The Assassin’s Creed video game franchise has traditionally woven together two narratives: a historical saga set against backdrops from different eras, and a modern-day storyline that features a struggle between rival factions attempting to interpret that history. However, the contemporary aspects of the series have gradually diminished in importance, becoming secondary to the historical elements. This trend is poised for a reversal with the upcoming title, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which Ubisoft promises will introduce a new modern-day narrative that will create “meaningful contrast between past and present.”
Modern-Day Narrative in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
At a recent BAFTA event, Ubisoft’s Vice President and Executive Producer of Assassin’s Creed, Marc-Alexis Coté, discussed plans to revitalize the present-day storyline for future entries in the franchise, as reported by Eurogamer. Coté remarked that the contemporary narratives in previous titles had become “repetitive” and peripheral to the more engaging historical plots, likening them to “more of a side-quest, rather than an integral part of the overall experience.”
“Our goal is to put history back at the centre of the players’ experience,” Coté stated during his presentation. “The modern-day narrative will enhance, rather than overshadow, the historical journey. By establishing a meaningful contrast between the past and present, we aim to restore the balance that was once a hallmark of this series.”
He elaborated that the modern-day storyline would delve into themes of “memory, identity and autonomy,” establishing significant links between historical events and current realities.
“The groundwork for this new direction will take shape with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which will lay the foundation for this narrative evolution that we expect will develop in the years ahead,” Coté added.
The earlier titles in the franchise followed the narrative of Desmond Miles, a descendant of the beloved protagonist Ezio Auditore da Firenze and a member of the Assassin order. Desmond’s story concluded with the release of Assassin’s Creed 3 in 2012, leaving Ubisoft struggling to create meaningful contemporary arcs in subsequent entries.
The Desmond Miles storyline was concluded in Assassin’s Creed 3
Photo Credit: Ubisoft
While Ubisoft has yet to reveal specifics about the modern-day storyline in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the historical narrative is set in 16th-century Japan. The game will feature dual protagonists: Yasuke, a samurai, and Naoe, a shinobi, both integral members of the Assassin brotherhood.
The release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows was originally slated for November 15, but Ubisoft postponed it following the underwhelming debut of Star Wars Outlaws. The upcoming title has been met with substantial criticism, including concerns about its pricing strategy and backlash related to one of its protagonists, Yasuke, a historical samurai of African descent.
The game is now scheduled for release on February 14, 2025, across PC (with a simultaneous launch on Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.
