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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)

Marc-Alexis Côté and Assassin’s Creed’s narrative paradigm shift Analysis Share 3 Dec 2024 Written By: Edited By: UbiCypher (Joe) Colum Blackett Back To Database The Vice President Executive Producer of Assassin's Creed, Marc-Alexis Côté, has stepped out into the spotlight on the BAFTA Youtube channel at an event a few days ago giving off a curated speech commenting on Ubisoft's flaws and the intended direction the franchise will follow for the foreseeable future upon the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows serving as the inflexion point for such a change in the narrative direction. Describing his trajectory as a rookie game developer all the way to his actual status as Executive Producer for the overall franchise, he presented the audience with a complete breakdown of the core values of “What Assassin’s Creed should be” in other words, he transparently commented on the way they develop each iteration via their “Brand Framework” which is basically a codex under the form of internal documents given to the devs from which they need to base their work and efforts for the continuity of the Lore. Breaking the Framework into the following aspects; Identity: Immersion, storytelling and thrilling gameplay. Intentionality: Every creative decision made by the devs ought to reflect the shared vision and values of the Framework to ensure that the identity is not diluted and continuity is strong footed. Official promo image by BAFTA showing Vice President Executive Producer of Assassin's Creed, Marc-Alexis Côté, Prioritizing direct and selected feedback over the community as a means to an end. “Putting the player at the center of our creative vision” is also one of the substantial statements issued by Côté which clearly shows that they are aware of their position with the fanbase that nurtured the franchise for so long and are willing to turn the tables in their favor bringing new experiences in the good old Assassin’s Creed fashion applying the aforementioned “core values” described in their “Brand Framework”. These “core values” will not only restructure their approach to how an Assassin’s Creed game is made, but from now on, they will also implement new data collected by their new initiative that aims to “involve their most engaged fans into the early development cycles” with the intention to listen to a much more direct feedback instead of “actively listening to general community feedback and running large scale studies” which is yet another example of Ubisoft going all in and taking the helm, considering the hard working fan communities and content creators that adhere to what the franchise was originally praised for in the past first and the public that spawned with the latest iterations second. A slide from the BAFTA presentation Or so it seems, given another pungent declaration in which Ubisoft now seems eager to “restore the balance” in terms of narrative both past and present as he acknowledged that “15 years of Lore has made the approach to newcomers difficult to approach”, however, the downside to such a bold move can lead to even more division, to which we can all agree; the fanbase is in a very dire situation. But fear not! Because this means that a great change in how the future instalments will be crafted will come out of this, presenting the “Vertigo Of History” initiative as a new way to develop the Assassin’s Creed games by focusing on the idea that “Past, Present and future are connected” therefore, how the past defines who we are and how it will affect our future. Emotional wording aside, this will basically mean that the way Modern Day and the Historical storyline will be designed will be completely overhauled; by pretending to “place history back at the center of the player’s experience”, which is a bit contradictory to what you just read, I know, but the trade-off is that when Modern Day will be tapped into, they will explore “deeper themes regarding genetic memory, identity and autonomy” which is until now, left to the interpretation of the public and not very clear. In any case, Modern Day will be explored deeper so that’s a good step toward restoring that “balance” if true. Original image source: Assassin's Creed Initiates Balance, accuracy and diversity victims of hate. With this in mind, it is important to note that Côté also openly stated that “Absolute accuracy is not our goal, it has never been and never will” of course referring to the historical aspect of the game the franchise is notoriously known for, for the first time clarifying their intentions when making their games reminding us that it is a “Historical Fiction” at the end of the day in response to the previous months of continuous attacks via their Social Media and even directly to the developers themselves who saw their work tarnished by mentally draining and smile-erasing comments completely destroying their work due to the appearance of anachronistic or plain out non-existent elements in the latest RPG trilogy and most recently, the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows which, dare I say, has suffered from one of the most hateful waves of backlash the internet has seen in the past 4 years for very miserable reasons; from fruits appearing in the wrong season in one of the trailers to plain out racism towards Yasuke because of his African provenance hiding behind pathetic ill-crafted shields of “It’s not me who says it, it’s history!”. Of course, we are not going to deny the fact that they made some inexplicable mistakes that are obviously due to a lack of professional consultation by actual Historians and experts -which were brought in much later into Shadow’s dev cycle according to insiders who have reached out to the renowned leaker and French Youtuber j0nathan- or the scandal over the insensitive design of PureArts promotional figures which displayed the two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke posing over an iconic Japanese Torii gate, which, was one-legged and very reminiscent of the S annō Shrine, a real life Torii Gate which was left partially destroyed by the bombing of its hosting city, Nagasaki during WWII. In any case, online crusades and Scandals behind, around the 36:00 mark, Marc-Alexis Côté concluded his speech on the attacks to the company by claiming that “Our commitment to inclusivity is grounded in historical authenticity and respect for diverse perspectives, not driven by modern agenda” Image by TOWCB showing the similarity between the AC Shadows prototype by PureArts prototype and a broken Torii gate located in Nagasaki From now on until February 15, 2025, it is but a waiting game to see if all of this turns out to be true or if it falls down to the pile of broken promises. Personal Commentary: Listening very carefully to what Côté openly said during the conference; I realized just how grand this franchise is and how far it has come. I remember the very first time I played Assassin's Creed II -my entry point- back in 2011 and the insta-love that struck my prepubescent brain. These feelings of discovery, wonder and diversity that are constantly talked about throughout the presentation are real, they were there when we first picked up the controller and began exploring the Genetic Memories of Altaïr and Ezio, as the years passed, we eventually discover more and more of this franchise and eventually witness its fall down the rabbit hole of corporate greed and uber-rich execs that would do anything in their power to drain you until your last cent. So it feels refreshing to see such transparency from Ubisoft and from the one that is supposed to be the closest thing to a lore master no-less. All in all, these are just promises and embellished corporate slang to make it more appealing, plus he contradicted himself by claiming that they aim to restore the balance only to say that they will basically put Modern Day on the backburner 5 minutes later... My best guess is that they're attempting to suffocate the fire and make up for their mistakes now that they realized we never were the "Ye Olde Nostalgicus" pricks most of the community and newcomers to that extent make us to be, simply because we don't follow the same opinions, ideas and tastes as them, who are fruit of a modern generation of gaming that, similarly to movies and music is utterly decadent with no more interest behind what is shown at first glance and no self-pondering of things with very few exceptions. This also applies outside of entertainment as well, the masses are somewhat dullified by mainstream and geopolitical engineering crafted by our governments who only want to see us fight each other for the skin tone of a character or goddamned fruits popping up at the wrong season all the while entitled nobodies destroy entire communities and groups of joyful people who just want to love, share and enjoy the experiences this franchise gave them in the first place. But I digress. I'm not very hopeful in terms of Modern Day and it is at this point, for me, the true narrative of the franchise, take it or leave it, up to you of course, but it was once integral and as Côté said and I also think it to be true: "Assassin's Creed is more than just a game, it can be a platform for meaningful exploration and reflection". Question everything. -Joe (Ubicypher) signing off. Images from the original Isu_Network thread by UbiCypher 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)

