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This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 11th to 17th September Community Share 19 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: ACGrey Queen Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ playpausephoto “Eudoros was a member of the Order of the Ancients, they are responsible for my exile. They tore me from my throne.” Cleopatra was the last pharaoh of Egypt. Her authoritative presence in Assassin’s Creed Origins serves the story well. When you first meet her you would not expect the downfall that is to come. I did enjoy learning more about her in the Origins graphic novel, and how pivotal Aya is to the events. This majestic capture epitomises her so well, with the bright white blending beautifully with her dress. I love the composition too, it is giving off real hero vibes. A black and white shot really does tell the story of a character who isn’t all bad and just falls in with the wrong crowd. Raven Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ G_Assassin90 “The eyes of Odin are everywhere” The bird companion is now a staple of the series and the obvious choice for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was a Raven. Odin has such a huge roll in Valhalla and his Ravens are famous in Norse mythology. Synin replaces Muninn and has links to Baldr and we all know his role in this saga. The Feigr skin used in this capture works perfectly with the theme. I love how the black feathers are amplified by the colour scheme and the bones attached to her really pop. The hovering pose is classic and really gives off a foreboding feel. Link to Set: Streets Game: Assassin’s Creed Unity VP Artist: @ astroghost001 “Only we can decide whether the road we walk carries too high a toll.” Assassin’s Creed Unity will always be one of my favourite games. Having Paris as a huge sandbox filled with life just felt so incredible. The murder mystery style suited the time period and having Arno searching Paris for clues to his father’s death never disappointed. This capture showcases the level of detail applied to the game. There are so many things like this dotted around Paris and they all add to the experience. The depth of field here is working a treat to focus you in on the sunshades, which in turn look marvellous in the black and white theme. A real vintage style capture that fits the time period perfectly. Link to Set: Odin Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Cll3ar “What do you think you know of godhood? In your lifetime has anyone ever worshipped you?” Odin, the All-Father or Havi in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a critical character throughout the story. Eivor is a reincarnation of Odin but not as we know it, with the story leaning more into the Isu side of things. This capture really does give off Havi vibes with the dark hood and cloak, mixed with that impressive looking beard. I love how we cannot see the eyes but we know they are watching us. There is such an eerie feel to this shot intensified by the colour scheme and those trees which are framing this capture exceptionally. Link to Set: Leader Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ KeenEyeVP “Leave me now and you are nothing” The longship in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a critical means of travel throughout Eivor’s journey in England. Eivor and her crew can raid locations throughout the game to gain wealth and glory. The best part of the ship is the stylised figureheads. This capture does a fantastic job at showcasing this. That Eagle figurehead looks so badass, but also represents the Creed, making it an excellent choice for the longship. Eivor’s position here though is the winner, the torch adding just enough light to show little details on both the ship and Eivor. A truly remarkable capture that exudes class. Link to Set: The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge : @ TuridTorkill ''I can't help but call this a money shot. The composition, pose, depth of field, lighting and contrast are just perfect. One can see the experience and effort behind the picture, and instant favourite this week.'' 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

Summon the Brotherhood: A Review of the Summoners War X Assassin’s Creed Crossover Event Review Share 10 Apr 2023 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Colum Blackett Back To Database Banner by Thea Marie Rivedal ( Moonchildgecko ) from TOWCB Art Team . Starting in the month of March through May 1, 2023, Summoners War is collaborating with the Assassin’s Creed franchise for a variety of events including a themed dungeon, exclusive Arena opponent, and five characters from the games. Ubisoft is well known for their openness to cameos or crossovers with properties within their own IP umbrella and other companies. It is a simple way to promote both games and introduce fans to each other and the respective works. This is most commonly seen with mobile games as the games as a service model results in various events that are great for promotion and drawing in new players that hopefully will continue to play once said event has ended. What is Summoners War Summoners War is a gacha-based team building RPG game where players “summon” characters using scrolls of various types to collect characters of various designs and strength levels (or ranks). These characters are upgraded by playing through turn-based levels where your team of 2-5 characters (based on level difficulty) will fight waves of enemies, progressing through a story based around the releasing of a “dark magic” in a fantasy world (something that I did not pay much attention to). The game walks you through all aspects of the game through tutorials and quest lines, showing you how to level characters via EXP and absorbing weaker characters, merging creatures to get new ones, and building a personal island with multiple buildings that provide things like shops, storage, and speciality focus for things like summoning and mining resources. Event Story The story for this event has fan favorite and original Assassin, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad appearing on the player’s island with the Assassin’s Headquarters. He informs the host character, Ellia, that he is searching for the Templars and asks for both her and the player’s help. This Headquarters building acts as a daily Assassin Quest hub that will reward the player “Codex Pages” and game materials such as currency and summoning scrolls in return for completing quests such as fighting the mysterious Master X in the PVP Arena or completing a set number of campaign or dungeon missions. The Codex pages are used to claim rewards from the various event campaigns that will be discussed below. Characters The characters included in the crossover between Summoners War and Assassin’s Creed are Kassandra from AC Odyssey, Bayek of Siwa from AC Origins, Eivor Varinsdottr from AC Valhalla, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad from the original Assassin’s Creed, and Ezio Auditore da Firenze from AC Revelations. Each character (with the exception of Altaïr) can be summoned in any of the five character types, Water, Fire Wind, Light, and Dark. Altaïr is a Light exclusive character that is rewarded in an event that is detailed further in this article. During the time I played the game and events, nearly 60 hours, I was able to get each of the featured Assassins with a mixed coverage of types (all but Darkness). My first character was Kassandra, followed by Bayek and Eivor, then Altaïr from one of the event campaigns, and lastly Ezio after multiple batch summons from the RNG based gacha system. I played with each character, focusing on leveling and evolving them quickly to reach the higher start ranks which improves their stats and chances at success in the various game modes. I reached the highest ranking of 6-Stars with Bayek and Kassandra before ending my initial playthrough of the game. I was able to play the full campaign (non-event themed) on nearly all difficulty levels, using these characters to progress through the story quickly. Event Dungeon An exclusive event dungeon is included with the update that started the collaboration with Assassin’s Creed and has players work through a pathway dungeon that varies in difficulty depending on direction selected. The enemies are at post game levels (from my experience) and unfortunately for me were too difficult to fight even with the high levels of my characters (from both Assassin and Summoners War). Due to this, I was unable to explore the dungeon in full but was able to at least see what the boss was for the event. The Legion Commander of Conviction is the event boss and is a really cool design. This Templar commander looks like a formidable foe to defeat with your team of Assassins or other characters. Per the notes in the image, he uses magic power from the Piece of Eden that is influencing the dungeon. I had hoped to defeat him at least once during my play, but the dungeon feels more designed for those that are already playing the game. Altaïr Giveaway Event The first Event is designed around collecting Altaïr, and is broken down across 7 rounds where players must defeat a set number of Monsters & fight a set number of matches in the Arena to be rewarded energy and currency for the game. Once they have completed the two tiers for each round, they are provided a Hidden Mission that will reward more currency & summoning scrolls. At ranks 3 & 5 players are rewarded Ezio themed Emojis for the game chat and the Assassin Altaïr at the end of round 4. The final round 7 rewards an Assassin’s Creed Summoning Scroll which gives a guaranteed Assassin summon, whereas the normal scrolls can reward an Assassin, but it is random among the other characters. What is nice about this event is that you do not have to complete the Hidden Missions to progress, you only have to defeat Monsters and fight in the Arena, but you do have to complete them for the themed rewards. Altaïr is rewarded after finishing a set amount of Assassin Missions from the Headquarters. Collab Gift Bag & Monster Skill Level-Up Event The second event is based around collecting the Codex Pages from playing during the event. Players can claim energy and currency each day after gathering Codexes in increments of 10 (up until 40) and then Summoning Scrolls every 20 pages from 20 - 180. At 100 scrolls collected and 200 scrolls collected the player is rewarded with exclusive themed items. First is a Collab Outfit for Ellia that dresses her as an Abstergo Scientist, Ellia opens her book to release an orb of light and adjusts her glasses before closing it again. Second is a Collab Building, the Assassin Post, which has five spaces for players to display your Assassins (or whatever character you choose). Players can place this anywhere on their Island and activate it to see a cool hologram display of the Animus field and the Assassin’s Emblem. Pages are not consumed for these items but, the Codex pages can be used to pay for caches of items from upgrade monsters, scrolls, runes (used to boost characters), currency, and energy. This is a great way to progress quickly as a new player as players only have to play the game and save the Codex Pages for the caches. It is also the event that players can claim Codex Pages to rank up the skills of the Assassins which is normally obtained by using duplicate characters of the same name to level up that Assassin (ie. using Kassandra to level up Kassandra). Collaboration Treasure Chest Event This event is broken into two mission sets assigned by Ezio and Summoners War character, Archangel. Ezio requires you to clear Brotherhood missions from the Headquarters and enter the Arena, World Arena, or Guild content gamemodes. Archangel asks for players to Enter dungeons of various types and play Scenario missions (story missions). Once players complete 2 Ezio missions and 3 Archangel missions, they are given a Key to open one of 28 chests that reward similar rewards to the caches from the previous event. Once all chests are claimed, the keys can be exchanged for energy and currency. Trial of Ascension Event One of the various game modes is the ladder based Trial of Ascension where players climb a battle tower and are rewarded every 10 levels. In this event, each level cleared gives the player 1 point that can be used to claim Summoning Scrolls every 20 points up to 150 (the last two rewards at 120 and 150). There is also a reward for clearing the first 10 floors on Normal and Hard difficulty. If the player clears Floor 50, they can claim an Assassin’s Creed Scroll for an Assassin summon. Assassin’s Creed Scroll Giveaway Event Bayek hosts this event and rewards points for completing an array of missions that each reward different amounts of points and allow the player to claim rewards every 1,000 points. The best reward is an Assassin’s Creed Scroll at 6,000 points. There isn’t much to this event, just a lot of play required. When the event had started, I claimed around 2750 points as I researched the game for this event. Collaboration Special Reward Giveaway Event What appears to be the final event has players defeat the Boss in the Event Dungeon and clear Assassin Brotherhood Missions. Players will be rewarded an Assassin’s Creed Statue, Kassandra Emojis, an Assassin Brotherhood Rainbowmon Transmog (which is used for upgrading a character), and lastly the Assassin’s Fortress building for their island. There is still time to claim these for the event, but if players have the same difficulty curve that I experienced, that may not be possible to get the all. When I first started the event, I rushed through most of the game just attempting to get the Assassin characters. Over the 60 hours I played for this article, I started to follow along with the Summoner’s Way questlines to figure out what to do and enjoyed playing the game more once I did that. I made a few mistakes and used characters for leveling my Assassins that hindered me from completing quests until I summoned that character again, but with all of the prizes I received from the events, they were easy to replace. The game is worth looking at just for the crossover, and can be played afterwards if you end up liking the game, but jump in sooner than later as the individual events end within the next few weeks and if you want these characters, they won't stick around forever, so jump in and help the Brotherhood! 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

