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Working As Intended: But I already have that game
Back in 2001, I desperately wanted out of EverQuest. I hated the gameplay. I hated the community. I loved my guildies, but I hated what our guild was becoming, consumed by a grindy rat race so different from our roots in Ultima Online. When Dark Age of Camelot offered a way out, I took it, dragging as many guildies as I could along with me to a game where PvP and territory control, not camp checks and plane raids, ruled the day. Some of them didn't come with us, and I couldn't understand why they wouldn't jump at the chance to start fresh, to be rid of a self-destructive community and gear grind. What was wrong with them, I wondered, that they'd stay in some old thing rather than play the new shiny? Dozens upon dozens of MMOs later, I finally understand: They already had that game.
Assassin's Creed series tops 73 million in sales
Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series reached a total of 73 million in sales according to the publisher's corporate website, which lists its "worldwide best-selling franchises." Assassin's Creed, which has featured six releases in the main series since its 2007 debut and eight additional games on browser and portable platforms, leads Ubisoft's second-best-selling property Just Dance (48 million) by 25 million units. Assassin's Creed will likely continue to sell by the millions given that the next game, Assassin's Creed: Unity, will arrive on PS4, Xbox One and PC this holiday season. Unity was just announced in March and takes place in Paris during the French Revolution of the 18th century, a setting that was vaguely foretold at the end of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. The next three series in the publisher's top five in sales bear the late Tom Clancy's name: Splinter Cell (30 million), Rainbow Six (26 million) and Ghost Recon (25 million). Head past the break to see the rest of Ubisoft's sales list.
Assassin's Creed celebrates its heritage in new collection
There has been a whole mess of Assassin's Creed games leading up to this year's Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. In an attempt to catch players up on the battle between assassins and templars, Ubisoft is releasing the Assassin's Creed Heritage Collection in Europe. The Assassin's Creed Heritage Collection bundles together Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed 2 (the Game of the Year edition which includes the Battle of Forli and Bonfire of the Vanities add-ons), Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Assassin's Creed Revelations and Assassin's Creed 3. The Heritage Collection will launch in the UK on November 8, for Xbox 360, PS3 and Windows PC. When asked whether this bundle would come to the US, Ubisoft reiterated that it was for Europe only.
Free Assassin's Creed 2, other bargains on XBL today
Assassin's Creed 2 is free now to Xbox Live Gold members as part of the Games with Gold program, and stays that way until the end of the month. But don't let the free-runner take all your attention, because there are other Xbox Live Marketplace deals up for grabs this week. First up, the 2011 edition of Mortal Kombat is slashed in half to $10 this week, which is as good as a fatality discount-wise. Some of its DLC is half-price, too, including the Season Pass, and XBLA entry Mortal Kombat Arcade. Meanwhile, Capcom has a publisher sale going on this week. We've spotted the very intense likes of Asura's Wrath, Devil May Cry 4, and Resident Evil 5 at $10, while fighters Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 and Super Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition are at $15, as is the Devil May Cry: HD Collection.
Assassin's Creed 2 free for Xbox Live Gold members starting tomorrow
Assassin's Creed 2 will be free to Xbox Live Gold members beginning tomorrow, July 16, until it requiescat en paces at the end of the month. Ezio's debut adventure is the second title in the "Games with Gold" program announced at E3, with the first, Defense Grid: The Awakening, still available for free until later today. Beyond the free stab-o Italiano, there's also some premium Assassin's Creed content on sale until the end of July. If you end up enjoying Assassin's Creed 2, the other two installments in the Ezio trilogy, Brotherhood (great!) and Revelations (oy, with the tower defense), are $15 apiece. There's also discounts on the downloadable content packs and the season pass for Assassin's Creed 3. Find pricing details on Major Nelson's site or through the Xbox Marketplace starting tomorrow.
