Assassin's Creed Franchise

Historical and Economic Contexts

Video games have rapidly grown into a major cultural and economic force since the 1970s. The industry, now worth $138.4 billion globally, continues to evolve with advances in technology, including virtual reality, complex gameplay, and enhanced graphics. Major companies like Ubisoft, the publisher behind Assassin’s Creed, dominate the market, with the franchise recording 155 million sales by 2021. Assassin’s Creed, an open-world action-adventure series, spans historical settings and new characters in each installment, making it both a successful brand and a staple in video game culture.

Technological Changes and Game Development

The Assassin’s Creed series has evolved with technology, embracing innovations like mobile gaming with Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation on the PS Vita and expanding with cross-platform play in newer titles. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020) aligned with the launch of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, ensuring that players could enjoy enhanced graphics and gameplay on newer consoles. The upcoming Assassin’s Creed Infinity (2023) aims to adapt to trends in live service games, offering an ever-expanding universe and multiple historical settings, enhancing franchise longevity and audience engagement.

Regulation in Global Distribution

Video games are regulated globally to ensure age-appropriate content. In the UK, games are rated using the PEGI system, which provides guidelines to protect younger audiences. The effectiveness of these systems varies, with countries like the USA utilizing the ESRB rating. These regulatory frameworks aim to balance entertainment with the protection of vulnerable groups, especially with increasingly mature content like violence found in Assassin’s Creed games.

Cultural Impact and Audience Engagement

The Assassin’s Creed franchise is deeply embedded in cultural discussions, with increasing diversity in characters and settings. While historically male protagonists dominated, recent games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018) introduced options for both male and female protagonists, allowing players to engage with the narrative on a personal level. The franchise has expanded to include diverse historical settings, attracting wider audiences.

Brand Identity and Fan Communities

The success of Assassin’s Creed is also due to its strong brand identity. Through consistent releases, Ubisoft has built a loyal fanbase that anticipates each new installment. The franchise's fan communities are active across social media, with players discussing gameplay, fan theories, and upcoming content. The marketing strategies, including exclusive content and downloadable content (DLC), ensure that the community remains engaged.

Digital Convergence and Consumption

Digital convergence has played a significant role in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Games are often distributed across multiple platforms, making it easier for fans to access content regardless of their gaming system. This strategy also helps Ubisoft encourage the purchase of additional hardware and software, ensuring players enjoy an integrated gaming experience. Convergent technologies allow players to engage with the franchise beyond the game, interacting through fan communities and streaming platforms.

Audience Interpretation and Social Context

The Assassin’s Creed series reflects societal trends by incorporating diverse protagonists and historical settings. Audiences are drawn to games that reflect their identities, whether they relate to a female avatar or a particular time period. The choice of characters and storylines is carefully designed to engage audiences from different social and cultural backgrounds.

Media Effects: Bandura’s Theory

Games like Assassin’s Creed are rated for mature audiences due to their violent content. Albert Bandura’s theory of media effects, particularly the Bobo Doll Experiment, suggests that people might imitate violent behaviors observed in media. However, in video games, players actively control the actions of their avatars, which complicates this theory. Players are not passive consumers but active participants, raising questions about the extent to which gaming violence influences behavior.

Conclusion

The Assassin’s Creed franchise is a significant player in the video game industry, blending historical fiction with cutting-edge technology and a diverse array of characters. Through effective branding, technological innovation, and understanding audience desires, Ubisoft has managed to sustain its dominance in the competitive gaming market. As the industry evolves, Assassin’s Creed will likely continue to adapt, shaping both the gaming world and its cultural impact.

When did video games first emerge as a significant cultural and economic force, and how has the industry evolved since then?
How much was the global video game market worth in 2021, and how many units has the Assassin’s Creed franchise sold by that time?
How has the Assassin’s Creed franchise adapted to technological advancements, and what role did Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla play in showcasing these innovations?
What is Assassin’s Creed Infinity, and how does it aim to change the traditional model of gaming within the franchise?
What are the key differences between the PEGI and ESRB systems of video game regulation, and what are their goals?
How has the Assassin’s Creed franchise addressed diversity in its characters and settings, particularly in games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?
How has Ubisoft maintained a loyal fanbase for the Assassin’s Creed franchise, and what role do fan communities play in the franchise’s success?
How has digital convergence influenced the distribution and consumption of Assassin’s Creed games?
How do social and cultural contexts affect audience interpretations of Assassin’s Creed games, particularly regarding identity and historical settings?
How does Albert Bandura’s theory of media effects apply to the violent content in Assassin’s Creed games, and how does player interactivity complicate this theory?