James is a video creator based in the UK who joined TOWCB's Video Content Creation Team in June 2025. James was brought onboard to help TOWCB with news coverage on TikTok, and creating a consistent Twitch streaming schedule. He is a big fan of the Assassin's Creed series who will be helping TOWCB grow in late 2025, with a particular focus on TikTok, Youtube and Instagram. By joining the partnership program, we aim to provide James with opportunities to grow and further his relationship with the AC Community and Ubisoft. Previous Next James Davis (TopChef1288) Video Content James is a video creator based in the UK who joined TOWCB's Video Content Creation Team in June 2025. James was brought onboard to help TOWCB with news coverage on TikTok, and creating a consistent Twitch streaming schedule. He is a big fan of the Assassin's Creed series who will be helping TOWCB grow in late 2025, with a particular focus on TikTok, Youtube and Instagram. By joining the partnership program, we aim to provide James with opportunities to grow and further his relationship with the AC Community and Ubisoft. TikTok │ Twitch │ Twitter Work

2024 The Ones Who Came Before Logo Designs Revealed News Share 20 May 2024 Written By: Edited By: Thea (Moonchildgecko) Colum Blackett Back To Database We are excited to reveal a new logo design for The Ones Who Came Before, created by Thea Marie Rivedal (@ MoonChildGecko) from @ Isu_Network , and is based on the winning logo design chosen by our community! A new look for a new era. Inspired by the Assassin's Creed Red reveal trailer, the new design prepare our audience for the future of the franchise, transporting players to Japan. We couldn't pick a favourite, so we let our Twitter community decide! Design 4 won and acts as inspiration for the more refined design. Look out for our interview with Thea Marie Rivedal (@ MoonChildGecko) over the coming weeks as we dive into the design process, and examine the inspirations behind the designs! Stay tuned here at The Ones Who Came Before for all things Assassin's Creed Red. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Thea is a full time student studying archaeology at the University of Bergen in Norway. She is a huge fan of the franchise and enjoys writing both fictional and academic texts. In her spare time, Thea is a passionate artist, creating detailed pencil sketches and watercolour/acrylic paintings. She has even created tattoos and replica historical props/ clothing before! In Summer 2022, Thea joined TOWCB's art team, where she will have the chance to work on a variety of projects and expand her art portfolio. Thea (Moonchildgecko)

Preston is a long-time Assassin's Creed fan of both the games and the soundtracks. He works as a primary school educator, and is also a part-time actor. ​He takes a keen interest in mythology, symbology, codes and puzzles. Some of his passions include writing, reading, art, gaming, football, and music. Previous Next Preston Carbonaro Writer Previous Partner Preston is a long-time Assassin's Creed fan of both the games and the soundtracks. He works as a primary school educator, and is also a part-time actor. He takes a keen interest in mythology, symbology, codes and puzzles. Some of his passions include writing, reading, art, gaming, football, and music. Twitter Work

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Sword of the White Horse Temporized Breakdowns Share 7 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: ActualSpider-Man Ashlea Blackett Back To Database A Celtic warrior defending her people from Viking raiders infiltrates an ancient sect to save her homeland, in this gripping original saga set in the world of Assassin's Creed® Valhalla Mercia, 878. Witch-warrior Niamh discovers a new order called the Hidden Ones is seeking to establish a foothold in Lunden. Her land is already scarred by Viking raiders, bloody wars, and clashing cultures. Determined to protect what remains of her homeland, she infiltrates this new group to discover whether they stand with her… or against her. Yet when Niamh learns the Hidden Ones have stolen an artifact sacred to her people, her own loyalties are challenged. Casting aside newfound alliances and friendships, Niamh soon discovers that betrayal comes with a heavy price and it will take everything in her power – her gods willing – to survive. Document contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Sword of the White Horse Welcome to another Assassin's Creed deep dive, this time covering the recently released Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Sword of the White Horse novel by Elsa Sjunneson and Aconyte Books. In this extensive breakdown, ActualSpider-Man from the Isu Network Writing Team explores the events which take place in the book, analysing the key moments of importance by chapter. Different factions are highlighted using a colour system, which you can find on page 2 of the document. We hope that you find this comprehensive research useful! AC Valhalla - Sword of the White Horse Temporized .pdf Download PDF • 1.78MB comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Author of the all-encompassing timeline, Codex Temporis, and the Isu-to-English dictionary, Codex Transferendum, Your Friendly Neighborhood Mentor is here to help unweave the confusing web of AC! ActualSpider-Man