Assassin's Creed 2 next in Xbox free games lineup
Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb confirmed this morning that Assassin's Creed 2 is the next free title in the Xbox "Games With Gold" Program. That means the Italiano assassino romp will be available for all those gratis stabs and requiescat en paces on July 16. Announced during Microsoft's E3 press conference, the "Games with Gold" program highlighted Assassin's Creed 2 and Halo 3 on stage. After a little clarification, it turned out those two titles wouldn't be the first two games due in July. Defense Grid: The Awakening is currently free, with Ezio's exploits up next. There is no announced window for Halo 3 going free at this time.
Patrice Desilets officially rejoins Ubisoft following THQ sale
Patrice Desilets is officially employed at Ubisoft – again – the studio tells Polygon. The designer left Ubisoft in 2010 after serving as creative director on Assassin's Creed and Assassin's Creed 2, and once his non-compete agreement expired he began work at THQ Montreal.When THQ went under and sold off its studios this year, Ubisoft walked away with Montreal and, supposedly, Desilets, though it was unclear if he would rejoin his former employer.Ubisoft also absorbed all of THQ Montreal's current and unannounced projects, including Desilets' 1666 and something called Underdog.
Assassin's Creed games make half-price dive in today's Xbox Live sale
The Assassin's Creed series is next up for some savin' in Xbox Live's week-long Ultimate Game Sale. Leaping into the half-price haystack for today only are the first four Creeds on Xbox 360, with Revelations at $14.99, and the others - AC1, AC2, and Brotherhood - $9.99.A plethora of Games on Demand content is staying discounted until March 4, with some serious bargains up for acquirement. El Shaddai, for example, which JC gave four and a half stars to back in 2011, can be yours for just $2.99, a measly amount for a game that's "heavenly in both inspiration and execution."
Mac Game of the Week: Assassin's Creed 2, now on sale for $4.99
As you may have noticed in our daily deals post today, Amazon is having a huge sale on Mac games, with some of the highest-profile titles of the last few years offered up with huge discounts. There are a few really great bargains in there (including Rage for US$4.99 and Civ V for $7.50), but the one I'll spotlight is the great sequel to Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed, on sale right now for just $4.99. Assassin's Creed as a series has gained all sorts of acclaim over the years -- it's developed into a juggernaut for Ubisoft, with the latest version, Assassin's Creed 3, taking place in colonial America, with a new protagonist running around taking out Redcoats. But Assassin's Creed 2 is my favorite of the series -- it moved up into the Renaissance from the original game set in Jerusalem, and added a whole slew of new mechanics, from upgrading shops and weapons to building up an empire of vendors and artisans. The assassination gameplay of the first game is there as well, but Assassin's Creed 2 really took the platforming even further, with various underground sections that feature some really ingenious and brilliant level designs. And right now, you can grab the whole game on the Mac for just under five bucks. Definitely don't pass up a bargain like that: Even if you haven't played the first game, definitely pick up and play Assassin's Creed 2. You can grab it now from Amazon.
Assassin's Creed Anthology is 'EMEA exclusive,' not coming to North America 'for now'
Ubisoft today confirmed Assassin's Creed Anthology for PS3 and Xbox 360 in Europe, but for now it's not coming to North America. Reached for comment, Ubisoft told us Anthology isn't currently confirmed for the US, and is only slated as an "EMEA" release, meaning it's only currently releasing in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. We should mention Ubisoft did use hedging language like "exclusive for now" and "isn't currently confirmed for US release" in our follow-up.The collection contains Assassin's Creed 1, 2, and 3, Brotherhood, and Revelations, along with all of those games' expansion packs and other DLC. Ubisoft confirmed that includes Assassin's Creed 3's Season Pass. Also bundled in are five lithographs, one for each game, and an exclusive steel book, all in a chunky-looking collector's box.Anthology is priced at £119.99 in the UK, and €150.00 in Europe. It's exclusive to Amazon in the UK, and is being released there November 30. Based on listings on Amazon Germany and Amazon France (now taken down), it's coming to the rest of Europe November 29.
