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Launch Day: AC Partnership Program News Share 1 Dec 2019 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We're proud to announce the launch of a new community initiative known as the AC Partnership Program. The aim of the program is to promote and share content created by community members, and we are now establishing a network of dedicated and passionate fans who are all individually working on AC related projects. ​ Each one of our partners brings something different to the table, and all of them will be adding their own unique projects to our new Community Hub , a database which will store the projects. We have been working behind the scenes for four months on the new website, and we have almost finished the huge task of adding all past projects to the database. It's now time to think about future projects, and the AC Partnership Program is one which will continue to thrive as regular content is released. We are always on the look out for new members, so if you believe the program is for you, simply message one of our admins and we will be in touch. We currently have nine members on the program, all of whom are now working hard on their next project. ​ Learn more about our members here. The initial idea for the program comes from a desire to help hardworking members of the community who are passionate about creating content. We believe that with the help of TOWCB admins, and our social media influence, the projects created by our members will be viewed by a larger audience, and will gain a regular following. ​ In return, we will have new and exciting content on our new website, and members will help us with projects such as fundraising and giveaways. ​ We can't wait to see what our talented members create next! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Compartilhe sua opinião Seja o primeiro a escrever um comentário. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Assassin’s Creed Wishlist: How Ubisoft Can Improve Photo Mode for Mirage Wishlists Share 8 Feb 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database As the host of TOWCB weekly virtual photography showcase, I thought I would use this platform to talk about the photo mo de tool i n Assassin's Creed Valhalla. I would like to discuss the strengths but also highlight areas for improvement. Virtual Photography has really taken off in the last few years due to the implementation of in-game photo tools that can replicate a real camera. Gamers can now express themselves through this medium, by showcasing their in-game captures on various social media channels. I believe it has become so popular due to its accessibility. Like myself you don't need to have photography experience to take part, just a love for the game. There are many websites that will now provide support to gamers, to get them started on their virtual photography journey. Additionally, many twitter accounts promote people's virtual photography in the form of retweets, showcases and competitions. My skills have improved greatly thanks to the brilliant virtual photography community. Just by being exposed to others photography you get a sense of how to take a great shot. When I look back and compare against my first captures from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla in 2020, the difference in quality is night and day. Virtual Photography isn't just a great tool for players, it is also a fantastic way for developers to achieve free advertisements of their game. How many times have you seen an incredible shot from someone online and thought, wow that game looks cool, maybe I will purchase it? The better the photo tools, the more striking images people can produce, increasing the online presence of a game. Assassin's Creed Valhalla's photo mode is the best in the series so far. From Origins onwards Ubisoft has added small changes to improve the way we take shots in game. The English and Norwegian landscapes have lended themselves well to VP, especially with the 4K HDR next gen consoles. The sliders can now be reset easily without having to start from scratch and the ability to create portrait shots is a real winner. This has resulted in Valhalla being praised within the community for the quality of shots that can be produced. One often overlooked feature from Assassin's Creed games i s the ability to share the location of the shot straight onto the map for others to see in their games. This is not only great for inspiration, but also for helping others find items in-game. Below I have asked five members of TOWCB VP Community what they would like to see added to future Assassin's Creed games. Assassin Poses - @ Falconswift87 For me personally Eivor will often cause frustration due to his hunched pose and awkward standing position. After playing Horizon Forbidden West, I could not understand why you would not add poses to photo mode. It creates so many different capture opportunities throughout the game. Given the many outfits that are available in AC games the possibilities could be endle ss. You just have to look on social media to see how iconic some of Aloy's poses have become. Time of Day - @ CreedScholars Scholars of the Creed said they would most like to see a time-of-day function added. There are many games that take advantage of this, but I would say Ghost of Tsushima was one of the best. The ability to fast forward time allows the player to amend lighting in so many ways. A shot taken in the middle of day can look vastly different once the stars come out. Valhalla already has multiple different environments, and they all react so differently depending on the time of day. Range of Free Camera - @ Virtualtourism I wasn't shocked at the answer I received from Jack, with range of the free camera being top of his list. As a VP artist who captures the most breath-taking scenery shots it must be frustrating to only be able to move within a defined box. It is great that Valhalla has the zoom in and out function, but it isn't great for wide angled shots. Most games that I have played do not utilise this, however someone found a way round it for Ghost of Tsushima and the scope of shots is now incredible. Character Models - @ dpruttz VP Dpruttz suggested that locking the character models would be a great addition to Assassin's Creed photo mode. This is something I struggle with at times as well, especially if you're a fan of close-up photography. It's not isolated to Assassin's Creed either, many games have this issue. There is nothing more frustrating than thinking you have found the perfect shot only to move the camera slightly and the character model disappears. I think Marvel's Spider-Man solved this issue as you can get incredibly close to the character. Light Source - @ PodToGo I would say light source would be in my top three requested features. Although if you're lucky with the sun Valhalla can produce some extremely satisfying shots. Marvel's Spider-Man & Gotham Knights takes this to another level. You can edit your shots normally but there is also a separate section that allows you to add custom lighting to your captures. You can add ambient light, rotate where the light comes from and even add a spotlight to the shot with varying intensity and colours. When it comes to photo modes Marvel's Spider-Man must be one of the best out there. Character Changes - @ FrameHoldPhotos Frame Hold agreed with a lot of what has been said above but there was one point I picked up on and that is the option to flip between Eivor and Havi in photo-mode. Although I don't think I have seen this in a game to date, there is the ability to change outfits in Marvel's Spider-man or face paints in Horizon Forbidden West. With the vast amount of armour and weapons in Valhalla the chance to flip between them in photo mode would be excellent. Even if it was just to you Armoury loadouts. 2022 Photo-Modes Two games particularly stood out to me in terms of photo modes in 2022. A Plague Tale Requiem blew me away with its ability to pause a cutscene and then have full movement and editing ability. This lent itself to some unbelievably great shots posted by players. I haven't seen this in any other game I have played. Unfortunately, the rest of the tools in the photo mode are generic, but I must give credit to the developers for pushing boundaries. The buzz for this game on social media has been fantastic and even four months after launch there are plenty of photos posted daily. The second game is God of War Ragnarök. Despite this being my game of the year, its photo mode feels very outdated. Originally the game was launched without it, which isn't uncommon as photo modes can cause spoilers. However, it did mean I and others I know waited a month to start the game. Even once the mode was added it felt very limited compared to the original and not even close to the photo modes of Assassin's Creed or its PlayStation peers. The buzz for God of War in terms of captures just doesn't feel the same as A Plague Tale. Both Gotham Knights and more recently The Last of Us have been running regular photo mode contest. Once again this shows how virtual photography can add so much to the overall experience of a game. In addition to this individuals and communities online create their own hashtags for weekly themes continuing the love of a game. #BeyondTheHorizon - Weekly from @Guerrilla with shot of the week being featured on their social media. #GKPhotoMode – Weekly usually with a more personal theme, once again the favourites are retweeted by the official page. #TLOUPhotoMode – Running alongside the TV series Naughty Dog are challenging gamers to recreate moments from the show. #PhotoModeMonday – Run by @ StefanieMcMaken this tag has a real buzz each week. #ACVPThursday #WolfKissedWednesday #TOWCBWeeklyCapture – All dedicated Assassin’s Creed tags that even without a supported title are thriving with entries each week. #MisthiosMonday still has a ton of shots each week despite it being focused on Odyssey. #HeroTuesday – Run by @VPRetweet team has endless possibilities, and is surely going to explode once Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 releases. There is even an e-magazine created by @ ThePhotoMode that releases bimonthly. Here you will find a fantastic selection of shots from a host of games and VP artist. I feel like Virtual Photography is a side to gaming that has steadily been growing and now is the perfect time to makes sure you have a decent photo mode attached to any new release. If the Mirage developers do happen to read this I hope they are able to add at least one of the suggestions above to their photo mode. I would implore them not to be too drastic with the changes though as what they have from Valhalla is one of the better modes out there. If I was to suggest one of the above it would likely be poses. As a long time photographer in Valhalla multiple poses/expressions would have brought many more exciting opportunities. After the announcement of Assassin's Creed Mirage, we are yet to officially find out if this game will have a photo mode. It would be very bizarre if it didn't as the marketing opportunities alone surely justify the inclusion. Still if it does indeed feature then I know our small Assassin's Creed Community will be buzzing with epic shots of Basim on the rooftops of Baghdad. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Assassin's Creed Valhalla Starter Guide: Norway Guide Share 2 Feb 2021 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Buckley Back To Database Assassin’s Creed Valhalla can seem like a daunting game at first. When you start in Norway the map is already a decent size. The amount of collectables and content to discover can feel slightly overwhelming, especially with most of the main game set in England. In this article I will try and set you up for your Viking adventure, with hints and tips for your beautiful starting location, Norway. I am going to keep away from the story aspects of the Norway arc, as it is best you discover this yourself. The only thing I will say is that the story can drag you in, and before you know it you will be sailing off to England without exploring everything Norway has to offer. Take time in-between quests to have a look around. Important to note, you will be able to return to Norway at any moment once you are in England. ​ When you begin the game you will immediately start levelling up, however this is only the beginning. Norway is a snowy playground that you can use to set yourself up for your adventures in England. XP and the Map You will notice many icons scattered around Norway on the map. They range from gold (wealth), blue (mysteries) and white (artefacts). These are often separate from the main story and are here to enrich the experience. Completing the main quest will always be your best way to level up as the XP reward is high. The little gold markers have less of an impact on completing an area but offer valuable XP and resources. If you are a completionist like me then these small loot boxes are worth it even if they don’t seem like it at the time. For anyone who played Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Mysteries may come as a welcome addition. I found Odyssey a tad repetitive, but Valhalla’s Mysteries help diversify the world and keep things fresh. They often come with a small bit of problem solving, but be sure to check your surrounding area for clues. Mysteries are great for XP too, but don’t feel compelled to complete them all as some are power dependant. Gear and Skill Points Unlike Odyssey, don’t expect to find loads of gear throughout the world. Norway does not have many gear items and you can find yourself in the same outfit for quite some time. Personally I enjoy this, as I find I use each piece way more than I would in Odyssey/Origins. Your best way to scout out these gear pieces is to find the synchronization points. This will open up the world, and although Valhalla is less click and go, waypoints will become clearer after syncing with the world. ​ Upgrading your gear can be done in multiple ways. The major upgrades will not be available until you reach England (Settlement Blacksmith), but runes and resources can be applied to your gear right from the start. I did this sparingly but if you follow the guidance above then you can use resources such as iron and leather to upgrade your gear as often as you like. Try not to get overloaded with skill points. The maximum power in Valhalla is 400, but this level will be increased during future DLC expansions. The points can be added to 3 different routes, however you do not have to specialise as by the end of the game you will most likely have filled all of the skill tree. Red is the way of the bear (Melee), yellow is the way of the raven (Stealth) and blue is the way of the wolf (Ranged). The game lets you view what is available under each section, so just find a skill you wish to acquire and work towards it. Combat Combat will take some getting used to but with perseverance you will prevail. I don’t tend to make the strongest builds or use that many different weapons, as I prefer to keep to the pure Viking simulator. If you take the time, you can make your character very powerful, even in the early stages of the game. When in Norway, I preferred the axe and the shield combination for close up fights and then switching to the bow for anything at a distance. There are not a lot of weapons to choose from in Norway, but there are enough to get you started. Once in England you will gain many more abilities which will tie in with your weapon choices. ​ Health and stamina play a larger role in Valhalla. You will not have the luxury of health regeneration and must forage for food to store in a rations bag which can then be used during combat. Your stamina bar will deplete when running/fighting, so it is important to slow things down from time to time. Traveling and Discovering When navigating Norway it is best to use your longship. This will help you to discover fast travel points for easy access later in the game. It is also a great way to view the beautiful scenery Norway has to offer. On land you will find yourself on horseback. I found it a tad slow due to the mountain ranges. Try if you can to keep to the main paths, as this is a lot quicker and will not deplete your stamina. Quite often you will find items in the world that are trapped behind locked or barricaded doors. Sometimes it can be frustrating to find a way in. Remember, locked doors will always have a key nearby and Sýnin your raven can help. Sýnin cannot tag everything in the environment like Senu or Ikaros could, but your bird will still be useful for finding things. If that fails you have Odin’s sight (Eagle Vision) which will give you a glimpse of the environment around you. Anything that is barricaded will just be a small puzzle to solve. Keep an eye out for gaps in windows, or weakness in walls/roofs for a way in. Hopefully these tips will help you get started on your Viking adventure. Valhalla is a wonderful game full of intrigue and mystery with a story that sucks you in slowly. Be patient and take your time, you will not regret it. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Compartilhe sua opinião Seja o primeiro a escrever um comentário. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

This Week in Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 24th to 30th July Community Share 1 Aug 2023 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. This week’s theme: WIGVPAC Leap of Faith Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla VP Artist: @ alisjansendotir “This gift we call a Leap of Faith. It is one of our Brotherhood’s most sacred rites.” A staple of Assassin’s Creed right from the start. The leap of faith is an integral part of the brotherhood and forms part of the initiation process. Despite being a hugely dangerous thing to do it is loved by the fans and is essential to any Assassin’s Creed game. Eivor isn’t really an Assassin but still learns this flamboyant manoeuvre. This shot is actually both epic and daunting, as it seems as if Eivor is jumping into the abyss. It is also remarkable how beautifully lit up Eivor is despite all the darkness around her. In that sense this shot makes for the perfect Assassin’s Creed photo. The Hyena Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ _Virtualtourism “When the Order wants something, as in Siwa, it does not hesitate to crush all in its path” When travelling around Giza, Bayek reveals that the order member known as the Hyena is close by. He discovers that her name is Khaliset and confronts her in a tomb. Her story is tragic and I do not believe she was completely evil. Both characters had suffered a loss and reacted not too dissimilarly. I feel this capture represents Khaliset in a better light, although the sadness in her eyes says otherwise. I am loving the colour tones here with the sandy background and that incredible red from the scarf. The white face paint just explodes, giving her a warrior look. Aya of Alexandria Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ MissEvieFrye “The irony of freedom. We are free of each other, yet it brings me no happiness.” One of my favourite characters in the franchise. My hope is one day we may get a Basim style game for her. Once Aya joined the Hidden Ones she travelled to Rome where a new bureau was set up by her. In doing so she changed her name to Amunet. This would make for such a great game. Miss Frye always captures portraits in such a unique manner and it is a pleasure to see them on my timeline. This shot stood out for me due to the gorgeous tones and the heroic stance. I love the details on show and seeing Aya with her hood up is so cool, and those eyes look fantastic under that hood. Artwork Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ ISNAK3I “Humanity’s fate will be decided by the choices you make” It is often said how much Kassandra looks like Wonder Women, and I am getting that vibe again from this capture. Kassandra maybe a daughter of Sparta but she spends most of the game conflicted as to where she belongs. I loved this aspect of the game, and I liked how you could pick which side to represent. This capture is so different, and stands out amongst the crowd. I like that it has an artwork feel, almost as if it has been painted in her honour. I adore the positioning and the choice of outfit, they work so well with the blackout background. Taking Aim Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey VP Artist: @ giraph_1 “Beware, the snakes in the grass” Kassandra’s travels across the Greek world saw her come face to face with many a foe. The most secretive of those are the Cult of Kosmos. Hunting these order members down was a real highlight of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. This capture reminds me of the many times I put an arrow into these evil cultists. The warm colours of the shot are so inviting, and the fire on the arrow blends beautifully into the background. I like that Kassandra is covered by a shadow representing one of the assassin traits, but equally it works as a contrast to the light of the flame. The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ Defalt368 I selected this shot because I like the warm colours of the shot, and the way the bow breaks up the orange from the darker reddish orange. The darker colour is a nice contrast to the flame, allowing it to stand out. I also like how the shadow is cast across Kassandra. And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

HomeCon 2020: Bringing the Comic Con to your Home Events Share 12 Apr 2020 Written By: Edited By: Lisa Zaman Ashlea Blackett Back To Database What happens when the world goes into lockdown and comic cons around the world are postponed? The actor Paul Amos known as the voice of Jacob Frye from Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (also Lost Girl and The Murdoch Mysteries ) teamed up with his friend Rachel Skarsten (Lost Girl, Reign, Batwoman) to create their very own and unique, stay at home Comic-con, the aptly named HomeCon which debuted on April 10th-11th 2020. From the moment Paul Amos went live on Instagram on the 30th March and declared a new project he’d created alongside Rachel Skarsten, we knew he had something big up his sleeve and it would be a game changer. A few days later via Instagram Live HomeCon was announced and a comic con like no other had been born. With the world on lockdown and comic cons being postponed or cancelled left right and centre, Paul and Rachel had the genius idea to create HomeCon, as the name suggests a comic con at home. But how would it work? What would it entail? And who would be there? ​ With everyone at home, HomeCon literally had a captive audience and with many of the voice actors in the same boat as the fans, they were available to participate. Like with any Comic-Con, there would be panels, Q&A’s and the chance to have 1to1’s with your favourite actor. So with less than two weeks Paul, Rachel and many other incredible people behind the scenes pulled an incredible feat and HomeCon was ready to go live. HomeCon would take part on April 10th and 11th. All panels would be live via Twitch and with a subscription of $4.99 (or free of you had an Amazon Prime account) you could view it all. HomeCon’s Social Media platforms ( Facebook ) informed us frequently with panel information and guests. As the HomeCon website went live, it provided fans with schedule’s and allowed them to book their 1to1 sessions. Of course, there were a few teething problems, as there always is with technology and the rapid interest in HomeCon meant that the website traffic sent it into a mini meltdown. With all new ventures, there were a few teething problems, but personally speaking I felt that the HomeCon support teams did a phenomenal job in handling issues prior and during the event. A few questioned the cost ($53 for 5 mins) for the 1to1, some feeling that they couldn’t justify the spend during these uncertain times, but as Paul explained very diplomatically that many actors had dedicated their time free of charge to be available and that 10% of proceeds were going to the charity First Responders First.What I felt was impressive it that they devised an almost perfect timetable, the different time zones taken into account, allowing those around the world to tune in.Day 1 started strong, with a live introduction and welcome by Rachel and Paul.Assassin’s Creed fans eagerly awaited the AC panel at 6pm BST. I noted as I tuned in to watch that over 26,000 people were watching. Suddenly all the familiar faces (or should that be voices) appeared on screen and the discussions began. I felt the moderator Ming Chen did a great job in keeping the pace and allowing each person to talk. However, as is the way with this incredible bunch of people, the conversation steered off course in the best possible way, usually led by Paul himself. It was great to see the interaction between them all, each one giving a little insight into their character and sharing anecdotes. As the hour long panel continued it was a joy to see fans sending questions and even communicating with one another as the message board scrolled furiously. Image source: Cas Anvar Before Day 1 came to an end, Paul popped back on to Instagram to send love and thanks to all involved and teased us with the hint that there could be a HomeCon 2.0. Victoria Atkin (Evie Frye) also hosted a quick Instagram live with Melissanthi Mahut (Kassandra), and then siblings Alexios and Kassandra did the same over on Michael Antonakos’s Instagram. It was evident at this point that everyone was having the best time and that HomeCon really was bringing everyone together. Day 2 and Assassin’s Creed was represented in the Motion Capture Panel which featured Elias Toufexis (Federico Auditore da Firenze - AC 2), Melissanthi Mahut (Kassandra - AC Odyssey) and Kris Holden-Ried (Crawford Starrick - AC Syndicate), alongside Greg Bryk (Joseph Seed - Far Cry 5) and Adam Croasdell (Ignis Scientia - Final Fantasy XV) The panel was insightful and again thoroughly amusing. Meanwhile remaining AC actors were busy meeting and greeting fans via the 1to1’s. I myself had the pleasure of talking with Victoria Atkin all whilst being photobombed constantly by my excited son! Image Source: Lisa Zaman As Day 2 drew to an end for the Assassins Creed fans, Michael Antonakos went live on Instagram with HomeCon’s co creator Paul, who we discovered, was sat in his shower with a beer and a box of kitty litter. Would we have expected anything less from the Welshman? As the conversation passed between the two it was obvious that there had been another lightbulb moment for Paul and that perhaps another HomeCon would focus solely on Assassin’s Creed.As HomeCon came to an end it became clear that it had been a great success. Not only in bringing excitement and entertainment to the fans at such a tumultuous time, but it allowed those who have been unable to participate in Comic cons previously (be it mentally, physically or simply geographically) to enjoy and embrace the atmosphere that so many of us cherish. Yes, it was a fabulously entertaining 2 days, but what I took away from this experience is, as Paul highlighted, it allowed us as humans, to connect with others, something that is so important in these current times. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Compartilhe sua opinião Seja o primeiro a escrever um comentário. About the Author Lisa is a talented portrait artist specialising in graphite work. Back in May 2018, she turned her attentions to the world of Assassin's Creed art, and began creating lifelike portraits of key characters. By joining the program, Lisa's work will be viewed by a larger number of community members, allowing her to build a captive audience. The partnership also means that we will be working closely with Lisa for upcoming art giveaways and competitions for the community. Lisa Zaman

This Week in Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography: 10th - 16th September 2022 Community Share 17 Sept 2022 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the weekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from The AC Partnership Program. Every week I will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. Aaron is a keen virtual photographer and loves to post his journeys through Assassin’s Creed on Twitter. Keep an eye on the site as more weekly shots are added, we are looking for capture across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to the #TOWCBWeeklyCapture for a chance to be featured. 1) Gunnar ​ Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla ​ This week’s first capture comes from @ TheWInterCzar a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. ​ First up this week we have Gunnar the Smith of the Raven clan. This may be the first time I have seen a shot of this pivotal character. Voiced by the brilliant Thomas W.Gabrielsson and also known for his role as Guthrum in The Last Kingdom. He is one of my favourite characters to talk to when visiting the settlement. This magnificent shot showcases him brilliantly, the black and white style really amplifying his beard and tattoos. Excellent use of the black background resulting in a perfect portrait. 2) Mythical ​ Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey ​ Photo number two comes from @ GeeketteAna a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. ​ Next up we have Kassandra exploring Atlantis from the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey DLC. I must admit I have never played this section of the game, but after seeing @GeeketteAna’s virtual photography I might just give it a go. I really like the colours of this capture, so vibrant and powerful. I love how you can see the waterfall coming through the eyes in the distance. The armour set also links well with the rest of the shot thanks to the white and gold elements. A very fitting photo for the mythical setting. 3) Odin’s Raven ​ Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Edits: Frans Bouma & Lightroom Classic ​ This week’s third shot comes from @ NovA1990 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community. ​ Photo number three brings the chill with a nice shot of a raven in the snow. I always like to feature animal photography if I can, and this is the first for a raven. Even though it isn’t the focal point, I do adore the mountains in the background. There is a real haunting feel to this with the dark skies, cold snow and wind swept trees. I believe the shot is in Northumbria as that is the only place with snow in the English part of the game. Either way this Raven looks very happy sat in the snow. As the saying goes Odin’s eyes are everywhere. 4) The Saga Begins Game: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla ​ VP number four comes from @ reubenblades1 a member of our Assassin’s Creed VP Twitter Community . ​ For our penultimate shot this week I thought I would feature this exceptional capture of Eivor and the long ships. The sepia style of this photo makes it so unique, as it is a colour tone not often seen. The attention to detail is amazing, with the use of vignette and depth of field really bringing the shot to life. I love the old vibes of the capture as it feels fitting of the time period. I wonder where Eivor is heading next? 5) Sunset ​ Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins ​ The final capture of the week comes from @ YouSpoonyBardd over on Twitter. ​ The final shot of the week is part of an awesome set entered into the Ubisoft Photo-Mode contest. Be sure to check out the whole selection below. However this photo stood out the most to me due to the jaw dropping positioning. Even with the sun going down you can see so much in this capture. I love the sun setting between the two pyramids, it is just breath-taking. I also like that you can see a third pyramid to the left and the rocky landscape surrounding it. What a beautiful use of colour and shadows to create this perfect sunset. ​ Link to set And that sums it up for this week’s Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! ​ Thank you for checking out this week’s photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next week keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Compartilhe sua opinião Seja o primeiro a escrever um comentário. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Quick-Fire Community Questions - Round 2: Damian (Damo_Kb8) Community Interview Share 4 Jun 2018 Written By: Edited By: Ashlea Blackett Colum Blackett Back To Database This week on Quick Fire Community Questions, we interviewed Ubisoft Star Player and Assassin's Creed Community Member Damian! (AKA: Damo_kb8) Ashlea: Hello Damian, thank you for taking part in round two of our Quick Fire Community Question series! Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself? Damian: Hi there im Damian, im 32, from the UK, and a massive obsessed fan of Ubisoft :-D Ashlea: Tell us a little bit about the role you play within the Ubisoft Community. ​Damian: I try my best to keep active in a few Ubisoft game communities, mainly Assassin's Creed and The Division communities but branching out to others, I like to try spread positivity within those communities, keeping those people smiling, as there can be a lot of negativity around and gaming should be a happy place of enjoyment. I like to offer help to those that need a hand, give out hints and tips, spread news about Ubisoft games, get involved with ideas and discussions about potential games, plus a bit of cosplaying :-D Ashlea: When did you first become involved in the Assassins Creed community? Damian: Well I used to be just one of those really shy people and just browse forums and websites but not interact, its not till I got to grips with social media and good internet a few years ago now (im showing my age) that I found somewhere where I can really express my longtime love and passion for the franchise and be able to show the world not just my dedication to Assassin's Creed and Tom Clancy series but to the whole of Ubisoft, meeting many players who share the same passion and love as I do, instead of hearing myself being called a geek and "im wasting my time/life" Ashlea: What is your favourite game series by Ubisoft? Damian: Hmm... can i say 3? My main loves have always been Assassins Creed, Tom Clancy's & Far Cry series. Ashlea: Do you have any Ubisoft related collectibles? What is your favourite item in your collection? Damian: Yes I have quite a lot which but since I've moved house a lot is in the loft but slowly filling up my desk with new collectables, one of my favourite items has to be my old Altair collectors edition Statue as right there that's where it started, I was hooked on AC. Another one I love is the Assassin's Creed Unity: Prima Official Initiate Edition that contains the chalice and a sealed scroll, and one of my favourites The Division collectables has to be the collectors edition art book from TITAN, its a thing of beauty! Ashlea: Do you have any rare or unique items? Damian: it's hard to tell what is rare as I've seen a lot of people post some great items, but I've got 3 Ubisoft items I've not seen many people with. One of them is a Promo hooded T-shirt for the original Assassins Creed, another one is a The Division Branded Roll of Hazard Tape, whilst the other is a beret from Tom Clancys END WAR. Ashlea: Have you attended many events through your Community activity for the Ubisoft brand? ​ Damian: One of my favourite things is to meet community members at conventions whether that is at EGX or MCM comic con. I had the opportunity to get a special fan viewing of the assassins creed movie, that was special!, But E3 this year topped everything about meeting community members. Ashlea: How does it feel to be a Ubisoft Star Player, what does it mean to you? Damian: When I received the email telling me I was selected I was on my lunch break at work and literally my hands started to shake, started to well up, was totes emosh, was unbelievable feeling, and it all still didn't sink in till I landed in LA it felt like a dream. To be selected meant the world to me and for those that see me there you could tell from my face I was in the bliss, there would not be enough words for me to describe all the feelings I had and still have, my wish to those who selected me was not to let them down and show them there that they made a great choice in putting their faith in me, Ashlea: When were you asked to be a star player, and what was their reason behind selecting you? Damian: Still to this day im still unsure the real reasons, and for what game, i can only assume that as I try my best to support a number of Ubisoft franchises I literally got selected as a "UBISOFT" Star Player as a fan of all things Ubi, i do have a running joke with Oliwia that it was my AC Syndicate Socks that finalised that decision, for those that don't know I met her at EGX in September and I had 3 t-shirts on at the time (AC: Origins, The Division, Far cry: Primal) AC Socks and a Division backpack with multiple Ubi game badges on. Ashlea: What does being a Ubisoft Star Player entail? ​ Damian: It involves being a representative of Ubisoft and or there particular game franchise, showing how passionate you are about the games and communities they create. Ashlea: What was it like at E3? Damian: Quite simply E3 was one of the best experiences of my life, not just the venue and the city, it was the people, the players, the developers and YVES!! I wish I could go back year after year and talk games with all those people again, it was just magical. Ashlea: How did you get to the event and who did you meet there? Damian: We had these shuttle buses that took us from the hotel to E3 or Ubi Lounge. The sheer amount of people I met was overwhelming, and would be a crazy amount of names to list but meeting the game development teams on AC: Odyssey, The Division2, Skull & bones, Starlink, Trials rising, BG&E2, Rainbow6, also a few legends of Ubi like Alix Wilton Regan, Zack Cooper, Magnus Sanford, Gabe Graziani, and Yves Guillemot just to name a handful. Ashlea: Please tell us a little but about your experiences at E3 and the conferences you attended. Damian: So the Booth at E3 was massive it was probably one of the best set ups I've seen at a convention, but quite alot of the other Ubi star players will agree with me on this one is the Ubi lounge we had alot of fun in there doing workshops with the game developers. Some of the stuff that got said in there was under NDA so cant really say what went on but it was just amazing being able to talk with the individual team members, chat about there roles and discuss potential future ideas on updates or games, giving feedback direct face to face as you play the demos. It was just invigorating to be apart of, on top of that is being able to meet those other star players who you might not ever got to meet, speaking with many from other games and seeing that we all had a common passion, a passion for Ubisoft. I feel blessed being apart of our group of players that were there, and I couldn't ask for a better bunch of people to share this experience with. Our guides for the whole thing were simply amazing. The team at Ubisoft Club were just the best, and they helped me in more ways than they all know, also going out of my comfort zone and doing interviews on camera was so nerve racking but I'm so glad i overcame my fear to do them. One of the best moments was getting to meet Yves and to ask him questions. I tried to thank him for giving the dev's the time they need to bring the quality of game that's worthy of Ubisoft, but i was a bumbling mess of nerves, never in my life would I ever of thought id be speaking face to face with the CEO. Ashlea: What was the Ubisoft conference like? Damian: The UbiE3 conference is as every bit you dream it will be, after spending years staying up late watching streams of it, being there in person surrounded by other great people was just mind-blowing. Ashlea: Are you excited for release of AC Odyssey? Damian: YES YES YES... I am indeed, I've seen a lot of negativity around it after getting back for e3, but after playing a very deep demo with many aspects of gameplay involved all I can say is that if you loved Origins then you're gonna love Odyssey! Many other gameplay editions that make it fun and enjoyable, such as extra bits for combat, more sea combat! Sharks!! Pitched battles on beaches, new mercenary system, these are just a hand full of highlights. I think it will surprise a few people, as we still don't know a great deal on the story but I can see us all getting ourselves lost in Ancient Greece. Ashlea: What promotions are you hoping to see from Ubisoft before the release of the new game? Trailers, cosplay, gameplay demos etc? Damian: I would like to maybe see a bit more info on the story, more on both characters, and the mysterious cult. Ashlea: Do you have any plans for future Ubisoft community projects/ cosplay/ art etc? Damian: Well before I went to E3 I was working on a Crossover Cosplay "#AgentCreed" a mix of assassins creed and the division in the same universe. Now i'm back I hope to finish it up, plus I'm looking to get involved with all the different communities more, in many different ways, hoping to join many communities together from different games, WeAreUbisoft! But you never know what's around the corner, hopefully, people have seen what I'm like as a person and see what I am about and it will bring about opportunities, I'm always open to taking on and trying new things and challenges, we'll see what happens next, only the future will tell. It has been a pleasure talking with you guys as always. We would like to say a huge thank you to Damian for joining us for this edition of Quick Fire Community Questions. You can find Damian on: Twitter Instagram comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Ashlea is the Editor/ Charity Project Coordinator for The Ones Who Came Before on its wide variety of social media platforms. ​Her main responsibilities for TOWCB involve creating and editing articles, organisation of events and coordinating our charity fundraising, as well as hosting the Rally The Creed Podcast. Ashlea Blackett

Previous Next Junaid Iqbal (Medjay_Graphics) Artist Previous Partner Junaid is a UK-based digital artist who joined the art team in Summer 2022. In 2017, he created various art pieces to mark the 10 year anniversary of Assassin's Creed, and by joining the program, we will be collaborating on a number of projects that create exclusive artwork for the community to mark events such as the 15 year anniversary, and the annual AC community fundraiser for charity. Twitter | Instagram | Website Work

Fall of the Berlin Wall: Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game Wishlists Share 28 Jun 2023 Written By: Edited By: Finn Fletcher Colum Blackett Back To Database Assassin's Creed as a series has been able to survive for so long as a franchise because it is so adaptable, and can be moulded into any time period the development team want. The ideological struggle between Assassins and Templar is histori cally malleable, refreshing the series time and time again as it jumps between the pages of documented events. Ever since I fell in love with it back in 2009, I've seen it one way: historical espionage. It's a spy thriller throughout the ages; what if James Bond was in Renaissance Italy. Instead of death rays and future technology, you're facing corrupt Popes and… well future technology. The people will never know your name or mission, but you fight for their safety. There's even an allegory for weapons of mass destruction in it with the Pieces of Eden, that if the Assassins allow to fall into the wrong hands will lead to world destruction! In that vein, and inspired by a tweet from AC: Landmarks , I wanted to return to an idea I've had for sometime, a true Assassin's Creed spy story. How would the series look if you cranked that idea of historical espionage up to 11? What would it look like in the Cold War? Now there are plenty of reasons I think this period could work: it can be charming and flashy as we've seen in the campier spy stories of the past half a century, is so morally complex there's plenty of narrative and philosophical conflicts to explore with the benefit of hindsight and unlike other ideas for titles focused on a contemporary period, the secrecy of the conflict will help avoid the gameplay problem of it simply becoming a shooter. Going guns out simply wasn't an option, can't risk making the Cold War hot after all, so stealth and blades will still be a main approach. The problem then is making a narrative and choosing the specific time and place. The Cold War was BIIIIG, like far too big to ever condense into a single story. Do you want a Cuban missile crisis or a Vietnam War? At first I felt like international 60s exploration would be good, moving from city to city, collecting information on targets, but its scope felt too unrealistic. It's when I settled on what I think to be the perfect setting for this type of game: the fall of the Berlin Wall. For those who don't know (which I assume won't be many people), I'll do a very quick overview of this period in history. After World War 2 Germany was split, with Western Germany going to the Allies and Eastern to the Soviets. This also included the capital city of Berlin, however because the city was located in the Eastern side of the country, Western Berlin was walled off, with the Soviets hoping to stop their citizens fleeing to the West. After two decades of this walled off city, in 1989, the communist leaders were ousted from power and the wall was torn down by citizens and soldiers alike. By many historians, this is seen as the last breath of the Cold War. This will be as modern as the series would have gone, and explore something that people still alive today experienced, maybe even players. This wouldn’t be the first time a game would do this (Call of Duty has used the Cold War as a setting plenty of times), but it is important to show respect to the reality of the suffering. Know that I did my research into the period, and believe if Ubisoft were ever to do this they should consult people who were their to best understand the era. Like Syndicate, the narrative will take place over a single year, as you take the final actions to ensure the wall is destroyed. The player, a German Assassin looking to reclaim her nation, will travel between West and East Berlin, gathering and manipulating information, taking down targets, and setting up the final nail in the coffin of the Cold War. Now I said that this was inspired by a tweet from AC: Landmarks and this is where I’ll tie it back in. Landmarks posted a question, would you like to see another Templar lead Assassin's Creed game, and honestly I think this game would be an excellent opportunity to return to that concept. The protagonist would be an Assassin, but rather than relying solely on the Brotherhood, I imagine this period being an excellent opportunity to return to the ideas of a Templar Assassin unity. Cold War inspired insignia by Reddit user ThatOneEnemy The Cold War was complicated, and the Assassins Creed lore matches that. Templars seemingly had power over Stalin while pushing corporate America through Abstergo. So I’m imagining it as such: Templars attempted to twist Russia into a totalitarian state but it was an experiment that they lost control over, by the 80's when Gorbachov was in power they had no footing in Russia. Meanwhile they were hedging their bets in Abstergo Industries which would become their main operation going forward. Now both Assassins and Templars have a reason to want to bring an end to the Cold War, and annihilate the threat of a nuclear war. You could even have Templar traitors be working with the Soviets, prepared to counteract any Assassin activity. It’s an interesting position to be placed in. The player, a German Assassin named Matilda, simply wants to free her home, while the Assassin Brotherhood is hoping to turn Germany into a new Assassin stronghold after nearly a century of defeats. Abstergo and the Templars offer help, arguing that this is an issue everyone wants to see resolved, but really are just hoping the Assassins will fight their battles for them. Matilda becomes a pawn in all this, pushed and pulled in every direction, her own struggles manipulated by others for their own gain. This can then affect gameplay. While I do love Rogue, it failed to fully capitalise on the “Templar fantasy”. If we’re going to be allied with Templars we should pick up some of their tricks, so missions will not only be focused on eliminating targets but manipulating information. Imagine sequences focused entirely on breaking into military compounds to alter records and data; the player could even be given a selection of choices, with opportunities to alter guard routes, or cause in-fighting. Your goal after all is to destabilise a decades old government, that doesn’t just happen by getting rid of a few people. In this game we'll be pulling the series into the "information age", with 24 hour news, television and mass broadcasting. The manipulation of information was becoming a warfare tactic, one the Soviets had mastered for decades with altered photography and repressed journalists. The gameplay mechanics will reflect this, you're no longer a blade in a crowd but also a pen, ready to tear up falsified "facts" with a single swipe. This could be exemplified by the removal of the real East Berlin ruler Erich Honecker, a man responsible for multiple atrocities who was in charge of the construction of the wall and was forced to resign less than a month before the walls destruction. He would make a perfect final target, wherein the player must maximise their use of Templar tactics, to establish a wide conspiracy and expose the truth in a way that would see Honecker's reign come to an end. It would be a perfect distillation of the idea of covert war, wherein an Assassination would only cause more chaos and fear but information could lead to a peaceful solution. Honeckers life is genuinely fascinating aswell; in his youth he rebelled against the Nazi party, being sentenced to hard labour by the Gestapo. Once freed by the Soviets he built a thriving political career in East Germany and enforced totalitarioan rulership, reportedly leading to the death of around 1,000 civillians. His role as a Templar defect seems to write itself, joining the order after the fall of Nazi Germany only to leave to follow his own beliefs, before being ousted and sent to trial in his old age. The city would also aid in this idea of mixing tactics, with the division forcing different kinds of approaches. East Berlin would have a heavy military presence, with a strict wanted system. Killing isn’t a particularly viable option, because if a body is found major sweeps of the area would be conducted by heavily armed soldiers. Espionage and Templar tricks will be your main tool here, you’ll have to distract not attack. It would also allow a return to the AC1 style of Assassination missions, where once a target has been taken down the city will go onto red alert and you’ll be detected in an instant. West Berlin will function more like a traditional AC game, where you’ll have a chance to use your tools and gadgets more freely. Your focus will be taking down targets who for different reasons are doing everything in their power to make sure the war carries on. These could be war profiteers, or bigoted generals who just want to see the “Commies” annihilated at all costs. Travelling between the sides will also take effort. The “wall” wasn’t just a wall, in fact there were two heavily armed walls with the Death Strip (a trench full of mines and other deadly traps) between. Traversing this will be a parkour and stealth challenge, where you’ll be forced to consider the risks and take effort when manoeuvring the territory. The difficulty will encourage players to finish all the tasks in either half of the city before travelling to the other, providing them with more obstacles. Other historical figures can aide in this, such as the Pastor Christoph Wonneberger who helped rally people to protest against the Soviets. While in real life he was positioned in Lepzig (a city south of Berlin), he couuld The narratives end then will be bittersweet; after taking down Honecker you will watch over the people as they tear down the wall. Yet as one by one the bricks removed, many of the secret powers who started all of this remain unharmed. The Templar allies you’ve made are now enemies again, and Matilda’s simple goal is twisted by the powers that be. She will even have to reflect on the actions she took, considering whether her alteration of information is moral, and if it will evevn be sustainable. Germany is a free nation again, but the fight never ends. Related Articles Aztec Empire: Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game Chinese Pirates: Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Finn is a creative writer from Rotherham, UK who has previously supported TOWCB's Fundraising events, and raised awareness surrounding Men's Mental Health. Finn's writing covers a wide scope, with releases so far including reviews, interviews and stories. He is known in the AC Community for his 'Pitching an Assassin's Creed Game' series, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website! Finn Fletcher

Product Review: GravaStar’s Mars Pro Limited Edition - Assassin's Creed Apple of Eden Speaker Review Share 8 Aug 2024 Written By: Edited By: Frame Hold Photography Colum Blackett Back To Database Futuristic design meets incredible quality in this limited-edition Assassin’s Creed-inspired speaker Thanks to GravaStar for sending me this item to review! GravaStar’s Mars Pro Limited Edition Assassin’s Creed Apple of Eden speaker is truly a marvel of art and technology. GravaStar is a technology company specializing in speakers, computer mice, earbuds, and chargers. However, GravaStar’s approach to design is incredibly unique. Inspired by sci-fi and mecha aesthetics, the company aims to embrace “ a future-forward lifestyle where technology and art merge to redefine the ordinary .” On May 20th, 2024, GravaStar released 1,000 limited units of the Assassin’s Creed Apple of Eden speaker. Inspired by this iconic Piece of Eden, the speaker is a golden metal orb with various LED lights, which creates an Isu-tech feel. The speaker also has an attachable cloth hood for that classic assassin look. Let’s dive into everything that is included in the box! The speaker arrived in a sizeable box decked out in graphics from Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Despite this product’s 2024 release date, I was surprised to see Odyssey imagery on the box, not 2023’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage or the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows. However, I am not complaining since Odyssey is my favorite game in the entire series. Four Apples of Eden, or Atlantis Artifacts, were present within Odyssey’s story. Kassandra was awarded four throughout the game–one for defeating each mythical creature boss (The Cyclops, The Minotaur, The Sphinx, and Medusa). One of the Apples present within Assassin’s Creed Odyssey The box opens like a treasure chest, and the speaker is securely nuzzled between thick styrofoam to ensure a safe delivery. Two cords are slotted next to the speaker– a USB to USB-C for charging and a USB-C to 3.5mm AUX for direct audio connection. An instruction manual in multiple languages is also included, which helps explain how to connect to the speaker via Bluetooth and how to adjust various settings. The instruction manual was extremely helpful and straightforward, with super handy diagrams that helped me get my speaker up and working within seconds. A thin black box with many goodies inside is slotted on the speaker's right side! First, you will find a cloth hood with miniature sleeves to attach to your speaker. The sleeves pull up over the speaker’s three robotic legs, and the hood fits snugly around the central orb and can either be pulled over the speaker’s head or left down. The front of the hood has a thin metal wire inside to shape it around the speaker to your liking. The material of the hood is thin enough not to muffle the speaker's sound and is made out of a lovely, shiny gold fabric. The hood's design sort of reminds me of the headgear from the Armor of the Dikastes set you obtain in Atlantis in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Next, you will find a clear bag filled with 18 Odyssey-themed stickers. These stickers have excellent print quality and a nice matte finish. The stickers include: Three Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Logos Two collage images of Kassandra Two mercenary helmets Two collages of weapons One Odyssey logo over the Adrestia’s shield One Odyssey logo over The Parthenon One Cult of Kosmos mask One Adrestia shield One collage of Kassandra, Alexios, and The Spear of Leonidas One jumping Alexios (this is from Odyssey’s opening game menu) One GravaStar logo in the style of the Adrestia’s shields One GravaStar logo One image of the Mars Pro Limited Edition - Assassin's Creed Apple of Eden Speaker Lastly, you also receive a double-sided Odyssey art card. On one side, you have the game cover art with Kassandra, and on the other, an image of Athens. Since this speaker is limited to 1,000 