Ubisoft and Assassin’s Creed: A Complete History

Ubisoft has been a dominant force in the gaming industry for decades, but one franchise stands out as its crown jewel—Assassin’s Creed. Since its debut in 2007, Assassin’s Creed has grown into one of the most successful and influential game series of all time, blending historical settings, engaging storytelling, and innovative gameplay. From the streets of Renaissance Italy to the vast landscapes of Ancient Egypt, each installment has expanded the franchise’s universe while pushing the boundaries of open-world gaming.

In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into Ubisoft’s journey, from its early years to the creation of Assassin’s Creed. We’ll explore how the franchise evolved, the impact it had on gaming, and the complete list of games that shaped its legacy. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, this is your ultimate guide to Assassin’s Creed and Ubisoft’s role in gaming history.

The Assassin’s Creed series is one of the most famous game franchises ever. Here’s why it’s so important in gaming history:

1. Changed Open-World Games

Assassin’s Creed made exploring cities more fun with parkour—you can climb buildings, jump across rooftops, and move freely. Many other games copied this style.

2. Brought History to Life

The games mix real history with fiction, letting players experience events from the past, like the Crusades or the French Revolution. The worlds feel real, and you can meet famous historical figures.

3. Made Stealth Gameplay Popular

The series made stealth gameplay exciting by letting players blend into crowds, hide in shadows, and take down enemies silently. The hidden blade became an iconic weapon.

4. Inspired Many Open-World Games

Assassin’s Creed helped create the Ubisoft open-world style, with big maps, side quests, collectibles, and viewpoints. Many modern games, like Far Cry and Ghost of Tsushima, follow this formula.

5. Became a Global Phenomenon

The franchise isn’t just about games—it has books, comics, a movie, and millions of fans worldwide. Characters like Ezio and Altair became gaming legends.

6. Always Evolving

Assassin’s Creed keeps changing and improving. It started as a stealth game but later added RPG elements in games like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, making the experience deeper.

Ubisoft: The Beginning

Ubisoft was founded in 1986 by five brothers from the Guillemot family in Carentoir, France. Their goal was simple: to bring high-quality video games to players worldwide. At first, Ubisoft started as a game distributor, helping bring games from other companies to the market. However, the Guillemot brothers soon realized they wanted to develop their own games.

In the late 1980s, Ubisoft set up its first development studio and released early titles like Zombi (1986). As the company grew, it expanded to other countries, opening offices in Germany, the UK, and the US.

By the 1990s, Ubisoft was ready to make a name for itself with original games. This set the stage for some of the biggest franchises in gaming history—including Rayman, Prince of Persia, Far Cry, and eventually, Assassin’s Creed.

After its founding in 1986, Ubisoft quickly grew into a major game developer. The 1990s and early 2000s were key to its success, thanks to three major franchises that put the company on the map:

Rayman (1995) – A Platforming Icon

Ubisoft’s first big hit came in 1995 with Rayman, a colorful platformer featuring a limbless hero. The game was praised for its beautiful hand-drawn graphics, creative levels, and fun gameplay. It became one of the best-selling PlayStation games of all time and led to multiple sequels.

Prince of Persia (2003) – A Classic Reborn

While Prince of Persia was originally created by Jordan Mechner in 1989, Ubisoft revived the series with Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003). The game introduced fluid parkour movement, time-rewinding mechanics, and cinematic storytelling, earning critical and commercial success. This game also influenced the development of Assassin’s Creed.

Splinter Cell (2002) – The Rise of Stealth Action

Ubisoft entered the stealth-action genre with Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell (2002). The game introduced Sam Fisher, a secret agent using advanced gadgets, shadows, and strategy to complete missions. With its realistic stealth mechanics and gripping story, Splinter Cell became a serious competitor to Metal Gear Solid and established Ubisoft as a leader in the genre.

The company became a major force in the gaming industry by embracing open-world design and developing AAA (high-budget, blockbuster) games.

Far Cry (2004) – A New Standard for Open-World Shooters

Ubisoft’s first big step into open-world gaming came with Far Cry (2004). Unlike traditional shooters, Far Cry featured:
✅ Large, open environments instead of linear levels
✅ Enemy AI that reacts dynamically to the player
✅ Freedom to approach missions in different ways

The game’s success led to a long-running series, with each new entry expanding on its massive, explorable worlds.

