Genetic memory

"Our DNA functions as an archive. It contains not only genetic instructions passed down from previous generations, but memories as well. The memories of our ancestors."

―Warren Vidic to Desmond Miles, 2012.

The Animus, a machine used to decode genetic memory

Genetic memory is the collection of one's ancestors' memories that are passed down to subsequent generations through DNA digital data storage. It enables instinctive skills in animals, and acted as an archive of history in humans.

The Templars' front organization Abstergo Industries developed the Animus virtual machine explicitly to decode and render such memories in a three-dimensional feed, allowing the reliving of past events and the discovery of hidden information. After extraction, genetic memories could also be reviewed by people who did not hold them, through the use of Abstergo's Animus-compatible software called the Data Dump Scanner.

Animus Project

Main article: Animus Project

Animus comparing two subjects for matching memory data

Genetic memory and the Animus provided Abstergo Industries the opportunity to discover previously unrecorded details of history, as well as gather information regarding their enemies and the Pieces of Eden. This eventually led to the creation of the Animus Project, headed by Doctor Warren Vidic. The project involved acquiring several human subjects with historically relevant ancestors, particularly those of notable Assassins or Templars, and analyzing their genetic memories. Animus Subjects 1 through 17 were placed into the Animus for extensive review, where large sections of their genetic memories were analyzed.

Limitations

"Unfortunately, when we try and open the memory, your mind withdraws. You lack the confidence to step into your ancestor's body."

―Lucy Stillman during Desmond Miles' early use of the Animus, 2012.

An Animus Wall, representing user's inability to sync with the memory

Genetic memories can be obtained from both willing and unwilling subjects. Should a subject refuse to cooperate, a coma can simply be induced and the memories extracted from their dormant mind. However, in regards to this method, William Miles revealed that by being uncooperative and refusing to move, it would make reviewing memories hard enough so that it would take weeks to try and force such information out of an individual. Even when done voluntarily, initially reliving genetic memories can prove difficult, as most participants subconsciously reject the foreign memories. Traumatic genetic memories were also difficult to access, at least until the subject had greatly increased their synchronization with their ancestor.

Additionally, the genetic memories end with the conception/birth of the next ancestor from which the subject descended. For a male ancestor, the genetic memory ends when he conceives the descendant. For a female, the memory ends when she gives birth to the descendant. After the male ancestor impregnates the female with their descendant, the subject will then follow the fetus, thereby following the mother until she gives birth. This was the case with Desmond Miles observing the memories of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and Haytham Kenway; he followed them until they impregnated Maria Thorpe (with Sef Ibn-La'Ahad) and Kaniehtí:io (with Ratonhnhaké:ton) respectively, and then followed the women until they gave birth.

Embedded memory patterns could also be exhibited, given certain conditions. Subject 15, for example, relived genetic memories while she was pregnant. During this time, the memories decoded by the Animus competed for priority, as the machine attempted to read the memories of the fetus' parents. ^{[citation needed]} A similar case occurred when Desmond viewed Ezio Auditore's later memories. At one point where he attempted to relive the Siege of Viana, at the time, Ezio himself was recalling the Siege of Monteriggioni, thus forcing Desmond back into that memory.

Synchronizing memories from the 20th century proved challenging for Abstergo's multimedia subsidiary Abstergo Entertainment, as reliving someone driving for lengthy periods of time led to researchers experiencing the same semi-catatonic state people entered when driving in real life, rendering progression more difficult.

Using translation software programs, the Animus is also capable of translating other languages, including dead ones, into the subject's native language to make the experience more understandable. It primarily translates speech it deems vital into modern English, although the software sometimes produces anachronisms, causing the subject to hear certain words or phrases in the ancestor's contemporary tongues.

Memory extraction

By the early 21st century, Abstergo had found a way to extract specific moments from certain individuals' genetic memories and to let other subjects relive those memories using the Animus and the Data Dump Scanner software.

Instances of the practice include Abstergo's extracting memories without the consent or knowledge of their Animus subjects who not voluntarily cooperate with Abstergo's Animus Project. Abstergo research analysts and agents could then relive these extracted memories to obtain information on the Assassins and the Pieces of Eden, notably during their Project Legacy initiative, until it was shut down in 2012 due to security concerns. Abstergo agents also trained using extracted memories via the Animi Training Program in the company's Roman facility, in order for them to be effective in combating the Assassins' remnant cells following the Great Purge in 2000.

In late 2012, Abstergo Entertainment released a home console version of the Animus packaged with extracted memories for gaming purposes. The console Animus allowed players to use extracted memories to compete against each other in simulated matches, as well as allowing the general public to relive Aveline de Grandpré's life, though Abstergo released a heavily-edited version of her memories to help subconsciously further their aims.