28.09.10

Dev Blog – Second Entry

Welcome back to the Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood Dev Blog! This week we have part 2 of our recap on the events of Assassin’s Creed and Assassin’s Creed II. We left off after Desmond’s escape from the Abstergo laboratory.

Using the memories that Lucy stole from Abstergo during their daring escape from the laboratory, Desmond entered the Animus in the Assassins' Hideout and engaged the memory of a new ancestor: Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Ostensibly the son of a successful banker, Ezio was heir to a position in the Order of Assassins and a crucial figure in Assassin history. Using Ezio as something of a vehicle, Desmond examined Ezio's memories in order to train for the on-going struggle against the Templars working under the banner of Abstergo Industries.

In the process of exploring Ezio's memories, Desmond became aware of strange new capabilities in himself that awakened through his contact with his ancestors' memories. Dubbed the "Bleeding Effect," this side-effect of using the Animus causes the experience and expertise of ancestors to "bleed" into an Animus user. Unfortunately, the Bleeding Effect often manifests with similar symptoms to multiple personality disorder, driving affected individuals insane... which appeared to be the fate suffered by Desmond's predecessor, Subject 16.

[SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT!]

After witnessing Ezio's climactic encounter with the Pope in Rome, Desmond relived a seemingly baffling memory in which Ezio descended into The Vault and met Minerva, a mysterious and luminous entity. Curiously, Minerva clearly stated a wish to speak to Desmond rather than Ezio (a point which confounded poor Ezio completely) and told of an ancient apocalypse visited on her demi-godly race and the fledgling humans who lived alongside them. Minerva also spoke of other temples that contain the means to prevent another on-rushing catastrophe.

Emerging from the Animus with the newly-discovered information that ancient artifacts necessary to the wellbeing of the entire planet were hidden around the world in secret locations, Lucy alerted Desmond of an impending Abstergo assault on the Assassins' Hideout. Knowing that they were ill-equipped to hold off a full-scale attack, Desmond, Lucy, Shaun and Rebecca fled the melee in a truck after a brief encounter with Dr. Warren Vidic... but not before Desmond got to try out his newfound hidden blade skills on a few of Vidic's henchmen.

Although Desmond learned much through his contact with the Animus, it is clear that more essential data remains locked inside of Ezio's memories. As this small band of Assassins races to safety, questions play through Desmond's beleaguered mind… and there is only one way he can answer them. Donning the numerous leads and electrodes of the Animus, Desmond prepares to return to Renaissance-era Italy in the hopes of solving a riddle that could spell doom for the entire planet.

See you soon!
Gabe Graziani
Community Developer
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood