The future for gaming, according to Ubisoft, is branching out across multiple platforms under a single brand. It's not a surprising or shocking move when you consider their inspiration in terms from Nintendo's championing Mario or how the Xbox and Master Chief are synonomous. But while speaking to Gamasutra about this, Ubisoft North America Executive Director Laurent Detoc remarked that he wouldn't mind multiple additions to the Assassin's Creed franchise:
"I also hope we'll be able to branch out from within the franchise. It's very simple to me: There's no such thing as not being able to annualize a franchise. If it's good, people will come."
It sounds redundant almost. But the shocking thing is by this October, Detoc's wish comes true. Assassin's Creed III and Assassin's Creed: Liberation will technically be the ninth and tenth game respectively released under the franchise across multiple platforms. If you're keeping track, it means the regular Ubisoft system of a main console platform release assisted by a portable has been steadily going on since the first Assassin's Creed's release in 2007.
The Ubisoft mantra is craft a franchise that can be spread multi-platform, regardless of format, just so long as the branding exists. From Ghost Recon being a traditional squad shooter to Facebook cash-cow, their goal is creating a general blanket with occasional success. The impeding concept of next gen could be the water mark for whether this approach is actually feasible when toting the Wii U version of Assassin's Creed III is the "definitive version."
We just hope that in the future, portables and spin-offs aren't seen as just a throwaway device when, especially in the Assassin's Creed universe, the side-stories are just as important as the main paths. Or else, that encyclopedia isn't really worth jack is it ?
