Ubisoft, the acclaimed developer of the Assassin’s Creed series, is gearing up to redefine the series’ landscape by transplanting it into a contemporary setting. Interestingly, this shift isn’t taking place through a new video game, but through an immersive tabletop RPG. Here, we delve into the nuances of this transition, with a particular focus on what it holds for the dedicated fanbase of the series.

A Divergent Path: Stepping into Modernity

The Assassin’s Creed series has earned a reputation for its time-hopping narrative, allowing players to immerse themselves in meticulously recreated periods such as the golden age of piracy in the Caribbean, ancient Greece, and the artistic blossoms of Renaissance Italy. This unique approach to storytelling, intertwined with a rich narrative, has always kept fans on their toes, eagerly anticipating where and when the next installment would take place.

However, despite these varied settings, the series has never ventured into the territory of a full-fledged modern-day setting for gameplay. While contemporary elements have occasionally appeared to provide context to the user’s experience with the Animus machine – a technology allowing individuals to live out the memories of their ancestors – these have largely remained in the backdrop, until now.

Embracing the Modern Day in an Unexpected Avatar

Ubisoft is finally tuning into the numerous requests from fans to set a game in a modern-day urban sprawl, a setting ripe for the parkour and free-running adventures the series is known for. Enthusiasts have long speculated and even created concepts for such a modern shift. Now, Ubisoft has reciprocated by crafting a game situated in a modern setting. However, this new addition comes with a twist—it’s not a video game, but a tabletop role-playing game titled “Assassin’s Creed Roleplaying Game”.

The Animus Reimagined: A Tabletop Experience

At the heart of this new game lies the intricate Animus machine, an iconic element from the series, which allows players to perceive the world through the eyes of the descendants and live experiences as if they were their own. This shift to a modern-day setting focuses keenly on providing a unique, yet cohesive narrative experience.

Francisco Nepitello, the head of tabletop role-play at CMON, articulated the distinctiveness of this venture. According to him, the project stood out among several pitches to Ubisoft primarily due to its Animus-centric approach, which aligns seamlessly with the ethos of the series. Nepitello highlighted the merits of this new format, emphasizing that it offers a differentiated experience compared to the video games.

Furthermore, he elucidated that the gameplay would encapsulate varied scenes, where players would have the autonomy to delve into specific situations without the necessity to build an entire world, thereby allowing for smooth transitions between different time frames within a single session or across multiple sessions.

Conclusion: A Promising Venture Awaits

The initiative by Ubisoft appears to be a promising venture, inviting players to a novel experience that retains the core essence of the Assassin’s Creed series. While it may not be the modern video game that many were anticipating, it certainly paves the way for an immersive gaming experience focusing on the well-loved elements of the series, coupled with a modern twist. Gaming aficionados can mark their calendars, as this enthralling tabletop RPG is slated to launch in 2024, offering a fresh perspective on the beloved series.

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