Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines Q&A

PSP

For those PSP owners that thought they were shortchanged when Altair's Chronicles hit the DS last year, your redemption has come. Ubisoft shyly announced Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines exclusively for the PSP, with PS3 connectivity. Check out the Q&A we got a hold of below.

Could you introduce yourself and explain your role in the project?

My name is Frederic Lefrancois and I’m 3rd Party Producer on Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines.  My role on this project is to ensure that this game releases on time for the Holiday at the highest level of quality.

I’m working hand in hand with the Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines developer and Assassin’s Creed Core Team at Ubisoft Montreal to develop a great game that will respect all of AC brand pillars.

Who is in charge of the development?

The game is developed by Amaze Entertainment and the Griptonite Studio under the supervision of Ubisoft Montreal’s Assassin’s Creed Core Team.

How is Assassin’s Creed PSP linked to the Assassin’s Creed universe?

Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines follows Altair's story right after the events of Assassin’s Creed as he hunts down the ascending Templars in Cyprus. It’s the only game that explains the link between Assassin’s Creed and Assassin’s Creed 2. If you want to understand how Ezio is born and where the Codex comes from you need this game.

What is the storyline of the game? Can you give us a quick synopsis?

Assassin’s Creed PSP picks up right where Assassin’s Creed ended.  After the death of Robert De Sable by Altair’s blade, the Templars, led by Armand Bouchart, fled the Holy Land to settle on the island of Cyprus.  Following their tracks, Altair has the firm intention to put an end to their quest for power.  Altair will help the local resistance fight the Templar’s’ occupation and get rid of the Templar commanders.

How did Altair evolve as a character from the first Assassin’s Creed to the PSP game?

With most of his preconceptions shattered and cast among the blood of slain Templars, Altair enters the events of Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines with an open mind. No longer bound by Al Mualim’s leadership, he forges his own path and destiny. He has become more curious, more inquisitive and far less trusting.

What main gameplay feature can we expect in Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines? Will the player get to investigate before every assassination mission?

You can expect to enjoy the core gameplay of the original Assassin’s Creed including the signature free-running and the intuitive combat system.  Before killing his targets, Altair will get to complete a variety of missions, not always investigations. There are 8 new mission types and we wanted each mission to feel as fresh and exciting as the final Assassination moment.

How is the open-world and free running that are key elements of the Assassin's Creed brand presented in the PSP game?

As it was the case in Assassin’s Creed, Altair will get to explore various large cities.  This time around Altair will discover the cities of Limasol and Kyrenia in Cyprus, a beautiful and historically very interesting island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Once again, you can expect Altair to master his environment while performing all of his signature moves.  In fact, Altair will free-run, sprint, fly between beams and climb everywhere to take advantage of its surroundings. This is a huge benchmark technology wise as this kind of freedom of movement has never been seen before on the PSP.

Why did you choose Cyprus as the setting for the PSP game?

In the summer of AD 1191, the Templar order withdrew from the Holy Land to the island of Cyprus which they had previously bought from Richard the Lionheart. They occupied the island and oppressed the locals who rose up in rebellion only to end up being crushed by the Templars.  We chose this setting because it’s an intriguing historical period surrounded by conspiracy of the Templar Treasures left on the Island. The oppression of the people of Cyprus is the perfect backdrop to continue Altair’s story and explain some of the key elements of Assassin’s Creed 2.

Will you use the PS3/PSP connectivity function?

As players unlock health and Hidden blade upgrades in Assassin’s Creed 2 PS3, the same upgrades will be unlocked in Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines (PSP). It also works the other way round: on the PS3 you will be able to access any Templar Coins and special weapons you’ve collected on the PSP.

Sounds like great news for fans of the series. Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines is due out in time for christmas, on the 10th of November, 2009.

Latest Reader Comments:

Posted by G-Train 15/06/2009 3:37pm

The only thing I can take away from that is I have a happy face.....

Posted by Master Chief 10/06/2009 6:15pm

Your face is a happy meal.

Posted by G-Train 09/06/2009 10:56pm

I pre-ordered the black AC2 collectors edition with EB, sounds awesome, extra content and a cooler figurine than the white edition that other stores are getting. I might pre-order with GAME too if my financial situation improves a bit between now and november, the white figurine would be pretty cool to have as well, and GAME is giving out the prima guide free.

Order many happy meals MC?

Posted by Master Chief 06/06/2009 10:30pm

I pre-ordered the black AC2 collectors edition with EB, sounds awesome, extra content and a cooler figurine than the white edition that other stores are getting. I might pre-order with GAME too if my financial situation improves a bit between now and november, the white figurine would be pretty cool to have as well, and GAME is giving out the prima guide free.

Posted by insanopointless 06/06/2009 7:21pm

Yeah, considering the years between them... It could be cool. The DS one was a pretty lame platformer unfortunately. I'll still get the 360 version though so the unlockable weapons dont mean much for me.

Posted by Icersau 05/06/2009 11:49am

i would assume its just a continuation of altairs story after the first game and only has ties to the second game with points to do with desmond's ancestors rather than a direct sequel to the first one and a direct prequel to the second.

Posted by G-Train 05/06/2009 1:19am

Expecting PS3/PSP fans to pick this one up when they collect their pre-order for Modern Warfare 2 probably. Same day release! Arghhh I'm going to die again this christmas.

Which ghost of christmas will you come back as? Past, present or future? =p


This kinda aggrivates me that they "force" you to buy the PSP version to know whats goin on. Cheap move IMO.

Posted by Master Chief 04/06/2009 8:19am

Expecting PS3/PSP fans to pick this one up when they collect their pre-order for Modern Warfare 2 probably. Same day release! Arghhh I'm going to die again this christmas.