Assassin’s Creed (2007) – A Game-Changer in Open-World Gaming

Ubisoft’s biggest leap came with Assassin’s Creed (2007). Building on ideas from Prince of Persia, the game introduced:
🔹 Historical open-world settings (starting with the Crusades-era Holy Land)
🔹 Parkour-based movement, allowing players to climb buildings and explore freely
🔹 Stealth gameplay blended with action-packed combat

Assassin’s Creed became an instant hit, leading to yearly releases and turning into one of Ubisoft’s most successful franchises.

Expanding the AAA Formula

Ubisoft continued refining open-world and AAA game design with:
🎮 Watch Dogs (2014) – A modern, tech-driven open-world adventure
🏹 Far Cry 3 (2012) & Far Cry 4 (2014) – Expanding on the open-world shooter formula
⚔️ The Division (2016) – A massive online open-world RPG-shooter

How Assassin’s Creed Was Created

The origins of Assassin’s Creed can be traced back to Prince of Persia, one of Ubisoft’s earlier successes. In the mid-2000s, Jade Raymond, a key figure in the development of Assassin’s Creed, and her team were working on a new project that would build on the fluid, acrobatic movement systems of Prince of Persia. They wanted to create a game where players could experience the freedom of climbing buildings and exploring vast environments, but with a more immersive, open-world approach.

Inspired by the parkour-style movements and action-oriented gameplay of Prince of Persia, they aimed to mix these mechanics with a historical narrative. The developers were also influenced by the Templar vs. Assassin conflict in history, which formed the basis for the game’s core plot. The final result was Assassin’s Creed, a game that blended action, stealth, and history, with a unique setting during the Crusades in the 12th century.

On November 13, 2007, Assassin’s Creed was released, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most iconic gaming franchises of all time. The game introduced players to Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, a skilled assassin navigating through beautifully recreated cities like Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus. Players could experience a mix of stealth, exploration, and combat, all while uncovering a conspiracy involving the Knights Templar.

The game’s cutting-edge technology, open-world structure, and fluid parkour-based movement made it a standout title in the crowded gaming market. Ubisoft’s bold vision to merge historical fiction with engaging gameplay struck a chord with players and critics alike.

Upon release, Assassin’s Creed received generally positive reviews, with many praising its innovative gameplay, stunning visuals, and detailed recreation of historical settings. However, some critics felt the gameplay could be repetitive, especially in the early parts of the game. Despite these critiques, the game’s innovative mechanics and engaging story resonated with players and set the foundation for future installments.

The game was a massive commercial success. Within just two months, Assassin’s Creed sold over 8 million copies worldwide, making it one of Ubisoft’s best-selling games at the time. By 2015, it had sold over 11 million copies, and by the end of 2020, it was reported that the first game in the series had sold more than 12 million copies across all platforms.

Evolution of the Assassin’s Creed Franchise

Initially, Assassin’s Creed focused on stealth-based gameplay, historical settings, and a linear story structure. The early entries revolved around Altaïr, Ezio, and other assassins, exploring a tight, narrative-driven world. The gameplay was centered around climbing buildings, parkour, assassinations, and counter-based combat.

However, as the franchise continued, Ubisoft made notable changes to both the gameplay mechanics and the story:

Assassin’s Creed II (2009) introduced Ezio Auditore, one of the most beloved characters in the series. The game refined the core mechanics, adding new abilities like dual-wielding, and featured an even larger, more interactive world. The story also shifted to focus more on Ezio’s journey, spanning multiple generations.
Assassin’s Creed III (2012) marked a major shift in the franchise, with a new protagonist, Connor Kenway, and a new setting, the American Revolution. The gameplay saw the introduction of new mechanics, including naval combat and a more dynamic, open world.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) took naval combat even further, creating one of the most beloved elements of the series. The game also introduced more freedom of exploration, with the ability to sail across the Caribbean in an open-world environment.
Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017) marked a radical shift toward a more open-world RPG approach, where players could level up, use loot, and engage in side quests. The story, set in Ancient Egypt, explored the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood and gave players more control over their playstyle.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018) pushed the RPG elements even further by allowing players to choose between two characters, Alexios or Kassandra, and make story-altering decisions. The game featured an expansive world, branching storylines, and deep character customization.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020) continued this RPG evolution, set in Viking-era England and Norway. The game introduced settlement-building mechanics, deeper combat systems, and dialogue choices that affected the story’s outcome.