What can the Netflix Assassin's Creed TV Series Add? Wishlist Share 7 May 2022 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Netflix and Ubisoft are currently working on an Assassin's Creed TV universe, which is made up of a live-action, animated, and anime series based on the franchise. Back in October, we got our first glimpse at the red insignia, which is the logo for the Netflix Original live-action series. Not much is known about the project, but Business Director Aymar Azaïzia recently stated in an interview with Eurogamer that a couple of talents had been secured for the show so far, but no further announcements can be made at this stage as they are taking their time to develop the show. Assassin's Creed Transmedia projects have never been afraid to test the waters, and implement new ideas and concepts that eventually make their way into the games. An example of this is the Assassin's Creed Movie's Animus, which was replicated in Valhalla via the Yggdrasil Isu Supercomputer, which also featured a claw. That being said, the Netflix show will no doubt be viewed by millions around the world, so here are 5 things that the series could add to the AC Universe. Official Teaser for the Assassin's Creed Live-Action TV series 5) New Characters The Netflix Live-action show is the perfect platform to introduce new characters, and explore different time periods. Assassin's Creed transmedia projects have always been a great space to establish new characters, such as Galina Voronina in Initiates, and Simon Hathaway in Assassin's Creed Heresy. Victoria Bilbau was first introduced in the Assassin's Creed Unity: Abstergo Employee Handbook, and also appeared in Last Descendants, before her final appearance in Odyssey. Most recently, Ubisoft brought to life a whole host of new characters in the Assassin's Creed Gold Audio Drama, which featured voice talents from Anthony Head and Riz Ahmed. The Assassin's Creed Universe is infinite, and so are the characters in it. As long as conclusions are given to previously created characters (rather than simply disappearing like Otso Berg), there is no reason why new characters can't exist. Ubisoft can get creative with this, and do something different. For example, the AC Last Descendants series introduced a wheelchair bound character called Sean Molloy who used the Animus to escape his chair, allowing him to walk again in the memories of his ancestor. The series also introduced an Abstergo technician called Monroe who left the company and stole an Animus before working as an IT Technician at local schools, where he recruited pupils to discover historical secrets. Like previous transmedia projects, Ubisoft should look to create iconic new characters, who represent the brand's past and future, creating a blend of identity that is recognisably Assassin's Creed. 4) Conclusions One thing that the TV Series could do that the games cant is focus on snippets of time, like the movie did. This would be historical periods and plots explored over a short period of time, allowing for more range. For example, three episodes could act as a sequel to the Assassin's Creed Movie, bringing back Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard and Michael K Williams, potentially setting up another movie. One way to do this would be Callum Lynch joining up with an Assassin Cell to uncover other ancestors, and exploring their memories. The feud with Sophia Rikkin could easily continue in the Modern Day, making her the new threat to the Brotherhood. Other characters, such as Aya, Claudia Auditore, Connor and Arno Dorian could have their stories continued in live-action, finally concluding their arcs. As a series, Assassin's Creed very rarely provides closure, and instead moves on to new characters after the game finishes. This leaves many questions unanswered, and the series could finally provide some closure for fans. This fan service opportunity could also tie together established plot points, and introduce memory flashbacks, or even open the door to cameos from fan favourite characters. The AC Movie almost featured a ton of cameos which you can find in the deleted scenes. 3) New Concepts The possibilities with Assassin's Creed really are infinite, and the new TV show could easily become a testing ground for new ideas, taking the series in a new direction. It would be interesting to see Templar projects outside of Abstergo Industries, a bit like how Westworld left it's original park to explore other opportunities. As a series, that's one that could definitely lend itself nicely to Assassin's Creed, especially the most recent series, which focusses on control via an algerithm that determines fate (sounds very Templar). The best most recent example of a transmedia platforms introducing new concepts has to be the Assassin's Creed Titan Comics (AC, Templars and Uprising), which brought the Instruments of the First Will to life, and established the Templar Black Cross. The writers were never afraid to create something new that ties in to AC lore, in a way that adds to the series. One aspect of the franchise that has been particular poor of late has been parkour, which is the pillar that has unfortunately lost most of its shine in the RPG entries. This platform could be used to introduce real life free-runners and stunt artists to the series, who could give the parkour back its lost importance. The animus could once again evolve, perhaps working in new ways, or becoming more than it has in the past. As technology evolves, so too should the Animus. Could it be powered by a Piece of Eden to view Isu memories? We're hoping to see something new and fresh, rather than more of the same. We don't want to see a live action Desmond story, because there's no point covering old ground in that way. 2) Female Assassins & The AC Sisterhood The unbalanced marketing campaign for Assassin's Creed Valhalla lit a fire within the community, which ultimately led to the creation of the 'AC Sisterhood Movement', a large-scale fan project established to highlight female characters, and voice the discontent of fans. Ubisoft have acknowledged the presence of the movement, and even added the logo as a tattoo choice in Valhalla. Many, including our admin team, felt that the RPG game's canon choices, Kassandra and Eivor should have been the focus of marketing campaigns, but they were unfortunately overshadowed by male counter parts. This issue, amongst many others sparked a network of fans to come together to establish the AC Sisterhood movement, which recently raised a great deal of money for Women's Breast Cancer. The TV Series could be a positive platform for equal representation, and could even use the opportunity to showcase a Female Mentor, something which has only been done once before in the Assassin's Creed Heresy Novel with the introduction of Yolande of Aragon. There are so many possibilities, and it would be great to see something different for a change. Why not include a female Templar Grand Master, like we saw in the AC Unity novel, or even an all-female branch of the Brotherhood. The series has the potential to cover many different time periods and settings, so there is no excuse for a lack of representation. In general, the AC series needs to actively improve it's treatment of female characters, as it has a bad habit of killing off key females in order to allow male hero's to continue (Maria Thorpe, Elise de la Serre, AC Movie Maria, Mary Read). In the past, the deaths have acted as a motivator to drive the male characters forward, such as Elise's death in Assassin's Creed Unity, but this is something we hope stays in the past. AC Sisterhood logo by Sebastian Dell’Aria 1) Add to the Lore, Without Breaking It Overall, the Assassin's Creed Movie did a good job at keeping itself within the walls of established canon, other than a few mistakes, such as Alan Rikkin not having previous knowledge of the Apple of Eden, when Abstergo owned one in AC III. Generally, it tied itself nicely to previously established plot points, and even found a way to cross paths with Christopher Columbus, who agreed to help Aguilar in the film due to his previous relationship with the Assassins Ezio Auditore and Luis de Santángel in Assassin's Creed II: Discovery (DS). A great deal of care was taken to make sure that the movie didn't stray too far from what came before, but instead added to it. For the Netflix TV Series, Ubisoft need to be very careful not to break established canon, or it could actually damage the series by retconning previous plot points, and replacing them. To do this, Ubisoft will need a great deal of control over the project, and a firm hand when it comes to the writing process. It might even be to Ubisoft's advantage to appoint a 'Head of Assassin's Creed Lore' role for the project. On the Assassin's Creed Movie, cast members and producers were given an 'Assassins Creed Bible', a huge series of documents containing lore and the history of the franchise. Our interview with Carlo Rota (Basim and Loki) revealed that voice actors working on Valhalla were given hour-long 'Assassin's Creed talks' by former Narrative Director Darby McDevitt, filled with history, story and details. According to Business Director Aymar Azaïzia, Ubisoft currently consult members of The Mentor's Guild on lore matters. 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)

Female Vikings: The Real History Breakdown Share 27 Oct 2020 Written By: Edited By: Lauren Harris Ashlea Buckley Back To Database When the first trailer for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla released and fans were introduced to the protagonist, Eivor, who can be played as either male or female, it was the subject of much discussion. Fans debated over how realistic the concept of a female Viking warrior was. Could a female Eivor be historically accurate? Or was it simply a gameplay decision made for the benefit of representation and player choice? In this article, we look at the true history of women during the Viking era and the role they played in their society. According to Judith Jesch, Professor of Viking Studies at the University of Nottingham and the author of Women in the Viking Age (1991), women could not be Vikings as the Old Norse word “vikingar” only applied to men. The idea of female Viking warriors being a historical fact seems to have originated with a DNA study into the remains found in a grave in Birka, Sweden, in 1889. For over one hundred years, the remains were assumed to be of a male warrior. However, in 2017, DNA proved that the bones belonged to a woman. The researchers then published their assessment that the deceased must have been a warrior woman. The reasoning for this was due to the possessions found in the grave, such as pieces of a chess-like board game. Items like this were often found in the graves of warriors, and so the assumption was made that this must have been a warrior. Vikings historians were quick to dispute this conclusion, however. For one, there was no concrete evidence that board games had any connection to warriors. Also, it was very possible that bones had been mixed together during burials, and that this was not specifically a warrior’s grave. Sadly, most scholars believe that female Viking warriors simply did not exist. However, that does not mean that women had no role in Viking society. Actually, research shows that Viking era women had a level of equality with men that most societies would not achieve for many, many years. In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, players can let the Animus choose which perspective to view the memory stream from depending on its strength. This is to encourage fans to play as both characters, rather than as just one. Women had a number of important roles in Viking society. Many of these involved work around the house and farm – but women were not simple housewives. In fact, they were responsible for all the wealth in their household. The