The Assassin’s Creed franchise, a cornerstone of modern gaming since its debut in 2007, is undergoing a profound structural evolution. Ubisoft, the powerhouse developer behind the long-running historical action series, has officially announced a comprehensive "transmedia" expansion. This initiative seeks to push the boundaries of the series beyond the console, integrating a diverse array of media—including novels, graphic novels, manhuas, webtoons, and immersive podcasts—to deepen the lore of the eternal conflict between the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Templar Order.
By diversifying its storytelling apparatus, Ubisoft is effectively transitioning Assassin’s Creed from a series of video games into a sprawling, interconnected universe. This move allows the company to engage fans through mediums that resonate with local cultures and storytelling traditions, specifically targeting the burgeoning Asian market while continuing to satisfy its global audience.
The Strategy: Classifying the Creed
To manage such a massive influx of content, Ubisoft has categorized its new offerings into three distinct pillars, providing clarity for both longtime lore-enthusiasts and newcomers:
- Classics: These works serve as direct adaptations, transcribing the iconic narratives of the existing video game titles into written or illustrated formats.
- Chronicles: These stories focus on fan-favorite Assassins from the games, filling in the gaps of their lives or exploring parallel adventures that were never shown on screen.
- Originals: These projects introduce entirely new protagonists, settings, and time periods, allowing creative freedom to explore the "Assassin-Templar" conflict in corners of history the games have yet to touch.
A Global Vision: The Push for Cultural Authenticity
The heart of this expansion lies in a philosophy of "global vision, local approach." Ubisoft’s leadership team has emphasized that the goal is not merely to saturate the market, but to ensure the stories feel authentic to the cultural backgrounds they inhabit.
"We are all consumers of stories," explains Etienne Bouvier, Publishing Content Manager at Ubisoft. "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."
This has resulted in high-profile partnerships with creators across China, Japan, and Korea. By collaborating with local authors and illustrators—who are established masters of their respective genres—Ubisoft ensures that a manhua set in the Tang Dynasty or a webtoon set in 18th-century Korea captures the specific aesthetic and historical nuances required to satisfy local readers while maintaining the "DNA" of the Assassin’s Creed brand.
The 2021–2022 Roadmap: A Breakdown of New Titles
Ubisoft has confirmed a robust slate of upcoming releases. Here is a detailed look at the projects currently in the pipeline:
The Fragments Young Adult Trilogy (Originals)
In partnership with the French publishing house Editis, Fragments is an ambitious historical fiction saga. Each of the three books follows a different set of siblings caught in the crossfire of the Assassin-Templar war. The trilogy is designed to highlight the emotional complexity of these relationships across three distinct eras: 19th-century Japan, 13th-century Scotland, and 17th-century France.
The Jade Seal Collection (Originals)
This collection represents a significant commitment to Chinese history. Spanning from the Zhou Dynasty (4th Century BC) to the Ming Dynasty (17th Century), this series of ten novels features six prominent Chinese writers. It is an epic undertaking that will introduce a new lineage of Assassins and archenemies, embedding the series deeply into the historical tapestry of China.
The Ming Storm (Chronicles)
Written by best-selling Chinese author Yan Leisheng, this novel marks the return of Shao Jun—the fan-favorite protagonist from Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China. The novel, which serves as the beginning of a trilogy, is being brought to English-speaking markets by Aconyte Books. It is a critical piece of the puzzle for fans who have long requested more depth for Shao Jun’s character.
Assassin’s Creed Dynasty (Manhua)
Originally a webcomic in China developed by ULAB, Dynasty has already achieved massive success, garnering over 150 million views on the Tencent platform. The story follows Li E as he attempts to save the Tang Dynasty from a brutal civil war. TOKYOPOP has acquired the rights for North American distribution, with a phased rollout starting with ebooks in late 2021 and physical paperbacks in early 2022.
Valhalla: Blood Brothers (Manhua)
As the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla game continues to dominate the charts, Ubisoft is expanding its Norse setting. Blood Brothers tells the story of two Viking siblings living shortly before the arrival of Eivor the Wolf-Kissed. Published by TOKYOPOP, this title offers a gritty look at the life of warriors in the Viking Age.
Additional Projects: Valhalla and Beyond
The expansion continues with the Valhalla French Graphic Novel from Glénat Editions, which follows an aspiring Assassin and a Christian monk on a journey from Ravensthorpe to the rugged landscapes of Scotland. Furthermore, the collected hardcover edition of Song of Glory (Dark Horse Comics) provides a prequel to the Valhalla game, detailing the early exploits of Eivor and Sigurd.
For those interested in audio storytelling, the Turbulence in the Ming Dynasty podcast—broadcast by Ximalaya—offers an immersive audio adaptation of the Ming Storm narrative. Featuring high-end sound design and a professional cast, it represents the franchise’s successful leap into the competitive podcasting space.
Finally, a highly anticipated Korean webtoon is currently in development with partner Redice. This project will act as a direct sequel to the beloved Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, finally providing fans with an update on the narrative threads of Edward Kenway.
Implications: The Future of Transmedia Gaming
The implications of this rollout are significant for the gaming industry at large. By leveraging "transmedia," Ubisoft is creating a "sticky" ecosystem. Fans who finish a game like Valhalla are no longer left waiting years for a sequel; they can immediately jump into a graphic novel or a podcast to remain immersed in that specific era.
Moreover, the use of diverse formats—specifically the rise of the manhua and webtoon—indicates a shift in how large publishers view intellectual property. The franchise is no longer just a collection of game mechanics; it is a platform for historical storytelling that can be translated into any language or format.
Conclusion: A New Era for the Brotherhood
Ubisoft’s decision to move beyond the traditional video game development cycle marks a turning point for the Assassin’s Creed brand. By entrusting their lore to a global network of writers, artists, and audio engineers, the company is ensuring that the Creed remains relevant, vibrant, and ever-expanding.
Whether through the intense historical dramas of the Jade Seal Collection or the modern-day mystery unfolding in the Blade of Shao Jun manga, there has never been more content available for those who wish to walk in the shadows of the Assassins. Fans are encouraged to monitor the official Ubisoft stories website for ongoing updates as these projects move from development to store shelves and digital platforms. The war between the Assassins and the Templars is far from over—in fact, it has only just begun to reach its full potential.
