC. Who wouldn’t love to fight using the Sword of Light or the Spear of Lugh? Or to visit the Stone of Destiny or drink from Dadga’s bottomless cauldron? In any case, focussing the DLC on the Children of Danu seems like the perfect move after a game full of cursed objects, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and potions which take you to Asgard. If you enjoyed the more mystical elements of Valhalla, it seems like Wrath of the Druids will be right up your street. Could the DLC introduce Pieces to Eden to Assassin's Creed Valhalla? comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Lauren is a online article writer who joined the program in 2019, which allowed for her work to be viewed by a larger audience. She is especially interested in Assassin's Creed lore, and wrote a number of thought provoking articles which you can find here in the Community HUB. Lauren left the program in 2021 shortly after the 'Assassin's Creed Infinity' announcement, which understandably left many fans feeling uneasy. We wish her the best of luck with her future projects. Lauren Harris

Assassin's Creed Mirage Art Reveal: Basim and Enkidu by Yasmin Page Art Share 22 Oct 2023 Written By: Edited By: Yasmin Page TOWCB Team Back To Database We are thrilled to officially reveal a new piece of digital artwork created by Yasmin Page, member of our AC Partnership Program's Assassin's Creed Art Team! Here we see Basim and his beloved Eagle companion Enkidu! What we find most poignant about this beautiful moment is the way in which Basim gazes at his feathered friend, respectful and thankful for supporting him on his journey. You can find more work by Yas on her Instagram , or keep an eye on TOWCB social media channels for art print sales! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Yasmin is a Digital Artist based in Melbourne, Australia who discovered the Assassin's Creed series in 2019. Since then she has fallen in love with the franchise and created beautiful realistic digital artworks of several of the main characters. By joining TOWCB, we hope to introduce Yasmin to the AC Community by collaborating on a number of exciting projects such as art releases and podcasts. Yasmin Page

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 30th April - 6th May 2022 Community Share 14 May 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the new weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week, we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 1) Nomad Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins This week’s first capture comes from @_Virtualtourism over on Twitter. A clever shadow shot is first up this week. When I am looking through Assassin’s Creed VP each week, this is the sort of thing I am looking for. I like it when people take different captures you don’t often see. It must have taken some patience to line up both the camel and Senu in one shot. 2) Collection Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Photo number two comes from @UVioletra over on Twitter. Something completely different for picture number two. This virtual photographer’s captures have been on my radar for a few weeks now. I think this set is beautiful, there is an almost storyboard feel going on here. The greenery is incredible, and really captures the British landscape. I love how Eivor is just walking along, looking like she is the boss of these lands. 3) Nights Sky Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This week’s third shot comes from @KayJay1718 over on Twitter. This is an incredible capture. I am guessing Eivor is in Norway here judging by the landscape. I just can’t believe how much detail has been captured here in the sky. You have the Sun rising, the stars shining brightly and then this gorgeous red tint. Not to mention the shooting star flying across the sky. 4) The Witcher Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP number four comes from @shinobi_space over on Twitter. My first thought when I saw this picture was The Witcher CGI trailer. This capture very much sums up the ‘Dark Ages’ in which this game is set. I love how dark and ominous the scenery is, and the fact that Eivor feels the need to travel by torch light. I would love to have this as a canvas on my wall. 5) Holy Armour Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla The final capture of the week comes from @Milz_VP over at ACFirstCiv Community. The final shot of the week showcases the Holy Armour. You could be forgiven for thinking this capture comes from Elden Ring. For me personally, I prefer more grounded Viking sets but thought this looked too good not to enter. The shield in particular matches so well with this gear set. In fact Eivor looks more like a villain here marching towards their target. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Breaking News: Assassin's Creed Shadows Trailer Coming May 2024 News Share 13 May 2024 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) TOWCB Team Back To Database After 20 months since the original reveal of Assassin's Creed Codename Red, Ubisoft has finally announced that the game is officially titled 'Assassin's Creed: Shadows'. A reveal trailer is due to launch on May 15th at 5pm BST according to a short countdown teaser video that has been posted on social media platforms and also sent out on multiple accounts via Ubisoft's mailing system. According to former Assassin's Creed Community Developer Sebasteann , the hourglass is located in Shinsekai, Osaka. '' Assassin's Creed Codename Red becomes Assassin's Creed Shadows. Tune-in for the Official Cinematic World Premiere Trailer on May 15, 9 AM PT. #AssassinsCreedShadows '' Ubisoft also revealed the new logo and branding for Assassin's Creed Shadows. The official Assassin's creed Twitter accounts changed their banners to this image, containing a secret message which can only be decoded using a cypher, available on the Ubisoft website . Good luck Codebreakers! Another code sent out by the Assassin's Creed mailing list. Teaser for an upcoming Cinematic Trailer. Ubisoft also announced a new season of the Echoes of History podcast. ''Introducing a new chapter of Echoes of History, the podcast that explores the incredible real-life stories and events that inspire the locations, characters, and storylines of the legendary Assassin’s Creed. Join your host, historian Matt Lewis, and regular contributor Holly Nielsen, as they guide you into the worlds of Assassin’s Creed, talking to historical experts to uncover the secrets of the past before stepping ‘into the Animus’ to delve into how these moments are recreated. New weekly episodes every Monday. Echoes of History - a Ubisoft podcast brought to you by History Hit. Music by The Flight.'' The floodgates are about to open on all things Assassin's Creed: Shadows, so stay vigilant Assassins! 