Lina Hope
The Assassin’s Creed franchise, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed pillars of the video game industry, is undergoing a profound evolution. Ubisoft, the powerhouse behind the decades-long struggle between the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Templar Order, has officially announced a massive, multi-platform expansion. Moving beyond the interactive console and PC experiences that defined the brand, the company is pivoting toward an expansive transmedia strategy that encompasses novels, graphic novels, manhuas, webtoons, and immersive audio podcasts.
This initiative is designed to invite a new generation of creators into the fold, allowing the rich lore of the Assassin’s Creed universe to be explored through diverse cultural lenses and artistic mediums. By decentralizing the storytelling process and partnering with regional experts, Ubisoft aims to transform Assassin’s Creed into a truly global, evergreen narrative ecosystem.
A New Categorization of Lore
To help fans navigate this influx of new content, Ubisoft has streamlined its upcoming publications into three distinct categories:
- Classics: These works serve as direct adaptations, meticulously recreating the iconic stories experienced in the video games for readers who prefer traditional literary formats.
- Chronicles: These narratives focus on the exploits of beloved, established Assassins, offering deep dives into their pasts or side-stories that bridge the gaps between major game releases.
- Originals: Perhaps the most ambitious of the three, this category introduces entirely new protagonists and explores historical periods previously untouched by the franchise, providing a blank canvas for fresh storytelling.
The Strategy: A Global, Localized Approach
The pivot toward transmedia is not merely a quantitative expansion; it is a qualitative one. A significant portion of this strategy involves forging deep relationships with Asian creators—specifically in Japan, Korea, and China.
"With a license as rich as Assassin’s Creed, many creators are excited to offer their vision of the franchise," says Aymar Azaïzia, Transmedia Director at Ubisoft Montreal. "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 sentiment is echoed by Julien Fabre, Associate Director of Publishing at Ubisoft, who emphasizes that the move toward Asian markets is a strategic priority. By collaborating with local talent, the publisher ensures that the stories feel authentic to their specific cultural contexts. "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," Fabre noted.
The goal is to move away from a "top-down" Western-centric narrative model. As Etienne Bouvier, Publishing Content Manager at Ubisoft, explained, "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 of Upcoming Titles
The rollout of this content is already underway, with several high-profile projects hitting the market in the coming months and years.
1. Assassin’s Creed: Fragments (Young Adult Trilogy)
Developed in partnership with the French publishing house Editis, Fragments is an action-adventure saga aimed at a younger demographic. The story centers on siblings caught in the crossfire of the centuries-old Assassin-Templar conflict. The series is unique in its structure, with each volume focusing on a different period and location:
- Volume 1: Set in 19th-century Japan.
- Volume 2: Set in 13th-century Scotland.
- Volume 3: Set in 17th-century France.
2. The Jade Seal Collection (Originals)
This collection represents a massive undertaking, comprising ten novels that span from the Zhou Dynasty (4th Century BC) to the Ming Dynasty (17th Century). Written by six renowned Chinese authors, these books introduce new Assassins and archenemies, embedding the franchise’s core philosophy into the rich tapestry of Chinese history.
3. The Ming Storm (Chronicles)
For those who enjoyed the Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China video game, The Ming Storm is a essential follow-up. Written by bestselling author Yan Leisheng, the novel features the fan-favorite protagonist Shao Jun. It is currently slated for release in the US and Canada via Aconyte Books. This release serves as a precursor to a wider series of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla novels scheduled for 2022.
4. Assassin’s Creed: Dynasty (Manhua)
Originally launched as a webcomic in China, Dynasty has already achieved massive success, garnering over 150 million views on the Tencent platform. The story follows the journey of the Assassin Li E as he attempts to save the Tang Dynasty from the throes of civil war. TOKYOPOP will publish the English version, with volume one arriving as an ebook in late 2021 and a physical paperback release in early 2022.
5. Valhalla: Blood Brothers (Manhua)
Set in the world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, this manhua explores the lives of two Viking brothers. The narrative takes place shortly before the rise of Eivor the Wolf-Kissed, providing necessary context for the lore of the 9th-century Norse world.
6. Valhalla French Graphic Novel (Chronicles)
Published by Glénat Editions, this original graphic novel explores the partnership between an aspiring Assassin and a Christian monk. Their quest spans from the settlement of Ravensthorpe to the rugged landscapes of Scotland, offering a grounded, character-driven look at the Valhalla era.
7. Valhalla: Song of Glory (Chronicles)
Previously serialized as individual comics, this Dark Horse collection serves as a direct prequel to the Valhalla game. It follows Eivor and Sigurd as they embark on separate quests for glory, further fleshing out the motivation and history of the game’s lead characters.
8. Blade of Shao Jun (Chronicles)
This manga, published by Viz Media, offers a two-pronged narrative. It continues the adventures of Shao Jun in 16th-century China while introducing a modern-day plot involving a teenager named Lisa, who becomes ensnared in an Abstergo trap.
9. Turbulence in the Ming Dynasty (Podcast)
Recognizing the rise of audio-first storytelling, Ubisoft partnered with China’s Ximalaya platform to produce an immersive audio drama. The podcast features a stellar cast from the Chinese film industry and utilizes high-end sound design to transport listeners to 16th-century China.
10. Webtoon Sequel (Originals)
In a major nod to the popularity of digital comics, a new Korean webtoon is currently in development with the studio Redice. This series will act as a direct sequel to Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, finally providing fans with an update on the story of Edward Kenway.
Implications for the Future of the Brand
The implications of this move are significant. For years, the Assassin’s Creed brand was tethered strictly to the release cycle of the primary console titles. By diversifying into these formats, Ubisoft is effectively "de-risking" its IP. The franchise no longer relies solely on the success of a single $70 AAA game launch to keep fans engaged.
Furthermore, this strategy addresses the common criticism of "lore bloat." By creating specialized categories, fans can choose to engage with the stories they are most interested in—whether that is the historical accuracy of the Chinese dynasties or the YA-inflected drama of the Fragments trilogy.
Conclusion
Ubisoft’s expansion into these new media forms is a calculated, ambitious, and necessary step for one of gaming’s most storied franchises. By trusting regional creators to interpret the core tenets of the Assassin’s Creed universe—the pursuit of truth, the struggle against tyranny, and the hidden history of the world—the company is ensuring that the Creed remains relevant in an increasingly crowded entertainment landscape. Whether on a screen, a page, or through the speakers of a podcast, the battle between the Assassins and the Templars has never felt more accessible, or more expansive. Fans are encouraged to monitor the official Ubisoft stories portal for updates on release dates and further literary announcements.
Basiran
