As cool as the notion of assassinating people in Feudal Japan might sound, the next Assassin’s Creed game won’t have such a setting. Regardless of previous speculation on the internet, Ubisoft Toronto head Jade Raymond dismissed the possibility. In an AdWeek interview, Jade Raymond talked about her views on Watch Dogs and the future of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Among various interesting aspects, she touched upon the prospect of a future Assassin’s Creed location. While she agreed that Feudal Japan sounds like a great idea, she confirmed that it will not be the setting for the next game in the franchise.
Up until now, Assassin’s creed explored Renaissance Italy, the 18th century American Revolution, as well as the age of piracy and rum-drinking. So what’s next? There are multiple theories, and Jade Raymond refused to give out any specific details about where Assassin’s Creed 5 will take place, not wanting to spoil the surprise. Well, don’t blame us for still trying to find out. Recent rumors suggested various location possibilities, and the exact location is a well-kept secret by Ubisoft. Rumors have it that you won’t be assassinating Templars in Assassin’s Creed 5. So who will be the targets of your retractable blade, then?
A good hint comes from Jade Raymond’s statement, where she mentioned that while Assassin’s Creed 5 won’t be set in Japan, it will be focused on her favorite historical period. Considering that she’s Canadian, this leads us to believe that Assassin’s Creed 5 will take place in France, during the French Revolution. Of course, it’s rough speculation at this point, but given that Canada has close historical ties to Napoleon and the French, it’s a solid assumption. Add to that the fact that all previous Assassin’s Creed games have featured important historical figures (like DaVinci or Washington), a story-line linked to Napoleon shouldn’t be too far-fetched. There’s one more point to be made, and that’s often overlooked. Ubisoft has always invested a great deal in studying city-plans and architectural plans for Assassin’s Creed. The in-game Venice was actually built based on lengthy research. Following this line of thought, Assassin’s Creed 5 could happen in Paris, given that there are a multitude of materials available about the city’s past.
Assassin’s Creed 5 will most likely be announced at this year’s E3, so we’ll know the location by then. Still, if we’re right, it could prove to be an extremely interesting game, given the historical complexity of the country and the times. And, while we’re talking about Assassin’s Creed’s future, it’s interesting to note that Ubisoft is in the works to make a movie based on the game, a movie that has signed Michael Fassbender (Magneto in X-Men: First Class) in a leading role. And if that’s not good enough for you, or if you’re simply not that into old-school Assassins, know that Tom Hardy will star in another Ubisoft feature, mainly a big-screen adaptation of Splinter Cell.
What do you think will be the location of Assassin’s Creed 5? Or, simply, what are you hoping for?