One Hit Pixel

Editor’s Note: Up to number seven now in our twenty-five most anticipated games of 2012. After culminating a comprehensive list of the confirmed games for next year, the MediaKick team voted on the games they are most looking forward to for next year, and after processing the results through a methodical algorithm we’re here to bring you the results. Taking a closer look at both what we know so far and why the team are excited for each game, we’ll have an article at midday everyday until Christmas – when we’ll reveal our most anticipated game of 2012. Be sure to check out the previous games so far if you haven’t already – #25, #24, #23, #22, #21, #20, #19, #18, #17, #16, #15, #14, #13, #12, #11, #10. #9, #8.

Revelations ties up Ezio’s storyline but what of the future for the series? Assassin’s Creed III has all but been confirmed but it will actually be the fifth game in a franchise that now falls firmly into yearly iteration territory; questions will be asked as to whether we ready for more Assassin’s Creed so soon though as of yet Ubisoft haven’t put a foot too far wrong. The franchise has proved itself to have strong legs – four great fully fledged titles in four years, several short films, a string of handheld ports and sub-games and some very nice merchandise have only served to boost the popularity and sustain the series – so we can only expect Ubisoft to maintain the high quality we’ve now come to expect from them next year.

So what can we expect? Assassin’s Creed has a rich storyline filled to the brim with tell-tale signs, winks and nudges and a deep mythology surrounding the narrative yet Ubisoft are keeping their lips sealed as to where the series will be heading. Speculation is rife but this anticipation and excitement for the unknown is part and parcel to the intrigue, as Dave notes:

“I am excited for this because there is the promise that Assassins Creed Revelations was the last story of Ezio and Altair. While a new assassin is nice as a prospect, I much prefer the idea of a new timeframe. If it turns out that it is in the eyes of Desmond in the future all the time, it would be far less appealing to me than say a new Assassin in 18th century Paris or 19th century London. I would also like to see the Illuminati come into play at some point. If it would allow co-operative play for the first time though, I would be there like a moth to flame!”

The introduction of a multiplayer component was more than welcome to Brotherhood and while the infamous ‘Waiting for Abstergo Agents’ bordered on meme territory, the addition really brought a lot of the series. Co-operative play would be excellent and it is something Ubisoft have touched on with the Alliance mode which splits six players up into pairs: a more fleshed out version of this where the players have to work together to achieve goals would be a great step in a new direction.

Dave and I aren’t alone in thinking this, as Davs offers up similar thoughts on where the series can head:

“The history and power for the franchise mainly [is why I am anticipating this]. We know next to nothing on title, we don’t even know for certain that it’s actually Assassin’s Creed III – for all we know it could be another spin-off. That said, given the conclusion of Revelations it’s highly likely to be III. We’ve had a great Assassin’s Creed game year-after-year and currently, there’s no reason to think otherwise for next year. I hope it’ll be the final chapter in Desmond’s story, set in a modern-day city like London or New York. Only time will tell though. Oh and co-op, I would love three/four player co-op where you take control of a younger assassin, utilising your skills to take out more challenging targets with fellow assassin’s.”

A modern-day environment would be a superb change of pace – though gun-play would be something that Ubisoft would have to work hard on to ensure it doesn’t outweigh the knife-wielding nature of the assassin’s creed – but as far as a dedicated co-operative mode goes, that is something that can be realised and can be fantastic. Also as Davs points out, Assassin’s Creed III is arguably just the working title as we know so little about it yet we can assume that the progression of the series points to a new title that continues the numbers game. Ryan doesn’t want the game set in the strongly rumoured Egypt – perhaps he just doesn’t like sand – but he is in agreement that with answers to be given surrounding the modern-day part of Assassin’s Creed that would be a good direction for the series to head:

“Having just completed the latest instalment in the franchise, Revelations, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed with how things panned out. It was built up as Ezio’s last and greatest adventure and while the journey was thrilling and intriguing, it didn’t feel like the Italian assassin’s last bow. But with new questions arising about Desmond and the present day, I can’t wait to see how the story continues but please Ubisoft, don’t set it in Egypt. There aren’t any tall buildings! It’s just sand!”

Assassin’s Creed perhaps is in need of renovation: tacking III onto the end of the next title may be a sign to some that the series isn’t going to change in any significant manner and bring fresh new ideas to a series now perhaps in need of a few. As Igor notes, a revamp is soon on the cards whether Ubisoft like it or not:

“I’m excited to see Assassins’ Creed III because it will be a fantastic opportunity to gauge Ubisoft’s bravery with changing the franchise. Gamers and even hardcore Assassins’ Creed fans all agree that the series now needs to be revamped and if Assassins’ Creed III doesn’t change anything and continues sticking with its guns, I predict anarchy amongst fans.”

Anarchy may be a little drastic but fans will be clamouring for innovations as much as a continuation of the gripping story, and it is something that Ubisoft definitely have to consider. Rob considers the story to be ‘convoluted’, however, and I’m sure he’s not alone in thinking this – I for one am thoroughly enjoying the direction Ubisoft have taken with it as I play through Revelations, but it is easy to see why some people aren’t thoroughly engrossed by it:

“Assassins Creed has been going from strength to strength but it seems it may have lost some of its audience with Revelations. I am hoping that III will address some of the convoluted story and multiplayer issues and also possibly look into some new eras and locations. I am still uber psyched to see where Ubisoft takes this now yearly franchise.”

Multiplayer issues… that is something that does really need to be addressed. Connectivity problems plagued the otherwise excellent Brotherhood and some of those problems didn’t dissipate a year later. Ubisoft really do need to focus on ensuring that the multiplayer from a technical standpoint is up to scratch should they really consider it to be a now vital part of Assassin’s Creed. It’s not too hard to imagine what appeals to Assassin’s Creed players more now between the campaign or the multiplayer, but we deserve a high quality in all areas regardless and I hope Ubisoft pool their resources fairly into both areas to fix the problems.

They will no doubt be working hard on Assassin’s Creed III right now so we’ll see down the line just where they are intending to take the series. Personally I’d like the next game to be set either in a modern-day environment or Japan, but the strongest rumours suggest either Egypt or America. We’ll have to wait and see where the game will be set and which assassin we’ll be assuming the role of, but I think it’s safe to say that we won’t be seeing much of Ezio in the future. Phil is fine with this it seems:

“I’ll readily admit, I was done with Ezio after Brotherhood and this has led to me not picking up Revelations yet. However, with Ezio’s trilogy now over, the prospect of a full-fledged Assassin’s sequel featuring either a new character or the series’ main protagonist Desmond does excite me. What form we’ll see Assassin’s Creed III in I don’t know, but it will surely be exciting. Some more varied locations would be nice, as well as more interesting gameplay mechanics than what were seemingly introduced in Revelations.”

As we readily await for more information, the anticipation levels are high and Ubisoft have a job on their hands to match them. Assassin’s Creed III will inevitably be one of the bigger releases in 2012 and I for one am waiting for the big reveal. The rumour mill will be running at full capacity over the next few months, so remember this: nothing is true, everything is permitted.