Assassin's Creed

Definition

Assassin's Creed is a popular video game franchise that combines action-adventure gameplay with historical fiction, allowing players to explore various historical settings through the eyes of an Assassin, a member of a secret society. The series is known for its rich narratives intertwined with real historical events and figures, offering immersive experiences that blend entertainment with education about different cultures and time periods.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The first Assassin's Creed game was released in 2007 and set in the Third Crusade during the late 12th century, focusing on the conflict between Assassins and Templars.
2. Each installment of the series is set in different historical periods, including the Italian Renaissance, American Revolution, Ancient Egypt, and Ancient Greece, allowing players to explore diverse cultures.
3. The series has sold over 155 million copies worldwide as of 2021, making it one of the best-selling video game franchises in history.
4. Assassin's Creed games often include real historical figures as characters, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Cleopatra, blending fiction with factual history.
5. The franchise has expanded beyond video games into novels, comics, movies, and animated series, showcasing its broad appeal and cultural impact.

Review Questions

• How does Assassin's Creed utilize historical events to enhance gameplay and narrative?
  • Assassin's Creed effectively uses historical events by integrating them into its gameplay and storytelling. Players not only engage in action-adventure sequences but also witness key moments in history unfold around them. This approach enhances immersion as players can interact with real historical figures and experience significant events, creating a compelling blend of entertainment and education.
• Discuss the role of the Animus in connecting players to various historical settings within the Assassin's Creed series.
  • The Animus serves as a crucial narrative device in Assassin's Creed, allowing players to access the memories of their ancestors. This connection enables exploration of different historical settings while navigating through their stories. By utilizing this technology, the series creates a framework where players can engage directly with history while pursuing their objectives as Assassins, enhancing both gameplay depth and narrative complexity.
• Evaluate the impact of Assassin's Creed on public perception of historical events and figures in modern media.
  • Assassin's Creed has significantly influenced public perception of historical events and figures by presenting them in an engaging format that appeals to a broad audience. Through its blend of fact and fiction, it has sparked interest in various historical periods among players who may not have been exposed to such topics otherwise. By portraying iconic figures like Leonardo da Vinci or Cleopatra within relatable narratives, the series helps demystify history, making it accessible while also prompting discussions about its accuracy and representation in modern media.

Related terms

Templars: A rival faction in the Assassin's Creed series, representing order and control, often in conflict with the Assassins who seek freedom and autonomy.

Animus: A fictional device in the Assassin's Creed universe that allows users to access and relive the memories of their ancestors, playing a key role in the game's narrative structure.

Historical Accuracy: The degree to which the game depicts actual historical events and figures, which is a significant element of the Assassin's Creed series, enhancing player engagement with history.