pieces, each has its number printed on the side. I was sent speaker number 0171. Connecting my phone via Bluetooth took seconds after switching on the speaker. Unlike other Bluetooth devices I have used in the past, this speaker has had zero connectivity issues so far. You can adjust the volume by gliding your finger up and down a touch-activated indicator on the top of the central orb. This speaker has an excellent range in volume–it can go from pleasantly quiet to extremely concert-level loud, all while maintaining audio quality and remaining undistorted. I like that changing the volume doesn’t involve clicking on any buttons that could interrupt the audio you are playing. Next to the power and Bluetooth buttons on the back of the speaker is a third button to control the speaker’s LEDs. The LEDs can be switched between six colors: red, light blue, dark blue, orange, green, and pink. You can set the lights to be static, gently fade between all colors, flash in sync with the playing audio, or all be off. The bright and colorful LEDs make the speaker look and feel like a futuristic device. With my phone connected and the LEDs set to my favorite color, light blue, I played a song that I felt was very fitting for this device: Legend of the Eagle Bearer, the main theme of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. As soon as the first notes played, I could tell this speaker was truly special. The sound quality is outstanding. Everything sounds crystal clear, and the bass is deep and reverberating. According to GravaStar’s website, this speaker is equipped with a “20 Watt Dual Speaker System” and a “passive bass radiator” that give the speaker the ability to produce “deep bass, accurate mids, and crisp highs.” This claim is 100% true, and I do not believe I have ever owned a Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as this one. After my unboxing, I spent the next hour listening to music and marveling at just how good everything sounded out of this device. Not only is this speaker a unique art piece to have in your home or office, but it is also an incredible high-fidelity device that provides an excellent listening experience. It is effortless to set up and has a battery life that can last up to 15 hours on one charge. I genuinely believe this speaker is worth the money, and I highly recommend it to any Assassin’s Creed fan and audiophile alike. Thanks again to GravaStar for sending me the Mars Pro Limited Edition Assassin’s Creed Apple of Eden speaker. You can purchase this item on GravaStar’s website here: https://www.gravastar.com/products/mars-pro-limited-edition-assassins-creed-apple-of-eden And follow them on socials here: Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) Facebook YouTube Also, you can check out our video review here! https://youtube.com/shorts/nLI2BRLBh6M?feature=share comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Frame Hold Photography is a passionate Virtual Photographer who joined our Video Content Creation Team in Summer 2022, as we began our efforts to break away from solely written content. During a period of uncertainty for TOWCB website, FHP stepped up and took on the role of Site Manager, overseeing our restoration efforts. Our website today now sits at the top of many Google searches📈 Outside of AC, she is also a full time editor and visual effects artist on TV commercials, and has been putting her skills to use in the community by creating epic Assassin's Creed tribute videos, miniature figure painting videos and editing episodes of our Rally the Creed podcast! Frame Hold Photography

Aaron Young from TOWCB Joins ThePhotoMode Writing Team News Share 12 Apr 2023 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database We are pleased to announce that our very own Aaron Young has been invited to join ThePhotoMode team as a regular article writer! Aaron is known in the community for his incredibly detailed portrait captures using the in-game Photo Mode tools, and also for his weekly Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography articles for The Ones Who Came Before . ThePhotoMode is the first free virtual photography e-magazine, and aims to support digital creators who share a love for virtual photography. The project, led by community member Jack ( _Virtualtourism ) has done an excellent job at highlighting community content, but other notable achievements include the site hosting a Q&A with Raphael Lacoste (Former Art Director on Assassin's Creed), and Jack himself winning the ' Virtual Photographer of the Year' award' at the Ubisoft Community Awards event in London! You can find Aaron's first major contributions to the project below, which are featured in the most recent release, issue #27 . Issue #27 available now: Free download comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

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Assassin’s Creed Virtual Photography: 19th to 29th February Community Share 7 Mar 2024 Written By: Edited By: Aaron Young Colum Blackett Back To Database Welcome to the biweekly virtual photography roundup hosted by Aaron Young from the AC Partnership Program. Every two weeks we will be picking our top 5 favourite Assassin’s Creed shots and showcasing them on The Ones Who Came Before website, in order to promote virtual photography and talented content creators within the community. This theme has been run alongside @ JChoukroun aka Jean who is new to the virtual photography community. Jean is a game developer for Ubisoft and has worked on several titles. Jean has a passion for virtual photography, and we are honoured to have him with us. Keep an eye on the site as more shots are added, we are looking for captures across all Assassin’s Creed games. Tag your photos to #ACFirstCivVP for a chance to be featured. This theme week: Assassin’s Creed Protagonists and their Companions. Partnership Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ cop_filip The Ones Who Came Before Photo of the Week Judge: @ JChoukroun ''I really love this shot, because it reminds me of so many things, I adore about 2017’s Assassin’s Creed Origins. From the onset of the game, it is clear Bayek is a broken man, and I feel a deep melancholy emanating from his obscured face. The super strong depth of field calls back to Bayek’s sole focus being revenge. It blinds him to the rest of the world, which merely becomes a blurry backdrop upon which he will exact his vengeance. Amidst all this though, there is still love to be found as represented by Senu who will lead Bayek from seeking revenge to seeking redemption and reconnection, both to Aya and to the outside world.'' Aaron “You are the Medjay from Siwa.” Assassin’s Creed Origins is the first time we get to share our journey with a companion. For me Senu has the best personality of all the birds. Her friendship with Bayek is pivotal in the revenge quest he sets out on. She acts as emotional support for a wounded Bayek whose mission would be very lonely without her. This majestic capture embodies the relationship between the two. I believe the black and white of this photo make it appear classy, while the depth of field allows the viewer to focus on the friendship. Filip has nailed the timing too, Senu’s wings look magnificent. A truly beautiful capture from one of the best games in the series. Companion Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ Milz_VP “Yes Enkidu, food is coming.” Basim’s relationship with Enkidu is far more complex than previous games. He is gifted to Basim during his time at Alamut, before the young assassin sets out for Baghdad. As the story progresses the two become good friends, however the darkness inside Basim soon causes a rift between them. Here we have the two companions scouting out their next target. I really like the composition of this capture. The lighting is very good, as a result you can see such detail in Basim’s robes and Enkidu’s feathers. I think Eric has done a great job of showing the connection these two have, its just a shame it doesn’t end well. Aya and Senu Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins VP Artist: @ NovA1990 “Bayek, it has been too long.” This for me is a glimpse of what might have been or what could still be for Aya in this series. She is a character that deserves more story content. These two powerful females have such a dominating presence in Assassin’s Creed Origins, and Bayek relies on their support as he seeks vengeance for the death of his son. In this capture it is the head turns that makes it so special for me, they are almost mirroring one another. Both characters look very elegant, and the colours are in harmony. The depth of field is assisting to draw the eye to both assassin and eagle. Across the Desert Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ thefrostysm “It has been an honour to watch you walk your path”. When wandering the deserts of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, you cannot help but think back to 2017 and those highly impressive landscapes of Egypt. Origins has without doubt left a huge mark on this franchise and will do for some time to come. This shot is all about the shadows and how the capture has been split into two magnificent sections. I love the contrasting colours that represent the beauty but also the harshness of the desert. The silhouette of Basim on his camel is such a delight, I have seen quite a few photos in this style, and I am always blown away by their simple elegance. Leap of Faith Game: Assassin’s Creed Mirage VP Artist: @ BasimIbnIshaq_ “Ready to make the leap”. It isn’t a surprise that Assassin’s Creed Mirage has done so well. A return to the roots with a deeply interesting main character was always going to treat the fanbase. The setting is also a delight on the eyes and as a virtual photographer I couldn’t wait to jump into the photo mode. I love this capture; it is very cinematic and could easily be from a trailer. Timing is often everything and this shot proves it, with Basim flying just below Enkidu. I adore how both have their respective limbs outstretched. The camera angle is excellent allowing us a view of the streets these two are protecting. An impressive action shot that fits beautifully with the Assassin’s ethos. Assassin's Creed Virtual Photography Showcase: February 2024 by Turið Torkilsdóttir. Music: East Again by Gargudon (TOWCB Video Content Creation Team) And that sums it up for this Assassin’s Creed virtual photography recap list! Thank you for checking out the photo collection. This would not be possible without the virtual photographers out there so a huge thanks to them. Until next time keep those shots coming in! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Compartilhe sua opinião Seja o primeiro a escrever um comentário. About the Author Aaron is a passionate Assassin's Creed fan who joined our AC Partnership Program as an Online Article Writer back in 2021 after the release of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. After building momentum and interest on TOWCB website for Virtual Photography, Aaron established TOWCB Virtual Photography Team, of which he is now Team Leader. Throughout 2024, TOWCB VP Team will be sharing community captures in dedicated articles, and providing a positive environment on Twitter for gamers to share their shots. Aaron Young

