User blog:Kabutsu/Assassin's Creed IV Setting Ideas

Since the release of Assassin's Creed III, there have been many ideas put forward by the community as to which historical events and locations they would like to see in future Assassin's Creed games. In this blog I will put forward my favourite ideas, as well as linking to some of the best ideas I have seen on this wiki.

By the way, the layout of my ideas is inspired by LancelotLoire's post (first link in 'Community Pages'). And I'll also be updating this blog as I research new information to make it easier for myself. At the moment I have one complete idea and one other idea.

And finally, post any ideas you think would work in the comments below.

My Ideas

Europe 1911-193919th Century ChinaRevolutionary FranceTudor England/France

Europe 1911-1939=

Locations

Berlin - The capital of Germany, as well as a location which had many interesting events (I'll get on to those later) during this period. Munich - Again, Munich was home to a lot of events during this time. Versailles - Versailles could be visited in a cutscene during the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, in the same way that Philadelphia is visited to witness the Declaration of Independence in Assassin's Creed III. Alsace & Lorraine - Germany and France fought over this location before this time period, but its political context is important. The Rhineland - Towns and cities such as Geldern, Moers, Eupen and Malmedy, as well as the area of the Saar, could be included in a large 'Rhineland' map, similar to how Lexington and Concord were in the 'Frontier' map. Vienna - The capital city of Austria would be an interesting place to visit, especially in political context as it became German after the Anschluss of 1938. London - The capital city of Great Britain, this is home to the Houses of Parliment, the Tower of London, Big Ben and Tower Bridge. Our Assassin could visit this city to see Winston Churchill, David Lloyd-George or Neville Chamberlain. Paris - In the capital of France, players could visit the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame, among other landmarks. In Paris, we could meet important French figures such as Georges Clemenceau. Seville, Valladolid, Madrid and Barcelona - At the start of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Seville and Valladolid supported the rebel uprising, whereas Madrid and Barcelona did not. Players could visit one or more of these cities during the war, and perhaps a 'Catalonia' countryside area.

Historical Events

The Second Moroccan Crisis of 1911 - After a brief video, explaining the political tensions of the time, a crisis such as the Second Moroccan Crisis would be a great way to set the scene as well as increase tensions. In an uprising in 1911, France, who was in charge of the Moroccan police force, sent troops to calm it down. This led to a tense stand-off between Germany, who wanted Morocco and thought France was trying to claim it; France, who was voicing innocence; and Britain, France's ally, who wanted to protect the nearby colony of Gibraltar. Placing an Assassin in the middle of this would be a great, tense, opening to the game. The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand - Widely considered to be the trigger cause of WWI, we could either be sent to assassinate Franz, or sent to prevent the Templars from assassinating him. The Battle of the Somme - One of the worst battles in modern history, this would be a great set piece, with our Assassin moving through the trenches to deliver orders or assassinate a general. Ubisoft would have to be careful however to make sure it did not seem like a 3rd person shooter. The Signing of the Treaty of Versailles - The horrendously unfair Treaty of Versailles was something that infuriated the Germans, and is a long-term cause of WWII. Being present at its signing would allow players to meet important historical figures such as Woodrow Wilson or Georges Clemenceau, and it would also help them understand the significance of the treaty. The Hyper-Inflation of the early 20s in Germany - This would not only serve to create a chilling atmosphere, with people starving on the streets, it would also allow for a great gameplay feature (see below). The Wall Street Crash of 1929 would also create a similar effect. Several Uprisings in Berlin and Munich - Uprisings against the unpopular democratic government in 1920s Germany, such as the Spartacist Uprising, the Munich Putsch and the Kapp Putsch, would serve as exciting historical set-pieces. Crises caused by Hitler's Foreign Policy - Crises such as the re-militarisation of the Rhineland, the failed and the succeeded Anschluss with Austria, and the Sudeten Crisis are but a few of the many crises caused by Hitler's expansion of Germany. The Spanish Civil War - The Spanish Civil War lasted from 1936-1939, and was between the Nationalists, a right-wing group led by General Franco, and the Republicans, the existing government, who were currently under the leadership of Manuel Azana. Germany's Invasion of Poland - The news of Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939 could be a dramatic conclusion to the assassin's story. It may also unlock a video honouring those killed in WWI and WWII.

