Assassin's Creed

Assassin's Creed
Title	Assassin's Creed
Developer	Ubisoft Montreal (primary)
Publisher	Ubisoft
Creator	Patrice Désilets, Jade Raymond, Corey May
Platforms	Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo DS
Genre	Action-adventure, stealth
First release version	Assassin's Creed
First release date	November 13, 2007

Assassin's Creed. It is a long-running action-adventure and stealth video game franchise developed primarily by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. The series centers on a millennia-old conflict between the Assassins, who fight for peace and free will, and the Templars, who seek order through control, with their battles woven into pivotal moments of human history. Players primarily experience this conflict through the genetic memories of historical figures, relived via a device called the Animus by modern-day protagonists like Desmond Miles and Layla Hassan.

Overview

The narrative framework connects a secret history to real-world events and locations, from the Third Crusade in the Holy Land to the Italian Renaissance in cities like Florence and Venice. Key historical periods explored include the American Revolution in Boston and New York City, the Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean, and the French Revolution in Paris. The modern-day storyline, often involving organizations like Abstergo Industries, ties these historical simulations to a looming catastrophe, frequently related to artifacts from the First Civilization, an advanced precursor race. This complex lore expands through main entries, direct sequels like Assassin's Creed II and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, and numerous spin-offs.

Gameplay

Core gameplay blends third-person perspective, open world exploration, and a mix of combat, platforming, and stealth. The signature mechanic is parkour, allowing fluid traversal across city rooftops and landmarks such as Notre-Dame de Paris and the Colosseum. Stealth is emphasized, with players utilizing social stealth techniques, hiding in crowds, and performing stealth assassinations with a hidden blade. Naval combat and exploration became a central feature in titles like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, involving ship-to-ship battles and sailing the Atlantic Ocean. Later entries, beginning with Assassin's Creed Origins, introduced more pronounced RPG elements, including dialogue choices, loot systems, and expansive landscapes like those of Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.

Series

The main series has seen numerous installments, each focusing on a distinct historical era. Early titles followed the story of Ezio Auditore da Firenze across Renaissance Italy. Subsequent games featured settings such as the Ottoman Empire during the rise of Suleiman the Magnificent, Colonial America, and Victorian era London. Major releases include Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the latter exploring the Viking invasion of Anglo-Saxon England. The franchise has expanded into other media, including the 2016 film starring Michael Fassbender, novelizations, comic books published by Titan Books, and an upcoming Netflix live-action series.

Development

The concept was conceived by Patrice Désilets, with key early direction from producer Jade Raymond and writer Corey May. Initial development at Ubisoft Montreal involved extensive research into historical architecture and events, utilizing the Ubisoft Anvil game engine. The creative process often involves collaboration across multiple Ubisoft studios worldwide, including Ubisoft Quebec and Ubisoft Sofia. Historical consultants and academics are frequently employed to ensure a degree of authenticity in depicting figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Blackbeard, and Cleopatra. The shift toward RPG mechanics was influenced by the success of titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and aimed at expanding the player base.

Reception

The franchise has received widespread critical and commercial acclaim, with particular praise for its historical settings, narrative ambition, and evolution of open-world design. Titles like Assassin's Creed II and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag are often cited as high points. The series has won numerous awards, including Spike Video Game Awards and BAFTA Games Awards. However, some entries have faced criticism for repetitive mission structures, technical issues at launch, and the dilution of the modern-day storyline. Despite this, it has become one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, with over 200 million copies sold as of 2022.

Impact

It has had a significant influence on the video game industry, popularizing the integration of historical tourism and educational elements within an action framework. Its parkour and social stealth mechanics have been widely imitated. The franchise has also spurred interest in the historical periods it depicts, with partnerships like the Discovery Tour mode being used in classrooms to teach about Ancient Greece and Viking culture. Its transmedia success has demonstrated the viability of major video game properties expanding into Hollywood film and streaming television, influencing broader convergence in entertainment.

Category:Action-adventure video game franchises Category:Stealth video game franchises Category:Ubisoft franchises