The early years of Assassin's Creed allowed players to delve into both historical and contemporary settings through the protagonist Desmond Miles. Although recent games have shifted focus away from the modern-day narrative, Ubisoft aims to revisit this aspect in the future. In a recent interview, Assassin's Creed boss Marc-Alexis Coté acknowledged the challenges faced by recent titles in establishing a meaningful link between the past and the present. The Animus, a virtual-reality device that accesses a subject's DNA to relive ancestral memories, has been central to recreating ancient history within the Assassin's Creed universe. Desmond Miles, who entered the Animus, served as a pivotal narrative anchor for the franchise.
"Desmond's journey was integral to the modern-day conflict, driving the quest for powerful Isu artifacts—Pieces of Eden—that could alter the course of history," Coté told Eurogamer. However, with Desmond's death at the end of Assassin's Creed 3, the series faced a creative dilemma. "Concluding Desmond's arc was a tough call, and subsequently, the modern storyline struggled to regain its footing."
To address these issues, Assassin's Creed Shadows will set the stage for the series' future, integrating within Assassin's Creed Infinity, a hub presented as an in-universe Animus that will host the ongoing modern-day narrative. Coté explained that this approach will enable the contemporary storyline to "complement" rather than overshadow the historical journey, fostering a "meaningful interplay between past and present" that explores how history influences the present and themes of freedom versus control.
"The foundation for this new direction will be laid with Assassin's Creed Shadows, which will establish the groundwork for this narrative evolution that will unfold in the years ahead," Coté stated. Initially slated for an October release, Assassin's Creed Shadows has been postponed to February 14, 2025. Ubisoft cited the need for additional development time to refine the game, resulting in the cancellation of early access.
Source link: https://www.gamespot.com
