Assassin's Creed

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Assassin's Creed

It's an exaggeration to say "if you followed the game at all". They didn't sell it as a sci fi game right from the start. This started up from this summer, as I recall it. They haven't tricked anyone, but they were selling Jerusalem, and aren't front loading the sci fi elements. Unless you read all of the articles about the game, the sci fi angle isn't a big part of their pitch. The majority of their campaign is to sell it as an assassin game in medieval Jerusalem. The commercials have it this way and the old trailers have it this way. Even the old previews have it this way. Most other games aren't this tricky about the genre of their game.


Now maybe that is a genius slant on their strategy. Maybe it's a faux pas. We'll know after the release. I'm just saying that I liked the idea of a non-sci fi stealth assassin game set in the 1200s.

[bkfount]

Re: Assassin's Creed

They didn't trick anyone, if you've followed the game at all you would've known about this.

Through marketing, GTA vice city was a known 80's game. Madden 2008 is a known 2007 NFL game. Gran Turismo is a known sim racer, and COD4 is a known modern day shooter.

The fact is, Assassin's creed is a known medieval assassin game. They have done zero marketing towards the sci fi element, and if it is as deeply engraved in the game as it appears, it will disappoint some people who aren't down with all of the matrix or holodeck style stuff. It's like they don't want people to know that there is this side to the game, when it could probably draw more fans.

As of right now, they have only marketed your freedom in the game, graphics, and it's time in history.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Assassin's Creed

Just to back up what I was saying, here are some articles on Assassin's Creed. They specifically say that it occurs in Old Jerusalem, and that you'll be given the opportunity to shape events in history. No sci fi is mentioned.

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/assassinscreed/news.html?sid=6148726&mode=all

http://www.gamespot.com/video/930022/6150050/assassins-creed-interview

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/assassinscreed/news.html?sid=6150273&mode=all

I could post more links about the game that don't mention Sci Fi, but why bother? Even better is the original company line:

Assassin's Creed Company Line
Company Line -- This Content Was Not Created By GameSpot
Posted May 10, 2006 1:12 pm PT
Assassin's Creed is the next-gen game developed by Ubisoft Montreal that will redefine the action genre. While other games claim to be next-gen with impressive graphics and physics, Assassin's Creed merges technology, game design, theme, and emotions into a world where you instigate chaos and become a vulnerable, yet powerful, agent of change.

The setting is 1191 AD. The Third Crusade is tearing the Holy Land apart. You, Altair, intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict.

You are an Assassin, a warrior shrouded in secrecy and feared for your ruthlessness. Your actions can throw your immediate environment into chaos, and your existence will shape events during this pivotal moment in history.

Key Features


Be an Assassin - Master the skills, tactics, and weapons of history's deadliest and most secretive clan of warriors. Plan your attacks, strike without mercy, and fight your way to escape.
Realistic and responsive environments - Experience a living, breathing world in which all your actions have consequences. Crowds react to your moves and will either help or hinder you on your quests.
Action with a new dimension – total freedom - Eliminate your targets wherever, whenever, and however. Stalk your prey through richly detailed, historically accurate, open-ended environments. Scale buildings, mount horses, blend in with crowds. Do whatever it takes to achieve your objectives.
Relive the epic times of the Crusades - Assassin's Creed immerses you in the realistic and historical Holy Land of the 12th century, featuring life-like graphics, ambience, and the subtle, yet detailed nuances of a living world.
Intense action rooted in reality - Experience heavy action blended with fluid and precise animations. Use a wide range of medieval weapons, and face your enemies in realistic swordfight duels.
Next-gen gameplay - The proprietary engine developed from the ground up for the next-gen console allows organic game design featuring open gameplay, intuitive control scheme, realistic interaction with environment, and a fluid, yet sharp, combat mechanic.

[jmood88]

Re: Assassin's Creed

Just to back up what I was saying, here are some articles on Assassin's Creed. They specifically say that it occurs in Old Jerusalem, and that you'll be given the opportunity to shape events in history. No sci fi is mentioned.

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/assassinscreed/news.html?sid=6148726&mode=all

http://www.gamespot.com/video/930022/6150050/assassins-creed-interview

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/assassinscreed/news.html?sid=6150273&mode=all

I could post more links about the game that don't mention Sci Fi, but why bother? Even better is the original company line:

Assassin's Creed Company Line
Company Line -- This Content Was Not Created By GameSpot
Posted May 10, 2006 1:12 pm PT
Assassin's Creed is the next-gen game developed by Ubisoft Montreal that will redefine the action genre. While other games claim to be next-gen with impressive graphics and physics, Assassin's Creed merges technology, game design, theme, and emotions into a world where you instigate chaos and become a vulnerable, yet powerful, agent of change.

The setting is 1191 AD. The Third Crusade is tearing the Holy Land apart. You, Altair, intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict.

You are an Assassin, a warrior shrouded in secrecy and feared for your ruthlessness. Your actions can throw your immediate environment into chaos, and your existence will shape events during this pivotal moment in history.

Key Features


Be an Assassin - Master the skills, tactics, and weapons of history's deadliest and most secretive clan of warriors. Plan your attacks, strike without mercy, and fight your way to escape.
Realistic and responsive environments - Experience a living, breathing world in which all your actions have consequences. Crowds react to your moves and will either help or hinder you on your quests.
Action with a new dimension – total freedom - Eliminate your targets wherever, whenever, and however. Stalk your prey through richly detailed, historically accurate, open-ended environments. Scale buildings, mount horses, blend in with crowds. Do whatever it takes to achieve your objectives.
Relive the epic times of the Crusades - Assassin's Creed immerses you in the realistic and historical Holy Land of the 12th century, featuring life-like graphics, ambience, and the subtle, yet detailed nuances of a living world.
Intense action rooted in reality - Experience heavy action blended with fluid and precise animations. Use a wide range of medieval weapons, and face your enemies in realistic swordfight duels.
Next-gen gameplay - The proprietary engine developed from the ground up for the next-gen console allows organic game design featuring open gameplay, intuitive control scheme, realistic interaction with environment, and a fluid, yet sharp, combat mechanic.

