A Time-Traveling Saga of Stealth and Action
The Assassin’s Creed series has taken players on a thrilling ride through time and space, from the bazaars of the Holy Land during the Crusades to the icy coasts of the Viking Age. The first game, inspired by Slovenian writer Vladimir Bartol’s 1938 novel Alamut, introduced players to a world of historical intrigue and high-stakes stealth.
The upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows transports players to 16th-century feudal Japan, a setting long requested by fans. As with previous installments, players can choose to navigate heavily guarded strongholds using tools like grappling hooks, smoke bombs, and a wrist-mounted dagger. For those who prefer open combat, the game offers an arsenal of swords, bows, martial arts moves, and firearms.
A recurring frame story ties the series together: players assume the role of a near-future character who unlocks the DNA-encoded memories of their ancestors using a powerful machine, allowing the action to span centuries.
From Immediate Success to Record-Breaking Revenue
The Assassin’s Creed franchise was an instant hit, with the first game selling over eight million copies worldwide between its 2007 release and the launch of the second installment in 2009. Over time, the series has only grown in popularity.
The 2020 release, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, became the most successful entry in the franchise, generating over one billion euros ($1.1 billion) in revenue—a first for publisher Ubisoft. The game also broke new ground in the music industry, with composer Stephanie Economou winning a Grammy in 2023 for her score in Dawn of Ragnarok, an expansion to Valhalla.
Creative Freedom and Historical Controversy
While the series is celebrated for its immersive historical settings, its creative liberties have occasionally sparked controversy. Assassin’s Creed Shadows has already stirred debate with its inclusion of Yasuke, a burly black samurai serving warlord Oda Nobunaga. While historians agree that a black man named Yasuke lived in Japan during this period, his status as a samurai remains contested. Ubisoft has defended its portrayal, emphasizing its “creative freedom” to reimagine historical figures.
This isn’t the first time the series has faced criticism. In 2014, French politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused Assassin’s Creed Unity, set during the French Revolution, of promoting “propaganda against the people.” Ubisoft has countered such claims by highlighting its team of historians, sociologists, and researchers who work to ensure historical accuracy.
From Games to the Big Screen and Beyond
The Assassin’s Creed franchise expanded beyond gaming with a 2016 movie starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. Despite its star-studded cast, the film received mixed reviews, and plans for a sequel have yet to materialize. Undeterred, Ubisoft partnered with Netflix in 2021 to develop multiple series based on the franchise. The saga has also spawned spin-off comics, podcasts, and other media.
Ubisoft recently announced plans to release new Assassin’s Creed content annually, though it remains unclear whether these will be new games or other forms of media.
A Cultural Icon with Olympic Ties
The franchise’s cultural impact was further cemented during the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, where a masked hero inspired by Assassin’s Creed Unity somersaulted across the rooftops of Paris, carrying the Olympic torch. Artistic director Thomas Jolly revealed that the character was directly inspired by Arno, the protagonist of Unity, whom he likened to iconic French figures like Arsène Lupin.
The series also played a role in preserving cultural heritage. Following the devastating 2019 fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, Ubisoft made Unity free for a week on PC, allowing players to explore the game’s meticulously detailed recreation of the iconic landmark. Millions took advantage of the offer, showcasing the franchise’s ability to blend entertainment with education and preservation.
A Legacy of Innovation and Influence
As Assassin’s Creed Shadows prepares to launch, the franchise continues to captivate audiences with its blend of historical storytelling, innovative gameplay, and cultural relevance. From its humble beginnings to its status as a global phenomenon, Assassin’s Creed remains a testament to the enduring power of video games as a medium for exploration, creativity, and connection.