women controlled the money and the keys to the property. If the men wanted to use either of these things, they would have to go to their wives first. Additionally, since the men were often away exploring, raiding, or voyaging, the women were in charge of making the decisions. They were the ones left behind to keep the economy flourishing and prevent the village from falling apart. In what was an incredibly progressive move for the time, women were allowed to have occupations outside of the home. They were traders, priestesses, and even rune masters. Often, women would produce textiles and sell them in the village. Sometimes, the power of a woman could overshadow her husband. Some men would admire their wives for this fiery personality, but others would feel emasculated. Regardless, society always respected a powerful woman. Evidence of a powerful Viking era woman was found in a burial in Oseberg. Remains of a woman, assumed to be of nobility or even royalty, were found buried in a large ship. She was interred with carved wooden furniture, a tapestry, fine bedding, and household utensils. This suggested that she had power within the society and was respected by her peers. Law was also much fairer to women in the Viking Age than in other periods of history. Women were able to inherit land from their parents, though less than their brothers would receive. A woman would also receive money from her groom upon marriage, of a similar value to the dowry she would present to him. Married couples in the Viking Age were able to divorce, a progressive concept in itself, and if they did, the woman would get to keep her own dowry and that of her groom. They were also free to remarry without judgement. Abuse of women was not tolerated in Viking society. Rape of a woman was a crime punishable by exile, and a woman could demand a divorce if her husband hit her three times. That said, female infidelity was not acceptable and was punished, though men were allowed to have mistresses. Another way that Vikings showed their appreciation for the women in their lives was through rune stones. Whilst most rune stones were erected for men, many were also erected in memory of women. This shows that Vikings wanted people to remember their women and felt that they deserved the same memorial as the men. Eivor is a fierce Viking warrior, and the leader of the Raven Clan. Despite the historians suggesting that female Viking warriors did not exist, there are many stories in Norse literature of women riding into battle alongside the men. Where did these myths come from? The Icelandic sagas with tales of Viking shield-maidens and Valkyries were written centuries after the Viking Age, which makes it difficult to believe the stories they tell. However, what these sagas do show is the way the Norse respected and admired strong women in their society. The women in these stories were depicted in various ways. Some were Valkyries sent by the god Odin to retrieve fallen warriors from the battlefield and bring them to Valhalla. Some were mortal but with supernatural powers, like fortune tellers and prophets. Others were regular humans who picked up a sword and shield and went into battle with their male counterparts. Famous female warriors in Norse literature include Sigrdrifa the Valkyrie, who appears in the poem Sigrdrífumál also featuring Sigurd the Dragonslayer. While little historical evidence has been found to support the idea of Viking warrior women existing, there have been some accounts which could lend support to the theory. One is from an Irish history book written in the 12th century which speaks of a warrior named “The Red Maiden” who attacked Munster with a Viking fleet in the 10th century. Another is from 11th century Greek historian Johannes Skylitze who recorded that there were armed female Vikings among the warriors who attacked the Byzantines in Bulgaria in 971. As with the Icelandic sagas, though, the fact these sources were written hundreds of years after the Viking age makes the stories less credible. Other evidence which could suggest female Viking warriors existed comes from two sets of remains found in Norway. One set was the skeleton of a woman around 20 years old who was buried with a complete set Viking weaponry. The other was a skeleton of a woman around 18 years old who had a full set of weaponry along with equipment for a horse. There is little reason for the women to be buried with these possessions unless they were important to them, suggesting that they could have been warriors themselves. However, under Viking law, a woman would gain all her husband’s belongings upon his death. It could be that these weapons belonged to their warrior husbands and were buried with the wives for sentimental reasons. To conclude, historians believe that the existence of Viking warrior women is unlikely – and so too would be a character like female Eivor. However, it is clear that women held more power in Viking society than any other culture for years to come. Women were not subservient and they were free to make their own decisions in life. It is said that no one could tell a Viking era woman what to do. We have to wonder then if a woman wanted to be a Viking warrior, who was going to stop her? In that case, maybe there were female warriors lost to the annals of history – and maybe Eivor was one of them. Available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®4, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Store on Windows PC, as well as on UPLAY+, and Stadia. Also coming to PlayStation®5. 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 'A Return to the Roots' Dev Diary Breakdown Breakdowns Share 25 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database As part of the marketing campaign leading up to Ubisoft Forward, the first video in a new series dedicated to the development of Assassin's Creed Mirage was released. Episode one, titled 'A Return to the Roots' focusses on the creative decisions behind the game's production. Mirage promises to be a love-letter to longtime fans of the franchise, placing an emphasis on core pillars and narrative. This will no doubt be refreshing news for many fans, who are longing for a return to stealth which lies at the very heart of the franchise. After numerous entries without playable Assassins, the video makes it clear that the developers wanted the series to return to its roots, in a way that feels authentic. By listening to fans, and asking themselves what are the key points that people love about the series, Mirage pays homage to all that has come before and pushes the boundaries even further, ultimately creating the stealthiest game to date. We can't wait to to learn more about Assassin's Creed Mirage! Here is our breakdown of the first Dev Diary! 20 seconds into the first dev diary we get our first glimpse at new Assassin's Creed Mirage gameplay footage! In the top right hand side we can see that skill points make a return, something which were introduced in Assassin's Creed Origins. This time however, the points are not connected to a sprawling skill tree of abilities. They are simply to enhance skills that Basim learns from The Hidden Ones during his training. Secondly, from the short gameplay clip you can see that Basim has been spotted by civilians in the area, meaning guards are also aware of his presence. Notice how their behaviour changes as he approaches them. You can see them hesitate to approach, and even back away from him, no doubt viewing him as a threat. On the right you can see a staircase, which may be one of the ways in which the player can achieve a non-confrontational playthrough, stealthily bringing them to a new area without being detected. Looking at the right hand side of the screen, you can notice a tiny white dot appear above a seat as Basim approaches. This indicates an interaction opportunity, meaning that Basim will be able to bide his time whilst sitting down, and even strike from a bench / seated area. Next up we have two new pieces of Assassin's Creed Mirage concept art, as the video expresses the desire from the team to take Assassin's Creed back to the beginning. Mirage tells the story of Basim, and his journey towards becoming a Master Assassin. We can see several locations marked on a whiteboard being discussed by a developer during a presentation, which appear to be part of a diagram showing the outer walls of Baghdad. From the notes we can read: Round City (Baghdad) Garden Four Marrels? Mosque Gate of the Greeks Nestorian Monastery Canal Prince Palace Shari District (also known as quarter) Review Ground Fief (of Zubaydia) From my research I believe that the diagram on the whiteboard shows the Northern region of Baghdad, as depicted on this map. You can even see the flow of the river Tigris. That means that the word 'gate' on the diagram is referring to the Khurasan gate. Map via Wikipedia Moving on, we have another piece of new concept art, this time showing parkour. Notice the multiple guards also on the rooftops! The video dives into parkour, and makes it clear that it is a key pillar to the Assassin's Creed experience. Baghdad is your playground, and it has been built to enhance parkour opportunities. During the two second clip showing parkour, we see Basim jumping from post to post through what the video describes as an 'urban environment'. The surroundings appear to take inspiration from Assassin's Creed I, reintroducing stalls and buildings featuring ledge windows. Parkour in Valhalla was described as sluggish by many, but the quick snippet here makes it look like the player has more control and freedom over aerial movement. This is confirmed when Marco Maresca (Senior Game Designer) says that the team looked at past games for inspiration, emphasising fluidity and comfort in movement. Parkour is easy to learn, and the approach is closer to the Ezio games, where it's ''all about keeping the flow and momentum going''. The gameplay demonstrates the return of the corner swing, improved vaulting, rope lifts (evelators) and the introduction of a new mechanic, pole vault, which can be used to help Basim cross larger gaps when navigating rooftops. Basim is faster and more agile than Eivor, and animations were produced to give players a sense of speed when running, jumping, vaulting and free roaming. You can see a short video of Basim jumping through a test arena, showing his speed and agility. Next we see two pieces of concept art for Assassin's Creed Mirage demonstrating how the streets of Baghdad have been created with parkour in mind. In both images, we see items positioned to give Basim a lift from which he can begin to climb. ''Streets are narrower, denser, and packed with obstacles to navigate.'' ''By choosing