I don't see how having a sci fi part of that at the end takes away the medieval part of the game. You aren't playing in the future, you are playing in that time period. The whol sci fi thing is simply the reason behind why you're there.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Assassin's Creed

I don't see how having a sci fi part of that at the end takes away the medieval part of the game. You aren't playing in the future, you are playing in that time period. The whol sci fi thing is simply the reason behind why you're there.

They said you'll understand the sci fi angle in the first thirty five seconds of play. And I've seen digital readouts over medieval screens. That's the part that really makes me sick.

But the issue I was addressing was whether they employed some slight of hand, and the difference between their old description of their game and the current one tells all. Whether or not that bothers you, or the sci fi bothers you is a personal issue that each consumer has to deal with themselves.

Right now, as an idea, it bothers me. A lot. Certainly to the point that it's gone from an automatic buy to a "wait and see". It's all about Mass Effect now.

[The Chef]

Re: Assassin's Creed

They said you'll understand the sci fi angle in the first thirty five seconds of play. And I've seen digital readouts over medieval screens. That's the part that really makes me sick.

But the issue I was addressing was whether they employed some slight of hand, and the difference between their old description of their game and the current one tells all. Whether or not that bothers you, or the sci fi bothers you is a personal issue that each consumer has to deal with themselves.

Right now, as an idea, it bothers me. A lot. Certainly to the point that it's gone from an automatic buy to a "wait and see". It's all about Mass Effect now.

I agree with you 100%, I was really amped for this game but this entire sci-fi idea has me waiting to buy it until I hear from others here how implemented this idea is, in the meantime I will stick with NBA and Mario when it comes out. It could still be a great game but its not what I was under the impression it was going to be and thus has lost some of its luster.

[warnerwlf98]

Re: Assassin's Creed

The sci-fi angle doesn't impact my opinion of this game in the slightest. I know it has 3 huge cities - Damascus, Jerusalem, and Acre (or Akko, according to wikipedia - a harbor city) - and it has a nonlinear structure to it. 2 things I enjoy. You're still playing in medieval times with
medieval weapons and it looks great. It has gotten pretty good reviews so far, so I still think it'll be a pleasure.

[stiffarmleft]

Re: Assassin's Creed

They didn't trick anyone, if you've followed the game at all you would've known about this.

I agree I thought this was a known, I barely followed the game and knew about the futuristic slant, there were subtle hints in the trailers. I would not be as interested in this game if it were a straight up medieval game. In fact the only problem I have is that they let this plot twist be known, I don't mind a suprise plot twist.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Assassin's Creed

I was going to try and hold off til after Thanksgiving, but I doubt I will.

[CMH]

Re: Assassin's Creed

I don't see how it's poor/wrong marketing when the events take place in Jerusalem during the Crusades.

You get exactly what they advertised.

[jmood88]

Re: Assassin's Creed

I don't see how it's poor/wrong marketing when the events take place in Jerusalem during the Crusades.

You get exactly what they advertised.

Exactly, that's what I'm not understanding about the complaints. You're playing exactly what you thought you were going to play. And by the way, it's not just Jerulsalem they have Egypt and some other city too.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Assassin's Creed

I don't see how it's poor/wrong marketing when the events take place in Jerusalem during the Crusades.

You get exactly what they advertised.

All I'm saying is that they were cagey about the sci fi element. I've proven that with the articles. All you have to do is look at those articles and look at the current interviews and articles and it's obvious that the futuristic cat is out of the bag now, where it wasn't before. A game where you have digital readouts over your 12th century world is diferent than a game that is exclusively period based. Being in a Matrix style simulation of a world is different than setting the game solely in the ancient world. Medieval and Sci Fi are a kind of opposites in genre (past vs. future) and some people are wary of stories that mix the two. They purposefully withheld this information because it involves a story twist, and that was their choice.

Like any choice, you are going to please some people, and alienate others. I'm alienated. That's not a complaint, that's just the result of their creative decision.

[ThaGenecyst]

Re: Assassin's Creed

I shouldn't have read the argument lol i knew there was a sci fi twist... didn't know the guy was some futuristic matrix kinda thing... FOCK!!! I wanted 2 be surprised... ah well

can't wait for tuesday anyway

[jmood88]

Re: Assassin's Creed

I shouldn't have read the argument lol i knew there was a sci fi twist... didn't know the guy was some futuristic matrix kinda thing... FOCK!!! I wanted 2 be surprised... ah well

can't wait for tuesday anyway

No one knows what exactly is with the sci fi part, all that has been confirmed is that Altair is not a time traveler and that there is something to do with DNA and the future.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Assassin's Creed

Kristin Bell:

In an interview with IGN, Bell - who has provided her voice and face for Assassins Creed - said that the game is "based on the research that's sort of happening now, about the fact that your genes might be able to hold memory."

She continues: "it's about this science company trying to, Matrix-style, go into peoples brains and find out an ancestor who used to be an assassin, and sort of locate who that person is."

That sounds pretty specific. It's enough info for me anyway. I don't need the specifics of the Refusal of the Call to the Threshold Guardian.