The Assassin’s Creed franchise, a cornerstone of modern interactive entertainment, is embarking on its most ambitious narrative expansion to date. Ubisoft, the powerhouse publisher behind the long-running historical action series, has officially announced a sweeping initiative to bring the secret war between the Assassins and the Templars to an array of new media formats. Moving well beyond the console and PC gaming experiences that defined the brand, the company is pivoting toward a "transmedia-first" strategy that includes novels, graphic novels, manhuas, webtoons, and high-fidelity audio podcasts.
This strategic pivot is designed to deepen the lore of the Assassin’s Creed universe, allowing both longtime fans and new audiences to explore its rich, historical tapestry through diverse storytelling lenses. By decentralizing the narrative from the flagship video game titles, Ubisoft is inviting a new wave of international creative talent to iterate on the franchise’s core themes of free will, historical intrigue, and the perennial conflict between order and chaos.
The Three Pillars of Expansion
Ubisoft has structured this expansive roadmap into three distinct categories, designed to categorize content for varying levels of fan engagement:
- Classics: These works serve as direct narrative adaptations or expansions of stories established within the mainline video games. They offer a refined look at the iconic moments that have shaped the franchise’s canon.
- Chronicles: These entries focus on the exploits of fan-favorite Assassins, providing deep-dive explorations into their lives and missions that were only briefly touched upon or hinted at within the games.
- Originals: Perhaps the most ambitious category, "Originals" introduces entirely new protagonists, settings, and time periods. These stories operate within the established rules of the Assassin’s Creed universe while pushing the boundaries of where and when the conflict can occur.
A Global Creative Strategy
The scale of this project is significant, particularly regarding its international reach. Ubisoft is placing a specific emphasis on forging deep relationships with Asian creators—specifically in China, Japan, and Korea. The company recognizes that the history of these regions offers untapped potential for the "Assassins vs. Templars" narrative, and by employing local writers and artists, they hope to ensure that these stories feel authentic to the cultural history they depict.
"With a license as rich as Assassin’s Creed, many creators are excited to offer their vision of the franchise!" said 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 noted that the priority has been to foster collaboration with regional partners to deliver content that resonates deeply with local fanbases. By marrying a global brand with local perspectives, the publisher is attempting to move away from a Western-centric view of historical conflict and toward a more inclusive, globally diverse narrative architecture.
2021 and Beyond: A Roadmap of New Titles
The initial wave of this expansion includes several high-profile projects set to release throughout the remainder of 2021 and into 2022.
The Fragments Young Adult Trilogy (Originals)
In partnership with the French publishing house Editis, Ubisoft is launching a series of historical action-adventure novels aimed at a Young Adult audience. The Fragments series focuses on siblings caught in the crossfire of the centuries-old feud, exploring how familial bonds are tested when allegiances diverge. Each volume will feature different protagonists in different eras: 19th-century Japan, 13th-century Scotland, and 17th-century France.
The Jade Seal Collection (Originals)
This collection represents a massive commitment to Chinese historical fiction. Spanning from the Zhou Dynasty (4th Century BC) to the Ming Dynasty (17th Century), this project involves ten novels written by six prominent Chinese authors. These books promise to integrate legendary martial artists, philosophers, and emperors into the secret history of the Assassins, effectively mapping the Templar-Assassin war onto the complex geopolitical landscape of ancient China.
The Ming Storm (Chronicles)
Written by celebrated Chinese author Yan Leisheng, The Ming Storm follows Shao Jun, the fan-favorite protagonist of the Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China video game. This action-packed trilogy serves as a bridge between established game lore and new, high-stakes prose. Aconyte Books, Ubisoft’s key publishing partner, has scheduled the US and Canadian release for June 1, 2021.
Assassin’s Creed: Dynasty (Manhua)
Originally a webcomic released in China by ULAB, Dynasty has already achieved massive success, garnering over 150 million views on the Tencent platform. The story follows Li E as he fights to protect the Tang Dynasty from a brutal civil war. TOKYOPOP is handling the North American release, with the first volume slated for an e-book release in September 2021 and a physical paperback release in early 2022.
Valhalla-Related Media (Chronicles)
Given the massive success of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, it is no surprise that a significant portion of the new material is dedicated to the Viking era.
- Blood Brothers: A manhua detailing the lives of two Viking brothers, arriving via TOKYOPOP in the summer of 2021.
- French Graphic Novel: Glénat Editions is producing an original graphic novel centered on a quest from Ravensthorpe to Scotland.
- Song of Glory: A hardcover collection from Dark Horse Comics, serving as a prequel to the game by following Eivor and Sigurd on their separate quests for glory.
Blade of Shao Jun (Chronicles)
Viz Media is bringing the Blade of Shao Jun manga to Western audiences. This title not only features the return of the iconic Shao Jun but also introduces a modern-day narrative thread involving a teenager named Lisa, who finds herself ensnared by the modern-day Templar front, Abstergo.
Audio Immersion: Turbulence in the Ming Dynasty
Perhaps the most experimental entry in the new lineup is the Turbulence in the Ming Dynasty podcast. Produced by China’s Ximalaya platform, this audio drama features a professional cast from the Chinese film industry, complete with high-end sound design and an original musical score. It represents Ubisoft’s attempt to capture the "Assassin’s Creed experience" for listeners, proving that the franchise’s atmosphere can be translated into purely auditory formats.
The Webtoon Sequel
Redice, a major partner in the webtoon space, is currently developing a project that will serve as a direct sequel to the events of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. By returning to the story of Edward Kenway, Ubisoft is clearly looking to reward long-term fans who have been clamoring for more closure regarding the golden age of piracy era.
Implications for the Future of the Franchise
The implications of this massive expansion are twofold. First, it cements Assassin’s Creed as a "transmedia universe" in the vein of Star Wars or the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where the primary medium (video games) is merely the anchor for a wider, interconnected storytelling ecosystem. Second, it shifts the power dynamic of the franchise. By allowing creators in Asia, Europe, and North America to tell stories in their own styles—be it through Japanese manga, Chinese podcasts, or French graphic novels—Ubisoft is mitigating the risk of creative stagnation.
For the average consumer, this means that the Assassin’s Creed universe is no longer just a series of games to be played; it is a library of history to be read, listened to, and watched. The move to a "global vision with a local approach," as described by Publishing Content Manager Etienne Bouvier, suggests that Ubisoft is eager to ensure their stories feel relevant to the cultural backgrounds of their global audience.
As these titles roll out throughout the year, the success of these projects will likely dictate the future trajectory of Ubisoft’s publishing arm. If successful, this multi-format strategy could serve as a template for other major gaming franchises looking to maintain relevance and narrative depth in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. Fans are encouraged to monitor the official Assassin’s Creed Stories website for ongoing updates on release dates, new project announcements, and further expansion of the lore that has captivated millions for over a decade.