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: 28th to 04th September Community Share 6 Sept 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed Voices of Fornburg Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ HeraldTrivia “Ahh the High One! He calls to you” Fornburg is the first Viking settlement you visit in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. It is home to the Raven Clan and serves to set the story before you venture to England. The vistas here are sublime and the chances to capture great photos are plentiful. This wonderful edit has a lot of heart and meaning, with Eivor appearing over the place he once called home. I love the colours, especially the sun upon Eivor’s forehead. The scenery is beautifully captured giving off that sense of adventure despite leaving your home potentially for the last time. Wolf-Kissed Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: MissOaty “After seventeen years, I saw my father’s axe again” Before Eivor sets sail for England she seeks solace in Valka the Raven Clan's very own Seer. It is here she witnesses visions of herself betraying Sigurd. The whole flash back acts as a genetic memory, something that has been a staple of the series for a long time. This gorgeous capture of Eivor staring thoughtfully brings me right back to that very scene. The weight of the visions evident on her face. I adore how the light from a nearby fire is illuminating half her face and that scare looks so badass. With the awesome tattoo around her ear Eivor certainly looks ready for the path ahead. Lands of England Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ wistfulembrace “I learned that your God fears death, just as mine do” Alfred of Wessex fought a battle on two fronts, one to establish a new order more akin to the Templars but also to eliminate the threats to Christianity. Eivor is just another spanner in the works to Alfred’s dream of a united England. The two have quite the story but unfortunately we don’t get as much screen time as I would have wished. This hauntingly beautiful set exemplifies the time period and how dark and fraught it was. The whole set could have easily been pulled from the art book. I love this one in particular due to the positioning of Eivor and the magnificent steeple in the background. I feel this is the essence of Valhalla and shows the cultural dived between the two. Link to Set: Palace Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ cop_filip “Of course he was the last! They are all dead. Justice is done!” One of the standout places in Assassin’s Creed Origin’s, Alexandria serves as a focal point for both Bayek and Aya. It is the second largest city in Egypt and has a coastline so striking you can’t help but love it there. It is where the story really begins with Bayek acquiring the hidden blade to help eliminate the order. Once again the whole set is perfection but this one especially looks so real. The palace appears very majestic amongst the trees and they do such a great job at framing it. I am not sure how the blue sky is so clear, timing must have been impeccable. Link to Set: The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ Virtualtourism ''It honestly feels like @ cop_filip travelled back 2000 years and took this with his camera. You can see the influence of his real world photography shine through in this virtual photograph. The subtle colours of the vegetation, the dry dusty rock face and the clear blue sky all help bring this shot into reality. Exellent work.'' Searching for Answers Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ Dash_845 “I’m a demigod. Worshipped and feared by the Cult and all the Greek world” In the virtual photography world Kassandra usually get the spotlight, however it is nice to feature Alexios for once. Depending on which sibling you choose the other will still be present in a large way. Their path is still the same and Alexios grows into a powerful mercenary by the end of the story. This capture is so classy and gives off both Gladiator and Assassin’s vibes thanks to the attire. The use of the torch is a nice touch adding that glow to the shot whist amplifying the shadows. I love the stance with the head turned, he looks like he may have just found what he was looking for. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

“Odin-sama is with us!”: A Product Review for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Eivor Nendoroid Figure Review Share 7 Jun 2022 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Ashlea Blackett Back To Database From the latest entry in the popular stealth action game series "Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla" comes a Nendoroid of Eivor! The fine details of Eivor's head tattoo and his weapons have been faithfully captured in Nendoroid form. Optional parts include Eivor's axes, shield and the Hidden Blade, allowing you to recreate stealth poses and action scenes alike! Eivor's companion Sýnin is included in the set as well so you can enjoy displaying them together! Good Smile Company is a Japanese figurine manufacturer for pop culture properties that was founded in 2001. Their most recognisable line of products is their Nendoroid Series of figures. This series takes characters from various properties (primarily anime) and creates a chibi (“small person”) version in a vinyl figurine that is articulated and provided with multiple parts to allow the user to pose their character in different positions for display. Pre-orders for the “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla - Eivor” Nendoroid started in the summer of 2021 and after a brief delay, was released in May 2022. The Eivor (technically Havi) Nendoroid comes packaged with an assembled figurine in the Raven Clan armor, two axes (Varin’s Axe and the Raider Axe), the Raven Clan Shield, two sets of arms, hands, and legs in either straight or bent poses, two hidden blades (retracted and extended) and a base with stand to pose your Nendoroid. In addition, a mini version of Eivor’s animal companion Sýnin is included with two sets of wings and a separate stand to pose the bird. The included instruction pamphlet comes in Japanese and English, and provides a breakdown of