Assassin's Creed Symphonic Adventure London Photo Log Events Share 30 May 2024 Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team Colum Blackett Back To Database On the 29th and 30th May 2024, the Assassin's Creed Symphonic Adventure UK Premiere took take place in London. ​ ​ Representing The Ones Who Came Before were Aaron Young (FalconSwift87: Isu_Network Virtual Photography Team), Lisa Zaman (Art Team) and Louise Chase (TheNerdyArcher: Isu_Network Writing Team) on the night of Wednesday 29th May! ​ Here are our photos from the event! Photos by Aaron Young Photos by Louise Chase Coming Soon Photos by Lisa Zaman Coming Soon comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. TOWCB Team

Best Quotes in Assassin's Creed Origins ​ Share ​ Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) ​ Back To Database comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Compartilhe sua opinião Seja o primeiro a escrever um comentário. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)

Best quotes in Assassin's Creed I (2007) ​ Share ​ Written By: Edited By: TOWCB Team ​ Back To Database Welcome to the first article in a new series written by TOWCB Team, outlining our favourite quotes from the franchise. We begin by revisiting the original Assassin’s Creed game, which was released back in 2007. Undoubtedly a slow burner, the game grows into its own and provides the building blocks that future games expand upon. Although it is often criticised for tedious gameplay mechanics such as tailing missions and pickpocketing, the game provides clarity over what it means to rise within the Assassin Brotherhood, and to follow the tenets of the Creed or face the consequences. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author A collection of articles from The Ones Who Came Before team. TOWCB Team

Female Vikings: The Real History Breakdown Share 27 Oct 2020 Written By: Edited By: Lauren Harris Ashlea Buckley Back To Database When the first trailer for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla released and fans were introduced to the protagonist, Eivor, who can be played as either male or female, it was the subject of much discussion. Fans debated over how realistic the concept of a female Viking warrior was. Could a female Eivor be historically accurate? Or was it simply a gameplay decision made for the benefit of representation and player choice? In this article, we look at the true history of women during the Viking era and the role they played in their society. ​ According to Judith Jesch, Professor of Viking Studies at the University of Nottingham and the author of Women in the Viking Age (1991), women could not be Vikings as the Old Norse word “vikingar” only applied to men. The idea of female Viking warriors being a historical fact seems to have originated with a DNA study into the remains found in a grave in Birka, Sweden, in 1889. For over one hundred years, the remains were assumed to be of a male warrior. However, in 2017, DNA proved that the bones belonged to a woman. The researchers then published their assessment that the deceased must have been a warrior woman. The reasoning for this was due to the possessions found in the grave, such as pieces of a chess-like board game. Items like this were often found in the graves of warriors, and so the assumption was made that this must have been a warrior. Vikings historians were quick to dispute this conclusion, however. For one, there was no concrete evidence that board games had any connection to warriors. Also, it was very possible that bones had been mixed together during burials, and that this was not specifically a warrior’s grave. Sadly, most scholars believe that female Viking warriors simply did not exist. However, that does not mean that women had no role in Viking society. Actually, research shows that Viking era women had a level of equality with men that most societies would not achieve for many, many years. In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, players can let the Animus choose which perspective to view the memory stream from depending on its strength. This is to encourage fans to play as both characters, rather than as just one. Women had a number of important roles in Viking society. Many of these involved work around the house and farm – but women were not simple housewives. In fact, they were responsible for all the wealth in their household. The women controlled the money and the keys to the property. If the men wanted to use either of these things, they would have to go to their wives first. Additionally, since the men were often away exploring, raiding, or voyaging, the women were in charge of making the decisions. They were the ones left behind to keep the economy flourishing and prevent the village from falling apart. In what was an incredibly progressive move for the time, women were allowed to have occupations outside of the home. They were traders, priestesses, and even rune masters. Often, women would produce textiles and sell them in the village. Sometimes, the power of a woman could overshadow her husband. Some men would admire their wives for this fiery personality, but others would feel emasculated. Regardless, society always respected a powerful woman. ​ Evidence of a powerful Viking era woman was found in a burial in Oseberg. Remains of a woman, assumed to be of nobility or even royalty, were found buried in a large ship. She was interred with carved wooden furniture, a tapestry, fine bedding, and household utensils. This suggested that she had power within the society and was respected by her peers. ​ Law was also much fairer to women in the Viking Age than in other periods of history. Women were able to inherit land from their parents, though less than their brothers would receive. A woman would also receive money from her groom upon marriage, of a similar value to the dowry she would present to him. Married couples in the Viking Age were able to divorce, a progressive concept in itself, and if they did, the woman would get to keep her own dowry and that of her groom. They were also free to remarry without judgement. Abuse of women was not tolerated in Viking society. Rape of a woman was a crime punishable by exile, and a woman could demand a divorce if her husband hit her three times. That said, female infidelity was not acceptable and was punished, though men were allowed to have mistresses. ​ ​Another way that Vikings showed their appreciation for the women in their lives was through rune stones. Whilst most rune stones were erected for men, many were also erected in memory of women. This shows that Vikings wanted people to remember their women and felt that they deserved the same memorial as the men. Eivor is a fierce Viking warrior, and the leader of the Raven Clan. Despite the historians suggesting that female Viking warriors did not exist, there are many stories in Norse literature of women riding into battle alongside the men. Where did these myths come from? The Icelandic sagas with tales of Viking shield-maidens and Valkyries were written centuries after the Viking Age, which makes it difficult to believe the stories they tell. However, what these sagas do show is the way the Norse respected and admired strong women in their society. The women in these stories were depicted in various ways. Some were Valkyries sent by the god Odin to retrieve fallen warriors from the battlefield and bring them to Valhalla. Some were mortal but with supernatural powers, like fortune tellers and prophets. Others were regular humans who picked up a sword and shield and went into battle with their male counterparts. Famous female warriors in Norse literature include Sigrdrifa the Valkyrie, who appears in the poem Sigrdrífumál also featuring Sigurd the Dragonslayer. ​ While little historical evidence has been found to support the idea of Viking warrior women existing, there have been some accounts which could lend support to the theory. One is from an Irish history book written in the 12th century which speaks of a warrior named “The Red Maiden” who attacked Munster with a Viking fleet in the 10th century. Another is from 11th century Greek historian Johannes Skylitze who recorded that there were armed female Vikings among the warriors who attacked the Byzantines in Bulgaria in 971. As with the Icelandic sagas, though, the fact these sources were written hundreds of years after the Viking age makes the stories less credible. ​ Other evidence which could suggest female Viking warriors existed comes from two sets of remains found in Norway. One set was the skeleton of a woman around 20 years old who was buried with a complete set Viking weaponry. The other was a skeleton of a woman around 18 years old who had a full set of weaponry along with equipment for a horse. There is little reason for the women to be buried with these possessions unless they were important to them, suggesting that they could have been warriors themselves. However, under Viking law, a woman would gain all her husband’s belongings upon his death. It could be that these weapons belonged to their warrior husbands and were buried with the wives for sentimental reasons. ​ To conclude, historians believe that the existence of Viking warrior women is unlikely – and so too would be a character like female Eivor. However, it is clear that women held more power in Viking society than any other culture for years to come. Women were not subservient and they were free to make their own decisions in life. It is said that no one could tell a Viking era woman what to do. We have to wonder then if a woman wanted to be a Viking warrior, who was going to stop her? In that case, maybe there were female warriors lost to the annals of history – and maybe Eivor was one of them. Available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®4, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Store on Windows PC, as well as on UPLAY+, and Stadia. Also coming to PlayStation®5. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Compartilhe sua opinião Seja o primeiro a escrever um comentário. About the Author Lauren is a online article writer who joined the program in 2019, which allowed for her work to be viewed by a larger audience. She is especially interested in Assassin's Creed lore, and wrote a number of thought provoking articles which you can find here in the Community HUB. Lauren left the program in 2021 shortly after the 'Assassin's Creed Infinity' announcement, which understandably left many fans feeling uneasy. We wish her the best of luck with her future projects. Lauren Harris