Assassins
Ernst Rohm - The leader of Hitler's SA, his story could be that he was trying to get close to Hitler so he could assassinate him. However, this failed, as he was killed by the Nazis in 1934. General von Ludendorf - Erich von Ludendorf was a German general in WWI. He was also a close ally of Hitler, but grew to dislike him in the 20s.

Templars

Adolf Hitler - The man most people blame for starting WWII. According to AC lore, whilst not strictly a Templar, he was a Templar puppet. His appearances would have to be handled with care, though. Josef Stalin - Again, this man is not strictly a Templar, but a Templar puppet. He could be present during the signing of the Nazi-Soviet pact in 1938, but his character would have to be handled with care. Winston Churchill - Churchill served as the First Lord of the Admiralty during WWI, before becoming an army commander. He went into politics after the war, and despite not becoming Prime Minister until 1940, we could still meet him. He was also a Templar puppet. Francisco Franco - The leader of the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War, Franco could be portrayed as another Templar puppet, as he received support from Adolf Hitler's Germany. General José Sanjurjo - José Sanjurjo was a General in the Spanish Army who was one of the chief conspirators in the military uprising that led to the Spanish Civil War. Benito Mussolini - The dictator of Italy from 1922 until 1943. As he was an ally of Hitler, he could be the Templar directing Hitler, Franco, Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt. Georges Clemenceau - Georges represented France at the Treaty of Versailles, and his aims were the harshest of all on the Germans. Fitting in with the AC story, this could be a ploy to plant the seeds of WWII, a war which was a Templar plot. Englebert Dolfuss - The Chancellor of Austria, Englebert was murdered during the failed Anschluss with Austria in 1934.

Other Notable Figures

Tsar Nicholas II - The leader of Russia from 1881 until his death. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, he sought asylum in Britain; our Assassin could advise King George V against allowing the Tsar in, due to his ties to his Templar father. Woodrow Wilson - The President of the U.S.A. during the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, Woodrow Wilson also pioneered the League of Nations. David Lloyd-George - David Lloyd-George was the Prime Minister of Great Britain when he signed the Treaty of Versailles. Neville Chamberlain - The Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1937 until 1940, Neville Chamberlain's 'Appeasement' policy allowed Hitler to conquer vast swathes of Europe. Manuel Azana - The current President of Spain when the Civil War broke out. He died in exile in 1940, shortly after losing the war in 1939.

Gameplay Features

Inflation - During the hyper-inflation in Germany after WWI, prices rose rapidly. This could be reflected by having a pistol cost, e.g. 5000 Marks after a certain memory. After the next memory, it could cost 10000 Marks; after the next one, 20000 Marks, and so on. To balance this, the player would receive more money after missions, in the same way that people's salaries rose. The changing of the currency to Reichmarks would prevent the player from exploiting this amount of money after the inflation has ended. The Shard of Eden - This is unlocked after completing all Captain Kidd missions in ACIII, and it decreases the accuracy of enemy guns. This could be incorporated in battles such as the Somme, or uprisings, to allow the player to more easily achieve his/her objective. Improved Melee Combat - Due to the lack of sword fighting in this era, our Assassin would have to be proficient at fist fighting in order to disarm opponents who would use guns. He/she could also use a short-blade in combat.

19th Century China=

Locations

Historical Events

Assassins

Templars

Other Notable Figures

Gameplay Features

Revolutionary France=

Locations
Paris - Many of the most important events of the Revolution took place in Paris, and the atmosphere would be very interesting. We could also see various French landmarks such as Notre Dame. (Sorry, no Eiffel Tower. :( It hadn't been built yet.) Versailles - One of the first riots against the King, the March on Versailles, took place here.