Introduction of Open-World RPG Elements

The shift toward open-world RPG elements began with Assassin’s Creed Origins in 2017. Ubisoft introduced features such as:

Leveling systems where players earn experience points (XP) and upgrade their characters.
Looting systems with different tiers of weapons and armor, encouraging players to explore and engage in side content to gather better gear.
Side quests and dynamic world events, which allowed for more freedom and personalization in gameplay.
Skill trees and combat abilities, enabling players to tailor their playstyle and approach to combat.

This RPG shift also led to a more immersive storytelling style, where players had more control over their choices and their journey, making each playthrough feel unique.

Influence on Other Ubisoft Games

The success of the open-world RPG model in Assassin’s Creed has had a profound impact on other Ubisoft franchises, influencing the design and mechanics of titles like:

Watch Dogs – The transition to a more open-world structure in Watch Dogs 2 and Watch Dogs: Legion embraced similar RPG elements, such as character progression, exploration, and side activities. The franchise adopted a more dynamic, free-roaming world that reflected the influence of Assassin’s Creed.
Far Cry – Starting with Far Cry 3, the series incorporated open-world mechanics, including exploration, side missions, and leveling up characters. The influence of Assassin’s Creed’s open-world design is evident in the way players engage with the environment and complete tasks in Far Cry 5 and Far Cry 6.
Ghost Recon: Wildlands – Ubisoft incorporated open-world design and RPG mechanics into Ghost Recon: Wildlands and Ghost Recon: Breakpoint. The series now focuses more on exploration, character progression, and tactical combat, taking inspiration from the larger worlds and character-building systems found in Assassin’s Creed.

Complete List of Assassin’s Creed Games

Here’s a complete list of Assassin’s Creed games by release order, broken into Main Games and Spin-offs & Expansions:

Main Games

Assassin’s Creed (2007)
Assassin’s Creed II (2009)
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010)
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011)
Assassin’s Creed III (2012)
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013)
Assassin’s Creed: Rogue (2014)
Assassin’s Creed: Unity (2014)
Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate (2015)
Assassin’s Creed: Origins (2017)
Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey (2018)
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla (2020)
Assassin’s Creed: Mirage (2023)

Spin-offs & Expansions

Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines (2009) – PSP
Assassin’s Creed: Project Legacy (2010) – Facebook game
Assassin’s Creed: Liberation (2012) – PS Vita, later remastered for PS3/PC
Assassin’s Creed: Chronicles (2015) – Series of 2.5D side-scrolling games (China, India, Russia)
Assassin’s Creed: Rebellion (2016) – Mobile (iOS/Android)
Assassin’s Creed: Identity (2016) – Mobile (iOS/Android)
Assassin’s Creed: Discovery (2008) – Nintendo DS
Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles (2008) – Nintendo DS
Assassin’s Creed: Embers (2011) – Animated short film

Ubisoft’s Success & Challenges

Breakthroughs in Game Design and Storytelling

Open-World Innovation: Ubisoft’s key contribution to the open-world genre, especially through Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. The franchise revolutionized how players experience historical narratives, blending real-world history with immersive, free-roaming exploration.
Narrative Depth and Characters: Ubisoft is known for creating complex, multi-layered storylines and rich characters. Assassin’s Creed introduced historical fiction with a modern twist, while Watch Dogs integrated tech and surveillance culture into its storytelling.
Historical Accuracy and World-building: The games in the Assassin’s Creed series (like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla) are renowned for their detailed recreations of historical cities and landmarks, making players feel as though they’ve stepped into different historical eras. This attention to detail in environment design and storytelling helped elevate the series.
Dynamic Combat and RPG Elements: The shift towards RPG elements (especially in Origins and Odyssey) added greater depth and choice to gameplay. Features like skill trees, player-driven narrative choices, and gear customization marked Ubisoft’s evolution in creating engaging and replayable experiences.

Controversies

Bugs and Technical Issues: Ubisoft’s games, especially the more ambitious titles, have been notorious for launching with bugs and performance issues. Assassin’s Creed: Unity in 2014 faced severe criticism for its technical flaws, including disappearing faces and frame rate drops. Watch Dogs was also criticized for not meeting its graphical expectations.
Microtransactions: Ubisoft has faced backlash for incorporating microtransactions into its games, particularly in titles like Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, where players were offered time-saving XP boosts and cosmetic items for purchase. Critics argue that this undermines the core experience of unlocking content through gameplay.
Game Delays: Ubisoft has delayed several major titles in recent years to improve quality, including Watch Dogs: Legion, Far Cry 6, and Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla. While this has led to better polish and fewer bugs, delays have also frustrated fans who were eager to play the next installment.

