Evolution of Assassin’s Creed Games as Showcased in Leaked Prototype Footage

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed (AC) is arguably one of the biggest franchises in gaming history, loved by millions of fans. Although the latest entries in the series seem to step away from some of its core elements, early gameplay footage of some of the most cherished games such as AC Black Flag, Syndicate, and Origins has now been leaked, giving us a glimpse into the evolution of these popular titles. If you are a fan of these older entries and are interested in diving into the history and development of these games, here’s everything you need to know.

The Evolution of Beloved Assassin’s Creed Games

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag

Black Flag was the sixth major installment in the franchise which was released in 2013. The game is still beloved by many fans as shown by its statistics, selling over 15 million copies and reaching an overall player count of 34 million. 

However, this game was apparently titled “Assassin’s Creed: Golden Age” and its pre-alpha footage showcases the evolution of stealth gameplay and parkour in comparison to AC 3, Revelations, etc.

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate

Although not as successful as the previously released AC Unity, AC Syndicate showcased the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1868 London, which was the game’s most alluring factor. This leaked pre-alpha footage depicts a darker gothic version of London, showcasing a gritty atmosphere befitting those times. 

Before the devs landed on the name Syndicate, this title was called “Assassin’s Creed Victory” and it only featured a single male protagonist instead of dual protagonists named Jacob and Evie Frye.

Assassin’s Creed Origins

After the release of Syndicate, the devs at Ubisoft decided to take the Assassin’s Creed franchise in a new direction, this time implementing numerous RPG elements which resulted in the development of AC Origins. Its narrative was also canon within the series, depicting the story of the Assassins and their foundations which was started with the Order of the Ancients.

This early alpha gameplay showcases several new and overhauled features such as a dynamic patrol system, evolving NPC life and scenarios, improved hitboxes, weapon classes, and more. All of this resulted in one of the most favorite entries into the new age of Assassin’s Creed games, with Origins selling over 10 million copies worldwide.

With the Tencent-developed AC Jade being pushed back to 2025, fans are anticipating the next entry into the franchise will possibly be titled “Assassin’s Creed Red” set in feudal Japan, a drastically different setting that has never been featured in major AC games before.