the right path through the environment, you can move from street level to the rooftops in the blink of an eye.'' In the background you can see Assassin's Creed Mirage gameplay, showing a few of the ways Basim can navigate the city above ground. The first shows a rope which can be used to cross between buildings, something which has appeared in numerous AC games before. The second shows more obstacles, this time piled up so that Basim can quickly climb to reach a higher platform. The third shows him climbing a syncronisation point, which looks to be connected to a Mosque. As Basim climbs higher towards the platform, a tiny eagle appears, showing that it is indeed a sync point that can be used to unlock more of the map. The focus of the video shifts to stealth, arguably the core pillar of the franchise in need of the biggest revamp. ''We want players to work in the shadows, plan their next move, strike, and then vanish.'' The video then shows off the numerous ways players can assassinate. The first method is by hiding in a booth, similar to Arno killing his target in the confessional box in Assassin's Creed Unity. Second, we see a particularly brutal hidden blade to the neck kill, quickly dispatching an unsuspecting guard. The next method is the ledge grab, something which dates back to the Ezio games. It seems that Basim will be able to climb up to the very top of a platform and surprise unsuspecting enemies. For players looking for a more confrontational approach, takedowns return, with more variation than ever before. In the first gameplay snippets we see, Basim performs a move that sees him flip over an enemies back in what looks to be a finishing move calling back to Assassin's Creed Revelations. The move looks similar to the 'Hook and Run' maneuver performed by Ezio Auditore, taught to him by Yusuf Tazim. Next we see a different angle showing Basim plunging his curved sword into the left shoulder of a guard, no doubt an extremely painful way to die. The final move we see here is an air assault, knocking the guard to the ground and using the hidden blade to eliminate. Bench assassinations make a return, calling back to Assassin's Creed II which released back in 2009. It's a wonder that such a useful feature would disappear in the first place, but it faded away after Black Flag, where Edward Kenway used the move to assassinate Woodes Rogers in the garden. For me, this maneuver is the epitome of the tenet 'Hide in plain sight'. In another throwback to previous games, killing enemies from the rooftop gardens make a return. This was always a great way for players to eliminate guards circling a perimeter, which was particularly effective when paired with the whistle to lure enemies towards their fate. Narrative Director Sarah Beaulieu narrates the next part of the stealth section, making it clear that the team fully encourages players to be sneaky, as combat for Basim is a last resort. His main approach is to hunt and strike whilst remaining unnoticed. The team reworked the enemy AI to improve the detection and vanishing loops, making behaviours more responsive and readable. This is something which heavily needed improvement after the stealth issues which appeared in Valhalla. Enemies would notice Eivor immediately, making social stealth a challenge for most players, encouraging a combat approach. New enemy archetypes will increase the stakes, with the introduction of: The Marksman: Capable of shooting down your eagle companion, Enkidu, preventing you from using the bird-control mechanic. The Spearman: A guard bearing a long spear who pokes through haystacks in search of enemies hiding. The Hornbearer: Equiped with a horn which can be used to call for reinforcements. Narrative Director Sarah Beaulieu confirms that Basim does indeed train with The Hidden Ones in Alamut, the historic Persian (Iranian) castle and later the real-life home to the Nizari Ismailis, also known as the Assassins (1090AD), a splinter sect of Shiite Muslims. The group was led by Hassan-i Sabbāh, who apparently uttered the phrase '' Nothing is true , everything is permitted ” on his deathbed. The novel 'Alamut' by Vladimir Bartol is said to be one of the key inspirations for Assassin's Creed I, which the series adopted into its own lore by making it a stronghold for the Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins. The castle is of huge significance to the series, as it was also built on top of a First Civilisation Vault which housed the Memory Seals which Altair used as keys to access his vault at Masyaf. It'll be interesting to see if the construction of Masyaf is completed during the course of the game, as in the CGI trailer and screenshots, it is still being erected. During his time at the castle, Basim is introduced to the tenets of the creed, by his Mentor Roshan and the other Hidden Ones. Next we get a look at the new and improved social stealth, which brings back systemic blending to mask Basim's movements in a large crowd, allowing him to move undetected. Hide in plain sight. In the gameplay demonstrating social stealth, we can see a rope lift on the left, showing a quick and convenient way for Basim to access the rooftops from ground level. We also get our first look at the navigation bar which has an icon showing a bag, which could represent a vendor of some kind such as a tradesman. We also see the return of the skills icon in the top right hand corner, indicating that the player can level up some abilities. Basim can bribe factions with specific tokens in order to control AI groups, allowing him to move undected through guarded areas. This is very similar to how Ezio would pay a group of courtesans to mask his movements in a crowd. The navigation bar at the top of the screen turns yellow as the group approaches, showing that the guards are becoming suspicious in a guarded area, but Basim himself is hidden by the blend mechanic. The final section of the video focusses on assassinations, and the ways in which players can take down The Order of the Ancients to free Baghdad from their influence. The enemy we see here in the concept art image is also the one who appeared in the Cinematic World Premiere Trailer (CGI). In Assassin's Creed Mirage, The Hidden Ones have established a network of bureaus across the city of Baghdad to monitor The Order of the Ancients. They act as gameplay hubs from which the player can take on side contracts and various objectives, from rescue missions to assassinations, to help The Hidden Ones in their fight for freedom. Here is a 3D model of the mask featured in the Cinematic World Premiere Trailer, once again belonging to the target who tries to run from Basim. One of the most impressive gameplay shots of the whole video features next. I can sense the building anticipation amongst the Virtual Photography community, who are itching to know if the game contains a Photo Mode feature at launch. Everything about this piece of concept art screams Assassin's Creed I. Several of Altair's targets would take part in public speaking, manipulating the masses. In this piece of art, we see Basim watching his target from the rooftops, looking for an opportunity to strike. Narration from Sarah Beaulieu makes it clear that the dev team wants players to immerse themselves in the life of a Hidden One, investigating target's identities, tracking their movements, and sharing information. This is also a callback to direct Assassin's Creed I, when Altair was stripped of his rank and demoted to a novice, needing to collect information before reporting back to the bureau leader, who would eventually give him permission to strike. I wonder if Basim will also report back in a similar fashion before eliminating his target. No word on this as of yet. In Assassin's Creed Mirage, a new Investigation Board replacing the Quest Log, possibly a move which shows the intent to move away from RPG elements in the new game. Stephane Boudon returns to the narration and informs the audience that Black Box missions (first introduced in Assassin's Creed Unity) give players the freedom on how to approach an assassination mission. The piece of concept art above shows Roshan and Basim, wearing a green and brown outfit, possibly a disguise planning their approach. This piece of art heavily reminds me of the player's introduction to Black Box missions in Assassin's Creed Unity, where Bellec and Arno stand on a rooftop overlooking Notre-Dame looking at the ways in which to proceed. The winner in this piece is Roshan's hair. So striking! Finally, the dev team reveal that in a surprise addition to the game for long-time players, a nostalgic visual filter setting has been added which can be applied at any point to give the game a desaturated blue-color palette, similar to the very first Assassin's Creed game (2007). This is a nice piece of fan service, as it adds a level of nostalgia reminding many of us of the fondness we all have for the original game and also how the washed out colours made Altair's robes stand out. That's all for the first Dev Diary, and things are looking promising. Although Mirage isn't doing anything too innovative, the team behind it seem to be rediscovering what mechanics worked well in previous titles and are determined in their efforts to restore them to the franchise. Look out for our coverage of Assassin's Creed Mirage here on The Ones Who Came Before, as we can't wait to explore the new title even further as we get closer to launch. Stay tuned for all things Assassin's Creed with our social media channels, listed below. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

New Assassin's Creed Mirage Promo Images: Game Informer September 2023 News Share 31 Aug 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Here is a collection of new promotional images for Assassin's Creed Mirage featured in the latest issue of Game Informer magazine! Alongside the new issue, writers from the company joined Ubisoft at the Bordeaux studio for a sneak peak at the upcoming title! Check out the behind the scenes video showing the creation process of Assassin's Creed Mirage below, also featuring new gameplay clips! We take a leap of faith into Assassin's Creed Mirage for the latest issue, giving you new details on the back-to-the-roots game before it launches in October. Game Informer: Issue 359 available now! Digital Edition IOS Android 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)

