Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is a 2010 action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the third major installment in the "Assassin's Creed" series, and the second chapter in the "Ezio Trilogy", as a direct sequel to 2009's "Assassin's Creed II". The game was first released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in November and December 2010 and was later made available on Microsoft Windows in March and June 2011. The plot is set in a fictional history of real-world events and follows the millennia -old struggle between the Assassins, who fight to preserve peace and free will, and the Templars, who desire peace through control. The framing story is set in the 21st century and features series protagonist Desmond Miles who, using a machine known as the Animus, relives the memories of his Assassin ancestor, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, to find a way to avert the 2012 apocalypse. The main story spans the years 1500–1507 and continues from the events of "Assassin's Creed II", as Ezio takes the fight against the Templars (led by the influential Borgia family) to Rome, where he attempts  to rebuild the Assassin Brotherhood in Italy and liberate the city from the Borgias' control. "Brotherhood" features an open world and is played from the third-person perspective, with a primary focus on using Desmond's and Ezio's combat, climbing and stealth abilities to eliminate targets and explore the environment. As Ezio, players can freely explore Rome to advance the narrative, or complete a variety of side missions unrelated to the main storyline. The game introduces a multiplayer component to the series, in which players assume the role of a Templar in training. A number of downloadable content (DLC ) packs were released to support "Brotherhood", including "The Da Vinci Disappearance", a story expansion set during the events of the single-player campaign. Upon release, the game received critical acclaim, with praise directed at its setting, new content, gameplay improvements over its predecessor and the new multiplayer mode. The narrative was also positively received, although it was generally seen as inferior to that of "Assassin's Creed II". The game won multiple awards including a BAFTA award for Best Action Game. It was also commercially successful, shipping 7.2 million units by May 2011. The final installment in the Ezio Trilogy , "", was released in November 2011. A remastered version of "Brotherhood", along with "Assassin's Creed II" and "Revelations", was released as part of "The Ezio Collection" for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on November 15, 2016, and for the Nintendo Switch on February 17, 2022. Gameplay. "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" is an action-adventure video game with the main emphasis on nonlinear, sandbox-style gameplay, parkour movements, crowd-blending stealth, assassinations, and melee fighting system. The combat system features several improvements and for the first time in the series, the game offers a multiplayer mode alongside 15+ hours  of single-player gameplay. The game introduces a new management system: the player can recruit new Brotherhood members by destroying any of twelve "Borgia towers" around Rome where papal troops are stationed and then rescuing disgruntled citizens in their districts from being harassed by guards. The player, as Ezio, can then send them to assignments around Europe or call them for support during missions (if they are not already occupied). Tasking the novice Assassins makes them gain experience, and the player can customize their appearance, skills, and weapon training to some degree by spending the skill points they have earned . Assassins can die on missions, from which they will not return. Ezio masters new gadgets, such as Leonardo da Vinci's parachute, which can be used when jumping from tall buildings, along with poison darts, a faster acting poison, a crossbow, and the ability to hold and throw heavier weapons like axes. The primary setting is Rome, which has fallen into ruin due to the corrupt rule of the Borgia papacy and the Templars over the Papal States and concentrating all the wealth in the Vatican. Just like the town of Monteriggioni in "Assassin's Creed II", the player can  invest in the city, witness its development, and unlock rewards. The player has to conquer and destroy Borgia towers to free city zones from the family's influence. Completing this unlocks new missions and opportunities. Rome is larger than any of the cities in the first two installments (Rome is three times bigger than Florence from "Assassin's Creed II") and includes five districts: Vatican ("Vaticano"), Central ("Centro"), Trans-Tiber ("Trastevere"), Country ("Campagna") and Antique ("Antico"). Unlike the previous installments, travel between different cities or regions is no longer present, as most of the action in the game takes place  around the city of Rome. Instead, a series of tunnel networks throughout the city allows the player to travel to different sectors of the city with ease. However players will be able to explore the entire city of Rome, and, during story missions, visit the harbor of Naples; a part of Navarre, Spain; Valnerina, Lake of Nevi and present-day Monteriggioni. The combat system has been modified. Striking first and offensive actions are more deadly in "Brotherhood" than previous games where counter-attacks were the most efficient. Before, this made the player wait until the AI struck, which slowed down  the pace of fighting. The AI in this game is thus more aggressive and enemies can attack simultaneously. To dispatch them, Ezio can use melee and ranged weapons at the same time, as well as introducing the hidden pistol in combat. After killing one enemy the player can start an execution streak to dispatch multiple enemies quickly. Ezio can throw heavy weapons (axes, spears, and swords) at his enemies. There are new enemy archetypes in addition to those seen in "Assassin's Creed II" such as horsemen, arquebusiers, papal guards and others. Horses play a larger role in "Brotherhood", not  only used as a means of transport (inside the city for the first time) but as a component of acrobatic sequences and advanced combat as well, allowing ranged weapons to be used while riding them. "Brotherhood" also introduces various types of horse-related assassinations, featuring horse-to-horse assassinations. There are environmental objects like the flower pot in "Assassin's Creed II" to move faster inside the city (a system of tunnels around the city allow fast travel), as well as new objects such as merchandise lifts to quickly climb up high buildings or structures. Unlike previous installments, Desmond can  leave the Animus at almost any time. This