Ubisoft once let players dive into both the ancient and modern worlds with Desmond Miles in Assassin’s Creed, and they plan to revisit this approach.
Marc-Alexis Coté, the head of Assassin’s Creed, recently talked about the difficulties in linking the past with the present in the latest games. The series used to connect players with history through the Animus, a machine that let people relive their ancestors’ memories. Desmond Miles was the key to these stories, anchoring the series’ narrative.
“Desmond’s journey was at the heart of the modern-day conflict driving the search for powerful Isu artifacts–Pieces of Eden–that could change the course of history,” Coté told Eurogamer. But when Desmond died at the end of Assassin’s Creed 3, it left the modern story struggling to find its way. “Ending Desmond’s arc was a difficult decision, and afterward, the modern storyline struggled to find its footing.”
Assassin’s Creed Shadows aims to fix this, becoming a part of Assassin’s Creed Infinity—a hub where current-day stories will continue. Coté mentioned that this setup will let the modern tales enhance, not overshadow, the historical ones, creating a strong link between what happened long ago and how it affects today, exploring freedom versus control.
“The groundwork for this new direction will take shape with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which will lay the foundation for this narrative evolution that will grow in the years to come,” Coté mentioned.
We all want to see how these stories will blend.
Originally set for an October release, Assassin’s Creed Shadows was pushed to February 14, 2025, so developers could fine-tune it, and early access has been canceled.
