ASSASSINS CREED Flashcards
What game for the PlayStation 3 was released alongside the vita game?
Assassins Creed III
What were the effects of a simultaneous release (Vita/AC III)?
It had a maximum impact on the three major markets for console and video game release.
What features is the PS Vita designed with?
Many features associated with smartphones. This aligned with the increasing popularity of handheld gaming.
e.g. touchscreen, wifi, 3G and bluetooth
How is a gamer defined in the modern day?
Both male and females who take gaming more seriously and encourage it as a media text.
This is because games can be complex in their construction and demand more from gamers as a media text.
What is globalisation and how does it apply to AC?
The process by which media products and content are produced, distributed, and consumed on a global scale.
Assassin’s Creed is a globalised game because it’s made by international teams, set in different cultures and historical times, and played by people all over the world. It’s translated into many languages and includes stories that appeal to global audiences.
EG AC III Liberation was developed by Ubisoft Milan and Sofia (specialises in AAA games - high budget/quality games. They usually have top graphics, long gameplay, big marketing, and are expected to sell millions of copies)
How is AC III Liberation digitally convergent?
You could buy on PS Vita or on PS3 - owning the game on both platforms would unlock exclusive game content.
How is franchising beneficial to video game producers?
It protects profits without any risk, they aren’t loosing revenue for producing franchised products but instead are simply gaining a % of the games revenue no matter its performance.
Why is Assassins Creed Bloodlines rated a PEGI 16?
It depicts violence that seems somewhat realistic (eg strangling people from behind), includes criminal activity (eg stealing) and bad language.
Why are Assassins Creed games such as III Liberation rated a PEGI 18?
Due to strong violence (eg the removal of a killed enemies scalp), violence against vulnerable and defenceless characters (on the street), motiveless killing of innocent characters and the use of sexual expletives (such as ‘fuck’).
How are video games regulated?
They are regulated by the VSC (Video Standards Council) and are all given a PEGI age rating (in which the 16 and 18 ratings are legally enforced).
Regulation is decided based on the factors of: bad language, discrimination, drugs, fear, gambling, sex, violence and online gameplay.
How would Bandura’s BoBo Doll experiment apply to video games?
It studied children’s behaviours after watching an adult act aggressively towards a doll.
It provided evidence that children would copy violent behaviours even from filmed images or fantasy scenarios.
How do Gauntlett and Noble criticise Bandura’s BoBo Doll experiment?
Gauntlett - it was in a heavily controlled environment in which seemed set up/artificial.
Noble - Children may have known what was expected of them whilst acting violently. A BoBo doll is meant to be hit.
Explain how Ubisoft is the parent company of Assassin’s Creed?
It is the publisher and intellectual property of AC, this means that it oversees the entire franchise.
Explain Assassins Creed’s multi-studio development model.
The games are developed collaboratively across multiple Ubisoft studios.
For example, Ubisoft Montreal is the primary studio behind AC, leading the production of major titles such as Valhalla.
Then studios such as Sofia support the leading studios by specialising in particular aspects - for example multiplayer expansions.
What are the benefits of a multi-studio development model?
Globalisation - having studios across the globe ensures exposure and taps into the three major markets.
It ensured horizontal and vertical integration - they can hold power over all stages of development.
Maximises profits by working collaboratively on games in parallel to each other - can produce games quicker.
Give examples as to how AC has expanded its franchise.
Movies and TV - produced a movie in 2016 starring Micheal Fassbender and an upcoming Netflix series is in production.
Books and comics - Novels which expand the lore, for example “Assassins Creed: The Secret Crusade” (2011) builds on the storylines of AC 1 and Bloodlines.
Merchandise and collectables - figures, clothing, and branded accessories.
How is downloadable content attractive to gamers?
Games such as AC can be bought and installed at home at a cheaper price.
How are the platforms AC is released on attractive to audiences?
The diverse range of platforms on which the game is distributed by Ubisoft caters for a broad range of gamers including mobile, PC gamers, PlayStation and Xbox.
How has the AC franchise reacted to developments in gaming in the past?
With the rise of multiplayer games, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010) introduced competitive multiplayer - where players had to assassinate each other in crowded maps, which matched the core gameplay of the series.
