Modern times

The 'Modern Times' is set in September 2012. You play as Desmond Miles, a descendant of Altaïr and Ezio Auditore de Firenze. You have been kidnapped by an organisation known as Abstergo, who are working on the Animus project.

Assassin's Creed 2 reveals a bit more about modern times.  There are still Assassins and Templars, although the Assassins have gone mostly into hiding and the Templars are disguised.  One of these disguises is the company Abstergo.  It is still uncertain just how much the Templars have grown in influence and how many organisations like Abstergo exist.

At the end of Assassin's Creed 2, it is revealed that the earth is possibly going to experience a geomagnetic reversal in the near future. This is revealed by Minerva at the end of the game.