Since the death of Desmond Miles in Assassin’s Creed III, the series has struggled to create a compelling hook for its contemporary narrative to accompany its historical action. Over the course of 15 years, the developer has deemphasized this aspect that was once so central. With Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft wants to lay the foundations for a “new direction,” announcing “an evolving narrative that will continue to grow in the coming years.”
Marc-Alexis Coté, head of the Assassin’s Creed series, spoke at the BAFTA gala, attended by, among others, Eurogamer and recalled when everything started going wrong: “Desmond’s journey was at the heart of a newfangled conflict that fueled the search for powerful Isu artifacts – the Pieces of Eden – that could change the course of history. However, we faced a inventive crossroads with his death at the end of Assassin’s Creed 3.”
Subsequent games in the series retained this contemporary element, but lacked direction. Desmond’s successor, Layla Hassan, was eventually introduced, but after more than two decades of lore building, the series can be intimidating to interested newcomers. Coté explains how the plan is to return to the show’s historical roots from this newfangled perspective:
“The contemporary narrative will serve to enhance rather than overshadow the historic journey. By drawing a significant contrast between the past and present, our goal is to restore the balance that was once a hallmark of the series. The contemporary storyline will explore deeper themes of memory, identity and autonomy, how the past shapes who we are and how controlling that past can impact our future. These themes will allow us to reflect on contemporary issues: freedom versus control, the power of knowledge, and the tension between individuality and conformity, all through the prism of history.”
