During Microsoft's E3 press conference, Ubisoft decided to demo their golden child Assassin's Creed, but things did not go as smoothly as they had hoped. You see, the demo was a tad buggy and suffered from bad collision detection, floating bodies and a somewhat questionable framerate. And everyone noticed. Assassin's Creed has suffered some negative press these past few days as some gamers have been bashing the on-stage demo and the game.
Enter G4 TV's Adam Sessler who climbed atop his soap box to tell gamers that we have no right to judge the game based on the bugs, because it just isn't finished. Sessler makes a great argument stating that video games are one of the only artistic mediums in which the artists allow fans to preview their work before it's complete. Bugs are normal in unfinished products, it's as simple as that. And we have to agree. Let's just take a deep breath and ignore Assassin's floating bodies. See, we bet you feel better already.
Earlier today we got a chance to sit down with Ubisoft and get shown Assassin's Creed up close and personal, while at the same giving us a chance to actually control Altair ourselves. The demonstration was the of the same mission shown at Microsoft's Press Briefing from Tuesday night. Fortunately, we got to see the objective through to its completion, whereas Jade Raymond's cut off as soon as the slaver was assassinated. After our Ubi rep went through the mission, he handed us the controller and let us have a go at the streets and rooftops of Jerusalem, which is 15 times larger than the previously demoed city at E3 06. Did it play as good as it looked?
Ubisoft shed some more light on Assassin's Creed with a demonstration, where plenty of tidbits could be gleaned. The level demonstrated was Jerusalem, using ancient texts as a source for creating the environment. Speaking of the locale, every building visible in the city can be climbed by you, and all are accessible, which definitely is good news.
The combat system is allegedly advanced, where your performance is dependent on well timed button combos, and countering your opponent's attacks, based on their animation. When hunting down a target, you may end up chasing them through the city streets. The "Chase AI" is advanced and will make each chase a different experience, especially since your target's mannerisms are dependent on their personality.
Also, through the demonstration, characters and the immediate area around your character would see flickering and feedback, giving it a psuedo "Matrix Code" feel. All in all, Assassin's Creed is looking like a solid winter release, though we'll have to see how it compares to the big guns.
We already know that Assassin's Creed will be hitting retailers sometime in November, but now we have the pleasure of previewing what we'll be looking for on store shelves. Ubisoft just released the official Assassin's Creed cover art (viewable after the break) in all its simplistic assassin glory. Notice the subtle use of motion blur, soothing color blue, and how our assassin friend's hood perfectly shields his identity. Or maybe you didn't notice any of that and just zeroed in on the retractable and highly concealable hand knife. Oh yeah, we're going to love using that piece of hardware.
The time has come to blend your fanboy love of Assassin's Creed with your movie making talents. IFC and Ubisoft are hosting an Assassin's Creed Short Film Contest where they want you to film an assassin inspired short film and send it in for a chance to win cash and prizes. Sounds fun doesn't it? Entries must be six minutes or less focusing on the assassin lifestyle, history, and the overall stealth killing mystique. The top three short films will be included in the limited edition version of the game and be aired on the IFC network. Not only that, but the grand prize winner will also receive $10,000 cash ($2,500 for runners-up) and Xbox 360 hardware. Get your assassin film making material together as entries are being accepted from now through August 20th. Happy filming.
It's been said by many people for months now: 2007 looks to be a big year for gamers. It seems like every company is pulling out all the stops and quality games are getting ready to rain from the heavens. Some say that 2007 may be the best year EVAR. True or not, Ubisoft is playing a large role in the 360's holiday season. As proof of that, Eurogamer has unveiled Ubisoft's official release list for this holiday season, including planned release dates for major titles like Assassin's Creed and Splinter Cell Conviction. Check out the list after the break.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Ubisoft's Jade Raymond revealed some tasty new bits of info regarding Assassin's Creed, one of the Xbox 360's most anticipated titles. First and foremost, a demo is evidently planned for next month, though the article makes it unclear whether this will be an Xbox Live Marketplace demo or a public demonstration. Of course, we'd be excited about either, but just a twinge more excited about a playable demo. Raymond also refuses to comment on theories around the game's plot elements, though Veronica Mars fans already know the full story.
Raymond does reveal that helping certain people in the game will net players several new strategic options. Previously, we heard about helping monks in order to gain their help in later missions. Apparently this extends to other groups. Apparently, each group will inhabit different areas of a city, allowing players to utilize them during escapes. For example, save village women from military abuse, and their husbands will block guards that chase you. All you have to do is remember where these men live when you're making your escape.
Finally, remember the leap of faith that ended the recent trailer? That is a move taken directly from the game, though conceivably a player would know where he was going to land. In context, a player might climb a tall building to evade capture and then leap off the top into a bale of hay. When guards finally make it to the top of the building, the player will seem to have disappeared.
All in all, it sounds like great stuff. Here's hoping we do see a demo next month.
If you find yourself harboring a keen interest in both assassins and the creeds to which they are bound, you will no doubt be interested to learn that Assassin's Creed should be hitting Xbox 360s everywhere this November. The announcement comes directly from Ubisoft, though we are left with no specific date. Also "revealed" by Ubisoft, a limited edition of the game will also be sold in addition to the ordinary vanilla edition. The limited edition will retail for $69.99 and comes packed with the game (in a tin box, of course), Penny-Arcade comics, a mini strategy guide, an Altair figurine, as well as plenty of trailers and behind-the-scenes content. The limited edition isn't exactly news -- we've known about it for sometime -- but it sounds pretty cool nonetheless. Anyone out there plan no plunking down the extra cash for a spiffy new doll action figure?