Criticism vs. Praise for Recent Games

Praise:
- Assassin’s Creed: Origins revitalized the franchise with RPG elements, making it one of the most praised entries. The game’s story, world-building, and combat mechanics were a significant improvement over earlier titles.
- Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey took the RPG formula even further with larger maps, more dialogue choices, and multiple endings. Many considered it a high point for the series in terms of player agency and replayability.
- Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla also received praise for its open-world design, engaging combat system, and Viking setting.
Criticism:
- Some fans argue that Ubisoft has overused the formula in recent years, with criticisms of Odyssey and Valhalla feeling “too similar” to each other. The RPG shift, while widely praised, alienated long-time fans of the series who preferred the earlier stealth-action formula.
- The introduction of microtransactions, particularly the “pay-to-progress” model, has been heavily criticized for detracting from the experience, especially in open-world games that already feature substantial content.
- Innovation vs. Repetition: While Ubisoft has introduced new mechanics and innovations, some critics argue that the studio has fallen into a cycle of iterative gameplay, especially with their Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry franchises. This has led to complaints about a lack of significant innovation in some of their more recent titles.

The Future of Assassin’s Creed & Ubisoft

Upcoming Game: Assassin’s Creed: Shadows

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is an upcoming title that is expected to explore a darker, more mysterious chapter in the Assassin’s Creed universe. Set in Japan, it will likely focus on stealth and samurai culture, blending traditional Assassin’s Creed mechanics with a more refined combat system. Fans are excited about the return to a more intimate, stealth-focused gameplay after the RPG-heavy approach of recent titles.
Setting & Story: The game will reportedly take place during the Feudal Japan era, an exciting setting for fans who have long wanted an Assassin’s Creed title exploring the samurai and ninja cultures. The narrative is rumored to center around a new protagonist who will struggle with themes of loyalty, honor, and betrayal, against the backdrop of political unrest.
Gameplay Mechanics: Shadows is expected to feature a more refined and stealth-centric gameplay loop with ninja-style combat, parkour mechanics, and larger emphasis on stealth kills. Fans are anticipating a return to the roots of the series with a focus on hidden blade mechanics, assassination tactics, and traditional Assassin missions.
Visuals & Immersion: A more mature and atmospheric approach is anticipated, with stunning visuals capturing the beauty of feudal Japan’s natural landscapes and bustling cities.

You can read our latest blog about AC Shadows

Ubisoft’s Impact on Gaming & Assassin’s Creed’s Legacy

Ubisoft has undeniably left an indelible mark on the gaming industry. From its humble beginnings as a small French studio in the late 1980s, it has grown into one of the world’s most influential game publishers. Ubisoft has continually pushed the boundaries of interactive entertainment. The company’s ability to blend innovative gameplay with compelling narratives has allowed it to shape the gaming landscape in ways few others have.

Ubisoft’s Impact on Gaming

Ubisoft is not just a creator of games but a trendsetter in terms of game design. It popularized the open-world genre with Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, bringing dynamic, expansive worlds that allowed players to experience a level of immersion never seen before. The blend of history and fiction in Assassin’s Creed, along with Ubisoft’s mastery in creating rich, engaging worlds, has set a benchmark for the industry.

Ubisoft has also led the way in innovation, especially with its successful transition from linear gameplay to RPG mechanics in recent years. The shift to role-playing elements in Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla opened the door for more personalized experiences, offering greater player choice and control. Furthermore, Ubisoft has embraced live service models and seasonal content, ensuring their games stay fresh and engaging long after launch.

Assassin’s Creed’s Continuing Influence

The Assassin’s Creed franchise has gone from being a revolutionary concept to one of the most iconic and influential franchises in the history of gaming. From its debut in 2007, the series has consistently reinvented itself, maintaining relevance with each new entry. Its combination of historical storytelling and innovative gameplay has inspired countless other games, creating a new standard for open-world action-adventure games.

As Ubisoft looks to the future with Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and beyond, the franchise’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to shape the gaming industry. Whether it’s through embracing new historical settings, advancing gameplay mechanics, or creating a broader universe that extends across various forms of media, Assassin’s Creed will remain at the forefront of gaming innovation.

Ubisoft’s commitment to quality, creativity, and player engagement ensures that Assassin’s Creed will remain an essential part of the gaming world for years to come.

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