Ubisoft has released the first trailer for this year’s entry in the popular franchise.
It seems like Assassin’s Creed III went live, and the next game is already planned to be released this year. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag will be an open world game set roughly parallel to III, but down in the Caribbean.
The idea this time is that we’re getting an open-world adventure in which the player manages a pirate empire which is under threat of destruction from the Templars. The protagonist pirate must join up with the Assassins to save pirate-kind.
It seems like this may be a ploy to pass off what had originally been planned as an expansion for Assassin’s Creed III as a full title. First off III didn’t go over as well as I think they hoped it would, meaning expansions would not sell quite as well. Then, there is the speed at which it has been produced. There is no way that this is a whole new engine and new set of assets after only a few months, so even if it’s not an expansion in name, it must be one in technical practice. Additionally, this game doesn’t sound like it has a strong central plotline, unless they’re just focusing on the open world part overmuch in the press info – I mean: rescue a pirate empire from the Templars? That doesn’t even make sense. Finally, this is the first core title from the series to have been saddled with a sub-title. That tells me that it was likely originally titled Assassin’s Creed III: Black Flag, otherwise, why have a subtitle?
That’s all speculation of course, but whatever the truth is about the game, it’s very strange to have another major AAA title announced in the same franchise only a few months after the previous entry.
We have this official synopsis from Ubisoft:
The year is 1715. Pirates rule the Caribbean and have established their own lawless Republic. Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag introduces Edward Kenway, a brash rebel Pirate Assassin. His fight for glory has earned him the respect of legends like Blackbeard, but also drawn him into the ancient war between Assassins and Templars, a war that may destroy everything the pirates have built. Take part in an incredible and seamless adventure. Discover the most diverse Assassin’s Creed world ever created. From Kingston to Nassau, explore 50 unique locations where you can live the life of a pirate. Become one of the most feared pirates in the West Indies. Stand amongst legendary names as you establish a lawless Republic in the Bahamas and relive the truly explosive events that defined the Golden Age of Piracy.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is slated for release to all major platforms on October 29, 2013.