Ubidays 2007 has brought us a brand new Assassin's Creed trailer (kindly embedded above) and after giving it a watch, we just want more. Maybe it's the whole assassin mystique or the way he gracefully climbs about the town, we aren't sure. What we do know is that Ubisoft's little gem gets us feeling all funny inside and we want more. It's like crack, we just want more. Assassin's Creed impresses us and we have yet to play it or even get our head around its mysterious time traveling story. But enough about our opinions, what do you think about Assassin's Creed?
[Via Joystiq, Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Assassin's Creed is getting the special treatment, and will have a Limited Edition packed with goodies to net an extra ten bucks out of you. Althought, it actually will be "Limited" in that the distribution will be less than that of the run-of-the-mill standard edition. Extras include the expected tin packaging, an Altair figurine, a mini strategy guide, AC comics by Penny Arcade, as well as behind the scenes footage with interviews and other unannounced content. So, with that as a start, and the fact it is indeed limited, do you has what it takes to get your assassinatory exploits on this fall?
CVG has posted a three part interview with the scriptwriter for Assassin's Creed, Cory May. While few gameplay details are revealed, Cory sheds some light on the story of Assassin's Creed (though he's a little more tactful about it than Kristen Bell). May goes into detail about the game's plot, which is based on the Third Crusade. While the plot is fictional, it is based on real historical figures and events. As two factions wage war (the Crusaders and the Saracens), the Assassins seek only to end the fighting. It turns out that another secret group seeks to extend the hostilities for as long as possible, as they profit from the violence. So, it's up to the Assassins to put a stop to it all. May also mentions the Templar Treasure, which should make fans of TheDa Vinci Code positively giddy.
May reveals that the Assassin's motto is "Nothing is true, everything is permitted." While this motto applies historically to the Assassin's actions, May says it also applies to the philosophy behind the game. The design team has thrown out traditional assumptions about action games and has given players the freedom to play as they wish. May also notes that he hopes Assassin's Creed will create a real emotional connection with the player (seems like the "it" thing to do these days, doesn't it?). Follow the links below for each part of the interview.
Pro-G reports that a trilogy of Assassin's Creed books are to be written by best selling science fiction author, Steven Barnes. The first book is a prequel to the game and is set to release in October. The books will center on the backstory of the game's main character, Altair. Having written for television series such as The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits, Barnes seems like a natural choice (360 Fanboy readers will remember the recently leaked info that Assassin's Creed actually has a science fiction plot). We're curious to see how many of the game's sci-fi elements make it into the books.
So, will you be picking up the books, or will you be saving your scratch for the game?
In an interview with Kristen Bell, IGN TV asks about her roles in Veronica Mars, Fanboys, and the upcoming not-so-PS3 exclusive (yes, we're going to keep saying that) Assassin's Creed. Everything in the interview seems pretty safe, no real dirty secrets revealed, that is until Kristen talks about her roll in Assassin's Creed, where she gives a little glimpse into what the story is really about saying ...
It's sort of based on the research that's sort of happening now, about the fact that your genes might be able to hold memory. And you could argue semantics and say it's instinct, but how does a baby bird know to eat a worm, as opposed to a cockroach, if its parents don't show it? And it's about this science company trying to, Matrix-style, go into people's brains and find out an ancestor who used to be an assassin, and sort of locate who that person is.
So there you have it. Assassin's Creed may not only be about killing in the Crusades, but may be a sci-fi mind traveling adventure where you go back to live the life of your assassin ancestors ... and yes that came out of left field. Commence discussion as we're out to find the meaning of life, why cockroaches are so ugly, and why the Matrix movies got progressively worse.
Over at Assassin's Haven they put together a quick list of five reasons why that not-so-PS3-exclusive Assassin's Creed will rock your socks. Not only are the crowd dynamics amazing, but Altair (the assassin you play) is how Assassin's Haven puts it, " badass". Soon we'll be able to pull out our switchblade, cut some throats, and run around in the Crusades era ... who's pumped about this one?
Have you been wondering why our Playstation 3 friends have lost so many exclusive games? Think about it, Grand Theft Auto and Assassin's Creed are both shinning examples. Also, why has the Xbox 360 wrapped up exclusives from third party developers like Bioshock and Winning Eleven? It's quite simple actually, Sony's lead man Ken Kutaragi dragged his feet for far too long. Mr. Kutaragi couldn't give developers the thumbs up for exclusivity and Microsoft played the roll of annoying best friend, constantly bugging developers to flock to their console. And look at the result, we've got great games coming. Good job Microsoft, third party exclusive titles are butter and cream and we're all anticipating Assassin's Creed. Oh the joy.
We already know that Assassin's Creed will be hitting retailers sometime in 
Speaking to Eurogamer, Ubisoft's Jade Raymond revealed some tasty new bits of info regarding 
Have you been wondering why our Playstation 3 friends have lost so many exclusive games? Think about it, Grand Theft Auto and Assassin's Creed are both shinning examples. Also, why has the Xbox 360 wrapped up exclusives from third party developers like Bioshock and Winning Eleven? It's quite simple actually, Sony's lead man Ken Kutaragi dragged his feet for far too long. Mr. Kutaragi couldn't give developers the thumbs up for exclusivity and Microsoft played the roll of annoying best friend, constantly bugging developers to flock to their console. And look at the result, we've got great games coming. Good job Microsoft, third party exclusive titles are butter and cream and we're all anticipating Assassin's Creed. Oh the joy.