This was then developed in AC Unity (2014) which introduced cooperative multiplayer, allowing up to 4 players to complete missions together.
How has the AC franchise reacted to developments in gaming more recently?
With the rise of live service games, its upcoming game “AC: Infinity” will be a live-service game.
This means that there is the potential for Persistent online world(s), Rotating live events and Cooperative multiplayer missions.
In terms of consoles, how has the AC franchise reacted to developments in gaming more recently?
The most recent game Valhalla is available on Windows, Xbox One, Xbox X Series, PlayStation 4 and 5 and Stadia - the most recent and new consoles.
How are additional gameplay elements attractive to gamers?
They have extended the distribution and circulation of the game.
Newer games in the franchise have introduced cross-generational gaming, enabling data to be transferred from earlier generation consoles and carry progress between different platforms.
How is AC more accessible to gamers now?
The impact of broadening the distribution of the product has increased accessibility for gamers and their related fan content contributes to the marketing of the game through, for example, game walk throughs and reviews on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube.
How does digital convergence impact fans?
It brings together producers and fans with mutual benefits. Fan forums are available on the Ubisoft website/ Discord and the games producer can gain access to fans’ social networks.
How can digital convergence aid marketing?
Each game has a website accessible via the Ubisoft site so bringing together fans from across different platforms, impacting upon distribution and marketing.
What is the more modern example of an AC simultaneous release?
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was released in 2020 to coincide with the launch of new consoles including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
What is the benefit of having reported, familiar aspects within franchises?
The creation of franchises which maintain the interest of audiences through recognisable characters and narratives but with specific changes to appeal to loyal fans. This helps to secure financial success.
What is the benefit of maintaining brand identity within a franchise?
The establishing of a brand identity across the games and franchise whilst introducing new narratives, settings and characters to maintains interest amongst players.
How does Assassin’s Creed III Liberation fit into the franchise?
Takes place during: 1765–1777
Location: Primarily New Orleans
It explores the Louisiana territory during the transfer of power from France to Spain.
Main Character: Aveline de Grandpré – the franchise’s first female protagonist.
She’s an Assassin of French-African heritage fighting against slavery and the Templar influence in Louisiana.
Aveline has brief connections to characters in the other AC games such as Connor, as they can be seen together in the game.
How does Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation reinforce the brand identity of the franchise?
Visual Style: Familiar parkour and a familiar game layout with HUD (heads up display which shows the charcters health and a minimal on the screen during gameplay)
Characters: Aveline wears Assassin robes; uses classic weapons/tools.
Setting: Historical New Orleans; real events and landmarks.
Narrative: Core Assassins vs. Templars conflict.
How are the characters, setting, and narrative of AC III: Liberation universally accessible?
Themes of freedom (slavery), identity, loss (eg Aveline losing her mother), and justice resonate globally.
Aveline’s story explores oppression, understood across cultures.
The setting reflects colonial struggles relevant to many histories.
Diverse protagonist (female and black) and familiar gameplay increase global relatability.
How does AC III: Liberation develop the franchise and appeal to both new and loyal players?
Loyal fans: Fresh protagonist, new setting, deeper lore, familiar AC themes.
New players: Standalone story (so no prior knowledge of the franchise needed), diverse lead, portable accessibility (PS Vita)
Innovations: Persona system (Aveline can be a lady, a slave, or an assassin), and the HD remaster broadens appeal.
How was Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation marketed?
Promoted as a PS Vita exclusive and flagship title.
Emphasized first female Assassin (Aveline).
Cross-promoted with AC III for bonus content.
Highlighted unique features like persona system and new setting.
Trailers built hype: Cinematic Story Trailer – introducing Aveline and her fight in New Orleans.
Gameplay Trailers – highlighting unique mechanics.
Ubisoft also released developer diaries, giving fans behind-the-scenes looks at how Aveline was created and the setting researched.
What did Assassins Creed III Liberation specifically target?
Assassin’s Creed: Liberation was launched as a spin-off game to specifically target the female gamer through the main character of Aveline as a positive central character.
BUT…Newer versions of the game allow the player the choice to play as a male of female character to broaden appeal.
How do content, experiences, and high production values contribute to Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation’s success?