the included 38 pieces and instructions on how to attach the parts to pose the Nendoroid in multiple poses, as well as how to interchange the faceplate from the stern gaze to the battle cry face, giving the figure even more personality and options for display. The Nendoroid stands at approximately 100mm in height with the included stand. Posing the Nendoroid is a simple process of snapping ball-jointed pieces into the figure and rotating the multiple locations throughout the figure until you reach the pose of choice. The included base provides support as the figure cannot stand on its own (easily). The small pieces can be hard to handle in humid or warm environments as while I was playing with the figure in the Texas humidity, I started dropping the tiny pieces such as the hands and hidden blade, as my skin was becoming slick with sweat. However, the paint on the figure did not show any wear to my oily skin, which is a plus in my eyes. This figure also comes with an extra neck joint which to my dismay, I broke the original joint when trying to remove it as I believed it to be a different type of joint. This was broken as I was wiggling the piece out of its holder in the neck with a pair of pliers. The instructions inform that if you have issues removing a piece, to run it under warm water to relax the vinyl (something I did not read). I spent the morning recreating the instructions and taking photos. The Nendroid has such a personality that with camera angles and patience, I was able to take some fun action shots that reminded me of the Photo Mode within Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. This figurine looks great amongst my other Eivor statues and adds a lot to my collection in whole as having not only a licensed product from Ubisoft, but one that is in an animated style that the standard moulded pose of a statue allows me to change up how I want to display the figure. I also love seeing a poseable Sýnin as the support animals of the games do not get enough love in the merchandise. The Nendoroid Series #1661 - Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Eivor is available now from the Good Smile Company website for $54.99 USD. Prices and availability will vary by location. The Nendoroid line will also be releasing an Ezio Auditore figure later this year, which I hope to purchase once they are out of the currently closed pre-order phase. Add the Eivor Nendoroid to your collection today! Amazon comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Michael Smith

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

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 4th to 10th December Community Share 18 Dec 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from the AC Partnership Program. Every week we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. This week’s guest judge is Magnus Bruun, the fantastic actor behind Eivor, the fierce Viking protagonist of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Magnus is also known for his devilish role as Cnut in The Last Kingdom TV series. It is an honour to have him on board for the special theme week. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Eivor Shadow Walker Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ artschoolglasses The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ Magnus_Bruun ''Great depth in this picture. It’s a snapshot in action. I really like the intense look on her face, and I could see this one on my wall. Congrats!'' Aaron (@ FalconSwift87 ) “I am Odin’s messenger to command.” Warriors of Odin, shadow walkers are spirits living in the forests of England and come out at night to wreak havoc on the living. Their use of shadows and stealth mirrors perfectly with the Assassin’s persona. Eivor is willing to be whatever she needs to, for the sake of the Raven Clan. Here we have a foreboding shot of Eivor atop the Draugr horse. The autumnal setting and the foggy background are adding to the menacing feel. I like the framing with the tree on the left, the colours of the shot are beautiful and complement Eivor. Her face is so determined, I would not want to be the target. Berserker Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ KeenEyeVP “I have travelled far since we landed and seen much on the roads and fields of this new England.” Something I really hope future Assassin’s Creed games implement are the customisation options for your character. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla had some really awesome hairstyles, beards and tattoos. Troy’s portrait of Eivor brilliantly showcases this. What a striking shot of the wolf-kissed one, the details are insane. The beard is extraordinary, and the Odin blessing tattoo looks sensational with that hairstyle. I really like the blue background with the limited saturation of Eivor. I am loving the head turn as it give the sense he is in mid battle, raging with the fury of the Norseman. Eivor Varinsdottir Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ StefanieMcMaken “My Destiny is mine to weave.” Eivor Varinsdottir is one of my favourite characters in the Assassin’s Creed universe. She is a humble and loyal Viking from Norway who travels to England in search of a new life. Her entanglement with Odin is so interesting and gives great depth to the character. I feel this portrait from Steffi is a perfect homage to the wolf-kissed one. The black background is exquisite and works beautifully with the light across her face. The hood and cloak are giving off huge Odin vibes. I love how the darkness (Odin) is descending on her but that light sources provides defiance. Eivor will not bow to him, and she knows that Destiny is all. Fated Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ PodToGo “I will have my revenge.” Eivor’s calmer and more pragmatic approach to the Saxon is tested once his brother Sigurd has been captured by Fulke. We then see a more angered and vengeful Eivor which I like. For me this shot perfectly fit the theme week, with Eivor looking like both Cnut and Uhtred. Both Valhalla and The Last Kingdom share so much in common. This portrait is a delight for the eyes, with the lighting so impressive. I love how it reflects off the armour and marries excellently with the shadows. The use of black and white really helps to enhance the lighting. The beard looks so real and the eyes focused, the shot is doing wonders to showcase Eivor’s details. All Father Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Cll3ar “The realm is changed. But this is not Surtr’s doing. It is something more.” Assassin’s Creed Valhalla boasts a considerable section dedicated to Havi. When entering these mythical worlds, photography options become a lot more varied. On reflection I cannot wait to revisit them soon. This stunning landscape shot of Havi gives me real box art vibes, in fact it isn’t too dissimilar to what Ubisoft used. I adore Havi stance as it shows him in pain, something he must endure a lot of during the Ragnarok DLC. The cold tones in the background fit beautifully with the Norse theme, reminding me of the Norway arc. I love the red leaves, they look so graceful fluttering up behind him. The remains of an enemy put to the sword by the High One. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! Finally, we would like to say a huge thank you to Magnus for joining us for this article! Interested in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography? Join our Assassin's Creed VP Community on Twitter for a chance to be featured in a future article! 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

AC Community Questions: Hayden Bird (TombAssassin) Interview Share 10 Jul 2024 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Colum Blackett Back To Database Col: Hi Hayden, 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. Hayden: Thanks, Col, very glad to be a part of the team once again. I think some stuff about me is I love to write, first and foremost, and love my favorite franchises such as Assassin's Creed and Harry Potter. I have always loved to write since as long as I can remember. Its always been my passion as I recall writing short stories for my elementary school book fair or writing fan fictions of cartoons I love! My role with TOWCB is really enjoyable and allows me to stretch my creative knowledge as far as I can! With the team I write articles based on all things Assassin's Creed. Whether it be news, guides, or theory articles, I just love contributing as much as I can! Col: In June 2024, you rejoined The Ones Who Came Before's Assassin's Creed Partnership Program, known as the @ Isu_Network . How have you enjoyed your time working with our content teams? Hayden: Since joining in June of this year, it personally feels great being back. Some of those are still here whom I worked with, Including Col, which started in early 2020, the beginning and peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, while some are new people I got to meet, and will continue to meet others and strengthen relationships with the ones I currently know. Col: When did you first start writing articles, and what in your opinion would you say has been your most popular / recognisable piece? Hayden: I first started writing when I was in grade school, like I mentioned above, but those were more short stories about cartoons or Nintendo games. But as for writing articles I first officially started with sports writing. I wrote for a small online San Diego sports website, i managed ton publish two articles which was good considering I was 14 at the time and had a lot of distractions in my life at that time. I wrote about the football and baseball teams in that area. As for my most recognizable piece I'd say it would be my one great article I wrote as a member of MuggleNet , which is a long-running Harry Potter news website. I wrote a great professional article there late last year about the broadway show Harry Potter and the Cursed Child becoming available for schools to perform on their own. The article took over a week to write and get published, and when it did, it got viewed a lot from both the twitter post they made and on their website! I parted ways with them towards the end of 2023, which eventually led into my position with TOWCB again! Col: What are some of your most recent Assassin's Creed Community Projects, and what are you working on currently? Hayden: Some of the more recent Assassin's Creed projects I have been working on are a mix of genres! I have done a news article and a opinion based article as well, and what I can say is much more is on the way! I have lots of ideas going through my head almost all the time, so the flow of creativeness stays the same, but the work is always, in my opinion, top class. I only want to publish articles that are well done and make a difference, it's key to a successful career! Col: Have you visited any of the locations from the games? Which Assassin's Creed game is your favourite and why? Hayden: Unfortunately I have not had the pleasure to visit and explore any of the great historical settings shown in the Assassin's Creed games. I have been planning trips to, for example, Greece, where I'd love to see the real world setting of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, but Europe trips are quite expensive, sadly! My main goal as of right now, and has been for the past three or so years, is the visit the Bahamas! But ironically not for the beaches and resorts, but the pirate history! Which we all saw in Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag! I am hoping to make this trip in the next few years! My favorite game in the Assassin's Creed series is Black Flag! Surprisingly I wasn't a huge fan of the game at first, but after playing it for hundreds of hours during Covid lockdown, it became my favorite! I originally played this game on release day for PS3 in 2013, but really did not get super attached to it until quarantine! Col: Have you attended any events within the Assassin's Creed Community? Do you have a favourite Assassin's Creed community moment/ story you would like to share? Hayden: Unfortunately I have yet to attend an Assassin's Creed community event. I really wanted to see the Assassin's Creed Symphony when it released, but sadly was unable to go! I am hoping that being apart of TOWCB team again, that it might lead to opportunities to meet with the community at a potential Ubisoft or Assassin's Creed event, that I could experience it with friends here in TOWCB family! If I had to choose a favorite Assassin's Creed community moment it would definitely be the release of the Assassin's Creed movie back in late 2016. I was talking about it with all my Assassin's Creed friends on Twitter and Facebook, and went to see it opening day! I was so excited to see this movie that I had to get a ride to a theater an hour away from my home because my local theater was only playing the movie in the evening when I had plans scheduled! Safe to say me and my twitter friends had a laugh about that one! Col: What would be