Some massive changes are expected to be made to theAssassin’s Creedfranchise in the near future, with the next few months seemingly shaping up to herald a new era for the longstanding and successful Ubisoft IP. While there are a handful of exciting projects on the horizon for the series, none seem quite as important and unpredictable as theInfinityhub, which will reportedly be the go-to place to access and play all futureACcontent going forward.
A move as impactful and drastic as this is likely to put the future ofAssassin’s Creedon a knife-edge in terms of player reception, with many pros and cons over the switch to a live service hub already being outlined and debated by large parts of the community. While there are many factors that could be causes for concern regarding theAssassin’s Creed Infinityhub, the service could be the perfect way to allow theACfranchise to explore more brief and ambitious stories within settings that would not be as justifiable as fully-fledged mainline releases.
Assassin’s Creed Infinity Could Massively Expand the Franchise’s Storytelling Capabilities
Assassin’s Creed Infinitywas first announced in 2021, with Ubisoft seemingly following the growing industry trend of massive franchises moving away from traditional individual releases in favor of one-stop hubs. Reportedly,Infinitywill be the place that all futureAssassin’s Creedcontent is delivered and accessed, including large-scale releases, much in the same way thatCall of Dutyrecently moved over to its ownCall of DutyHQ hub.
Concerns have already been raised over howAssassin’s Creed Infinitymight impact trophy huntingwhile feeding into the growing and invasive “always online” nature of modern gaming, but there are some potential benefits of the hub that could help to win fans over. As things stand, the current mainline releases forAssassin’s Creedare quite far removed from the earlier identity of the franchise, with more intimate smaller-scale experiences being traded in for massively expansive open-worlds with a greater focus on RPG elements.
This shift in identity forAssassin’s Creedhas been fairly successful but divisive, and theInfinityhub could be the perfect way to offer a wider level of content that satisfies fans of all preferences.Infinityis expected to launch alongsideAssassin’s Creed Shadowsin February, with other confirmed projects likeHexebeing a great example of the interesting and unique gameplay experiences that can be justified throughInfinity.
The Settings and Perspectives of AC Infinity Experiences Are Endless
Fans believe thatHexewill be centered around a coven of witches, acting as a smaller-scale title compared to the likes ofShadows.Short, distinctive experiences like that could be a staple ofInfinityin terms of supplementing the gaps between the larger mainline releases of the franchise. Without the risk of being released as fully-fledged standalone games, brief yet memorableACexperiences could be released throughInfinitythat take fans to settings like the Second World War, the Old West, the modern day, and beyond.
Of course, there is the argument that the fresh assets that these experiences would require might be too costly for brief gameplay experiences, but Ubisoft could still use them sparingly to great effect. Conversely,Infinitycould provide shorter titles that explore different character perspectives of past games, offering fascinating insights fromthe views of the Templars and beyondwithout requiring hugely demanding development resources. It almost seems inevitable that the launch ofAssassin’s Creed Infinityis going to be controversial, but Ubisoft could really lean into the short and sweet stories that the hub can host in order to really make the most out of such an ambitious change.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
