Raul Delapena Setiawan
The Assassin’s Creed franchise, a cornerstone of modern interactive entertainment, is evolving. Since its inception in 2007, Ubisoft’s flagship series has defined the stealth-action genre, blending historical fiction with high-concept science fiction. Today, however, the publisher has announced a strategic shift that moves the franchise beyond the boundaries of the console. Ubisoft is aggressively expanding the Assassin’s Creed universe into a comprehensive transmedia ecosystem, incorporating novels, graphic novels, manhuas, webtoons, and immersive audio podcasts.
This initiative represents more than a mere merchandising push; it is a calculated effort to deepen the lore of the centuries-old conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order. By partnering with global creators and utilizing diverse storytelling formats, Ubisoft intends to provide a persistent, multi-platform narrative experience that caters to both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
The Three Pillars of the New Publishing Strategy
To maintain narrative cohesion across such a sprawling range of media, Ubisoft has categorized its new catalog into three distinct pillars, ensuring that fans can easily identify the nature of the stories they are consuming:
- Classics: These titles function as direct adaptations or novelizations based on the established narratives found within the video game series. They serve as faithful retellings for audiences who prefer traditional prose over interactive gameplay.
- Chronicles: These stories focus on the return of fan-favorite Assassins, exploring untold chapters of their lives or bridging the gaps between existing game titles.
- Originals: Perhaps the most ambitious category, "Originals" introduces entirely new protagonists, unexplored historical time periods, and fresh conflicts, effectively functioning as standalone entries in the overarching lore.
A Global Vision: Culturally Rooted Storytelling
A central tenet of this expansion is Ubisoft’s commitment to "localizing" their creative partnerships. Recognizing the franchise’s global appeal, the publisher has prioritized collaborations with artists and writers from specific cultural backgrounds to ensure that the historical settings feel authentic and resonant.
"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 approach is particularly evident in the company’s push into the Asian market. By engaging with talent from China, Japan, and South Korea, Ubisoft is developing localized manhuas and webtoons that reflect the distinct storytelling sensibilities of those regions. Julien Fabre, Associate Director of Publishing, notes, "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."
The Roadmap: Upcoming Titles and Immersive Experiences
The current slate of releases covers an impressive breadth of genres and formats. Here is a breakdown of the key titles currently in the pipeline:
The Fragments Young Adult Trilogy (Originals)
Partnering with the French publisher Editis, this YA trilogy explores the intergenerational trauma and complex dynamics of the Assassin-Templar feud through the lens of sibling relationships. Each volume features a different historical setting: 19th-century Japan, 13th-century Scotland, and 17th-century France.
The Jade Seal Collection (Originals)
This massive undertaking consists of ten novels that span the breadth of Chinese history, from the Zhou Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty. Featuring work from six renowned Chinese authors, this collection promises to introduce new Assassins and legendary historical figures, enriching the lore of the East.
The Ming Storm (Chronicles)
Written by acclaimed Chinese novelist Yan Leisheng, The Ming Storm marks the beginning of an action-packed trilogy. It follows Shao Jun, the protagonist of the Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China game, as she navigates the perils of 16th-century China. Aconyte Books is managing the English publication, with further Valhalla-themed novels planned for 2022.
Assassin’s Creed Dynasty (Manhua)
Originally a smash-hit webcomic in China with over 150 million views, this story follows the warrior Li E as he attempts to save the Tang Dynasty from internal collapse. With a US release via TOKYOPOP, it is set to bring the high-stakes wuxia genre to a broader international audience.
Valhalla-Centric Expansions (Chronicles)
Given the massive success of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, it is no surprise that the franchise is doubling down on its Viking roots. Titles like Blood Brothers (a manhua from TOKYOPOP), the Glenat-published French graphic novel, and the collected edition of Song of Glory (Dark Horse) expand upon the exploits of Eivor and Sigurd, providing essential context for the game’s events.
Digital Innovation: Podcasts and Webtoons
Ubisoft is also embracing the digital-first era. The Turbulence in the Ming Dynasty podcast, developed by Ximalaya, utilizes a professional cast, immersive sound effects, and an original score to bring the audio-drama format to the franchise. Additionally, a new webtoon, developed with the South Korean firm Redice, will serve as a direct sequel to the beloved Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, finally giving fans the continuation of Edward Kenway’s journey they have long requested.
Implications for the Future of Transmedia Franchising
The decision to treat Assassin’s Creed as a living, breathing, cross-media universe carries significant implications for the gaming industry. For years, video game adaptations were largely relegated to secondary status—supplementary content meant to act as flavor text for the main game. Ubisoft’s current strategy flips this hierarchy, treating books, comics, and podcasts as essential pillars of the brand.
By hiring recognized authors and illustrators in their respective fields rather than relying solely on in-house writers, Ubisoft is elevating the quality of its supplemental content. This "global vision, local approach" strategy allows the publisher to tap into established fanbases in different territories while simultaneously importing those unique storytelling styles into the broader Assassin’s Creed canon.
Furthermore, the "Originals" category provides a low-risk, high-reward environment for testing new concepts. If a particular historical period or protagonist proves popular in a webtoon or novel, it provides a proven foundation for future game development or film/TV adaptations.
Conclusion: A New Era for the Creed
Ubisoft’s aggressive expansion signals a departure from the "console-only" mindset that has dominated the industry for decades. By diversifying their output, they are ensuring that Assassin’s Creed remains relevant even during the long development cycles between major game releases.
For the dedicated fan, this means a constant stream of high-quality content that fills the gaps in the timeline and explores corners of history previously untouched by the franchise. For the industry at large, it serves as a masterclass in modern intellectual property management. As these titles roll out throughout the coming year, it is clear that the war between the Assassins and the Templars is no longer confined to the Animus—it is now everywhere, from the pages of a manga to the speakers of a podcast.
Fans are encouraged to keep a close eye on the official Assassin’s Creed stories portal for ongoing updates regarding release dates, international availability, and new project announcements. As the universe continues to grow, one thing remains certain: the creed is, and will remain, a defining pillar of popular culture.
Muslim
Ammar Sabilarrohman