Noon (@HiddenOnesN) is a Virtual Photography enthusiast and writer who joined TOWCB social media team in Summer of 2023 as an Arabic Translator. In a series of Twitter threads decoding hidden messages within the Assassin's Creed Mirage Marketing campaign, Noon made a strong impression online as a codebreaker. By joining TOWCB, we boosted her findings with a larger audience, and are working together to improve our social media strategies and grow our community. In late 2023, Noon notably be led our 'Decoding the Creed' series, diving deep into the mysteries hidden within the franchise. She also worked alongside the Virtual Photography Team to grow our Twitter community, and encourage interactions. Previous Next Noon (TheHiddenVirtuals) Social Media Previous Partner Noon (@HiddenOnesN) is a Virtual Photography enthusiast and writer who joined TOWCB social media team in Summer of 2023 as an Arabic Translator. In a series of Twitter threads decoding hidden messages within the Assassin's Creed Mirage Marketing campaign, Noon made a strong impression online as a codebreaker. By joining TOWCB, we boosted her findings with a larger audience, and are working together to improve our social media strategies and grow our community. In late 2023, Noon notably be led our 'Decoding the Creed' series, diving deep into the mysteries hidden within the franchise. She also worked alongside the Virtual Photography Team to grow our Twitter community, and encourage interactions. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Work

Louise (TheNerdyArcher) is a UK Assassin's Creed community ambassador and former member of The Mentor's Guild and 'Scholars of the Creed' community. She is an Archaeology graduate and passionate historian. By joining TOWCB Writing Team, we aimed to provide her with structured guidance, early access to transmedia, and a platform for her written works. Louise left the program in 2025 to focus on her studies. Previous Next Louise // TheNerdyArcher Writer Previous Partner Louise (TheNerdyArcher) is a UK Assassin's Creed community ambassador and former member of The Mentor's Guild and 'Scholars of the Creed' community. She is an Archaeology graduate and passionate historian. By joining TOWCB Writing Team, we aimed to provide her with structured guidance, early access to transmedia, and a platform for her written works. Louise left the program in 2025 to focus on her studies. Blog | Twitter | Instagram Work

The History of Baghdad during the 860's (Anarchy of Samarra) History Share 12 Sept 2022 Written By: Edited By: Michael Doyle Ashlea Blackett Back To Database In our new article, we explore the history of Baghdad during the 860's, and the conflicts which took place during that time. In Assassin's Creed Mirage, scheduled for launch in 2023, players 'follow the transformation of a defiant young man into a refined Master Assassin with a conflicted destiny.' Basim Ibn Ishaq will navigate the bustling streets of ninth–century Baghdad, exploring all four areas, from the industrial Karkh to the lush gardens of the Round City. Here are some of the key events which took place during a period of extreme internal instability within the Abbasid Caliphate. Old Baghdad image via WorldBulletin The Spiral Minaret of Great Mosque of Samarra Via Wiki Baghdad’s House of Wisdom via WembleyMatters 861AD: The anarchy began in 861 with the murder of the Caliph al-Mutawakkil by his Turkish guards, with the support of his own son, al-Muntasir. Upon his death, his son al-Muntasir claimed the title of Caliphate, but this was short-lived. No more than 6-months into his rule, al-Muntasir was dead, having been poisoned by the Turkish Military Chiefs. 862AD: Al-Muntasir was then succeeded by al-Musta’in, who was appointed Caliph by a council of Turkish military leaders. Al-Musta’in was the nephew of al-Mutawakkil and was appointed Caliph ahead of al-Muntasir’s brothers al-Mu’tazz and al-Mu’ayyad, the rightful inheritors of the Caliphate title. They were both quickly thrown in prison and forced to resign their titles to suppress their ability to rightly claim the title of Caliphate. With his competition silenced, Al-Musta’in was then able to persuade the city of Baghdad in 862 to submit to his succession, which was eventually acknowledged throughout the land. However, al-Mu’tazz and his brother continued to rally against Caliph al-Musta’in, and they were ultimately sentenced to death for their actions. Yet, this never came to pass. The Vizier (a senior minister of the Abbasid Caliphate) intervened, saving the brothers, and allowing them to flee. The Vizier was banished to the island of Crete for his actions. 863AD: In 863, al-Musta’in, who was still living in the then capital Samarra (80miles north of Baghdad), still had plenty of conflicts to navigate as the governor of Baghdad. Two Greek priests, St. Cyril and St. Methodius had become missionaries and were spreading the Greek Orthodox version of Christianity throughout the region. al-Musta’in’s was campaigning against Christianity, but this was going badly, even resulting in the death of 8,000 troops and numerous military leaders. These failures to protect the Muslim religion against the rise of Christianity saw riots across the city of Bagdad. Baghdadis cried for a Holy War, prisons were broken into, and bridges burnt, yet the Caliph didn’t listen or care. Saint Cyril 864AD: From 863 to 865 al-Musta’in continued to lose the trust of his people, with much of the region slipping into chaos and fighting men from surrounding provinces having flocked to Baghdad and Samarra to fight and plunder. 865AD: In 865, the rule of al-Musta’in was slowly falling apart. After disagreements with the Turkish leaders, al-Musta’in felt that his life was in danger. So, alongside the company of two other Turkish leaders, Bugha al-Sharabi and Wasif al-Turki, he left Samarra on a boat to East Baghdad. The Turkish leaders, upon hearing of al-Musta’in’s sent a party of captains to apprehend the Caliph and requested that he returned to the capital of Samarra. Al-Musta’in refused, and after a heated discussion with the Turkish speakers, one of them received a blow. This insulted the Turkish officers, and upon their return to Samarra, they brought al-Mu’tazz (the rightful Caliph) out from his confinement and appointed him as Caliph. Within a few weeks, the new Caliph al-Mu’tazz and his brother Abu Ahmad al-Muwaffaq, along with 50,000 Turks and 2,000 Berbers besieged Baghdad. The Abbasid civil war, which lasted for about a year, largely revolved around a prolonged siege of Baghdad and resulted in the continued scarcity of food and money in the city. As the conflict raged on, members of the Abbasid family with Baghdad, without the knowledge or permission of al-Musta’in, had opened negotiations with the new Caliph al-Mu’tazz regarding the surrender of al-Musta’in. The first round of negotiations deteriorated, and thesiege continued whilst the Baghdadi people protested in the streets at the news that leader al-Musta’in, whom they still saw as the Caliph, was to be disposed of. 866AD: Ultimately, in January of 866, al-Musta’in was convinced to abdicate by his fellow Turkish officers, Wasif and Bugha, and he stepped down as Caliph. Upon his abdication, an agreement was set that his life would be spared and that he would receive sufficient income and a home in Medina. On Friday 25th January 866, al-Mu’tazz was acknowledged as Caliph in the mosques throughout Baghdad. Despite the agreement set out upon his abdication, al-Musta’in was not granted a home in Medina and was instead kept within the city of Baghdad. Ultimately, he was executed on the 17th of October 866 by order of the Caliph Al-Mu’tazz, who was playing a game at the time, later awarding the assassin 500 pieces as a reward. AC Mirage Concept Art by FrameHoldPhotography , created using Valhalla/ Origins & Photoshop How will Basim fit into the history of Baghdad? With many high-profile assassinations during the 860s in Baghdad, will Basim and the guild be connected in some way to these assassinations? Will the Vizier play a role in Mirage, his intervention in the murder of the brothers could indicate a connection to the guild? Will the two Greek priests, who spread Christianity across the land be connected to the events of Mirage? We know their actions caused uprising and riots in Baghdad, but will they be portrayed in the game? Will Basim have some role to play in the success or failure of al-Musta’in and his fellow Turkish troops fleeing to Baghdad in 864? Will Basim fight in the siege of Baghdad during the Abbasid Civil War? Will Basim and the guild influence the negotiations between the members of the Abbasid family and al’Mu’tazz? Will any of the Caliph’s during this timeframe be part of the Order of Ancients? comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Michael is a close personal friend of the admin team who has worked alongside TOWCB for many years, lending a hand behind the scenes who is best known for his time leading the Rally the Creed video-podcast. In 2022, Michael stepped out of the shadows and joined TOWCB's Writing Team, where he explored game journalism by expanding TOWCB database, filling it with guides, tips and tricks and more. After a series of article launches, he joined TOWCB's Core Team, where he now works as a Strategist, overseeing major campaigns, establishing internal systems and managing charity efforts for the group. Michael Doyle

