In the past decade, Ubisoft has been the driving force behind the development of the Assassin’s Creed games. This iconic series has spanned two console generations, captivating players with its immersive open world and captivating storylines. With each new installment, Ubisoft’s talented team of technical engineers continuously push the boundaries of what’s possible, while adapting to ever-changing hardware specifications. We had the opportunity to speak with James Therien, the technical director who has been with the series since its inception, to gain insight into the evolution of Assassin’s Creed.
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A Visionary Game in the Making
Therien, a seasoned game developer, was immediately drawn to Assassin’s Creed when he joined Ubisoft in 2005. The initial concept video showcased a groundbreaking proposition – an open world filled with interactive environments and breathtaking parkour. It was an opportunity he couldn’t resist, and he eagerly joined the team as a graphics programmer.
Revolutionizing Crowd Interaction
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With Assassin’s Creed, the team’s focus shifted to enhancing crowd interaction and making it a standout feature of the game. While the early stages of development featured a modest number of NPCs, the team had ambitious goals. As Therien recalls, “I remember Patrice [Désilets, the designer of the first two games] telling me, ‘Imagine if we could have 40 NPCs.'” Little did they know that their vision would manifest into Assassin’s Creed Unity, with its staggering crowd density allowing up to 12,000 characters on the screen at once.
A Remodeled Foundation
The original Assassin’s Creed game was a technical achievement, but it had its flaws. The mission objectives were criticized, prompting Ubisoft to embark on a significant remodel for the sequel. Therien explains, “In AC 2, we basically rebuilt the foundations and made sure that everything was much more structured. We gave more tools to the mission designers…and it was a good result.”
Sustaining Annual Releases
The challenge of sustaining an annual release schedule while delivering high-quality games has been a priority for Ubisoft. As Therien explains, they recognized the limitations of solely relying on a core team for iterative releases like Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. This led to the development of multiple games in parallel, giving each project a limited shelf life but ensuring continuous innovation.
Mastering the Art of Guessing
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Developing games without having access to hardware specifications poses a unique challenge. During the early stages of development, the team had to rely on educated guesses. Therien recalls, “We basically picked a high-end PC at the time and said, ‘Alright, it’s going to be about that,’ but we had no idea what the CPUs were.” Despite the uncertainty, they made the right choices and managed to create a seamless experience across platforms.
Pushing the Boundaries with Every Iteration
Assassin’s Creed Unity showcases the team’s technical prowess with its massive crowds and impressive lighting model. The team’s drive and passion for the series shines through in every aspect of their work. As Therien emphasizes, “We keep on working…each time we see something and we think we’ve optimized to the last little bit, we look at it fresh again and we start over. That’s what we’ve been doing every year.”
FAQs
Q: How long has Ubisoft been developing Assassin’s Creed games?
A: Ubisoft has been developing Assassin’s Creed games for almost a decade.
Q: How many NPCs can appear on screen at once in Assassin’s Creed Unity?
A: Up to 12,000 characters can appear on screen simultaneously in Assassin’s Creed Unity.
Q: How did the team approach game development without knowing the hardware specifications?
A: The team relied on educated guesses, using a high-end PC as a reference point for development.
Conclusion
The evolution of the Assassin’s Creed series is a testament to Ubisoft’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of gaming. From the humble beginnings of the original game to the grandeur of Assassin’s Creed Unity, the team has continuously strived for innovation and excellence. As fans eagerly await the next installment, one thing is certain – Assassin’s Creed will continue to captivate gamers with its immersive worlds and engaging gameplay.
For more information on Assassin’s Creed Unity and Assassin’s Creed Rogue, visit the Wqaindia website.
Nguồn: https://wqaindia.org
Danh mục: Tin tức