your dream setting for the upcoming AC Netflix TV show or future game? Hayden: My dream setting for the exciting new Assassin's Creed Netflix projects would be Ancient China! It is actually a setting I'd like to see FULLY covered in a mainline Assassin's Creed game. Of Course, Ubisoft released Chronicles China several years ago, but I would like to see it adapted into a full on game or in the TV series! I hope the Netflix series may touch on this era of history, or potentially explore multiple setting is multiple seasons! Col: Do you have any personal AC goals you would like to achieve? Hayden: If I had an Assassin's Creed I'd love to experience one day, it would be a position writing for a narrative role in game development at Ubisoft! My dream has always been to be a game story writer, and working at Ubisoft has been a dream of mine since I was young! I am hoping to continue to grow as a writer and maybe one day take on a major position in the games industry! Col: What would you say is your most significant community achievement to date? What is your favourite part of being a community member? Hayden: My most significant community moment would have to be the hype train for the release of Assassin's Creed Syndicate! I talked about this game with all of my gaming buddies on both PlayStation and social media. I had just gotten a PS4 months prior, and I was late to playing Unity, but made it a point to be ready for Syndicate on release day. I remember wearing all my Assassin's Creed gear and walking into GameStop to pick up my pre-order of the game. The staff there at the store loved my outfit and dedication so much that they took my picture in the store to post on their website! When I got home, all I remember is running upstairs to download the game! I was glad to share this memory with my friends in the Assassin's Creed community, which is why Syndicate is still a special game to me! So being a community member then, and now, has been an honor! Col: Do you collect AC merchandise? If so, what is your favourite item? Hayden: I USED to collect Assassin's Creed merchandise, but overtime the merch has been increasingly hard to come by on the internet, especially on Amazon. I do basically all my shopping online, as I don't drive for various reasons so getting to a store is challenging on the regular. In my opinion, it used to be WAY easier to buy and collect Assassin's Creed gear. Now I can't find much available on Amazon, which is a shame because as I remember the selection used to be huge! Col: What advice do you have for people looking to get in to games journalism and creative writing? Hayden: My advice to those who love to write, and those who want to get into game journalism is to write, as much as you can, whenever you can! The beauty of writing is even if you are having trouble finding a position with a blog or website, a place to submit articles, then write your own personal projects and ideas and just keep them to you for now. I have countless for fun articles in my Google Docs account, from times where I was not currently apart of any writing team. Doing these practice articles will help improve your writing skills and can also potentially be used as a writing sample one day, should you nail down a interview with a website. Col: Where can our community members find you online? Hayden: Any community members who would like find my page or connect with me on social media, I am most active on Twitter/X on @ TombAssassin and I have been using this app since early 2012, and have been on different account throughout the years until I found a good home in late 2016, which ironically I created this account because of the Assassin's Creed movie. I have been active on this account every single day since then! I also am relatively active on Instagram mostly in the past year @ H_Bird25 and tend to post on my story a lot. I prefer twitter, as most my following is on there, but I do love every now and then hopping on Instagram and updating my story with cool pictures I take, including some self promotion on my writing progress! As for other platforms such as Facebook or Snapchat, I am not on there! Two platforms are personally enough for me, as it gets overwhelming for me to manage so many different accounts! Regardless, I hope to connect with more friends in the gaming community on my two socials anytime I can! 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)

Art Reveal: Hytham Sketch SophiaEA16 Art Share 28 Mar 2021 Written By: Edited By: Sophia Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We're pleased to reveal a new piece of art created by our very own SophiaEA16 from the AC Partnership Program! This sketch of Hytham from Assassin's Creed Valhalla was done on toned paper in class, and brings the character to life! One particular feature that stands out for me is the hair, with each individual strand making an impact. You'll soon be able to find more of Sophia's projects in the Community HUB. You can find links to her social media accounts below. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Sophia is a talented artist and Twitch streamer from Venice who joined the program in early 2021. During her time on the program, Sophia worked closely with our community members on a number of art different projects, such as competitions and fundraising campaigns. Sophia

Interview with an Assassin - A Character Discussion with the Cast of The Resurrection Plot Interview Share 11 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Back To Database Banner by Thea Marie Rivedal (Moonchildgecko) from TOWCB Art Team. *This interview with the characters of Assassin’s Creed The Resurrection Plot is not to be considered canonical. This is solely used as a recap of the previous book and a refresher of the two main characters Pierrette Arnaud and Simeon Price. This is Mike with The Ones Who Came Before, and I want to welcome our readers to what has to be the most unique Assassin's Creed interview that I have ever done. Today I am speaking not with the author of the new AC novel The Resurrection Plot , Kate Heartfield, (who we interviewed for her last book The Magus Conspiracy ) , but with her co-lead characters Pierrette Arnaud and Simeon Price! Welcome Pierrette and Simeon, how are you doing today? Pierrette: Ready for anything. Simeon: The leg’s acting up, and I’ve been travelling recently, so I’m glad to have this chance to sit and talk a bit. Without going into the end of your last adventure, how are you feeling traveling to 1869 Cairo? Simeon: