Assassin's Creed Franchise Lead Marc-Alexis Coté has discussed the series' modern-day storyline and how it will evolve in Assassin's Creed Shadows. In an interview with Eurogamer, Coté acknowledged that the narrative, central to the early games with Desmond Miles, became less engaging after his demise in Assassin's Creed 3.
The subsequent focus on Isu artifacts made the conflict between Templars and Assassins feel less nuanced, detracting from the historical exploration that defines the franchise. This repetitive approach led to both players and critics viewing the modern-day story as a secondary element.
Furthermore, the accumulated lore from 15 years of parallel storylines created a barrier to entry for new players.
A New Direction for the Modern Narrative
Coté outlined a new direction for Shadows and future games:
"As we move forward, our goal is to put history back at the center of the players' experience. The modern day narrative will serve to enhance, rather than overshadow, the historical journey."
The modern story in Shadows will explore themes of memory, identity, and autonomy, examining how the past shapes the present. This will allow the game to address contemporary issues like freedom versus control and the power of knowledge through a historical lens. Shadows will lay the groundwork for this narrative evolution in the years to come.
Assassin's Creed Shadows, initially scheduled for November 15, 2024, has been delayed to February 14, 2025, to avoid a repeat of the issues that plagued the launch of Star Wars Outlaws. This delay cost Ubisoft €20 million, according to CEO Yves Guillemot.
