“Assassin’s Creed has grappled with a coherent modern storyline since Desmond’s exit over a decade ago. Ubisoft aims to address this with Shadows, reconnecting with its roots while revamping the present-day narrative.”
If you’ve followed the Assassin’s Creed saga since 2013, you’ve likely noticed Ubisoft’s waning interest in crafting a cohesive modern storyline. While they attempted to build out the lore of Abstergo and the Assassins within a contemporary timeline, the departure of Desmond Miles in the third game left the developers struggling to find a solid thread connecting the eras. According to Marc-Alexis Coté, the head of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, this has significantly impacted the franchise’s narrative.
Spoiler Alert: This article may contain references to Assassin’s Creed storyline.
At a recent BAFTA event in London, Assassin’s Creed franchise leader Marc-Alexis Coté reflected on the franchise’s challenges in sustaining a consistent modern narrative after Desmond Miles—who tied together the early games—died in Assassin’s Creed 3 over a decade ago. Desmond played a key role in the modern-day conflict within the franchise, where players became embroiled in a battle for the powerful Artifacts of Eden.
In this context, Coté explained that after Desmond’s departure, the franchise struggled to uphold a cohesive modern story, first lacking a defined protagonist, and later placing Layla Hassan in the lead role. However, the yearly releases and ever-changing creative teams led to a disjointed and predictable modern narrative. “The endless hunt for Isu artifacts simplified the story to a relic chase, moving away from the core Templar vs. Assassin conflict,” Coté remarked.
The focus on artifacts and the modern storyline’s diminishing depth led players and critics to feel that this narrative arc had become secondary to the overall Assassin’s Creed experience. According to Coté, this structure overcomplicated the series, making it challenging for new players. “The modern narrative felt more like a side quest than a key element, which has been one of the main criticisms of recent years,” he explained.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows to Reinvent the Modern Storyline
With the forthcoming release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Coté shared Ubisoft’s plans to realign the historical and modern narratives using a unified platform that will help interconnect the two timelines. “We want to bring history back to the forefront, and have the modern story enhance the historical journey, rather than overshadow it,” he stated. This new approach will allow the modern narrative to delve into themes of memory, identity, and the influence of the past on the present, addressing issues like freedom vs. control and the power of knowledge.
The series now seeks to recapture interest by reemphasizing the contrast between past and present. Coté noted that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will set the stage for this narrative evolution, anticipated to unfold over the coming years. Although Ubisoft has yet to disclose full details, the fan community is eager for a strong modern storyline reminiscent of Desmond Miles’ era.
Source: 3djuegos