Honestly, I’m just hoping to find out what the Templars are up to out in the desert – and perhaps, run into Pierrette while I’m in the area. It’s been a few years since we’ve seen each other, with one thing and another. Pierrette: I’ve made good friends in Cairo, and there’s so much energy and excitement among the Assassins here. It’s been good for me to leave England for a while, and France, well, things are looking uncertain in France at the moment. People say there could be war with Prussia. You both came to find each other through your mutual friend, Ada Lovelace. Can you tell us a bit about her and did you two find a friendship through knowing her mutually? Pierrette: I rescued her from ruffians one night, and she became my friend. She introduced me to many people: artists, writers, people I never would have met otherwise. And she gave me a purpose. I promised that after her death, I’d find the man who could help me make sure that her clever inventions did no harm. That man was Simeon. And while we haven’t always seen eye to eye – Simeon – you mean you haven’t always had things your way. Pierrette: I am grateful to Simeon for teaching me and introducing me to the Brotherhood of Assassins. Simeon: And I am grateful to Ada for the same reasons, although her notebook was the bane of our lives for years. We’ve finally put her legacy to rest now. You both came from unique backgrounds, Pierrette being an acrobat with the Aurora Equestrian Troupe, and you Simeon a former Lance-Corporal with the British Army. How would you compare your time with each to that with the Assassins Brotherhood? Simeon: I joined the army because I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, something with purpose. But I soon found it impossible to be a soldier in that particular army and a man of conscience at the same time. As an Assassin, I am always answerable to myself, so long as I don’t harm innocents or the Brotherhood. Pierrette: In a way, it’s not so different from being a performer. We are all trying to achieve our best as individuals, when we’re riding a horse around an arena or swinging from a trapeze, but we rely on each other, and we teach each other. What are your views on the Brotherhood at the start of this new book? Do you feel like it has improved since you first joined? Pierrette: I’ll admit to some frustrations, but I’m so pleased about what some of our fellow Assassins have done lately in London. Simeon: There’s a real opportunity for the Brotherhood to find young people who are frustrated by the state of the world and teach them how to change it, in ways that won’t result in even more tyranny. I know the Brotherhood could help so many of them, and they could make us stronger, but it’s difficult to reach them, to get through. Everyone has to walk their own path. Mine is a lonely one these days, I admit, and I fail to reach these young people more often than I succeed. Coming back to your skill sets, Pierrette if I may, what is it about horses that made them such a focus for your troupe? Do you find that working with them is easier than working with people? Pierrette: A horse will always let you know where you stand. People are less honest. Simeon, I know you have gone through some difficult times since leaving the Army, are you finding the structure of the Brotherhood to be similar to your time with the military? Simeon: Perhaps it’s the bad memories from my time in the army that has caused me to strike out on my own a fair bit, even within the Brotherhood. But I do try my best to do my duty, to uphold the principles I’ve sworn to serve, and in that, it’s the same. It's been nearly two decades since we were first introduced to you both, how do you feel now as seasoned Assassins compared to then? Simeon: Sore. Pierrette: I’ve greatly enjoyed being able to work with more weapons. But I suppose I have a collection of ghosts, to go with my weapons. Regrets, I mean. Simeon: I never thought I’d hear you speak about regrets. Pierrette: Well, I’m not saying I have long lists of them. Perhaps … four. Simeon: Four regrets. Pierrette: Yes. Why, how many do you have? Simeon: I haven’t counted. More than four. Who would be the political figure that you feel you have the best relationship with? Pierrette: I’m looking forward to meeting Ismail Pasha, who’s the ruler of Egypt these days. He’s done something remarkable in creating the Suez Canal, and he seems to want to stand up to the imperial powers. Simeon: Speaking of standing up to power, I have some friends in Paris, writers and thinkers, who are trying to find better ways to live. For me, a smoky tavern with people like that in it is more exciting than a meeting with an emperor. Who’s the better fighter between the two of you? Simeon: Pierrette. Pierrette: Me. [laughs] In all seriousness, that’s very kind of you to say, Simeon, but I think it depends, wouldn’t you say? I’m better at the big picture: how to get from A to B most efficiently. Simeon: Even spectacularly, sometimes. Pierrette: Which has always been my weakness, as you’ve pointed out many times. You’re better at making sure it gets done quickly and quietly. Simeon, you were trained with a large amount of reading to help educate you better by your mentor Oscar Kane, which would you say was your favorite to read? Pierrette, you can answer as well if you like as we know Simeon trained you? Simeon: The book from Kane’s library that has stayed with me over the years is London Labour and the London Poor by Richard Mayhew. It’s a book that shows the world as it is, and treats every human being in it as worthy. Pierrette: I loved seeing the old combat manuals – Simeon will laugh, but I liked the illustrations, because they make the people of centuries ago seem just like us. Worried about where to put their feet and struggling to keep their guard up. Speaking of, how is Simeon as a mentor? And Pierrette as a mentee? Pierrette: He’s a better mentor than he realizes, but I don’t want it to go to his head. Simeon: Pierrette’s taught me more than I’ve taught her, I think, by being such a challenging student. Pierrette: Challenging? I beg your pardon? Simeon: Independent and unpredictable. Pierrette: Well, nobody wants a predictable Assassin. What do you want readers to know going into this new book? Are there any things you want to tease? Simeon: I think we’re all in for some surprises, but I’m looking forward to fighting side by side with Pierrette again. Pierrette: And I’m looking forward to being very inconvenient to the Templar Order. We thank you both for joining us today and we are looking forward to what is going to be a great entry and sequel for Assassin’s Creed fans to read. Assassin’s Creed The Resurrection Plot by Kate Heartfield, and published by Aconyte Books will release on July 4, 2023 on Global e-book and physically in the US. The UK can pick up the paperback on September 28, 2023. You can read our light spoiler review here and preorder the book here . comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Michael Smith

