Assassin's Creed Modern Day Discussion at BAFTA 2024 Breakdown

During a recent conference held at the BAFTA 2024 event in London reported by Gamesradar, VP executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté discussed recent controversies and the balance between Modern Day and Historical story with regards to #AssassinsCreedShadows. Here are the key points that were made.

Image source: BAFTA Games

• "While both Naoe and Yasuke's stories are works of fiction, they will reflect (...) the  complexity and interconnectedness of our shared history"

  
  

• "Our team's commitment to inclusivity is grounded in historical authenticity and respect for diverse perspectives, not driven by modern agendas"

  
  

• "The current climate is tough on our creative teams - They face lies, half-truths, and personal attacks online."

  
  

• "Legitimate criticism" remains valuable but must be distinguished from "attacks driven by intolerance."

  
  

•  "The modern day storyline will explore deeper themes of memory, identity and autonomy, how the past shapes who we are, and how controlling this past can impact our future"

  
  

• These themes will allow to reflect on contemporary issues such as freedom versus control, the power of knowledge and the tension between individuality and conformity

  
  

• "Ending Desmond's arc was a difficult decision, and afterward, the modern storyline struggled to find its footing"

  
  

  

  Image source: Ubisoft

• "The continued focus on characters hunting for Isu artifacts made the narrative more predictable"

  
  

• Series is entering “third period” in which  the team's goal is to “put history back at the center of the player's experience”

  
  

• Thus, "the modern day narrative will serve to enhance, rather than overshadow, the historical journey by drawing meaningful contrast between past and present."

  
  

• "The groundwork for this new direction will take shape with Assassin's Creed Shadows, which will lay the foundation for this narrative evolution that will grow in the years to come.”

  
  

• In Côté's conclusion, "the answer to hate is to continue creating experiences that celebrate the richness of our world and capture the magic of our collective imagination because in the end, creativity is stronger than fear.”

  
  

It's great to hear that Ubisoft are acknowledging that Modern Day has been inferior since the death of Desmond Miles, with multiple games stripping it back and others replacing it with cutscenes.

We can't wait to see what's next!

• Image source: Ubisoft