What is Assassin’s Creed?

Assassin’s Creed is a series of action-adventure video games that has become a multi-media franchise published by Ubisoft, mainly developed by Ubisoft Montreal.

Created by Patrice Désilets, Jade Raymond, and Corey May, the series portrays a centuries-old fictional conflict between the Assassin Order, fighting for peace with free will, and the Templar Knights, seeking peace through control. The plot mixes fictional elements with real historical events and figures.

The first game was released in 2007, followed by numerous main titles and spin-offs. Most games are set in open worlds, featuring gameplay based on combat, stealth, exploration, and parkour, with multiplayer modes in some titles.

Evolution of a Franchise

With each new game, Assassin’s Creed introduces fresh storylines, different historical periods, and evolving mechanics. Key characters like Desmond Miles and Layla Hassan, and the series’ ongoing modern vs. historical conflicts, are central to its narrative. RPG elements have been progressively added and discussed by the fan community.

By September 2022, Assassin’s Creed had sold over 200 million copies, making it Ubisoft’s most successful franchise. Beyond the games, it has expanded into books, comics, encyclopedias, and other media.

Three Eras of Development

The franchise’s development falls into three main eras: the original, focused on classic single-player; the RPG-heavy era; and a third phase aiming to blend modern advances with the original experience.

A highlight is the upcoming Animus Hub, which will allow players to track achievements and content across future titles, bringing the community even closer together.

Core Gameplay and Mechanics

Gameplay centers around the Animus, tech that lets players relive genetic memories of Assassin ancestors, featuring main story missions, open-world exploration, varied combat, and classic parkour. Stealth, fighting, side quests, and character progression are always present.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Assassin’s Creed’s cultural impact is huge—it’s shown up in other games and media, and has inspired visuals and mechanics in titles like Team Fortress 2, Prince of Persia, Final Fantasy XV, Watch Dogs: Legion, and even the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony.

For more details, news, and fun facts, check out the full article on IE Games.