Assassin's Creed Anthology listed on Amazon France, official unveiling this week
'Assassin's Creed Anthology' is currently listed on Amazon France, possibly representing a collection of all the home console games in the series, along with all the DLC. It's priced at €150.00, which converts to around $191, and is coming to PS3 and Xbox 360 on November 29. There is no North American listing at present. Reached for comment, Ubisoft told us it should be making an official announcement further detailing the anthology later this week.Based on the current Amazon France listing, the collection only includes Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed 2, and Assassin's Creed 3; but not AC2: Brotherhood or AC2: Revelations. However, Russian fan-site Assassin's Creed RU claims it pulled an image from the listing (now apparently taken down) which says the anthology includes all five games, and all available single-player and multiplayer "bonus content." The image also details lithographs for each game and a steelbook case.Given that Amazon France is selling Assassin's Creed 1-3 separately on Xbox 360 for just under €76, a 3-in-1 collection at double the price would seem, to be kind, ambitious. To be less kind, it would be downright crazy, and very odd given the already announced Ezio Trilogy coming to PS3 next week. Once we confirm what's included in the anthology and where it's headed, we'll be sure to let you know.[Image Source: Assassin's Creed Wiki]
Assassin's Creed 'Ezio Trilogy' exclusive to PS3, launches November 14
It's a day of trilogies! Hot on the heels of EA's Mass Effect Trilogy compilation announcement is word of a PS3-exclusive bundle from Ubisoft. Assassin's Creed Ezio Trilogy will launch on November 14 for $39.99, bundling Assassin's Creed 2, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood and Assassin's Creed Revelations.In addition to the stock games, Assassin's Creed Ezio Trilogy also tosses in all of the Assassin's Creed 2 DLC, which should mean the Bonfire of the Vanities and additional Templar lairs. We've inquired with Ubisoft to confirm the precise DLC inclusions, and will update accordingly.Update: Ubisoft says the Assassin's Creed 2 DLC included is Bonfire of the Vanities and Battle of Forli.
Amazon discounts the entire Assassin's Creed franchise for one day only
We warned you yesterday, so if you picked up a copy of Assassin's Creed: Revelations yesterday afternoon and it wasn't severely discounted, that's kinda on you, dawg. Anyway, Amazon is holding a one-day-only sale on everything Assassin's Creed, from the first game all the way through to Ezio's closing act. That means Revelations for $36 (40 percent off), Brotherhood for $20 (that's half off), and AC1 and 2 for $15 a pop (pop, pop). The PC versions offer similar discounts, though the DS and PSP games aren't discounted at all. Then again, let's not kid ourselves, you're really just looking for the major releases, aren't you? That's okay, we are too.
Soulcalibur V launches on January 31, 2012; Ezio sneaks into the game
The rumors are true! Assassin's Creed: Revelations protagonist Ezio Auditore de Firenze is the secret guest character in Soulcalibur V, the latest trailer reveals, and it looks like he's coming packed with all of his trusty pointy objects. And a crossbow! Namco Bandai also revealed a January 31, 2012 launch date for Soulcalbur V, and handed over the above trailer. Hidden wrist-blade Soul Edge, anyone?
Ubisoft says always-on DRM is 'a success,' fans are confused
Ubisoft riled the masses with news that Driver: San Francisco will have always-on DRM, requiring that players be constantly connected to the internet for the game to function. Ubisoft has used constant DRM in previous titles, such as Assassin's Creed 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction, arguing it combats piracy. Players argue DRM is an unfair, frustrating hassle, and Ubisoft is now counter-arguing this point, with the announcement that always-on DRM has been "a success." Ubisoft said it has seen "a clear reduction in piracy of our titles which required a persistent online connection, and from that point of view the requirement is a success," speaking with PC Gamer. Ubisoft has also successfully angered many fans, who say its DRM policies only hurt those who pay for the game, and citing previous DRM titles that have been cracked, pirated and hacked anyway. Ubisoft has previously removed DRM from its titles, but this year the restriction is making a comeback -- and we'll get to decide if it's on the level of Justin Timberlake or Vanilla Ice.
