Reynand Wu
The Assassin’s Creed franchise, a pillar of modern interactive entertainment since its inception in 2007, is undergoing a profound metamorphosis. Ubisoft, the powerhouse behind the historical action-adventure series, has officially announced a massive strategic expansion of the Assassin’s Creed universe. By venturing into previously untapped narrative mediums—including young adult novels, global manhuas, webtoons, and immersive podcasts—the publisher is signaling a shift toward a truly transmedia ecosystem. This initiative aims not only to retain the existing player base but to invite new audiences into the centuries-old conflict between the Assassins and the Templars through localized, culturally resonant storytelling.
The Three Pillars of Narrative Expansion
To maintain narrative cohesion across such a sprawling variety of formats, Ubisoft has categorized its new catalog into three distinct "Pillars of Publishing." This structure provides fans with a clear roadmap of how these stories intersect with the established lore:
- Classics: These represent direct adaptations of the narratives found within the video games. Designed for fans who wish to experience the canonical stories in prose or illustrated formats, these works serve as literary companions to the gaming experience.
- Chronicles: This category focuses on new adventures featuring iconic, fan-favorite Assassins. These stories bridge the gaps between game releases, providing deeper insight into the lives of legendary characters like Shao Jun or Eivor the Wolf-Kissed.
- Originals: Perhaps the most ambitious of the three, this pillar introduces entirely new protagonists, novel historical settings, and fresh perspectives on the Assassin-Templar conflict, effectively expanding the franchise’s reach into untapped historical eras and geographic regions.
A Global Vision: Regional Talent and Cultural Authenticity
The strategy driving this expansion is deeply rooted in a desire for global representation. Ubisoft has prioritized forging partnerships with creators in Asia—specifically China, Japan, and Korea—to ensure that the stories feel authentic to the regions they depict.
"With so many creators from all over Asia delivering innovative content, a priority for Ubisoft has been to forge new relationships with talented partners in the region," noted Julien Fabre, Associate Director of Publishing at Ubisoft. By collaborating with local writers and illustrators, the publisher aims to move away from a Western-centric view of the franchise, allowing for narratives that resonate with local history and cultural nuances.
Etienne Bouvier, Publishing Content Manager at Ubisoft, emphasizes the human element of this strategy: "We are all consumers of stories. With this global vision and local approach, we seek to offer our fans new content in formats they are familiar with, and with stories that are rooted in their cultural background and their history."
Detailed Breakdown: The 2021-2022 Roadmap
Ubisoft has provided a comprehensive look at the specific titles currently in development, demonstrating the diversity of their new transmedia slate.
The Fragments Young Adult Trilogy (Originals)
In a move to capture the young adult demographic, Ubisoft has partnered with the French publisher Editis. Fragments is an action-adventure historical fiction saga centering on the fractured relationship between siblings caught in the crossfire of the Assassin-Templar war. Each entry in this trilogy will jump to a different era and location:
- Volume 1: 19th Century Japan.
- Volume 2: 13th Century Scotland.
- Volume 3: 17th Century France.
The Jade Seal Collection (Originals)
Representing a significant investment in Chinese literary talent, The Jade Seal Collection is a series of ten novels spanning from the Zhou Dynasty (4th Century BC) to the Ming Dynasty (17th Century). Written by six prominent Chinese authors, this collection promises to integrate the Assassin’s Creed mythos into the rich tapestry of Chinese history, introducing new heroes and archenemies.
The Ming Storm (Chronicles)
Written by the acclaimed Chinese author Yan Leisheng, The Ming Storm marks the beginning of an action-packed trilogy featuring the return of Shao Jun. Following her appearance in the game Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China, this novel—published by Aconyte Books—offers a deep dive into her journey. Aconyte is also slated to publish a trilogy of novels based on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla throughout 2022.
Dynasty and Blood Brothers (Manhua)
Ubisoft is heavily leaning into the manhua format. Assassin’s Creed Dynasty, which originated as a webcomic in China, has already achieved massive success with over 150 million online views. It follows the story of Li E as he struggles to save the Tang Dynasty from civil war. It will be brought to North American readers via TOKYOPOP. Similarly, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Blood Brothers explores the pre-Eivor history of two Viking brothers, providing essential context to the events of the latest console title.
Manga and Digital Works
- Blade of Shao Jun: Published by Viz Media, this manga series adapts the narrative of Chronicles: China while introducing a modern-day plotline featuring a teenager named Lisa, who inadvertently becomes entangled with the modern-day Templars, Abstergo.
- Turbulence in the Ming Dynasty Podcast: In a move toward audio-first storytelling, Ximalaya has developed an audio adaptation of the Ming Dynasty novel, complete with high-production value sound effects, a cinematic score, and a star-studded voice cast from the Chinese film industry.
- Black Flag Webtoon: Perhaps the most anticipated digital project is the upcoming Korean webtoon being developed with Redice, which serves as a direct narrative sequel to the fan-favorite Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, finally giving fans a long-awaited look at the later life of Edward Kenway.
The Professional Perspective: Why Transmedia Matters
The decision to expand Assassin’s Creed beyond the console is not merely a marketing tactic; it is an acknowledgment of the changing habits of modern media consumers. Aymar Azaïzia, Transmedia Director at Ubisoft Montreal, highlights the creative freedom this shift affords: "With a license as rich as Assassin’s Creed, many creators are excited to offer their vision of the franchise! It’s a great creative opportunity to publish a work that is relevant to the genre in question and produced by authors or illustrators who are recognized in their field."
This professional, author-driven approach ensures that each book, comic, or podcast has its own distinct "flavor" while remaining tethered to the core identity of the franchise. By allowing established creators to imprint their style on the universe, Ubisoft is fostering a more robust, varied creative environment.
Strategic Implications: A Franchise for the Next Decade
The implications of this strategy are significant for the longevity of the Assassin’s Creed brand. In the past, the "Assassin’s Creed Universe" was largely synonymous with the annual (or bi-annual) release cycle of the core video games. By filling the interim periods with serialized webtoons, podcasts, and novels, Ubisoft effectively keeps the brand top-of-mind for consumers throughout the year.
Furthermore, this move allows Ubisoft to test narrative concepts in lower-risk environments. A historical setting that might not support a 60-hour, $100-million-dollar AAA game development budget can be perfectly realized in a novel or a series of graphic novels. If a specific "Originals" narrative proves exceptionally popular, it provides a proven foundation for future game development or film adaptation.
Conclusion
As the boundaries between gaming, literature, and digital media continue to blur, Ubisoft’s commitment to an expanded Assassin’s Creed universe positions them at the forefront of modern franchise management. By blending global perspectives with high-caliber storytelling and a diverse array of formats, the publisher is ensuring that the "Creed" remains a vibrant, evolving entity.
For the dedicated fan, the coming years promise a treasure trove of content that goes deeper into the shadows of history than ever before. Whether one prefers the tactile feel of a hardcover novel, the visual flair of a manhua, or the immersive nature of a high-production podcast, the Assassin’s Creed franchise is positioning itself to be a permanent fixture in the entertainment landscape. For further details on these upcoming releases, fans are encouraged to visit the official Assassin’s Creed Stories portal.
Layla Zulfa
Nila Kartika Wati