The Impact of Assassin's Creed Origins Analysis Share 16 Oct 2024 Written By: Edited By: Hayden Bird (TombAssassin) Colum Blackett Back To Database When ‘Assassin’s Creed Origins’ released back in October 2017, it made an immediate impact both for fans of the series, and those who were unfamiliar with the series. ‘Origins’ introduced many new aspects to its arsenal that had fans uncertain of the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ games suddenly interested in the game for once. Fans loved the new and improved look that the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series had badly needed. By doing this, Ubisoft saved the briefly tarnished reputation that previous titles in the series had gotten, due to familiarity and the development issues mostly. Ubisoft had to return in a big way, and make an impact on the gaming world for fans who had lost their interest in the series after the controversy surrounding the previous two ‘Assassin’s Creed’ games that were released before ‘Origins’ : Unity and Syndicate. Ubisoft had much to prove, and the initial stamp they put out to the gaming world was necessary to the future success of the series. Ubisoft decided to explore Ancient Egypt, and created a faithful adaptation to what life in that era would have been like. Ubisoft aced the important task of returning with a bang and it propelled ‘Assassin’s Creed Origins’ to one of the top selling games in the entire series, and still to this day a popular fan favorite. Ubisoft was authentic to the era that was Ancient Egypt. They did their research on the time period and created their game as if it were an exact copy of what we would expect from life during that time. The protagonist of the game, Bayek of Siwa, is still considered by many to be the franchise's best main character, as he had charisma and was overall very likable. Which helped the game succeed by strong performances from the entire cast and also from Bayek’s voice actor, Abubakar Salim, who played his character with emotion and professionalism. His performance propelled the game into the success it has become today. So, Ubisoft did a great job not only making a great impression for the skeptical fans, but taking their time to perfect their game, as ‘Assassin’s Creed Origins’ was the first game in the series to take a full calendar year off since 2009. Ubisoft re-evaluated the series after the disappointments of 2014’s ‘ Assassin's Creed Unity’ and 2015’s ‘Assassin's Creed Syndicate’ . They knew in order to gain the trust of the fans and the media again, that they would have to be original, and not repeat the exact same formula with the same familiarity the franchise had known so well. ‘ Origins’ was completely different from the past instalments, and also started a new trend in the series which is commonly referred to as the “RPG” games. This title, meaning “role playing game”, is in reference to the drastic shift in gameplay mechanics that the previous games had not seen before. In terms of media reception and sales, ‘Origins’ was a smash hit, but this new formula did generate a form of resistance in the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ fanbase. Some fans were not willing to accept the change in the series, and rather preferred the original format the games had used every year up until its creation. However, while there were select fans who did not like this change, the majority of the community did, and it also attracted fans from other game genres to become new fans of the series, creating fans coming together with existing fans merged together continued the grow the size of the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ community throughout the world. What ‘Origins’ does best, is not necessarily just its shift in formula, but more to the fact that it is overall a very good game. Not just under the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ label, but also in the aspect that the majority of what ‘Origins’ was, happened to be exactly what the gaming industry needed. ‘Origins’ did an excellent job being a great game, rather than just being known as a great ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game. It shows that there is a difference and separation in the industry, that a game can be good in its respective series, but not great outside of its umbrella, but ‘Origins’ defied that stereotype and became considered a great game in every aspect it could have. ‘Origins’ still remains an outlier in the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series, and marks the end of one era, and the beginning of another. For the most part, Ubisoft has stuck with the same formula that ‘Origins’ created. It has proven to be a success in both the sales category, and critical and fan reception. What ‘Origins’ did was bold and taking a major risk. There was no doubt this drastic change in the identity of the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series we are so familiar with today, would make certain fans unhappy. Change is almost always going to be met with positive feedback, but also will be met with resistance. It is hard to accept change, no matter what area of life or entertainment that could be considered, as there will inevitably always be some fans who love the idea, but also fans who prefer the previous format. This is unavoidable, and Ubisoft clearly knew this when creating ‘Origins’ . Ubisoft had to take a risk in their decision making for ‘Origins’ . Following such a drastic change in your formula could go very good, or very bad. It could go either way depending on the quality of the product created. Ubisoft clearly had faith in ‘Origins’ , and we are glad they chose to take this risk, and believe in their game. Starting fresh from a long-running, and frankly very popular franchise is difficult. Ubisoft had a serious challenge to face when deciding which direction to take when creating ‘Origins’ , and it was clear in all aspects that they hit the jackpot. The ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series we know and love today may very well be non-existent today without the impact and importance of ‘Origins’ . So many things could've gone wrong and against Ubisoft, but they trusted in their creative vision, and in the end created a pure masterpiece that still has a major impact on both the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series, and the gaming world itself. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. About the Author Hayden is a passionate Freelance Writer based in South Carolina who joined TOWCB's Writing Team in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, writing articles on all things Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He left the group to focus on studies, joining our Alumni program, but triumphantly returned with fresh ideas in 2024 to pick up where he left off, only this time covering Assassin's Creed Shadows. Hayden Bird (TombAssassin)

Q&A with Patricia Summersett Interviews Share 1 Jun 2017 Written By: Edited By: Colum Blackett (Col_96) Ashlea Blackett Back To Database Our Admin Col_96 had the opportunity to ask Patrica Summersett questions on her work for the Assassin's Creed franchise. Col: Hi Patricia. Thank you for joining us today. Galina was first introduced in Assassin’s Creed Initiates, and has become a fan favourite character in the Present Day. Did you do much research on her background before you voiced her in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate? Patricia: As is pretty normal for video game auditions, I wasn’t aware of what I was auditioning for at first. I knew she was a Russian character going into the audition, so I worked my accent and practised some basic Russian words and phrases, and my physicality of an “Assassin”. Once I was confirmed for the role I was passionately briefed with more details and spent time reading her (quite dramatic and charged) history regarding her mother, sister and friends. She is one tough and fascinating character. Col: Galina can also be found in the Assassin’s Creed Titan Comics. Have you been reading them? Patricia: I own a couple and have certainly enjoyed what I’ve read. They really give her a different flavor, different angle in the comics. With those two sources (game and comics) a very rounded, dimensional character emerges, one who is quite easy to empathize with (imo). I’m sure I’ll get my hands on more. If you see me at a Con, feel free and share with me. ;) Col: Was it difficult to perfect the Russian Accent for Galina? Did you need any special coaching or training for the role? Patricia: I’ve had and still have accent coaches that I draw from for just about everything I do involving accent work. I use the technique where I draw from various sources but ultimately narrow it down to one or two specific ones. I often enjoy training my accents using resources like IDEA (for anyone looking for accent resources, great website and it’s free!) Previous to getting this role, I had also spent some time studying theatre at MXAT (Moscow Arts Theatre School) in Russia, visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg. And before getting into theatre I was an ice dancer and used to train with various Russian coaches around the US. So it’s definitely been in my ear.. I kind of cobble things together from various sources. Col: What is your take on the relationship between Hope Jensen and Shay Cormac? Patricia: Poor them. What a crazy twist of fate. I can’t say for sure, but I think it’s an unfortunate unrequited relationship.. That is 100% only my take on it. Obviously there were some sparks before all hell broke loose. But I do certainly enjoy the Fan Art I’ve found and often share, of Hope and Shay together. ;) Great Fan Art. BTW I love Fan Art in general. There are so many ridiculously talented artists and it makes me really happy to see creative work breed more creative work. Col: Do you like Hope Jensen’s Purple Outfit? She’s the first Assassin to wear purple (main colour) in an Assassin’s Creed Game. Patricia: She is 100% better than Barney, eggplants, the purple people eater, and almost a match for Purple Rain. Hard to beat Prince… that's hard. She's up there though. yeah, I love the purple. As an actor, I'm often put in red outfits. I don't know why, maybe it's colouring or just character type, but purple is refreshing. Oh yes, grapes. She beats grapes. Speaking of grapes, I would wear her outfit and drink a nice glass of Burgundy, and truly enjoy myself and not have to worry if I sloshed about… how excellent. Col: Were you surprised when you learned that your character was to be assassinated? Patricia: Never… I often die. It’s a thing. I feel bad for my father (in real life) who has often watched me die on stage, in film/tv…. He is not a fan of that. But I’ve had some pretty brutal deaths. It’s a thing unfortunately. Col: Would you like to return to voice acting in Assassin’s Creed, and could we see you again in future projects? Patricia: I will work with Ubisoft and the AC series any time, every time, any way. It’s the best. I love my job and I love meeting people through it. Perhaps I will meet some of you at Conventions in the upcoming year and I look forward to it. As far as future games, I’ve got a couple of things coming up. Princess Zelda was just announced, that has been an amazing ride. Some other announcements are coming, I’m excited about all of them. Hope Jensen was my first true female warrior character in video games. I cannot tell you how excited I was when I got that role. It was my first big role with Ubisoft and I was over the moon. I love playing strong women characters and I look forward to many more. Col: Thank you for your time! Patricia: And thanks for yours. Social Media Links for Patrica: Facebook Twitter Instagram Website comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Compartilhe sua opinião Seja o primeiro a escrever um comentário. About the Author Col is one of the UK's leading Assassin's Creed Community members, and is best known for establishing both 'The Ones Who Came Before' fan community and 'Isu_Network' content creation program. As Team Leader for The Ones Who Came Before, Col was officially recognised by Ubisoft, becoming one the UK Assassin's Creed community ambassadors in 2016. He has attended many events after spending a decade in the AC Community, and has worked on countless projects, all of which you can find here on TOWCB website. He is also a former Ubisoft Star Player and member of The Mentors Guild, two recognisable community programs which opened doors and took his status within the AC Community to the next level. Colum Blackett (Col_96)