Assassin’s Creed Invictus Could Set a Useful Precedent for the Franchise

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Assassin's Creed Invictus Could Set a Useful Precedent for the Franchise

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that Ubisoft’s decision to make Assassin’s Creed Invictus a standalone title is an intriguing move. In my early gaming days, I remember the thrill of playing multiplayer modes in games like AC: Brotherhood, but the lackluster support and player base eventually made it a forgotten feature.

In September 2022, I was thrilled to be part of Ubisoft’s digital celebration marking the 15th anniversary of the legendary Assassin’s Creed franchise. During this event, the French publisher unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for the future of this cherished series. Among the exciting revelations, they released a teaser trailer for an upcoming Assassin’s Creed game set in feudal Japan, initially codenamed Red but later revealed as Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Moreover, we got our first glimpse at the enigmatic Assassin’s Creed Codename Hex and the mobile game Assassin’s Creed Codename Jade. All these games, Ubisoft promised, would be part of a new game hub for the Assassin’s Creed franchise, which was set to launch concurrently with Red. The name of this game hub was initially Assassin’s Creed Infinity, but it was later changed to Animus Hub in 2024.

With the introduction of their Infinity platform, Ubisoft additionally unveiled their intention to explore the Assassin’s Creed series within the realm of multiplayer games. One such multiplayer game, known as Invictus, was introduced along with other Assassin’s Creed titles like Hex, Jade, and Mirage. Unlike these titles, however, no trailer for Invictus has been released at this time. Details about the game remain limited, but it seems that Assassin’s Creed: Codename Invictus will offer a standalone multiplayer experience – a first for the established franchise. Some may find the absence of a single-player mode disappointing, but if Ubisoft successfully launches Invictus, the decision to focus on a standalone multiplayer game could ultimately prove beneficial for the series’ future.

Ubisoft’s Decision to Make Assassin’s Creed Invictus a Standalone Title Might Be the Right Decision in the Long Term

Many Single-Player Games Used to Feature Multiplayer Modes, Including Assassin’s Creed

From around the 2000s through to the late part, it was quite common for games to include both single-player and multiplayer aspects. While this trend was noticeable during the PS2 and original Xbox era, it flourished significantly during the PS3 and Xbox 360 period due to advancements in online multiplayer and services such as Xbox Live. During this epoch in gaming, numerous single-player video games, regardless of their size, incorporated multiplayer modes to some extent. Games like Bioshock 2, Mass Effect 3, Max Payne 3, Kane and Lynch 2, Uncharted 3, and even God of War: Ascension all offered multiplayer components with varying qualities.

In terms of incorporating multiplayer features, even the Assassin’s Creed franchise wasn’t immune to this trend. The third major installment in the series, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, was the initial game in Ubisoft’s typically solo-player series to offer multiplayer aspects. This game provided multiple PvP options for players to select from, with one particular mode placing a strong focus on social deduction. Subsequent games in the franchise such as Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, and Assassin’s Creed 3 also featured multiplayer components, but Ubisoft largely abandoned this aspect of the series throughout most of the PS4 and Xbox One generation.

Assassin’s Creed Invictus Being a Separate Game Could Give It a Greater Opportunity to Stand Out

As a devoted Assassin’s Creed fan, I’m thrilled about Ubisoft’s upcoming standalone title, Assassin’s Creed Invictus, which promises to deliver the multiplayer experience we’ve yearned for over a decade. Unlike the multiplayer component in games like AC Brotherhood, Invictus has the potential to reach a broader audience because it’s not confined within the boundaries of a single-player game.

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2024-09-08 13:34