Engaging Story: Rich narrative with themes of freedom and identity, set in historically accurate New Orleans.
Innovative Gameplay: Persona system adds variety; swamp and tree-running for fresh exploration.
High Production Values: Impressive visuals, quality voice acting, and a memorable soundtrack.
Exploration & Replayability: Open-world design with side activities, fostering replayability.
Global Appeal: Diverse protagonist, universal themes, and global accessibility.
Platform Innovation: Showcased PS Vita capabilities, later remastered for larger audiences.
How does the Assassin’s Creed franchise reduce risk and maximise profit (Hesmondhalgh)?
Ubisoft repeats a successful formula — historical settings, stealth-action gameplay, and the Assassins vs. Templars narrative — to attract loyal fans and ensure profitability.
How does Ubisoft show vertical integration in the Assassin’s Creed franchise?
Ubisoft controls the entire production process, including development, publishing, distribution, and marketing, reducing costs and increasing creative control.
What’s an example of horizontal integration in the Assassin’s Creed franchise (link to Hesmondhalgh)?
Ubisoft creates multiple Assassin’s Creed games using shared engines, teams, and marketing strategies - expanding the brand within the company.
How does Assassin’s Creed appeal to global markets (link to Hesmondhalgh)?
Games are set in diverse historical locations (e.g., Egypt, Greece, France, England), are translated into many languages, and are released worldwide, appealing to international audiences.
How does Ubisoft manage creativity in the Assassin’s Creed series (link to Hesmondhalgh)?
Ubisoft balances creative storytelling with a rigid franchise structure, limiting risk by keeping core mechanics (stealth, parkour, historical context) while allowing controlled innovation (e.g., RPG elements in Odyssey).
How does participatory culture (Jenkins) apply to Assassin’s Creed?
Fans actively engage with the franchise through fan art, cosplay, fan fiction, YouTube videos, and streaming, contributing to a shared fan culture beyond the official games.
How does textual poaching (Jenkins) apply to Assassin’s Creed?
Fans “poach” elements of the AC universe by creating fan fiction, alternative storylines, and game mods, showing how they reinterpret the narrative to suit their own creative ideas.
What is an example of collective intelligence in the Assassin’s Creed fandom (Link to Jenkins)?
Fans collaborate on forums and wikis - such as Discord or previously the Ubisoft forum - to decode complex lore, timelines, and hidden secrets, sharing knowledge to build a deeper understanding of the narrative.
How does Shirky’s theory apply to the Assassin’s Creed audience?
The audience is active — creating fan content (videos, art, mods), engaging online, and helping shape the games, showing the “end of audience”.
What’s an example of participatory culture in the AC fandom (Shirky)?
Fans post theories, reviews, gameplay, and reactions on platforms like Reddit and YouTube, making the franchise interactive and two-way.
How does Ubisoft respond to fan participation (Shirky)?
Ubisoft adjusts its games based on community feedback, such as returning to stealth focused gameplay in Mirage after previous RPG gameplay facing criticism, showing fans have production influence.
What does Endfeld-Neilson and Smith’s active media perspective show?
It sought to find evidence of the direct harmful effects of video games.
It found that men speicifcally had aggressive behaviours after playing video games.
What does Endfeld-Neilson and Smith’s active user perspective show?
It sought to understand players interpretations/responses to technology and the influences of wider societal and cultural factors.
It found that aggressive behaviours depended on a Childs socialisation, values and attitudes.
What are some stats suggesting that video game regulation is insufficient?
2/5 parents buy games that are the correct age rating.
Out of the other 3/5 of parents - 24% said they couldn’t imagine anything unsuitable in higher age rated games.
How might the VSC be deemed effective for regulation?
It is standardised over Europe.
It legally prevents children from physically buying games unsuitable for them.
On each game, symbols appear which show why games are rated the way it is.
There is a PEGI app with detailed info about unsuitable content in games.
How might the VSC be deemed ineffective for regulation?
No penalty for parents who buy games for their children which are of unsuitable ages.
Not consistent - can be bypassed on online storefronts.
Online DLC means regulation can be dodged (no proof of age, a parents card could be used)
Illegal streaming is now available
Gameplay can be accessed thanks to digital convergence on platforms such as YouTube or Twitch.