Assassin's Creed III: Revolution Reborn Analysis Share 14 May 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database When Assassin’s Creed III launched worldwide in October of 2012, it marked a new era of the Assassin’s Creed series we know and love today. It became the first game in the series since 2009’s Assassin’s Creed II to not feature main protagonist Ezio Auditore, who was and always has been very well received by fans, so the attempt at creating a new story to succeed the renowned “Ezio Trilogy’ would be a tricky one for Ubisoft as they had to find a story that properly followed such a strong trifecta and go back to their creative roots by crafting a whole new story, characters, and setting after the last few games focused heavily on Renaissance Italy and Italian culture. Ubisoft chose to head in the direction of the American Revolution, a heavily requested location from fans and one of the most story-rich time periods in all of history. The idea of creating a game that could be great on its own, but also succeed the familiarity of the previous three games in the series was a tough task, but Ubisoft played their cards perfectly and delivered the Assassin’s Creed III we know today all these years later. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed III via Ubisoft Ubisoft chose to follow the narrative direction of the Native Americans in this game, and create a story that comes from their heritage and history that also contains strong elements with what the majority of the American Revolution is known for: the Colonies from Great Britain retaliating against their owners and forming a new, free nation, away from British control. It worked well to mix in a storyline about the Native Americans and how they were treated by everyone in the Colonies back then. Ubisoft introduced a new playable protagonist, or so we thought, named Haytham Kenway, who was the main character throughout the beginning of the game. His story included a massive plot twist that was creatively brilliant from Ubisoft, where Haytham was only a temporary playable character who tricks all audiences by revealing his loyalties to the Templar Order, who are the main antagonist group in the series as a whole, when most fans expected him to be a part of the Assassins Brotherhood. Only several hours into the game do we discover and control the real main protagonist, a Native American boy named “Ratohnhake:ton” or for short as clarified later in the story, he would be widely known as ‘Connor’ instead. His story followed a lengthy revenge plan to kill and avenge his mother and people from his village from a Templar named Charles Lee, who was working with Haytham, the temporary main playable character who was later revealed to be the biological father of Connor. Sales for Assassin’s Creed III broke records for Ubisoft, as it then became their most pre-ordered game in the series by far, and heavily outperformed the past two games just a few years prior. It was evident the fan excitement that Ubisoft created after the successful “Ezio Trilogy” had carried on to the anticipation for Assassin’s Creed III . Ubisoft had announced in early 2013 that the game had sold 12 million copies worldwide, which was a near 70% increase over its predecessor, Assassin’s Creed Revelations that was released just one year before. It was a huge smash hit for Ubisoft and their vision for the game paid off from both sales and fan reception. The developers also had the task of creating a story about Native Americans that honored their history, and was displayed authentically in the game to give an accurate representation of the Native American culture and how it was properly relevant to the story Ubisoft created. This goal was by far completed, and the story they created honored the ups and downs of Native Americans during the late 1700’s. Opening Title Sequence from Assassin's Creed III The new setting of the American Revolution also created the necessity of gameplay changes aside from just the narrative impacts. America and the Colonies back then were much different land and terrain than what we had gotten used to in Italy. The buildings were not masterfully designed in America then as they were in the Italian Renaissance, along with the more focus on outdoors and woods type land with trees and wilderness that past games were not familiar with. Ubisoft had to create a game that played authentically from what we would expect the American Revolution to look like. So the gameplay mechanics were in need of changes to fit the time period. Ubisoft did just that and introduced all new gameplay elements such as climbing in trees and parkour around Colony sized buildings and structures. Ubisoft needed to implement changes to the combat system along with the terrain. During this time, people did not walk around carrying swords strapped to their waist anymore, but instead carried around rifles, known as muskets along with the use of flintlock pistols. The inclusion of the famous Hidden Blade was once again an option, but Ubisoft introduced new weapons unseen from previous games, such as the tomahawk axe that the permanent playable character, Connor, carried with him. The new axe was a weapon never before seen in previous Assassin’s Creed games. This was great innovation and creativity from the developers at Ubisoft. It's clear one thing any Assassin’s Creed fan can agree on is that Assassin’s Creed III was a worthy successor from the famed “Ezio Trilogy”. The level of work and changes that were needed to faithfully execute the game as a whole was serious work and creative talent to make sure this game continued this great series properly. Fan feedback and sales were proof that Ubisoft masterfully crafted Assassin’s Creed III both to break records and keep the momentum going for the games that had been on a massive streak of success. There were a lot of factors into this game that could’ve set it up for potential failures, but Ubisoft did a brilliant job focusing on the needed differences necessary to make this game work as well as it did. While the release of this game may be nearing 13 years old, it is still seen by fans as a favorite and near-perfect addition to the Assassin’s Creed series. Much time has indeed passed, but the legacy Assassin’s Creed III created will last forever. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed III comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. In 2025, Hayden took on the position of Team Leader for TOWCB's Writing Team, overseeing article releases, assisting with recruitment and providing assistance with internal operations. Hayden Bird

Assassin's Creed Shadows Stealth Article Breakdown Breakdown Share 21 Nov 2024 Written By: Edited By: UbiCypher (Joe) Colum Blackett Back To Database The first Assassin's Creed Shadows article has been released giving us insights on the game's stealth system and how it will apply to the world's environment, enemies and traversal, let's recap the article's highlights! It is abundantly clear that Assassin's Creed Shadows is focusing on stealth making it the prime element to play with in the world Ubisoft will make us explore on February 14th 2025, to the point of borrowing certain elements inspired by other IP's in their roster of games. 👁️ Observe 👁️ This new feature will allow Naoe and Yasuke to display additional information about their targets and environment on-screen as well as loot & collectible locations and quest objectives. It will be possible to pair it with a Synchronization Point to further analyse the area. 🦅Eagle Vision🦅 We know how it works, however, only Naoe will be able to access it hence why the Observe mechanic was developed in order to not undermine Yasuke's involvement in infiltration and exploration since these two mechanics work independently revealing different information for us. The Shinobi Art In the likes of Splinter Cell and Ghost Recon, for the first time in the Assassin's Creed Franchise we will see the addition of a feature that will allow us to hide in the shadows as well as create hiding spots by taking out light sources in order to covertly move around. ⛩️Crouching⛩️ They have cranked up the stealth penalties by having the guards extremely sensitive to your movement in order to force you to be thoughtful of your actions pushing you to the limit making the most of the overhauled stealth system allowing you to go prone outdoors and indoors. ⚔️Their Arsenal⚔️ Smoke bombs are making their return -although properly this time- as consumables rather than passive or active perks. We will be able to use throwable Shinobi Bells to distract enemies, Kunais to one-shot enemies with precision and Shurikens to create environmental distractions. ⛩️Hiding Spots⛩️ Given her size, Naoe can squeeze through tiny wall cracks, and she can hide inside small storage spaces and boxes to avoid detection as well as perform assassinations. Now, if you want to take down an enemy from a bush you'll have to manually grab them and drag them in with you. ⚠️Detection System⚠️ When spotted and breaking the enemies line of sight, they will remain in a constant state of alert and "suspicion" that will make them hard to lure into traps and hiding spots, actually, attempting to do so will result in a logical and straightforward reaction from them: spot you. ⛩️Enemy Archetype Reactions⛩️ Samurais won't be able to be One-shotted and will evade the area of effect produced by a smoke bomb, they can also deny your assassination attempt, this will be distinguishable when you'll see a red prompt over their heads meaning they can't be killed via the Hidden Blade. Ashigaru soldiers (weak enemies) are however, easily dispatched, the same goes for the Servants (Alarm Ringers). (It is important to note that Smoke Bombs can be used to disperse Samurai groups ought to engage in combat with you, allowing for a swift escape for Naoe). All in all, the Assassination system will be classified as follows: 🔴 Red for Assassination Denial. (Samurais & Elites). 🟡 Yellow for Assassinations that deal some damage. ⚪️White for Insta-kill Assassinations. ⛩️Stealth for Yasuke⛩️ While the whole article seemed to have centered around Naoe and her Shinobi mastery of assassination and traversal, Yasuke will also have some balanced attributes to level the playing field between the two, of course, keeping in mind that he will be mainly combat-oriented. When he uses his bow for example, Yasuke can deliver stealthy blows without ever needing to draw his katana if precise. He can even sneak behind enemies and assassinate them silently with an aggressive yet swift kill with his devastating arsenal blending close combat with stealth. This is it for now! Ubisoft will be releasing more information soon. Next up, they will drop yet another detailed article about Yasuke's role and gameplay. Stay tuned Assassins!🦅 Did you enjoy our breakdown? Check out the original thread on the Isu_Network X account! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author UbiCypher (Joe) is an Assassin's Creed Transmedia expert who worked as the Lead Admin for the Isu_Network social media team, providing consistent social media content in the form of Assassin's Creed lore trivia, puzzles and news coverage, spending countless hours researching the series and real history. In 2025, he stepped back from his social media duties to pursue other opportunities. UbiCypher (Joe)

