Ancient Egypt lives again, but not only though a populace that leads lives of its own as the various Factions in Assassin’s Creed: Origins also have a part to play. “There are quite a few different factions in the world, and keep in mind that these factions are really living in the world,” game director Ashraf Ismail explained.

Skull and Bones was one of my favourite games of E3 this year. Essentially the best naval bits of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, this retooled collection of naval battles was gorgeous, fun and it thoroughly shivered my timbers. Here’s the question that many a person has asked though: Why is it a new IP? Why not keep it within the shared universe of Assassin’s Creed games? Because doing so wuld limit the new IP for Ubisoft.

Over the last decade, Assassin’s Creed has been more than just a video game series. Trendy clothing, light novels and even a well-received film managed to spin out of Ubisoft’s premiere franchise in leap of faithing into conveniently placed haystacks dotted around various locales throughout history. So what medium is left for Assassin’s Creed to shove a small wrist-blade into? Anime, that’s what.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder however, as I’m feeling cautiously optimistic about Assassin’s Creed Origins. It’s not just another Assassin’s Creed game that features the usual leap-of-faith shenanigans, but rather the fact that it looks and feels far like Ubisoft has managed to fine-tune the series to evolve in a more dynamic direction.

Blue seas, rolling waves and a ship to sail the high seas on. Now imagine that ship being pursued through hell and back amidst a sea of salty water and cannonballs as dozens of ships chase you down in pursuit of your sweet booty. That’s the world of Skull and Bones, Ubisoft’s nautical title which takes that one idea that made Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag so memorable and builds an entire game around it.

We sat down with Assassin's Creed Origins producer to discuss the franchise's history with cluttered waypoints, and specifically how Origins is doing away with them.

Assassin's Creed Origins is taking the treasured serious way, way back in time. But it contrasts heavily to the major step forward nearly everything else takes.

E3’s worst-kept secret is finally out: There’s a new Assassin’s Creed game on the way. And yes, it very much is set in ancient Egypt. That makes for a new chapter in the series that looks brighter and more radiant in action than recent entries, as Ubisoft showed off their new protagonist in action. Sneaking, killing are back, as is a new tale that’ll chart the story “the first to call themselves the Assassins.”