After the many information and video leaks from the past few days and Ubisoft finally announcing the game officially, the preview embargo has finally lifted and the publisher has officially pulled the curtain off Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flags setting, protagonist, the various characters as well as story and gameplay details.
Edward after he finished off some Red Coats – There is Sword Play
First of all let’s get the release date out of the way, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag will hit current gen consoles like the PS3, Xbox 360, PC and WiiU on October 29th while the game will also come to PlayStation 4 and the rumored Xbox Durango or Xbox 720 as many refer to it, we don’t have release dates for those systems, hence there is no release that for those versions of Black Flag.
Assassin’s Creed IV will feature whale hunting
Black Flag is being developed mainly by Ubisoft Montreal but is receiving lot’s of help from the various Ubisoft studios around the world including Annecy, Bucharest, Singapore and more. There is a mix of developers on this team that comprises of some Far Cry 3 devs to help build the more open world of Black Flag as the new Assassin’s Creed game will be the most seamless environment to date.
Edward Kenway Trailer
Assassin’s Creed IV takes a bit of a turn from the typical structure of big, crowded cities and scaling of various fixtures in the world while keeping intact some of the franchises main pillars like free running and stealth gameplay. While the open world ‘approach it any way you like to’ assassinations are back, there will still be stealth missions as well as taking over of rival pirate guarded ports.
“With the new hero and new setting we are creating the boldest and most unique Assassin’s Creed game yet, while still respecting the pillars of the franchise that have made it such a fan favorite,” said Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer at Ubisoft. “Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag is based on a true, harsh and exciting part of a legendary era and will thrill longtime fans and newcomers alike.”
Black Flag’s protagonist is Edward Kenway, if that name sounds familiar – that’s because it is. Edward is Haytham Kenway’s father who featured in Assassin’s Creed III and was a member of the Templar Order and also fathered Conner. Still with me? Well, Edward Kenway is a bad ass pirate who commands his own ship and is even feared and respected by Black Beard himself.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Premiere Trailer
Edward is a young British man who sets out to conquer his thirst for danger, adventure and women of course. After preivateering for the Royal Navy he slips into piracy as the war between the major empires is coming to an end and the Golden Age of piracy begins.
Free Running returns – this time in jungles
In Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Edward is already a season fighter and pirate who soon finds himself in the battle between Assassins and Templars at the dawn of the 18th century. As I already mentioned, Black Flag features Black Beard but also Charles Vane and these characters will be part of Edward’s journey though the game which is set in the West Indies.
Edward shooting up the place – this is pistol combat
Black Flag will feature over 50 navigable locations and lots of stuff to explore and do in the world that will make you feel like a true Pirate. Ubisoft said it gave Assassin’s Creed the HBO treatment – this translates to gritty depiction of piracy unlike the more light Disney versions.
Edward Kenway pictured above in his pirate getup
Black Beard pictured
There is a lot more info to come on Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag as the first preview only scratched the surface of the game. Black Flag will feature more detailed environments as well as better animations on the next gen consoles and also some exclusive content on the PS4.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag concept art
