Pieces of Eden

Lore & Background

Before modern humans walked the Earth, the Isu crafted these devices to manage their own society and later, the human slaves they created. When the Great Cataclysm destroyed most of the First Civilization, these artifacts were hidden away or buried beneath the ruins of lost cities. Over millennia, survivors found them and worshipped them as divine gifts, unaware of their true technological origin.

The power contained within Pieces of Eden allows a user to suppress free will in others, creating an illusion of order through control. This capability makes them incredibly dangerous tools for those who wish to impose their vision upon the world. The Assassins seek to keep these items hidden or destroyed to preserve human freedom, while the Templars believe they can use this power to guide humanity toward peace and eliminate chaos.

In Their Own Story

The air in the vault was cold, smelling of dust and old stone. Ezio held his breath as he reached for the object resting on the pedestal. It hummed with a low vibration that rattled his teeth. As his fingers brushed the smooth surface, light flared from within the artifact, casting long shadows against the walls. For a moment, the weight of centuries pressed down upon him, whispering promises of power and control. He pulled back, knowing this was not a gift, but a weapon waiting for a hand to wield it.

Reader's Guide

Pieces of Eden represent the pinnacle of Isu engineering, often mistaken for magic by historical observers. They function as tools of manipulation, allowing users to project authority over large groups or enhance physical capabilities beyond normal limits.

The struggle over these items defines the core narrative of the Assassin's Creed saga. The Templars view them as necessary instruments to enforce global order, whereas the Assassins argue that true peace cannot exist without free will. This ideological divide has driven centuries of covert warfare.

Many artifacts remain hidden in temples or buried beneath modern cities. Some are integrated into the architecture of landmarks like the Grand Temple. Their existence proves that human history is intertwined with a lost precursor race, leaving behind technology that continues to shape destiny.

Did You Know?

• Some Pieces of Eden can cause physical glitches in reality when activated near sensitive electronics.
• The Apple of Eden is one of the most frequently sought artifacts throughout recorded history.
• Isu DNA within humans allows for a unique resonance with certain pieces, enhancing their effects.
• Many historical figures believed to be divine were actually users of these technological devices.

Origins and Conceptual Evolution

The franchise emerged from Ubisoft Montreal's ambition to evolve the Prince of Persia series into a seventh-generation open-world experience. Initially conceived as a sequel titled 'Prince of Persia: Assassin,' the project shifted focus away from royalty toward historical secret societies, specifically drawing inspiration from Vladimir Bartol's 1938 novel Alamut and the medieval Hashashin sect. When marketing teams rejected a title lacking the iconic Prince, they pivoted to 'Assassin's Creed,' adopting the sect's motto: 'nothing is true; everything is permitted.' This rebranding allowed developers to eliminate the royal protagonist entirely, centering instead on the millennia-old conflict between Assassins seeking free will and Templars desiring control. To justify gameplay mechanics like respawning after death, creators invented the Animus device and the concept of genetic memory, enabling players to relive ancestral memories. This narrative framework transformed a simple action game into a complex historical fiction saga intertwining real-world events with a modern-day sci-fi struggle over powerful artifacts known as Pieces of Eden.

Narrative Arcs and Modern-Day Conflicts

The series is structured around three distinct overarching storylines that drive the search for Pieces of Eden. The initial arc follows Desmond Miles, an Assassin descendant who utilizes the Animus to relive memories of his ancestors across history, aiming to prevent a catastrophic event linked to the 2012 phenomenon. Following this, the narrative shifts to a corporate front where Abstergo Industries employs both Templars and Assassin initiates via Helix software to record genetic memories, continuing the hunt for artifacts in the modern world. The most recent arc centers on Layla Hassan, an ex-Abstergo employee who embarks on her own mission to save humanity from another impending disaster. Throughout these eras, players alternate between historical figures and present-day operatives, navigating a web of conspiracies where the struggle for control over Eden artifacts remains constant. This dual-timeline approach allows the franchise to explore diverse time periods while maintaining a cohesive modern conflict that ties every installment together.

Gameplay Mechanics and Design Philosophy

Ubisoft has categorized the series' development into three distinct design periods, each reflecting evolving player engagement strategies. The first period, concluding with Syndicate in 2015, prioritized action-adventure and stealth within open worlds, emphasizing parkour to navigate environments and combat mechanics rooted in historical fiction. The second phase, spanning Origins through Mirage, integrated heavier role-playing elements and live-service features to sustain long-term player interest. Currently, the third period launched with Shadows aims to synthesize these lessons, returning to engrossing single-player experiences reminiscent of the original titles while introducing the Animus Hub system for sharing achievements and content socially. Across all eras, gameplay consistently revolves around exploration, stealth, and combat, often featuring competitive or cooperative multiplayer modes in specific entries. This evolution demonstrates a continuous effort to balance ambitious visual design and narrative depth with changing industry standards regarding player retention and interaction.

Commercial Success and Cultural Legacy

Since its debut in 2007, the franchise has grown into one of the most commercially successful video game series globally, selling over 200 million copies by September 2022. As Ubisoft's best-selling property, it has garnered multiple Game of the Year awards and widespread critical acclaim for its ambitious visuals, intricate narratives, and expansive world design. While critics have occasionally noted issues regarding yearly release cycles, technical bugs, and a shift toward role-playing mechanics in later titles, the series remains a dominant force in gaming culture. Its influence extends far beyond main console releases, encompassing numerous spin-offs for mobile and handheld platforms, as well as a rich ecosystem of novels, comics, art books, and encyclopedias that expand its lore. Furthermore, the franchise successfully crossed into mainstream media with a live-action film adaptation released in 2016, cementing its status not just as a video game series, but as a comprehensive multimedia phenomenon exploring themes of history, philosophy, and human freedom.