Facts About the Assassin’s Creed Series

Assassin’s Creed is one of Ubisoft’s most iconic franchises, loved for its unique blend of historical characters and events. It’s the only game series that provides this kind of immersive historical experience.

The game was originally planned as a new Prince of Persia title called “Prince of Persia: Assassin.” It was about a bodyguard protecting an Arab prince on a journey to Jerusalem. However, Ubisoft transformed it into a completely new game with a unique story.

The project began with just 10 developers, six of whom had worked on “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.” Over time, Ubisoft invested more, and the team grew to 120 developers.

The story is set in the 12th century during the Crusades in the Levant. The main character, Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, is an Arab assassin. The name “Assassin” is inspired by the historical group “Hashashins.”

The Hashashin were an Ismaili sect founded by Hassan-i Sabbah in Persia. They were known for assassinating key Muslim and Crusader leaders over three centuries. The game draws inspiration from their legacy, though it alters the timeline.

The mentor in Assassin’s Creed is based on Rashid ad-Din Sinan, a renowned Hashashin leader in Syria. He once attempted to assassinate Salah al-Din (Saladin), but failed multiple times, leading Saladin to sleep in a heavily guarded tower.

Early game trailers showed Altaïr with a bow and arrow, but this weapon didn’t make it to the final game since it hadn’t been invented in that era. The first time we saw the bow was in “Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood.”

The Animus machine is inspired by Carl Jung’s theory of the “collective unconscious,” suggesting that thoughts and memories can be shared among individuals.

On April Fool’s Day 2007, Ubisoft and Kojima Productions teased a crossover between Metal Gear Solid and Assassin’s Creed. It turned out to be a skin for Assassin’s Creed available in Metal Gear Solid 4.

Though the series doesn’t focus on one protagonist, the second, third, and Revelations games featured Ezio Auditore. His story revolved around revenge and took place across Italy.

The main character, Desmond Miles, is modeled after French model Francisco Randez, while his voice is performed by Nolan North, famous for Nathan Drake in Uncharted.

In “The Witcher 2,” you’ll find a dead assassin who failed the iconic Leap of Faith. Geralt humorously remarks, “They’ll never learn.”

Connor, Haytham, and Edward Kenway are connected in Assassin’s Creed. Haytham is Edward’s son, and Connor is Haytham’s son.

“Black Flag” followed the success of naval missions in Assassin’s Creed 3 and focused entirely on piracy, inspired by books like “A General History of Pyrates.”

Despite “Unity” being the most problematic game in the series, it played a key role in the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral after its 2019 fire. Ubisoft’s detailed design provided valuable reference material for builders.

The latest game, “Valhalla,” explores the Viking Age and focuses on raids across England. Ubisoft engaged 15 studios, nearly one-third of its workforce, to develop the game.

The Assassin’s Creed series has sold over 140 million copies globally, making it one of Ubisoft’s most successful franchises and a bestseller in gaming history.