Assassin’s Creed Syndicate might change up the typical formula of the franchise thanks to having two lead characters who are so very different. Then again, it might end up feeling like more of the same. While I’m keen to play it, I know that I might be in the minority. However, it looks like it might be telling an interesting story this time around, particularly in how London is being used to shape it.
Senior producer François Pelland spoke to Official Xbox Magazine about the Victorian era Assassin’s Creed. In particular, he was asked how the Thames, which divides London, could still be used to feel cohesive.
We treat the Thames almost as its own borough in a way, because it really does have its own story, it has its own way of functioning, I should say. Without getting into too much detail too far in advance, we knew we needed to be true to what the purpose of the river Thames was back then. London was controlling a quarter of the population of the entire world. It was the centre of the industrial production of the world. So it was a key port, with boats shipping production in and out. We’ll be going into more detail about this later.
Could this mean that missions on the Thames could actually impact the Industrial Revolution and the age of imperialism? We already know that there are missions to overthrow evil capitalists, making it out like the assassins are really just a bunch of socialists, but I’m curious how this will play into the larger story. Could we see further exploration of the ideological themes of the period, or does it even matter? It’s all just an excuse to stab people and hide their bodies in conveniently placed hay stacks.
Last Updated: September 7, 2015
WitWolfy
September 7, 2015 at 14:12
Still contemplating if I want this or not…
Dutch Matrix
September 7, 2015 at 14:32
Me not so much. This series is a very expensive nap inducer.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
September 7, 2015 at 14:35
I feel like a great many games get away with not ever really taking the time to both interesting and educational. And while this age old struggle is certainly made up, a lot of the historic narrative is really pretty spot on. Plus it’s London. And they’re making it dirty grimy London. That’s the London I love best. How can they POSSIBLY screw that up? 😀
Dutch Matrix
September 7, 2015 at 14:40
Hellgate: London. I know, not old timey London. Nevertheless… And MUST every game out there be educational??? What’s next? Tellytubbies in Doom? 😛
Captain JJ Fantasticus
September 7, 2015 at 14:44
Yes. Please. Put Telletubbies in Doom. I want to waste those smug bastards.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
September 7, 2015 at 15:37
I don’t recall saying all games MUST be educational. I did point out that a great many games don’t bother with being both interesting and educational. That combination is thus pretty awesome, imo. And a real pull for when I am on the fence. But by no large a requirement for all games.
I feel like you need to take the time to read what is actually written, rather than what you think is written.
P.S. A great question would be SHOULD all games be educational? And I guess that depends on what you deem to be educational in the first place. I imagine many games about space could teach you interesting tidbits woven into the story in meaningfully productive ways.
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
September 7, 2015 at 14:17
C’mon. C’mon. Let’s get serious here. I very much doubt that the developers sat around the table and said “let’s make a game that really seeks to extol the values of socialism. It is our divine mandate to do this, especially in the wake of the Arab Spring, etc etc etc.”
Instead I bet they said “someone go read Karl Marx so we can give people an excuse to ride around on carriages and kill people this time. He said some shit about the industrial revolution didn’t he?”
However. Having said that. I totally want to play this when it hits. Evie looks awesome. Jacob looks like the usual run of the mill meh, though. Perhaps a strong female lead is exactly where this series needs to go to get its fanbase back again.
Captain JJ Fantasticus
September 7, 2015 at 14:24
One day when Uplay is dead I’ll try these.
Dutch Matrix
September 7, 2015 at 14:36
Promise me: One day when I’m dead, Uplay these…
SargonTheBatpandaOfAkkad
September 7, 2015 at 14:37
It’ll be an Origin story
Captain JJ Fantasticus
September 7, 2015 at 14:39
I’ll run through all of them at full Steam.