Historical Events

The Réveillon Riot - The Réveillon Riot occurred on 28 April 1789 in the St. Antoine district of Paris where a factory which produced luxury wallpaper was owned by Jean-Baptiste Réveillon. The factory employed around 300 people. The Réveillon Riot was one of the first instances of violence during the French Revolution. The riot occurred when rumors spread that the owner had made a speech stating that workers, many of whom were highly-skilled, were to be paid lower wages and, as a result, there would be lower prices. The Tennis Court Oath - The Tennis Court Oath was a pivotal event during the first days of the French Revolution. The Oath was a pledge signed by 576 of the 577 members from the Third Estate who agreed "not to separate, and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the kingdom is established", on 20 June 1789. The Storming of the Bastille - The Storming of the Bastille occurred in Paris, France on the morning of 14 July 1789. The medieval fortress and prison in Paris known as the Bastille represented royal authority in the center of Paris. While the prison only contained seven inmates at the time of its storming, its fall was the flashpoint of the French Revolution. The Signing of the The Declaration of the Rights of Man - The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is a fundamental document of the French Revolution and in the history of human rights, defining the individual and collective rights of all the estates of the realm as universal. The last article of the Declaration was adopted on 26 August 1789, by the National Constituent Assembly, during the period of the French Revolution, as the first step toward writing a constitution for France. As with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in ACIII, players could be present at the signing of the Declaration. The March on Versailles - The March on Versailles was one of the earliest and most significant events of the French Revolution. On the morning of 5 October 1789, the women of Versailles were near rioting over the high price of bread. This quickly became intertwined with the activities of revolutionaries. The market women and their various allies grew into a mob of thousands, and they ransacked the city armory for weapons and marched to the Palace of Versailles. The crowd besieged the palace and in a dramatic and violent confrontation they successfully pressed their demands upon King Louis XVI. The next day, the crowd compelled the king, his family, and most of the French Assembly to return with them to Paris. These events effectively ended the independent authority of the king. The Revolution of 10 August - On 10 August 1792, during the French Revolution, revolutionary Fédéré militias — with the backing of a new municipal government of Paris that came to be known as the "insurrectionary" Paris Commune and ultimately supported by the National Guard — besieged the Tuileries palace. King Louis XVI and the royal family took shelter with the Legislative Assembly. This proved to be the effective end of the French Bourbon Monarchy. The Execution of King Louis XVI - Louis was officially arrested on 13 August 1792, and sent to the Temple, an ancient fortress in Paris that was used as a prison. On 21 September, the National Assembly declared France to be a Republic and abolished the Monarchy. On 11 December, the deposed King was brought from the Temple to stand before the Convention and hear his indictment, an accusation of high treason and crimes against the State. On 15 January 1793, the Convention, composed of 721 deputies, voted on the verdict, and 693 deputies voted guilty. On Monday, 21 January 1793, Louis was beheaded by guillotine on the Place de la Révolution. Players could be present at many, or all, of these events. The Terror - The Terror was a period of violence that occurred after the onset of the French Revolution, incited by conflict between rival political factions, the Girondins and the Jacobins, and marked by mass executions of "enemies of the revolution". The death toll ranged in the tens of thousands, with 16,594 executed by guillotine (2,639 in Paris), and another 25,000 in summary executions across France. Through the Revolutionary Tribunal, the Terror's leaders instigated mass executions and political purges. The repression accelerated in June and July 1794, a period called la Grande Terreur (the Great Terror), and ended in the coup of 9 Thermidor Year II (27 July 1794), leading to the Thermidorian Reaction, in which several protagonists of the Reign of Terror were executed, including Saint-Just and Robespierre. The Ascension of Napoleon - The Constitution of the Year VIII was a national constitution of France, adopted December 24, 1799 (during the Year VIII of the French Revolutionary Calendar), which established the form of government known as the Consulate. The coup of 18 Brumaire (November 9, 1799) effectively gave all power to Napoleon Bonaparte, and in the eyes of some, ended the French Revolution. For a more in-depth look at the history of the French Revolution, I would advise reading Wikipedia's timeline, or alternatively their full article. Although not part of the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars could be included to increase the length of the game.

Assassins
Lavoisier - Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier, the "father of modern chemistry," was a French nobleman prominent in the histories of chemistry and biology. He was killed in 1794 as part of The Terror.