James (FlickzKiller) is a social media manager looking to make an impact within the Assassin's Creed Community. By joining our Social Media Content Team, James will have the opportunity to work within a team of dedicated AC fans, and experiment with social media techniques that increase engagement and interactions. ​Look out for James as he takes over the Isu_network Twitter account. Previous Next James (FlickzKiller) Social Media Previous Partner James (FlickzKiller) is a social media manager looking to make an impact within the Assassin's Creed Community. By joining our Social Media Content Team, James will have the opportunity to work within a team of dedicated AC fans, and experiment with social media techniques that increase engagement and interactions. Look out for James as he takes over the Isu_network Twitter account. Twitter Work

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

The Time-Defying Assassin's Creed II Analysis Share 3 Nov 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database Assassin’s Creed II was released by Ubisoft in November of 2009 and became an instant classic that redefined the standards of video game sequels. The original Assassin’s Creed game was already a fan-favorite and a huge success when it launched in 2007, but many can point to its sequel as being the major turning point of the early days of the franchise. When a usual sequel to a game comes out, fans expect much of the same with minor improvements and story changes, but Assassin’s Creed II showed the industry that a sequel can take the series a step further on its own in such a short period of time. The game released two years after the original, and the bar that the sequel set is still a tactic that is often used as inspiration for video games hoping to cash in on a solid continuation. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed II via Ubisoft The reason why Assassin’s Creed II changed the industry forever, and the way we still look at sequels, is that Ubisoft did not try and simply build off the first game and create something expectedly familiar, but they evaluated the game as so much more. The amount of improvements we saw in Assassin’s Creed II is unheard of in a typical sequel you’d see today. It took everything fans loved about the first game and multiplied it to the point where it felt like a whole new experience. The truth is that a direct sequel, especially one released in the late 2000’s, is usually not so well rounded and simply a whole new league of improvements. It’s unheard of for a sequel to do what Assassin’s Creed II followed after the first game. A typical sequel is generally not supposed to be so vastly improved so quickly, it used to and still usually does take several years and several sequels to reach a level where people consider it a massive upgrade to its predecessor. Assassin’s Creed II was basically a game that defied the normal reality and showed the gaming industry that a direct sequel could indeed be an instant significant upgrade over the original. Before the game came out in late 2009, there had never been a true example of a sequel being such a fast improvement in such a short period of time. The industry norm was to take a few years and a few games to reach its potential. Assassin’s Creed II ended that narrative and became very likely the first direct sequel to show that a game could have such a vast improvement in just one single game later, something the gaming world had deemed impossible for decades. Assassin’s Creed II is still widely regarded by many as the best game in the entire series, and that is seriously impressive for a game from so many years ago and from a franchise that is so popular and still an industry giant to this day. Most games from the mid to late 2000’s are regarded as retro classics, but usually considered very dated. As of late in the gaming world, remakes and remasters have taken control and become a new staple of the modern industry. The fact that Assassin’s Creed II is still without a full on remake with modern graphics and the use of technology we did not have all those years ago, shows the world what an incredible game it was that was far ahead of its time. Many fans and gamers alike often admit that the game holds up so well even today. Video games from even less than a decade ago are currently receiving full on remakes, and those were games developed years past the limited technology we had years ago. Assassin’s Creed II set a standard and proved to many that a sequel could become an instant classic so quickly, and the belief that it took several years at the minimum to reach a similar standard was debunked. The game focused on what the first game did correctly, but took those exact fan-favorite aspects and completely overhauled the criticism some had for various parts of the first game. The repetitive missions and limited open world were often features of the first game that many disliked, but Assassin’s Creed II changed that all. The story was memorable and the characters were even more loved. The game started a trilogy of games featuring the beloved protagonist, Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Not a single main protagonist in the franchise before or after the self-titled “Ezio Trilogy” has gotten even a second game, let alone a total of three. Fans adored the cast and the story directions Ubisoft followed. The open world was improved by allowing the ability to visit different parts of the time period set in the Italian Renaissance, allowing gamers to explore multiple regions such as Florence, Venice, and a brief trip to Rome at the end of the game. Many also loved the combat the game featured that allowed the ability to equip and use a wide variety of different weapons and tools for the first time that could be used to take on enemies. The first game was much more compact and the sequel managed to keep the aspects fans love and simply make it so much better. Often today, games that have a sequel get fan criticism for removing certain features gamers loved in a first game and changing it entirely for the sequel, Ubisoft instead listened to their fans and knew the ones that loved the first game back in 2007 would love to see a lot of returning elements, but a fresh take on the game especially since it was set in such a famous era in history. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed II via Ubisoft Although there are certainly a few things Assassin’s Creed II could have improved upon that are seen as out of date in today's standards, it was far ahead of its time in what we knew to expect all the way back in 2009. Many gaming developers even to this date often look back on the work Ubisoft did with Assassin’s Creed II and use it as an example of how to craft a sequel that can be an instant improvement that doesn't take the old belief that many years and many games were necessary for vast improvement. As important and legendary as the original 2007 Assassin’s Creed game was, many fans of the series point to the sequel as the true turning point of the franchise, and a huge reason the franchise is still around today and stronger than ever. Assassin’s Creed II launched on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles, but it received a remaster collection for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles back in 2016. The remasters did not receive any significant graphical or gameplay improvements, which is proof that Ubisoft is rightfully very proud of their work and does not feel it is a dire necessity to come out with a full on remake that rebuilds the entire game from the ground up. The original game still plays very well on the old consoles, and still remains to many as the best part of the entire franchise. The game had two sequels that were 2010’s Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and 2011’s Assassin’s Creed Revelations . None of that would have happened without the impact Assassin’s Creed II created. Since the inception of video games, almost all developers had a belief that reaching vast improvement took a lot of time, but the creators at Ubisoft rewrote history and changed the game forever. It differentiated the way many developers and fans see in sequels and remains a staple of the industry and a game that can for the rest of time be looked at as an example or inspiration for how to follow the blueprint Ubisoft created and how to replicate the era-defying results it created. The work Ubisoft started changed things forever, and proved the idea that sequels needed years of work to be an improvement was indeed false. Promotional image for Assassin's Creed II via Ubisoft comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. In 2025, Hayden took on the position of Team Leader for TOWCB's Writing Team, overseeing article releases, assisting with recruitment and providing assistance with internal operations. Hayden Bird