Roger Craig Smith Interview: The Life of an Assassin Interview Share 1 Mar 2020 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Buckley Back To Database Our community admin Colum Blackett had the opportunity to interview legendary voice actor and former stand-up comic Roger Craig Smith, best known as the voice behind Ezio Auditore and Sonic the Hedgehog. He is currently credited with nearly 600 different voice acting roles , most recently for performing the voice of Batman in the upcoming animated DC movie: Superman: Red Son. About: Raised in SoCal and voted “Class Clown” in 8th grade, Roger focused his creativity toward training in musical theater. He spoke at both his 8th and 12th grade graduations, was elected freshman class president in high school, and hosted a live local TV talk show while earning his B.A. in Screenwriting from Chapman University...all while pursuing a career in stand-up comedy. After working as a comic for 5 years, he left stand-up to pursue voice acting full-time in 2005. Knowing he’s got fans of all ages on social media, Roger keeps his posts apolitical and family-friendly. An avid supporter of CHOC (Chidlren’s Hospital Orange County), he frequently visits the hospital to meet with patients. He’s currently studying ASL (American Sign Language) and enjoys getting outdoors as often as possible to pursue his passion for nature, hiking/mountain biking, and nightscape/astrophotography, which he shares regularly with his followers on Twitter and Instagram Col: Hi Roger, thank you for joining us today! I'm sure most of our fans already know, but please could you tell us a little bit about yourself, and your time working on the Assassin's Creed series. Roger: Many thanks for having me! I’m a voice actor based in LA, and I work on commercials, cartoons, and video games. Been at it since about 2003 and, in 2009, had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the 2nd Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed II. Life hasn’t been the same since! Working on ACII was such an awesome experience. I was so honored to be a part of something that was so dear to so many who worked on the game. Their passion was evident from the onset. It was challenging, to be working with a wonderful dialect coach (Ida Darvish-Gadd) and learning how to very quickly speak lines in Italian, finesse an “ItaliaSpanglish” (the blended accent for the character of Ezio) accent, and to wrap my brain around the enormity of what this character was going though---but it was so rewarding. That first foray into the world of AC for me will always be my favorite project. Col: When the team first pitched Assassin's Creed II to you, what were your thoughts? Roger: I truly didn’t know what to think. I was familiar with the first game and very familiar with friends who’d played it and had their opinions, so I wasn’t sure what was in store for the 2nd game. I just went into it trying to provide the best work I could on a daily basis and to deliver for the folks who were nice enough to have given me the shot. That’s usualy all I can do to approach ANY project---just deliver as best I can what the client is asking for. If I think about the enormity of the project or how many eyeballs/ears might be on my performance, then I’d likely be too distracted to simply do the job that’s before me. So, I tend to show up ready to take whatever the client may throw at me and hopefully do the best I can. Col: Before voicing Ezio, had you ever had to speak Italian for a role? Roger: Ha! Nope! Being Scotch-Irish, it’s not something most folks toss my way. I was so stoked to have been introduced to Ida and work with her on the project, though. The whole crew became a family on that game. We still keep in touch to this day. Col: Have you kept in touch with any of the other voice actors from the Ezio games, and have you worked with any of them on other projects since? Roger: The voice acting community isn’t that large in general, thankfully. So yes, many of the actors that worked on that game, and even other AC games of which I wasn’t even a part, still keep in touch. It’s a neat thing that can happen when you’re part of an iconic franchise---bonds are formed. Col: How did you find the dialect training? Were there any phrases/ words you struggled to pronounce at all? Roger: It was definitely one of the more challenging aspects of the project, but I loved the process and the reward of getting something that got the thumbs up from the crew. I wanna say that nailing ‘Savonarola’ in some sentences proved to be a stumbling point for me. There were so many phrases that were challenging, though. I’m sure it’s all a blur now.” Col: What would you say is the first step to getting into voice acting work, and how can people prepare for it? Roger Ahhhhh…the golden question… Truly, I don’t know where to tell people to start. I came into the business when it was smaller than it is today. Technology has made it so that anyone with a USB mic and a good internet connection can instantly deem themselves a voice actor and work from home. Social media influencers have been given opportunities to be a part of games as voice actors when many of them have no business doing so. The industry is getting saturated by a lot of folks who have often had little to no training as actors, let alone voice actors. So, to find a way to set yourself apart from those short-lived, flash in the pan “actors” and make yourself known to the industry as someone with the skillset, training, talent, experience and professionalism of a serious voice actor…well, that takes time, effort, and investment in yourself. Training. Doing. Practicing. Running your own business. Taking the WORK seriously, not just the attention from likes and retweets online. As far as how you’re going to be the one to make that happen---there’s nothing I can tell you that will work for you. What I did worked for me, and everyone in the business has a different story on how they got started. It’s up to you to figure that out. You’ll never have my career…and I’ll never have yours. I do wish you the best on your own journey, if voice acting’s where you want to be. Col: Other than Ezio, who else would you have liked to have voiced in the games? Roger: Uncle Mario. Just for the line that Fred Tattasciore got to say, ‘It’s ah me…Mario!’ Col: Why do you think Ezio remains such a popular character after all these years? Roger: That’s all the writing and the world Ubisoft created to place him within. The story they gave that character is so deep, complicated and moving. He’s also one of the only characters to have been given so much time to have the story fleshed out. We see him from birth, and, in ‘Embers’, we see him through the end of his journey. We were given the unique chance as players to live an entire life through one character’s eyes and that can leave an impact on gamers. I think that’s why he still resonates. To say nothing of what the entire team at Ubisoft did in making ACII such an awesome experience for players. It’s as much how that game in its entirety was so incredible, as it was the character of Ezio. Col: If you could meet Ezio in real life, what would you ask him? Roger: Seriously bro, you can tell me…the hay bales hurt when you hit ‘em, right?” Col: Have you ever cosplayed as Ezio? If not, would you consider doing it at a future event? Roger: I’ve never FULLY cosplayed as Ezio. There are some photos on my website of me wearing a mix of costumes from many of my more notable roles, but I’ve never cosplayed as any of my characters, really. I’d consider doing it, but it’d have to be one helluvah remake of that outfit for me to want to do it. I wouldn’t want to ruin the image of Ezio with my goofy human vessel if the costume wasn’t at least spot-on. Col: Would you ever return to voice Ezio in another project if Ubisoft asked? Do you miss the role? Roger: Of course. Col: Which method do you prefer: Stealth of direct assault? Roger: Stealth. Gotta earn the reward. Col: Did you watch the Assassin's Creed Movie. If so, what were your initial thoughts? Roger: I’ve never seen it. After all…I LIVED IT. Ha! Col: Do you own Assassin's Creed Merchandise? If so, what is your favourite item? Roger: I own too much AC stuff. The LED glowing Apple of Eden is kinda cool. Col: Have you been following the more recent games, and where would you like to see the series to explore next? Roger: Man oh man. Where to go from here?! That’s the beauty of what this franchise has laid out---it can go almost ANYWHERE. I’ve truly got zero clue as to where they might go next…but I’m always watching. We would like to say a huge thank you to Roger for joining us for this interview. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram 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: 3rd - 9th September 2022: Women of Assassin's Creed Community Share 10 Sept 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week our showcase is focused on Women of Assassin’s Creed a collaboration with @ CreedScholars and @ WIGVP 1) Eivor Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Theme: #WIGVPEivor Console: PS5 This week’s first capture comes from @ Amaya_Nocturna a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community . First up this week we have Eivor amongst the flowers. This beautiful capture struck me upon seeing it in the community. The Wrath of the Druids hair style is my favourite in the game and I am impressed with how it fits both male and female Eivor. I love the face and back tattoos, combined with the outfit you get a real grounded feel. The stunning scenery with the blurred effect and the awesome stance of Eivor all come together to produce a perfect photo. Link to set 2) Kassandra Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Theme: #WIGVPKassandra Photo number two comes from @ Snowy_exe over on Twitter. Photo number two is definitely up there with one of my favourite Kassandra shots. This striking capture is just so eye catching you cannot help but marvel at the details. The black background with a hint of red is just sublime and it complements Kassandra’s outfit and face paint perfectly. The lighting is the real winner as you get to see Kassandra’s hair in all its glory. Although not necessarily an Assassin look, I think this maybe my preferred appearance for Kassandra. 3) Aya Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Theme: #WIGVPAya This week’s third shot comes from @ flyingfeather_g over on Twitter. It is so great to feature the mother of the creed this week, given the announcement from PureArts regarding a new statue of her dressed as Amunet. Although not as Amunet in this photo she still looks incredible. I feel like this shot sums up Origins so well, despite the absence of Bayek. The capture is all about positioning and how it brings everything into focus. The captivating pyramid in the background is just delightful, and Senu covering half of Aya’s face is genius. If Aya had been the mainprotagonist then this would have made a great box art. 4) NPC - Kyra Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Theme: #WIGVPNPC VP number four comes from @ missroseplays a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. Photo number four is an outstanding shot of Kyra looking concerned. Romance options were slightly underwhelming in Odyssey as you always built up bonds, only for the character to simply disappear from Kassandra/ Alexios’s life. I actually thought Kyra’s arc was pretty good and it’s nice to see her feature here. I really like the black background in this shot, as mixed with her emotions it fits the tone. Fantastic work from Rose to create this, as taking shots of NPC isn’t always the easiest. 5) Female - Randvi Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Theme: #WIGVPFemale The final capture of the week comes from @ PodToGo a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. The final shot of the week features Randvi an unsung hero of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. She is Eivor’s chief advisor back at Ravensthorpe and a constant throughout the game. I don’t believe I have featured Randvi before so it’s great to have this enchanting shot of her. Once again the brilliant use of black backgrounds brings out the immense details of this character. Her hair is very reminiscent of Kassandra’s in the shot above. I love how the colours are so vibrant on her outfit. A real powerful photo of the women behind the pledges. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

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