Autumn 2019: Assassin's Creed Community Projects To Watch News Share 14 Nov 2019 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Autumn is upon us, and members of the Assassin's Creed Community have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to craft unique and interesting fan creations. Here are our top 6 projects you should look out for this Autumn. 6. Galina Cosplay - Assassin's Creed Cosplay Project Check out this brand new Assassin's Creed cosplay project, created by Galina Cosplay for UniCon and Game Expo, which takes place in Belarus! The costume seems to take inspiration from tribal cultures, featuring elements such as feathers, beads and bone charms. It's clear that this Assassin is a badass warrior who you really don't want tracking you down! I can see this member of the brotherhood taming wild animals and using a mix of stealth and brutality to eliminate enemies. 5. Lorenzo de Sanctus - Assassin's Creed Japan Fanart Feudal Japan is a location many Assassin's Creed fans dream of visiting one day in a game, with the potential for ninjas, Samurai sword fights and epic rooftop battles. With the release of Ghost of Tsushima, AC fans can get a glimpse at what the setting could offer. 21 year old freelance concept artist Lorenzo de Sanctus has recntly been releasing his fanart on ArtStation. "Assassin's Creed is the game that i always loved, the idea, the style and the story! The idea to live the life of your ancestor is amazing. So I started to think about a game set in the Feudal japan, that could be great for me!" You can find all of his work here You can also follow him on Twitter 4. Connor Ellis - Orchestral Covers With the success of the Assassin's Creed Symphony, the AC Community is ready for more orchestral pieces to inspire its members. 21 year old Connor Ellis has recently begun uploading orchestral covers of Assassin's Creed music, and the timing could not be better. If, like us, you're eagerly counting down the days until the Assassin's Creed Symphony in London, then this is a project you won't want to miss! Connor also revealed on Twitter that he might try and do an orchestral cover for each game, and time the video releases to sync up with the Assassin's Creed Marathon! Here is his Assassin's Creed III cover! You can subscribe to his c hannel here , and follow him on Twitter here . 3. Access the Animus - Monthly Interviews covering Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice The team over at Access the Animus have been working hard to release monthly interviews dedicated to the upcoming Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood of Venice tabletop game by Triton Noir. Each interview examines a different aspect of the project, and have so far covered Assassin's Creed elements, Birth of the Concept, Playtests with the Community, Gameplay and The Miniatures. You can bet that the ATA team have more interviews ready for their monthly release, so be sure to follow them on Twitter and check out the releases below! April 2019 - ' How was the concept of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice born?' Featuring members of the dev team May 2019 - The Assassin’s Creed DNA in collaboration with Ubisoft, featuring Aymar Azaïzia June 2019 - The Gameplay, featuring Lead Game Designer Thibaud de le Touanne July 2019 - Playtests with the Community, featuring Lead Game Designer Thibaud de le Touanne! August 2019 - The Miniatures, featuring Art Director Manuel Sanchez 2. Art by Lisa Zahman Lisa is a talented portrait artist specialising in graphite work. Recently, she began capturing the world of Assassin's Creed with her amazing portraits, bringing the characters to life. Last month, Lisa joined our Assassin's Creed Partnership Program , a community initiative which aims to promote and share content. We also recently collaborated on an art giveaway to celebrate our 5th anniversary! Congrats to the three lucky winners who won prints! Lisa is currently working on portraits of Edward Kenway, Kassandra and Ezio Auditore. You can follow her work on Twitter and Instagram ! 1. The 2019 Assassin's Creed Marathon The annual Assassin's Creed Marathon is back for a sixth time, starting October 10th! Over the course of 72 days, community members will replay many of the games in the Assassin’s Creed series, roughly one sequence at a time, leading up to December 21st, Assassin's Creed Day, and discuss their playthrough on Reddit. You can take part in the Marathon and learn more on the Assassin's Creed Subreddit Marathon Thread Twitter 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 Watercolour Art Dump by Shaya Fury Community Share 22 Mar 2024 Written By: Edited By: Shaya Fury Colum Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to present the works of TOWCB Artist Shaya Fury who has created a series of watercolour creations inspired by the world of Assassin's Creed. Enjoy! We particularly love this art journal, as each page brings the world of Assassin's Creed to life. The Isu architecture left behind by the First Civilisation is recognisable in all mediums, and Shaya has done a great job at representing the long forgotten mechanisms once used by humanity's ancient ancestors. Ways to support the artist Art Lessons Shaya is now giving art lessons online, teaching both traditional and digital styles, starting from the basics, colour theory, different materials and more! If you're interested, send her a message on Twitter. Etsy Shop You can purchase art by Shaya Fury on Etsy , or contact her for commissions. Patreon Shaya has six levels of subscription on Patreon, offering different levels of access. Shaya Fury LinkTree 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

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 26th to 2nd July Community Share 4 Jul 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: Weapons The Spear Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ TuridTorkil “Madness? This is Sparta” The controversial move to replace the hidden blade with the spear of Leonidas was a brave one. I guess it made sense though given the game is set prior to Origins. This capture beautifully showcases the weapon in such a grand way. The attention to detail here by both Turid and the developers is impeccable. The saturation is on point, highlighting every little detail. I love the rope holding the spear to the quiver. The spear itself is wonderfully designed, and fighting with it in your left hand and a classic sword in your right is so satisfying. Link to set: The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ Cll3ar ''I am always impressed when it comes to pictures like this that balance dark and light alongside high contrast. The lighting puts the weapon in the spotlight, together with the shadow balance it is just perfect. There is the optimal amount of simple details which showcase the weapon’s beauty.'' Ready Your Blade Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ PodToGo “There is something cursed about these lands” The druids bring a certain horror element to Valhalla and entering their lands often leads to challenging encounters. I do like how they are always surrounded by fog to add that extra element of surprise when they try and jump scare you. For me this shot is all about the Ulfberht sword which is good given the theme. I love the positioning of the camera and the debris in the air. The sword just shines with the light reflecting off of it. Eivor is ready for the battle ahead. If I were the Druid, I would run. Link to set: The Medjay Shield Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ G_Assassin90 “The first Medjay was a protector of the pharaoh, but now it means you must protect all the people of Egypt” The starting shield and arguably the best one in the game. Bayek’s light shield is with him for the duration of the game and stands as a symbol of what he is, a Medjay. I love the design with its worn down aesthetic, and the use of ropes to support it. This capture represents the shield in all its glory, with every detail popping thanks to excellent use of the depth of field function. Combined here with the white hood, this is actually a great assassin pose. As a bonus we also have Bayek’s weapon of choice on show with the two bows and the arrows in the quiver. A fantastic depiction of the Medjay of Egypt. Link to set: Taking Aim Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ kristina_m0509 “There is more than one path to justice” As an archer it has been great to see the bow introduced into the world of Assassin’s Creed. What’s more the mechanics of the bow have become more refined with each game. You may not feel like an archer in Valhalla but using a bow is quite satisfying. This shot is perfect for our theme this week, with the small details really excelling. I admire the framing as it picks up on the bows visual brilliance, especially with the metal parts glinting in the light. I am not sure if the arrow is nocked or just released but I definitely think it looks epic. The blacked out background amplifies the subject matter leading to quite a unique capture. Link to set: Hidden Blade Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ artschoolglases “The Hidden Blade has been a constant companion of ours over the years. Some would say it defines us – and they would not be entirely wrong. Many of our successes would not have been possible without it” I feel like it would have been sacrilege not to have featured a hidden blade in this week’s article. The weapon of choice for a member of the Hidden Ones/Assassins. Eivor’s blade is certainly one of the best looking in the series. I actually loved the reasons for wearing it in full view, and this capture shows why. This shot really does do the weapon justice, not only is the blade in full view but the intricate design is showcased magnificently. The emerald jewel and the spring are my favourites. This is an action shot worthy of the Creed. Link to set: And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Why Assassin's Creed Returning to Steam is Great Analysis Share 27 Nov 2025 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird Colum Blackett Back To Database In early 2019, Ubisoft had started to feel a stage of uncertainty with the PC gaming platform known as Steam, which is by far the biggest and most popular storefront on all desktops and laptops. Ubisoft felt that the creators of Steam, Valve, were taking too large of a cut to put their games on their storefront as when a developer publishes a game on the Steam platform, Valve takes a 30% cut of all profits that are sold on their marketplace. That means 70% goes back to Ubisoft along with all other games that launch on Steam. Ubisoft was not alone in seeing this large cut as a sign of financial robbery, as major developers like Activision, who are known for the Call of Duty series, Electronic Arts, known for EA Sports and Apex Legends , and even Microsoft, who created Xbox, all left Steam at one point, but all of these developers have something in common, that they chose to favor a new storefront that offered a much more reasonable cut in the Epic Games Store. Logo for Steam The Epic Games Store became a rival to Steam, and boasts one of the most popular games in the world, Fortnite, that is exclusive to their platform and not on Steam. Epic Games tried to take on Valve and offer all developers a cut that would be difficult to pass on and taking them up on this offer means exclusivity to Epic and nothing on Steam, sacrificing any potential sales they would have gotten on Steam. The Epic Store only takes a 12% cut of all sales on their storefront, meaning 88% goes back to the original developer. Many of the major developers left Steam and put their games exclusively on the Epic Games Store in order to take advantage of the cut they would get. However, going with the Epic Games Store can be a difficult choice because Steam is the biggest and most popular place to play on PC and many choose to have their games in one place on Steam rather than go to the Epic Store, and Ubisoft signed a contract with them in early 2019 when their major game The Division 2 skipped Steam entirely and was exclusive to the Epic Games Store. Ubisoft at first enjoyed their partnership so much that they quickly signed a multi-year contract to remain on the Epic storefront. Many