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography 12 Month Special: 30th - 5th February 2023 Community Share 7 Feb 2023 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. This week we have our 12 month special, you will find 1 shot from the last 6 months ranked by myself. There were so many wonderful captures over the months it really was a difficult task picking out 6. 1. Nordic Adventure Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Month: September 2022 The winning shot comes from @ _ Virtualtourism This shot resonates with me as I feel it is the essence of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. When looking at this capture all I can think of/hear is Out of the North by Jesper Kyd. That stunning sky takes me back to my first time on the game, memories that I will never forget. I have said it many times before Valhalla has such beautiful scenery. The composition is o n point, I am lo ving Eivor stood atop of the mountain with the hood up and torch in hand. 2. A Hero’s Tale Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Month: August 2022 2nd Place goes to @ Jakeste66386991 This is probably one of the best send-off shots you could hope to take. It is my pick for August 2022 because I feel it signifies how I felt at the end of Assassin's Creed Origins. This capture is so gorgeous, the silhouette of Bayek walking off into the sunset is a real delight. I remember at the time being a fan of the b order too, as it makes the shot stand out. That sun though is something else. 3. Valhalla Awaits Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Month: December 2022 3rd Place goes to @ Petanni If Ubisoft ever wanted a photo to signal the end of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, it's this one. The colours of this shot are tremendous. I really can't get enough of those autumnal trees. There is something poetic about Eivor walking off into the countryside dressed as an Assassin. No one really knows what's in store for Eivor, but sometimes its best left to the imagination. 4. Outsider Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Month: October 2022 4th place goes to @ punkncreed I love this shot because it resembles both Assassin and Viking. I adore the use of depth of field in this image drawing your focus to Eivor, with the background slightly blurred. The mist and the flickers of light are such small details but add a great deal to the ambiance of this capture. Eivor feels like an outsider here, someone trying to go about their work incognito. 5. Pirate Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Month: November 2022 5th place goes to @ PodToGo Next up we have one of many awesome Kenway outfit shots from PodToGo. I was surprised how well this legacy outfit fits the time period of Valhalla. You have to admire captures like this, they give us insight to what the older games would look like today. Although the outfit look s cool, it's the surrounding area that really catches my eye. 6. Beautiful Countryside Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Month: January 2023 6th place goes to @NoviKaiba23 It feels weird writing about this shot so soon after selecting it for the weekly showcase. This picturesque capture is a complete delight on the eyes. There is a real magical vibe to this shot, mostly brought on by the deep red flowers and the lighting. I think Michael Doyle summed it up perfectly in our previous article, everything together within this shot, mirrors the principles of the brotherhood. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography 6 month special. A special thank you to everyone who has taken part over the last 6 months, I would not be able to do this without you. 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