Templars

Robespierre - Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre was a French lawyer, politician, and one of the best-known and most influential figures of the French Revolution. He was very influential in orchestrating The Terror, which ended a few months after his arrest and execution in July 1794. Perhaps he could be portrayed as a paranoid Templar, trying to remove all enemies, who is executed by the Assassins? Saint-Just - Louis Antoine Léon de Saint-Just, usually known as Saint-Just,a was a military and political leader during the French Revolution. In his relatively brief time on the historical stage, he became the enduring public face of the Reign of Terror, full of dark zeal and energy. Dubbed the "Angel of Death", Saint-Just organized the arrests and prosecutions of many of the most famous figures of the Revolution. Napoleon Bonaparte - Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader who was the Emperor of France from 1804 to 1815. He was regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in human history and his success in the military campaigns he led, according to Assassin's Creed, was the result of the Apple of Eden that had come into his possession. Joseph Martin-Dauch - A French politician who represented Castelnaudary as a member of the Third Estate in the Estates-General of 1789, Joseph is remembered as the only member not to vote in favor of the Tennis Court Oath on the grounds that he could not faithfully execute any decisions that were not sanctioned by the king. He was thrown in prison during the Reign of Terror, but was afterwards released, and he survived at least one assassination attempt.

Other Notable Figures

King Louis XVI - Louis XVI, later Louis Capet, was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre until 1791, and then as King of the French from 1791 to 1792, before being deposed and executed in 1793. Lafayette - We have already met Lafayette during the American Revolution in ACIII, but he also played a part during the French Revolution, attempting to maintain order—to the point of ordering the Garde nationale to fire on demonstrators at the Champ de Mars in July 1791—an action for which he ultimately was persecuted by the Jacobins. In August 1792, as the radical factions in the Revolution grew in power, Lafayette tried to flee to the United States through the Dutch Republic, but was ultimately captured by Austrians. Lafayette returned to France after Napoleon Bonaparte secured his release from prison in 1797. He refused to participate in Napoleon's government, but was elected to the Chamber of Deputies under the Charter of 1815, during the Hundred Days. With the Bourbon Restoration, Lafayette became a liberal member of the Chamber of Deputies in 1815, a position he held until his death. François Mignet - François Auguste Marie Mignet was a French journalist and historian.

Tudor England/France=

As the Tudor Period represented 118 years of English history, there is no way that one Assassin could live through it all. So in this section, I have just described the most important and exciting people and events of this period.

Locations

London - As the capital of England, as well as the heart of most of the political goings-on at this time, we would spend most time in this city. Bosworth, Leicester - This is where the Battle of Bosworth was fought in August 1985. Visiting here would be a dramatic, one-time set piece. Calais - An area of France that was under English control until 1558, this is also where the Field of the Cloth of Gold took place. The Countryside - We could visit countryside areas around London, such as Cambridge, Oxford, Northampton or Hastings, to witness life in the more rural areas of England at the time. Plymouth, Flanders and the English Channel - Parts of the battle between the Spanish Armada and the English Navy occurred off the coast of Plymouth, as well as Flanders

Historical Events

The Battle of Bosworth Field - The Battle of Bosworth Field was the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century. It resulted in Henry Tudor becoming the first English monarch of the Tudor dynasty. The Field of the Cloth of Gold - The Field of the Cloth of Gold is the name given to a place in Balinghem, between Guînes and Ardres, in France, near Calais. It was the site of a meeting that took place from 7 June to 24 June 1520, between King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France, which was arranged to increase the bond of friendship between the two kings following the Anglo-French treaty of 1514. Henry VIII becoming the head of the Church of England - Henry VIII's conversion to Protestant Christianity led to many ensuing power struggles between the Protestants and the Catholics. The power struggles between the Protestants and the Catholics - Many during the Tudor Period were persecuted for their beliefs in either Catholicism or Protestantism; in one year alone, Queen Mary I had at least 300 people burned at the stake for their views. The Spanish Armada - The Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England and putting an end to her involvement in the Spanish Netherlands. The Armada reached Gravelines, near Flanders, but it was driven out by an English fire ship attack. In the ensuing battle, the Spanish fleet was forced to abandon its rendezvous. The Armada managed to regroup and withdraw north, with the English fleet harrying it for some distance up the east coast of England. It was then decided that the fleet should return to Spain and the fleet sailed around Scotland and Ireland, but severe storms disrupted it. Of the fleet's initial 130 ships, about fifty never returned to Spain.