of the developers who started with Steam but left for the Epic Games Store eventually returned to Steam eventually, and Ubisoft was one of them when in the past couple years they launched a string of the games that were released in previous years which were only on Epic Games Store at the time such as Watch Dogs Legion and Ghost Recon Breakpoint . When they arrived, the games all launched at a reduced price as they were games that had already been released a significant time prior. Even as Ubisoft slowly started their reunion with Valve, they still chose not to release their games day one on Steam as games like Star Wars Outlaws was a late addition to Steam, but when the very hyped Assassin’s Creed Shadows came around. Ubisoft finally chose to embrace Steam once more and was the first game that they released which launched day one on Steam in nearly six years. It became a no-brainer move for Ubisoft as their choice to return to Steam paid off and their sales on the PC platform raised a significant amount and proved that you could never truly abandon Steam for too long before the logical choice came to a reunion. Epic Games Store Logo Basically all developers, such as Ubisoft, who left Steam behind eventually returned as the truth of the matter is that Steam is too big and too popular to resist. Even decades into the existence of Steam, it continues to break all time player count records almost yearly. Steam is just too big of a powerhouse to ignore. Ubisoft clearly made a smart choice returning to Valve’s storefront and their future games in the Assassin’s Creed series should see a major boost in sales compared to the years they remained Epic Games exclusivity. One thing Ubisoft tried while putting their games only on the Epic Games Store was also releasing their games on their own PC launcher and storefront, Ubisoft Connect. Since it is created and owned by Ubisoft, they get to keep 100% of all profits made, which negates the need of worrying about how large the cut will be on Steam or the Epic Store. Ubisoft has used their own launcher for years, but their return to Steam came at a perfect time as there are gamers out there who enjoy the Ubisoft Connect app and choose to play all Assassin’s Creed games there, and there are those who choose to play on Steam, so Ubisoft can get the sales from their own storefront while also giving Valve and Steam a cut, but making profits on both. Not to mention, Ubisoft still releases their games on the Epic Games Store alongside Steam and their own launcher, so they are getting sales from several different platforms which all have their own player-counts and active users, which increases the profits Ubisoft makes in a combination of all the places people can play their games on PC. After Ubisoft’s dispute with Steam, Valve eventually changed their policy and reduced their cut level down to 25% rather than 30%, which is a substantial difference when the Epic Store was challenging them at full force. It is a great thing Ubisoft has chosen to embrace Steam again, as for years gamers did not see that as a possibility again as even executives at Ubisoft were criticizing the business model Valve uses with Steam where the Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Revenue Chris Early publicly criticized Steam and called their then 30% cut as being unrealistic in modern standards. After that all happened, it would have been hard to guess that Ubisoft would have ever returned to Steam. Fans of the Assassin’s Creed series and gamers alike can all appreciate Ubisoft’s efforts to reach as many players as possible and understand the fact that all of PC gaming runs through Steam, and their long-awaited return is great for all gamers and will only help Ubisoft in the long run. The future of the Assassin’s Creed series on PC is in good hands now and for the developers at Ubisoft, this decision to embrace Steam once again is a perfect choice and one that is sure to secure them serious sales and financial success. This reunion with Steam benefits everyone, from gamers and developers and everyone involved in the gaming world can appreciate the efforts Ubisoft took and can be certain that the future of Ubisoft and Assassin’s Creed is as bright as can be, and returning to Steam will pay dividends to us all. 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: 2nd - 8th January 2023 Community Share 8 Jan 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup series 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 1. Snake in the Shadows Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ MechXican First up this week we have a striking shot of Kassandra dressed for the kill. I love the lighting of this capture, the dark background with the snippets of light on her face really gives off Assassin vibes. I love finding stealth focused shots from Odyssey due to it often receiving criticism for its lack of Assassin’s. This shot is worthy of its place in the first showcase of 2023. 2. Assassin Pose. Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Platform: PS5 VP Artist: @ Amaya_Nocturna Just like with Odyssey it is cool when you find a real Assassin's pose in Valhalla. Personally, I focus more on the Viking aspects when playing the game , but I think the cities lend themselves to some very classic shots. I love this one of Eivor. The background is just stunning, showcasing the true beauty of Valhalla. The pose is perfection, that head turn makes the shot for me. 3. From the Dark Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Platform: PlayStation VP Artist: @ artschoolglases Capture number three matches that of Kass andra with the spectacular black background. I particularly like how the darker outfit and hair blend brilliantly with the atmosphere of the shot. Eivor's pale skin tone allows her face to really shine. Coupled with the subtle green eye tattoo it makes for one marvellous portrait of our favourite Viking. 4. The Ghost of Valhalla Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ SGVphoto Something a little different for photo number four. Here we have a unique edit of Eivor in the Monster Hunter crossover outfit. I am not one for armour sets that don't fit the time period but this one does look awesome. The choice of colour is truly amazing, giving off a real movie poster vibe. I wonder if this could be an insight into what we might expect from Codename Red. 5. Magnificent Paris Game: Assassin’s Creed Unity VP Artist: @ ophierian_vp This week's final shot comes with a touch of class. Assassin's Creed Unity always oozed class when it comes to buildings and this capture proves it. I am really blown away by the details and the lighting in this shot. To the untrained eye this could be mistaken for real life. I am hoping Mirage can bring back some of the beautiful interior's thanks to its smaller scale. Link to set: The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: Judge: Colum Blackett (TOWCB Community Admin // Creator) Snake in the Shadows Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ MechXican I absolutely love the colours in this shot, and the look on Kassandra's face as she observes her pray beneath a mask. The snake set turns Kassandra into a predator, ready to strike. This shot would make a very cool phone wallpaper. 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

Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Previous Next Michael Smith Writer Previous Partner Mike Smith is a collector of all things Assassin's Creed and a major supporter of transmedia who joined TOWCB as a writer from 2021 - 2024 With nearly a full library of Assassin's Creed media, his work explored the universe in order of Genetic Memory. Notably, his Assassin's Creed Timeline became an essential tool for fans of the franchise looking to complete their collection and consume AC media in a particular order. Twitter | Timeline Work

Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 6th to 17th January Community Share 30 Jan 2025 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Renzo 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 alongside @ saskiaemmischVP the winner of our VP competition in 2024. Saskia has been around for some time now and has such a distinctive photography style. You can often find her beautiful minimal or moody shots throughout various games on social media. Saskia has recently joined @ ArtistofSociety where she will be supporting virtual photographers and building a community. You can feel the passion Saskia has for VP and we are delighted she has joined us for this theme. 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. Banner by Turið Torkilsdóttir Theme: Assassin’s Creed Moody Cold Desert Nights Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ wingsforsmiles The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: Saskia Saskia I love the dark and moody atmosphere in this shot. Combined with the fog it envelops the silhouettes of the rider and the trees. I also find the shot to have minimalist inspiration, which is a very nice addition. This adds to the overall clarity of the picture. Aaron Moody isn’t really something that springs to mind when capturing Assassin’s Creed Mirage. The sun-drenched, golden city of Baghdad is full of corruption but remains one of the most beautiful locations we have visited in the series. I have to applaud wingsforsmiles for producing a shot that effortlessly fits the theme. This exquisite silhouette of Basim atop his camel is situated so smartly amongst the trees. I love the use of deep blacks and lighter blues, coupled with the fog to give that mysterious feel. There is such a seriousness to this shot, and Basim remaining in the shadows suits his story arc perfectly. The Golden Archer Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ Defalt368 It's nice to see some Assassin’s Creed Origins return to these articles. Once again, it’s not the first game I would think of for a moody shot, but Bayek epitomises the moody hero. Josh has nailed the framing in this capture. The sun encased elegantly between the arrow, string and riser, but also surrounded by the clouds in the sky. I like how Bayek is a silhouette and having him pose with a bow fits with his skills as an archer. It would have been easy to make this a black and white photo but keeping the strong orange glow reminds the viewer that we are in the hot deserts of Egypt. Wandering Viking Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ BetweenDPixels The essence of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is two siblings wanting to step out from their father’s shadow and forge their own path in England. Although at times this can be lost in the pure scale of the game, it’s humble beginnings