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 11th - 17th June 2022: Origins Scenery Edition Community Share 24 Jun 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the new weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week, we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 1) Scenic Shot Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins This week’s first capture comes from @ RobbyRose69 over on Twitter. First up this week is a stunning landscape shot. The scope of this capture is truly breath-taking, it feels as if you can see for miles. I like that this photo captures a lot of the varied environments of Assassin’s Creed Origins. The crops growing, the ships sailing and the random island in the middle of the water. Then you have the glamour of the pyramids and the desert in the distances. It really is an amazing photo. 2) The Colourful Desert Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins Photo number two comes from @ UVioletra over on Twitter. Following on from the first capture we have some more spectacular environments. I think what is so striking about these are the colours. The final shot in particular has such a great mix of dark and light, especially from that amazing sun bursting over the water. I think the mix of sand and vegetation is what makes Assassin’s Creed Origins so beautiful. 3) The Fire Burns Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins This week’s third shot comes from @ NovA1990 over on Twitter. Photo number three is so striking, I love the simplicity. These are the sort of shots I never really think of doing. The character of the capture is what draws me to it. I really like the tree line in the background with the dark sky. Obviously the fire is the hero of the shot. I can just imagine Bayek resting here on his travels across the desert in search of the Order. 4) Leaping Assassin Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP number four comes from @ TektoNickgames over on Twitter. This shot actually gave me Ghost of Tsushima vibes. What a fantastic action shot of Aya leaping from ship to ship. I am very impressed by the silhouette against the backdrop of fire rising from the ships below. The temperature and saturation here plays such a pivotal role. It makes me long for an Aya expansion to Assassin’s Creed Origins. 5) Coast of the Sinai Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins The final capture of the week comes from @ flyingfeather_g over on Twitter. Another magnificent bird’s eye portrait shot to end this week’s selection. I just love how realistic the water looks in this. It is amazing how you can see into the water and rocks below. I also adore the shadow of the sail in the sand. The birds and the ram on the beach have not gone unnoticed either. This shot reminds me of searching for papyrus rewards, although I usually end up beaching the boat on the sand. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Community Spotlight: Some the Best Collectables from Assassin's Creed Merchandise Share 22 Feb 2023 Written By: Edited By: Michael Smith Ashlea Blackett Back To Database (Banner by Thea Marie Rivedal Moonchildgecko . Article contains Amazon affiliate links which support TOWCB) Collecting has been my favorite hobby since I was a child. Whether it be trading cards, video games, art work, or achievements, the satisfaction of growing a collection from a few items to a well designed shelf or even better, a dedicated room in a home is something that any fan of a series enjoys working towards. I myself have collected for years and in late 2020, I began shifting my collection from video games in general to specifically Assassin’s Creed items due to my enjoyment of the series and the vast amount of collectables available I could start to accumulate. Within the year I had two full shelves of various media, statues, and whatever I could get my hands on across second hand sites and stores within my area. Due to starting my collection after the release of Valhalla, my options were limited to the newest games, unless I put down collector’s prices for older pieces. Yet, I was successful in building my collection to over 500 pieces since then and I continue to add new items every month. What I love the most about collecting is comparing what I have with others in the community. So with the assistance of my fellow Assassins on social media and some direct messages with a few key members of Ubisoft, I have gathered photos of their favorite and/or rarest items to share with everyone while I provide a little information on each one and tips on building your own collection. To keep it organized, I will post images based on the game that they came from, but not all games will be represented in this article. Each community member will be tagged in the caption of their item, and if you click on the image, you will be sent to that collector's social media so you can follow some amazing people that share love for the Assassin's Creed series. Assassin's Creed (2007) Assassin's Creed CE Altaïr Statue (@StephenMarsh66) Released within the Collector’s Edition of the first game, this resin statue stands at 12 inches and was exclusive to Europe. I have seen from collectors that this statue had an issue, where the resin that it is made from would become sticky overtime. Some would resolve this by never removing it from the packaging, where as Stephen cleaned his with Isopropyl alcohol and which resolved the problem. A good tip for people that have an issue with a piece in their collection is to reach out to others via a collector's group or a hashtag (#) for assistance so that we can all enjoy our pieces, free of defects. Altaïr, The Legendary Assassin (@Wolfie_Whispers) One of the more sought out statues, this design of Altaïr sitting on a bell is a detailed and unique piece from PureArts and the UBiWorkshop teams. It is also one that has been the unfortunate victim of unofficial replicas. So, when purchasing statues of any kind, be aware of the seller and the price as most official statues that are no longer in print will be sold for over $100. 1 oz Silver Colorized Altaïr Coin (@PhilippeTherr20) This officially licensed coin was a limited print of 500 pieces and is .999 fine silver. The company Apmex offers various Assassin's Creed coins as well as other collectable precious metal pieces. Coins have been an easy way to provide something to collectors that not only may hold monetary value over time, but can provide a small, but detailed design that is fun to have someone hold when showing off your collection. "The Holy City" (AssassinsCreedSeries on YouTube) Limited to 100 pieces, "The Holy City'' by Japanese artist HR-FM is an amazing piece to display on any wall. While you fill your shelves with statues and books, you should look for artworks, whether it be official or fan art, to give your space personality and show off your favorite scenes and characters. While Ubisoft has unfortunately shut down their online store which sold artwork, there are plenty of other licensed sellers that still offer options. Assassin's Creed The Ezio Collection NECA Figures (@Tales_of_Alamut) NECA was the manufacturer of various lines of Assassin's Creed figures from the first game through the release of Assassin's Creed Revelations (McFarlane Toys took over afterwards). Each figure was measured at around 7" and was articulated to be posed with included weapons or additional accessories such as Da Vinci's Flying Machine. These used to be one of the easiest collectables to find when their respective games were on the shelf as many big-box stores would carry them in the gaming or toy aisles of the store. You could even walk into your local corner drugstore and find an exclusive color or character at times. "Ezio's Fury" (@RipRoobox30) Limited to 2000 pieces, "Ezio's Fury" is one of the more expensive statues in the series (even more so now that it is out of print). This 1/6 scale model by Tsume-Art was made for Assassin's Creed Brotherhood and depicts Ezio on the attack. While I haven't heard of many issues with this particular statue, others that have a statue which is sculpted in a jumping or leaning action where they are only connected to the base by a foot, have been known to break due to weight over time. So when displaying pieces like this, keeping them out of direct sunlight or supported by additional stands may be needed. Altaïr's Codex (@JayKirkendall) From the Assassin's Creed Brotherhood Limited Codex Edition is a replica of Altaïr's codex from the games. Items like this are by far my favorite pieces in a Collector's Edition or separately as they provide a physical version of a digital time or in cases like Washington's Journal from the Assassin's Creed III Collector's Edition, a book from the perspective of another character in the game. Altaïr's Codex is one item that I hope to acquire one day as I would love to flip through the pages of the Master Assassin. Ezio Limited Developers Edition Bust (@DimPkl) Busts are another great way to display a favorite character if you have limited space to work with. There are various companies that have produced character busts for the series, but the hardest to get are the ones that were given to the developers of their respective games. Some of the busts are released with a full color pallete, while others like this one provided by DimPkl, are bronze. Getting your pieces autographed also adds an extra value to the itemsl, as many are signed in person or purchased with some form of authenticity. Altaïr Bust Mentor's Guild Edition (@ACLetsTalk) Another source of some of the rarest busts are direct from Ubisoft themselves in the form of gifts given to members of the previously titled Mentor's Guild (now titled The Mentor's Order). This group of die hard fans were picked by Ubisoft themselves due to their dedication and love of the series. From time to time, the members would be gifted with early previews, access to those involved with the games, and extremely limited collectables such as this bust of an experienced and older Master Assassin Altaïr Ibn-LaʼAhad . Only 200 pieces were created. Ezio's Hidden Blade (@djpweb) Another series of collectables are the replicas of the main Assassin weapon, the Hidden Blade. Most of the games have had a version of the blade released and a few have had different levels of quality. The one in the image above was supposed to be one of an unknown number (due to it being a while ago) of replicas for a giveaway for the launch of Assassin's Creed 2. The VP of Ubisoft, Jean-Philippe Durand shared this one with me for the article and stated that they were displayed on mannequin arms in closed plexiglass cylinders but during shipping from the factory, the mounts were broken so the blades were given to developers instead. Assassin's Creed Movie Ojeda's Armor (MRSales4640 on eBay) While not impossible, it takes a lot for a franchise to get a live action or even animated feature film in theaters. It is even more unlikely that collectors can have a chance to own a piece of the film via props, wardrobe, or set pieces. Fortunately, there are options for the Michael Fasbender lead film via eBay and other high end collectors as you will see in the following photos. Various movie props (@AymarMtl) Transmedia and Business Development Director, Aymar Aza ïzia shared this set of props that he has fromt he film. A hidden blade, two throwing knives, a smoke bomb and I believe a vial of some sort. Moussa's Smoke Bomb (@ViRaLuNdEaD) One of the weapons that Assassin Moussa (played by the late Michael K. Williams) possesses as he prepped for the riot at the Abstergo Madrid facility was a pair of smoke