The Assassin’s Creed games have long had a love affair with history. The series brings alive past eras like the Italian Renaissance, Ancient Egypt, and the Viking Age. Yet, when it comes to its modern-day narrative, the series has not been as well-received. A recent rumor, however, suggests a bold step in a new direction for the franchise’s upcoming installment, Assassin’s Creed Codename Red.
The word on the street, specifically from Insider-Gaming’s Tom Henderson, is that Codename Red’s modern-day scenes will be set between the years 2090-2099. Given that the series has struggled with its modern-day storyline, this news has piqued my curiosity. What might we see in a near-futuristic setting? And how does this relate to the confirmed historical setting of feudal Japan?
The modern-day arc of Assassin’s Creed that focused on Layla Hassan has come to an end with 2020’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. This offers the developers a fresh canvas to paint a new story. The rumored timeline, coupled with an entirely new cast of characters related to Abstergo Industries, certainly seems promising.
Interestingly, an unused post-credits scene in Assassin’s Creed Mirage referred to something called “the Great Shift,” labeling the 21st century as “ancient history.” This new scene is speculated to be related to Codename Hexe, the game following Codename Red. This further fuels speculation that the series is looking to evolve its modern-day narrative dramatically.
There’s no official confirmation yet, but leaks and LinkedIn posts from Ubisoft employees have suggested that Codename Red is slated for a 2024 release. According to these leaks, the game will feature two playable characters, a samurai and a shinobi, and more details should come in early 2024.
Of course, all of this hinges on the rumor being accurate. If it is, then the Assassin’s Creed series could be entering an exciting new phase, one that finally brings its modern-day storytelling in line with its historical narratives. With a unique setting in feudal Japan and a futuristic modern-day backdrop, Assassin’s Creed Codename Red might just be the shake-up the series needs.