always live on throughout the story. This shot instantly wows you with that sun lighting up the clouds providing the photo with a tantalising glow. There is a balance of colours here that match the English countryside, and despite the dull moody tone they serve to add some warmth to the shot. For me this capture symbolises the journey Eivor has experienced. I really like how she is strolling off into the unknown with new horizons in front of her. The Wheat Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ cyriellevp.bsky.social Assassin’s Creed Odyssey often has some really unique moods that are linked to the varying landscapes the game has to offer. This is a real treat for us virtual photographers. You can see in the shot above that Cyrielle has managed to capture the beauty Odyssey has to offer. There is a nice moody ambiance to this photo with the ominous sign of birds flying away. The dark cloud entering from the left adds a dull tone and there is that nice haze in the sky. I like how the camera is situated giving height to the shot. Being amongst the reeds obviously brings the Gladiator feel and that sad mood that you experience at that point of the film. The Odyssey Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ wondernoob.bsky.social Just before the launch of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Ubisoft released promotional shots of the game showcasing the jaw dropping scenery and Kassandra exploring the Greek world. This capture reminds me of them but instead of bright colourful landscapes, here we have the moody and shadowy version. It's nice to see this darker side to Odyssey, the game actually has quite a few harrowing moments. I am enjoying the lower textures and how they amplify the fog to shroud the photo in mystery. The tree looks so realistic, and I like how Kassandra is walking towards the forest evidently in search of her next victim. 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

🔧 Restoration In Progress- Check Back Soon! Review Share 20 Nov 2010 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) WIP Back To Database Restoration In Progress- Check Back Soon! 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 Revelations - A Decent End To A Perfect Trilogy Analysis Share 28 Sept 2024 Written By: Edited By: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Back To Database 2011’s Assassin’s Creed Revelations, took on the ambitious task, of concluding one of the most iconic trilogies and narratives in all of gaming. Something it did in a decently satisfying and full circle way more or less to say the least. The game brought us some of the most action packed missions of the Ezio trilogy and the franchise overall, took us to a beautiful new part of the world, and concluded the stories of Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad and Ezio Auditore in a powerful way, giving Ezio who has lived through so much tragedy the happy ending he deserved, and heavily building on Altaïr overall, developing him more as a character than AC1 perhaps ever really did. Main narrative and story of the game aside though, the playing experience itself felt thin at points and lacking in gameplay diversity, especially coming off of Brotherhood. Some story missions were as said as action packed as can be, others kinda felt too short and simple, narrowed down to mere dialogue and or cutscenes, and in a way Constantinople lacked the world charm, that the predecessor’s portrayal of Rome delivered in style. All this and more is explored further and more in depth, in our new video retrospective up now on our YouTube channel! Video written, narrated and edited by Gargudon. Make sure to subscribe to our channel and stay tuned, for more similar retrospectives in the future, as well as an array of other analytical Assassin's Creed content! 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)

Ubisoft Launches Educational Discovery Tour for Assassin's Creed Valhalla News Share 19 Oct 2021 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Ubisoft has now launched the third entry in the Discovery Tour series, Viking Age. The non-combat educational experience allows players to explore and learn more about the places, people, and cultures of ninth-century England and Norway. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla's new educational expansion builds upon the prior releases covering Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece, allowing players to freely roam the Viking era to discover more about the history and traditions of the time. This entry however takes a new approach to how players explore history. Instead of embarking on guided tours, players will assume the roles of different characters and take on quests, which aim to bring them closer to the material by putting them at the center of it. (Ubisoft Blog) Another new introduction is the inclusion of Discovery Sites, that each focus on a different element of the Vikings / Anglo-Saxons culture, including Viking Age: War & Politics, Daily Life, Religion & Magic, Myths & Legends, Science, Law & Justice, Art & Culture and Trade & Economy. Players embark on 8 quests that feature such sites that host images of items housed within the collections of Discovery Tour’s museum partners: UK’s Hampshire Cultural Trust, Preston Park Museum & Grounds, York Archaeological Trust, The British Library; Réunion des Musées Nationaux; National Museum of Denmark. The entry actively encourages players to explore the time period in an authentic, narrative driven way, in comparison to the digital museum exhibitions of Greece and Egypt, making it feel more lifelike. By engaging with stories and playing as historical characters, new opportunities for learning are created. Although the quests are relatively short, each arc contains a wealth of history in a playable format that makes the educational platform feel more personal and memorable than ever before. The two new creative pillars, “History through stories” and “Learning by doing'', really are the driving force, combining narrative threads with historical information and virtual artefacts, bringing it to life. Viking Age is the strongest entry in the Discovery Tour series, and pushes the boundaries of virtual learning even further. Storytelling is at the heart of the experience, and was designed in close collaboration with historians and archaeologists. The non-combat approach also means that the tool can be used around the world to educate pupils on historical culture, with Ubisoft recently renewing its partnership with UKIE on the Digital Schoolhouse project. This saw the company release 5000 PC codes to 52 primary schools, who are now able to access the platform in unique lessons split between virtual education and traditional. Ubisoft has also developed curriculum guides that offer customised activities and lesson plans based on the field of study and the level of the students, in partnership with the Montréal McGill University, with a grant from Mitacs. (Via Ubi Press Release) Discovery Tour: Viking Age also treats all Assassin’s Creed Valhalla fans with 11 exclusive rewards to unlock in the main game, 25 Behind-The-Scenes stations about the main game development, and 24 exploration characters. Discovery Tour: Viking Age will be free for all owners of Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla and will be available on the same platforms as the main game. The PC standalone version of Discovery Tour: Viking Age will be available via Ubisoft Connect and on the Epic Games Store for £16.99. For the very first time in the Discovery Tour franchise, Discovery Tour: Viking Age will also release as a standalone on Stadia, Luna, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S | X in early 2022. History is our playground 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: 20th to 26th March Community Share 28 Mar 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: Assassin’s Creed Thor Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Twisted95733554 What a way to start this week’s showcase, this capture of Havi dressed as the God of Thunder is truly magnificent. I love the edit on this shot, the blurred lines give a sense that he is flying through the air. The details are captured so well with every bit of that helmet shining through. For me this is a work of art, I would happily hang it on my wall. Red Hood Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ missroseplays Next up we have a wonderful portrait of Kassandra. This shot has an epic contrast between the black background and that dazzling red hood. Loving the shadow work across her face adding to the intrigue. The whole pose for me vibes vigilante, hiding in the shadows. The mix of Assassin hood and warrior armour works a treat. It’s just such a beautiful capture. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week: Judge: Gustav Poulsen (Gargudon) Taking the title of Photo of the Week this round is ''Red Hood'' by @missroseplays. A beautiful shot with a very cinematic vibe, that perfectectly captures the stealth and shadow of an Assassin's iconic hood. An interesting blend of colours, that perhaps also has a certain movie poster element to it. Wanderer Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ DawnX90 Up next this week we have Bayek wandering the desert. I remember doing this a fair bit in the early parts of the game. At the time the desert just looked so immense, and the scale of the map was larger than what we had previously seen. The contrast here between the sand and the sky just makes the shot. Nice touch to have Bayek walking, especially with the sand kicking up behind him. Gates to Valhalla Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ Kaizen_VP Photo number four is so captivating. Without the tags this shot could easily be from God of War Ragnarok. I am really enjoying the perspective of this capture, everything about it peaks my interest. The door slightly ajar makes me wonder what is beyond, and I love the candles lighting the way. The tree overhanging is so ominous, almost giving me Yggdrasil vibes. Without question a perfect shot for our unofficial #Thorsday tag. A Quite Ride Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ UVioletra We end this week’s showcase with a beautiful shot of Kassandra riding through the woods. This capture is from a breath-taking set that tells the story of the Eagle Bearers travels across Greece. What drew me to this particular shot is the frame, once added it makes for a wonderful piece of artwork. Although I am loving the greenery, it’s that red on the helmet that really stands out. I can’t wait to return to this game now. Link to set: And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young