bombs. The intricate design and Assassin's insignia can be seen in the casing of the bomb itself. Arno's Guillotine Gun (@ClaudioACSy) Another weapon replica from the film is Arno's Guillotine Gun which was used by Callum Lynch's father, Joseph, during the raid after he smashed its case in Alan Rikkin's office. Such an awesome piece that is treasured by its current owner. Assassin's Creed China UbiHeroes Shao Jun Mentor's Guild Exclusive (@DaveWoodwardAC) One of the more recent figure series that Ubisoft released was its Heroes Line covering characters from across their games library. This exclusive color of the Shao Jun figure was given to Mentor's Guild members. The original was the black and red color that the Chinese Assassin is known for in her line of games and promotion artworks. Assassin's Creed III Haytham Kenway Sketch by Lisa Zaman (@Mrs_H_E_Kenway) Sketched by our own Art Team member, Lisa Zaman , this sketch of the Templar Grandmaster, Haytham Kenway is not only a great sketch, but a way for fans to support creators via their artworks. Within the community, many artists will produce all forms of artwork. Below you can see another piece which was a knit doll of Haytham from the same collector. Knit Haytham Kenway Doll (@Mrs_H_E_Kenway) Connor's Hidden Blade (@juanmawl) Another example of a Hidden Blade replica, this version for the protagonist of Assassin's Creed III was exclusive to Japan. I have only ever seen this twice since I started collecting, but looking for international exclusive items is always enjoyable. Seeing what makes it to production in various countries is always interesting. If you do decide to take up collecting, work on making connections across the globe for insight to other regions. "Washington Crossing the Delaware" by Stephane Turgeon (@TriFreako) Concept art is another outlet for growing your collection. There are plenty of pieces that are available as prints or are used for promotional purposes. Maxime Durand, Director of the Discovery Tour for Assassin's Creed shared this concept art signed by the artist, Stephane Turgeon. Throughout the history of the games, well-known art pieces like this one have been edited to show the Assassin's characters amongst the historical figures. It is a great example of the historical playground that is the AC series. Assassin's Creed Liberation "The Assassin of New Orleans" (@MagicTCGMama) While the current games of the series are beginning to introduce more and more female Assassin protagonists, it was rare that one would be portrayed in a statue or even used for merchandise. Aveline is one Assassin who has been given the statue treatment a few times and while there hasn't been any expansion on her story, she is still a fan favorite. This statue of her fighting a gator is one of the most action heavy designs and one to look out for. *Collector's social media has been deactivated. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Vinyl Soundtrack (@Wolfie_Whispers) One of the best components to the Assassin's Creed games is the soundtrack. Black Flag has one of the best in my opinion as I love the sea shanties. Soundtracks have been released for the games digitally and at times physically. Lately, vinyl has grown in popularity and the one for Black Flag is a fantastic one due to having two vinyls included to cover both the composed songs and shanties. Some of the more recently produced vinyls are that of Assassin's Creed Valhalla and the 15th Anniversary event. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Blood Cube (@FitzChevaleriie) Isu artifacts have also been replicated in merchandise, such as the Blood Cube from Black Flag. Originally released by UbiWorkshop, this collectible has skyrocketed in price since its original release. If there was a grail for fans of the series, this would be a contender. Additionally, the Apple of Eden and a few other items have been replicated. Assassin's Creed Unity "Arno: The Fearless Assassin" & "Elise: The Fiery Templar" Diorama Statues (@JamesTiddlyQuid) Pure Arts, who produce statues for the Assassin's Creed series, have released three sets of dioramas that depict couples from various titles. Arno and Elise are a fan favorite due to their story in Assassin's Creed Unity. The other dioramas contained Bayek & Aya from AC Origins, and Aguilar & Maria from the Assassin's Creed Film. "His & Hers" Towels by @larmoiredelise (@JamesTiddlyQuid) You can see from these custom-made towels that this couple have found themselves in the hearts of the fans. @larmoiredelise on Twitter even cosplays as Elise and makes great clothing pieces for her costumes. While these towels are not used for a cosplay, the community loves recreating outfits and comparing them in competitions and photo challenges. Élise de la Serre portrait (@larmoiredelise) At times, fans have even taken images and documents from the games and brought them to life in the real world. This portrait of Templar Élise de la Serre is a great example of this. 3D Printer Arno Dorian Figure OoK (@Kells_Creed) Ubisoft runs contests for Assassin's Creed frequently and have produced some custom items or limited releases as rewards. This figure was the prize for a contest in South Africa where players would design their own Arno Dorian figure (as Unity allows customization of his clothing) and the figure voted best would be printed for a one-of-a-kind collectible. This figure (provided to Kells_Creed by Ubisoft Netherlands) was most likely the prototype for this contest. By far, this is the rarest collectible that would have been publicly available via a contest. Assassin's Creed Unity Journal (@Col_96) Journals are a great way to show your support for the series and have something practical. While I haven't used either of the journals I have for the games, they are not expensive to purchase and are still available regardless of when the game came out. However, there are limited versions such as this journal that are (as expected) higher quality material. Assassin's Creed Unity: Prima Official Initiate Edition Guide (@larmoiredelise) Not only does Assassin's Creed release Collector's Editions of their games, but they have also done so for the Unity Strategy Guide. This Initiate Edition came with the hardback guide, map poster, and the Initiate chalice which was replicated for the game. It is another great example of the love the series has for itself and something I would love to see return for future releases. Assassin's Creed India Assassin's Creed Brahman (@Kupokuponut) Transmedia is a major portion of the current Assassin's Creed lore, consisting of novels, art books, and comics. Of the currently released printed media, Assassin's Creed Brahman has held an elevated price point due to it being published under UbiWorkshop and considered by many resellers to be a rare item. If you take your time shopping for an item, you can get this for a good price, and not spend $60 like I did on Amazon. Assassin's Creed Syndicate Assassin's Creed Syndicate Rooks Flag (@TheNerdyArcher) Pre-order items have been both amazing incentives (such as this flag) and confusing offerings, such as the Black Flag plastic football from American electronics store Best Buy. These promotional items are some of the most diverse as not only do various stores have different items at times, but different countries have offered items that some of us in the States and Europe never knew existed (such as the wooden Origin slipcovers). Autographed Syndicate Soundtrack (@Lorie_O) Another example of an autographed item, signed by Composer Austin Wintory and Voice Actor of Evie Frye Victoria Atkin. CDs are mainly obtained via Collector's Editions of the games but full albums can be purchased as well. The love for the music of Assassin's Creed is wide-spread in the community. Assassin's Creed Origins "Assassin's Creed: Animus Bayek" (@BasimIbnIshaq_) Statues come in various size scales, and of them all the 1:4 scale is the dream. PureArts (a name I have mentioned multiple times now) offers a line of statues in their "Animus" series covering nearly every protagonist from the games. As of this publication, they offer Kassandra, Bayek, Eivor (with both gender heads), Altair, Ezio, Connor, and Edward. The detail of these statues is reflective of the $800+ a piece depending on where you acquire them. Collectors that are able to purchase these never stop at just one. These can be a fantastic centerpiece for a shelf or room, but not for those that are limited on space. Reference Books Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia 3.0 (@kenway_joe) Spanning 15 years of content, Assassin's Creed has a lot of characters and lore that can be difficult to manage. So collectors that are wanting to stay refreshed or catch up on the previous stories will find reference books to be a valuable aid in this task. The line of Encyclopedias and Essential Guides are perfect for this, but do not always cover everything due to when they were published. The last version of the Encyclopedia was the 3.0 Edition that covered content up until Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and AC Brahman. It was released on UbiWorkshop and includes the content from the previous versions. 2500 Years of History (@FitzChevaleriie) Do you want to learn more about the real history that influenced the Assassin's Creed games? "2500 Ans d'Histoire" is a great way to do so. While not published in English, there have been multiple releases of reference books covering the real world history, and of course there are plenty of other books that you can gather about your favorite era. I myself have been working on a historical library that contains (mainly) books referenced in the games and transmedia, so that I can have a better understanding of the games... I just have to sit down and read them. Assassin's Creed 15th Anniversary Assassin's Creed 15th Anniversary Playing Cards (@FrameHoldPhotos) #AC15 was celebrated this past year and there were lots of new themed items sold and used for promotions. Through various stream giveaways on Twitch, contests on Twitter and other socials, and prizes at events, a limited number of decks of AC15 playing cards were released showcasing every main character from the series with a beautiful art style. AC15 Amunet Statue (@BriThibodeaux) Amunet (previously Aya) is the reason we have the Assassin's Brotherhood and was a key icon for the celebration that was #AC15 . This full colour replica is based on her statue in the crypts of Monteriggioni in a 1:8 scale and is good value for the amount of detail it has. Antheum Spirits' Assassin's Creed Collection (@thelordreylus <-That's me!) The final items I have to share come from my own collection. This series of alcoholic beverages released by Antheum Spirits. These were released over the winter season of 2022/2023 and come in three options; bourbon whisky for AC15, vodka for Valhalla, and spiced rum for Black Flag. Many fans were confused to why Valhalla was marketed with vodka and not AC Russia, but the time and care put into these designs and, I assume the taste (I'm not much of a drinker), are a unique offering that is limited to the United States due to where they are made and laws around shipping alcohol internationally. This was an extremely enjoyable article to work on and one that I could see The Ones That Came Before doing again in the future if the participation is high. I hope that you found some new things to look out for, something to go out and purchase, or just enjoyed seeing what others have. Go out and network with your fellow collectors and share your thoughts here or on our socials. 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