Assassins

Elizabeth I - Elizabeth I was the Queen regnant of England and Ireland, reigning from 17 November 1558 until her death. According to AC lore, she came into the possession of an Apple of Eden, which she kept hidden as the globus cruciger. John Dee - John Dee was an English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, occultist, navigator, imperialist and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. He devoted much of his life to the study of alchemy, divination and Hermetic philosophy. According to AC lore, he came into possession of an Apple of Eden. Mary Queen of Scots - The queen regnant of Scotland from 14 December 1542 to 24 July 1567, Mary fled southwards seeking the protection of her first cousin once removed, Queen Elizabeth I of England after being forced to abdicate the throne. However, she was imprisoned, and later executed (possibly by order of the Templars?). John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland - John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, was an English general, admiral, and politician, who led the government of the young King Edward VI from 1550 until 1553. He unsuccessfully tried to install Lady Jane Grey on the English throne after the King's death. Lady Jane Grey - Lady Jane Grey was an English noblewoman and de facto monarch of England from 10 July until 19 July 1553. She was subsequently executed by Mary Tudor, but became a martyr for Protestants. Thomas Cranmer - Thomas Cranmer was a leader of the English Reformation and Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and, for a short time, Mary I. After the accession of the Roman Catholic Mary I, Cranmer was put on trial for treason and heresy, and was executed on 21 March 1556.

Templars

Mary I - Mary I was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from 19 July 1553 until her death in 1558. She was the eldest daughter of Henry VIII and the only surviving child of Catherine of Aragon. According to AC lore, she was killed by the Assassins, who believed she was either closely allied with the Templars, or was one herself. Catherine of Aragon - Catharine of Aragon was the Spanish Queen consort of England as the first wife of King Henry VIII of England and Princess of Wales as the wife to Arthur, Prince of Wales. Anne Boleyn - Anne Boleyn was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536 as the second wife of Henry VIII of England. Henry's marriage to Anne, and her subsequent execution, made her a key figure in the political and religious upheaval that was the start of the English Reformation. Edward Seymor, 1st Duke of Somerset - Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, was Lord Protector of England during the minority of his nephew King Edward VI (1547–1553), after death of Henry VIII in 1547. He was killed in 1549.

Other Notable Figures

Henry VII - Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland after he seized the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor. According to AC lore, the Templars tried to overthrow him, but failed. Henry VIII - Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. Henry was the second monarch of the House of Tudor, succeeding his father, Henry VII. Besides his six marriages, Henry VIII is known for his role in the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church. Henry's struggles with Rome led to the separation of the Church of England from papal authority, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and establishing himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. King Philip II of Spain - Philip II of Spain was King of Spain and Portugal. During his marriage to Queen Mary I, he was King of England and Ireland. He was King during the failed Spanish Armada attack on England. William Shakespeare - William Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet, who has written many famous plays, including Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, and Hamlet. Sir Francis Drake - Sir Francis Drake was an English sea captain, privateer, navigator, slaver, and politician of the Elizabethan era. He was second-in-command of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588. He also carried out the second circumnavigation of the world, from 1577 to 1580. Galileo Galilei - Whilst players may not actually visit Galileo in England, we may still hear of his works in conversations with other characters. Galileo is responsible for improving the telescope, and proving that the planets revolved around the Sun rather than the Earth. Edward Kelley - Edward Kelley was an Englishman involved in both science and alchemy. He was the stepfather of Elizabeth Jane Weston. According to AC lore, he came into contact with an Apple of Eden.

Gameplay Features
Improved Naval Warfare - If players could take part in the Spanish Armada invasion, the naval sections of the game would have to be improved to accommodate for many more ships on screen.

Community Pages

• LancelotLoire's Ideas (Really good, must read)
• Community Ideas vol.1
• Community Ideas vol.2 (Be warned of spoilers)