Ubisoft survey gauges interest in Assassin's Creed, Ghost Recon films
A survey floating around seems to suggest Ubisoft is entertaining the idea of bringing some of its franchises over to the big screen -- specifically, Assassin's Creed and Ghost Recon. The above image was submitted to Evil Avatar, which says the survey is geared the toward finding out what would most make those taking it want to see movies based on the franchises -- Ezio, Subject 16 and the like. While we feel the world would probably be just fine without another war flick, we'd be all for an Assassin's Creed movie, granted that the project wasn't entirely about making money but also making a good movie. We're probably being a bit naive, though.
Jade Raymond optimistic of new studios, IP development
Ubisoft Toronto Managing Director Jade Raymond's presentation at DICE expressed her belief that despite the current upheaval in the industry, she believes now is a great time to start a studio. Referencing EA Sports boss Peter Moore's speech about the industry being on a "burning oil platform" -- the idea being that it only changes when it has to -- Raymond believes it's more like a burning oil tanker that can course correct. One would hope she'd be optimistic about current core development being viable, considering she manages, what will become in time, one of the biggest studios in the industry. In terms of IP development, she explained that the Ubisoft team spent a year of pre-production building the foundations of the Assassin's Creed franchise. "We spent quite a bit of time during conception thinking about the franchise metastory and story arc. And, most importantly, thinking of how to make sandboxes that future game teams and future teams in other media would be able to experiment and come up with their own stuff in this franchise." Regarding the ability to do Assassin's Creed comics, TV or a movie down the road, "You'll never get the best out of people if you just hand them this stone tablet." Clearly showing her roots working on The Sims Online, it's quite obvious Raymond is a disciple of Will Wright's ideas about fan involvement in franchises. "I think you need to rely on fans," believing that the fan community will identify the best ideas to work from. She Iterated a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson for the video game industry: Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small franchises. Raymond made clear that Assassin's Creed was designed as a franchise that could be handed over to professionals to expand the world, she said that the next IP Ubisoft is creating in Toronto will hopefully be "handed over to fans."
PSN Tuesday: UnderGarden, Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2
This week's PSN update adds The UnderGarden and Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2, two titles that didn't review all too well on our little corner of the internet. Although, not all is lost, if you somehow missed out on playing one of the best games of 2009, Assassin's Creed 2 is available for $30. The "Deluxe Edition" includes the core game along with all the DLC. Check out the Fight Night Champion demo if you're looking to play something punchy. The full PSN update can be found after the break... and please try to ignore the crickets hanging out in the PSP section. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Black Ops tops UK charts this holiday, NFS: Hot Pursuit gets sales boost
For a second year in a row going into Christmas, the Call of Duty franchise is king of the Chart-Track UK All Formats chart, with CoD:Black Ops sales slightly up and occupying the space where CoD: Modern Warfare 2 was last year. FIFA 11 placed second, which is nothing unusual. However, coming out of nowhere, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit sales jumped 48 percent, which boosted the game from seventh to third. Occupying the fourth and fifth spots respectively are Ubisoft's Just Dance 2 and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. Just Dance 2 sales were up fifteen percent this week, which means, unless something very strange happens next week, a member of the Just Dance franchise will have been in the top of the UK charts for all of 2010. The first Just Dance owned much of the early part of the year. Check out the UK's top ten -- keep hanging in there, Donkey Kong Country Returns! -- after the break.
Amazon offering some great games for $20 or less
Despite what you may think, it would be actually criminal to miss out on today's incredible Amazon game deals. Batman: Arkham Asylum (not the Game of the Year edition, alas) for $15? Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker for just $20? Chrono Trigger for $15? It's kind of like a fire sale over there. You can peruse the entire list for yourself right here, and read our suggestions after the break. Frankly, we're inclined to buy each person on our holiday shopping list a copy of Assassin's Creed 2. It's only $20!