Insomnia #i71 Ubisoft Community Cosplay Competition Photo Log Events Share 7 Nov 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Here are our captures from the Ubisoft Community Cosplay Competition which took place at Insomnia Gaming Festival (#i71) in September 2023, taken by TOWCB Team members Colum, Aaron and Michael. Congratulations to Jamie from CreedCosplay for winning the Cosplay competition! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Assassin's Creed Mirage Concepts by FrameHoldPhotography Art Share 9 Sept 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Our very own FrameHoldPhotography from the AC Partnership Program's Video Content Creation Team has created x3 concept images for the next title in the series, Assassin's Creed Mirage! The game, which will seemingly transport players back to the Middle East before the events of Valhalla, is hoped to be a turning point for the series, reinventing pillars of the franchise in need of a reboot such as stealth and parkour. The concepts below created by FrameHoldPhotography imagine a game featuring beloved member of the Hidden Ones, Basim Ibn Ishaq in his younger years. The images merge together photomode captures from Valhalla and Origins, and are edited using Photoshop to create some ideas of what AC Mirage might look like! We can't wait to learn more about Assassin's Creed Mirage at Ubisoft Forward! 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)

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. Previous Next Zephryss Social Media Team 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. Twitter ┃ Zephryss Youtube ┃ Assassin Zephryss Youtube ┃ Spider Zephrys Youtube ┃ Twitch Work

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 16th - 22nd July 2022 Community Share 23 Jul 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the new weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week, we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 1) Berserker Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla This first capture comes from @ calisarah1998 over on Twitter. First up this week we have a capture of Eivor deep in thought. This is a powerful photo depicting the Viking theme of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. There are true Ragnar/Norseman vibes about this capture. Checkout the full tweet below to see some impressive editing skills from @ calisarah1998. I love how the darker colour tones and the cool haircut/tattoos all add to the story of a Viking contemplating battle. Link to set 2) Reflections Game: Assassin’s Creed Unity Photo number two comes from @ Amaya_Nocturna a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP TwitterCommunity. In this next image we head to Assassin’s Creed Unity, the game of choice this week for the AC15 celebrations. It is such a shame that Unity does not have a photo mode. That being said, you would not know it judging by the shots that are in this selection. This stunning photo, which is part of a glorious set by @ Amaya_Nocturna , really shows off the beauty of buildings. I adore the use of light bursting through the glass and settling on Arno. A real Assassin’s Creed photo. Link to set 3) The Kassandra Braid Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey This week’s third shot comes from @ MoonsDonuts over on Twitter. Photo number three really caught my eye due to the different perspective. Where portraits of the protagonist are usually from the front or the side, this one gives you a birds eye view aspect as seen by the player. What I admire is how @ MoonsDonuts has managed to showcase Kassandra’s amazing hairstyle. In addition we get a great look at the spear, quiver, bow and arrows. A true Misthios pose, beware of this warrior’s fury. 4) The Lonely Viking Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP number four comes from @ punkncreed over on Twitter. What I love about photo number four is the peaceful simplicity. A capture that very much symbolisesthe start of Eivor’s journey. The sun poking out from behind the mountain gives off Origins vibes, yet the cold colours say otherwise. Great use of the camera angle adds scale to the shot. You just know there are some gold icons on that mountain which need collecting. 5) Paris Game: Assassin’s Creed Unity The final capture of the week comes from @ Subject_72 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VPTwitter Community. I thought it only right that we returned to Unity for the final capture of the week. Once again this photo is from a brilliant selection and it was difficult to choose just one for this showcase. I picked this image due to the level of detail and French feel. Arno looks iconic in his classic dark blue Assassin’s outfit, watching out over the city. There are some excellent details on the buildings that just make Paris feel alive. I can’t wrap up without mentioning the exceptional Statue of Liberty, a fine addition to this game. Link to set comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

5 Small Things I Would Like to See Added to Assassin's Creed Shadows Review Share 2 Apr 2025 Written By: Edited By: Finn Fletcher Colum Blackett Back To Database Generally, I'm really enjoying Assassin's Creed Shadows. It feels like a return to form for the series following the recent RPG saga. Not to say that those games were bad, in fact I'm a massive Valhalla defender, but after years of watching this franchise change from its original intentions, something like Shadows feels wonderful. I've not completed the game yet, and will save my full review until then, but up top I wanted to say how much I'm enjoying it. As with anything though, there are things which could be better, and I have chosen five nitpicks that have really been annoying me as I explore 16th century Japan. Headgear in Cutscenes Cutscene in Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe has some of my favourite costumes in the series. She's a walking fashion icon. And yet, whenever you start a conversation, even just to use the shops, her hood vanishes. I know this isn't a major issue, but I find it truly breaks my immersion. These cool costumes lose their aura the second a cutscene begins to play - I hated it in Odyssey and I hate it here. The argument from developers is that they probably want to show off the work done on facial animations, which I respect, but a toggle to choose this would work perfectly. Afterall, we managed to get emotional moments with characters wearing hoods in a dozen other games. Walking Speed Photo Mode shot by Finn Fletcher This may be less popular than the first point, but I would also like to be able to toggle the walking speed. Since Origins characters have been jogging everywhere, in fact everyone in games now seems to jog. The cool moments of walking towards a battle are sort of gone, and while you can control it with the stick, it's too fiddly to ever be precise. An option to make it so Naoe and Yasuke move slower unless running would again add to the feeling that we're playing something much closer to the original games. Objective Counters Shadows introduces missions that amount to killing x amount of a certain type of enemy within an area. They're fine, introduced with a bit of a narrative which goes a long way to making it more engaging. The problem is, the count for this only begins after you speak to the quest giver, and can task you with battling 100 NPCs. Recently I picked one up in Yamashiro after completing the main quest in the area, which meant that the hundreds of bandits I'd already killed in the region did not contribute to this counter. My intention was to finish some side quests before moving the story forward, but now I'm certain that mission will never be complete because I'm not going to bother running across Kyoto again waiting for bandits to respawn. If this was monitored in totality then it would make what are very much box ticking tasks feel much less annoying. Selling Items This one's so simple I'm surprised it wasn't in the game from launch. If you want to sell gear in Shadows you have to go to a shop, choose the specific item, and hold the button for a few seconds. You get A LOT of gear in Shadows so if you chose to clear out your inventory it could take minutes of holding down one button. A group sell option (where you select multiple items to sell at once) would just streamline this whole process. Change Time of Day In Shadows light and darkness play a major role in how successful you'll be in stealth. It's honestly a brilliant design, making your surroundings play a much bigger role in the gameplay. Obviously this also means that the time of day you choose to attack a fortress/camp is more important than ever, and yet unlike in all the previous RPG games you don't have an option to skip time. Bayek, Kassandra and Eivor could meditate to move between night and day, but Naoe and Yasuke aren't even able to sleep. Unless you are incredibly patient, this will often mean you just attack at whatever time of day it is and make do, meaning a whole system and strategy goes completely ignored. Bringing back meditation would be a really simple fix to this problem. If you do want to make it more restrictive, as to provide a bit of an extra challenge, you could always restrict this feature to Kakuregas, the small bases you can unlock across the map. Maybe add a bed into these, where Naoe and Yasuke can go to rest and you get to choose the time of day you want to approach the next target in. Conclusion I'm no game developer, and my understanding of how easy these features would be to add might be wrong. But honestly, everything I've mentioned here feels like it could be patched in with the latest update, and it would go a long way to making the experience more enjoyable than it already is. Assassin's Creed Shadows is available now comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Finn is a creative writer from Rotherham, UK who has previously supported TOWCB's Fundraising events, and raised awareness surrounding Men's Mental Health. Finn's writing covers a wide scope, with releases so far including reviews, interviews and stories. He is known in the AC Community for his 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website! Finn Fletcher

Wales Comic Con 2024: Wrexham Log Events Share 9 Apr 2024 Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team Colum Blackett Back To Database We had a ton of fun at Wales Comic Con in Wrexham! It was great to see a life-sized statue of Ratonhnhaké:ton (Connor) on display in the Main Hall! Colum Blackett (@ Col_96 ) & Michael Doyle ( Michael_Doyle03 ) from TOWCB core team were practicing hidden blade techniques. Check out our video log on Tiktok or Youtube ! Until next time Assassins.. Safety & Peace. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. TOWCB Team