allows Desmond to explore the present-day town of Monteriggioni. The player is also offered virtual training, a mini-game where the player may test their free-running or combat skills. Like previous "Assassin's Creed" titles, characters based on historical figures are present in the game, including Rodrigo Borgia, Cesare Borgia, Niccolò Machiavelli, Caterina Sforza, and Leonardo da Vinci. Locations in the game include the Colosseum and the Pantheon in Rome; and the town of Viana in Spain. Multiplayer. "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" is the first game in the main series  to feature a multiplayer mode. The players are Templars in training at an Abstergo facility. They use the animi (plural for animus) seen at the beginning of "Assassin's Creed II" to access memories of old Templars and acquire their skills using the "bleeding effect". There are eight game modes (Wanted, Alliance, Manhunt, Chest Capture, Advanced Wanted, Advanced Alliance, Escort, and Assassinate) and different maps, including the areas from the second and the third game like Florence, as well as new maps like Rome, Castel Gandolfo, Siena, and Mont Saint-Michel. The gameplay in multiplayer mode is similar to the  core gameplay of the series, as players are required to use their assassination and stealth skills. The players must hunt down targets while being hunted themselves. Players earn points by performing assassinations, defending against pursuers, attaining bonuses or completing mode-specific objectives. It also contains a variety of characters, most of which must be unlocked. The multiplayer mode also includes a leveling system, which allows players to unlock rewards by earning experience points during the matches and gaining new levels. Players can then unlock abilities, perks, and streaks. Abilities are active skills, which can be used again only after a  cooldown time. Perks are passive skills, which can be equipped before the match and they are active all the time. Streaks are bonuses awarded for reaching a certain number of successful or failed contracts. The multiplayer beta, exclusive to PlayStation 3 users, was announced at E3 2010. It began on October 4, 2010, with early access for PlayStation Plus subscribers from September 27, and ended on October 18, 2010. Three maps were playable in the beta: Rome, Castel Gandolfo, and Siena. In "Wanted", at least six players are on a map where they must find and assassinate each other. Each  player is given another player as a target. The goal is to find and kill a target without being seen or killed by the player's assigned pursuer or pursuers. Players are indistinguishable from some of the NPC's throughout the maps. If the player kills an NPC by mistake or otherwise breaks cover, they are more easily spotted by pursuer or target alike, sometimes resulting in a chase. The player with the highest score at the end of the session wins. Players will lose their contract if they kill an NPC, are stunned by their target or their target  is killed by another player. A player cannot kill another player who is not the target, but they can stun their hunter. "Advanced Wanted" mode is a variant of "Wanted" mode, with differences including an increased amount of NPCs on the map to make it difficult to pick out targets and a less accurate compass. There is generally more stealth involved in this mode than in basic "Wanted". Game modes. The "Assassinate" mode is similar to "Wanted", but instead of target contracts being assigned to players, all players are fair game. Players must identify other player characters and lock -on before assassinating. Because two players can kill each other, whoever locks on first becomes the hunter and the other becomes the target. The standard compass found in "Wanted" is replaced by directional arrows based on proximity, that grow to become arcs around the perimeter of the compass as other players near, and will eventually create a full circle when other players are very close. As in other modes, the player with the highest score at the end of the session is the winner. In "Alliance", there are three teams, each limited to two players, both of which use the  same persona. The point of this mode is to get more points than the other teams, but each team is chased by another and is only allowed to kill one specific team (not the team chasing them, but they will be able to stun the team hunting them). This mode encourages players to work together, as teammates can help each other or they can assassinate their targets simultaneously. The "Advanced Alliance" mode is a variant of "Alliance" mode, however, the players' compasses, as well as target engagement, becomes more difficult, similar to the "Advanced Wanted" mode. In "Manhunt" there are  two teams of four. One team is the hunters, the other is the hunted. Each team looks like a specific character and takes turns being the hunter and the hunted. Hunters obtain points by assassinations, while the hunted obtain points from escapes, stuns, and remaining hidden. The team with the highest score wins. In "Chest Capture" there are two teams of four. One team is the hunters, and the other is the hunted who need to steal chests by standing close to them. Each team looks like a specific character and takes turns being the hunter and the hunted. Hunters  obtain points by assassinations, while the hunted obtain points from escapes, stuns, and stealing chests. The team with the highest score wins. The "Escort" mode sees one team of four players protecting a wandering NPC while the other team of four tries to assassinate him. There are two NPCs to protect at a time and they walk through a series of checkpoints, which are visible to both teams. When an escorted NPC is killed, another is synchronized. This mode has two rounds with each team playing once as an escort and once as assassins. Characters. Players are able to choose  one of the 21 available characters, including: Courtesan, Barber, Priest, Noble, Prowler, Executioner, Doctor, Blacksmith, Captain, Smuggler, Engineer, Footpad, Thief, Hellequin (a female Harlequin, which is available through uPlay) and Mercenary. Two special characters were only available in the selected pre-order editions of the game: the Harlequin and the Officer. However, these two pre-order special characters are also included in "The Da Vinci Disappearance" downloadable content as are the formerly pre-order only Trajan Market and Aqueducts special locations. The pack contains 4 new characters, Dama Rossa, Knight, Marquis, and Pariah. Each character has unique assassination moves and  a signature weapon. Characters can be customized as the player levels up. These customization options include changing the color of the outfit and equipping different gear. Plot. Following the events of the previous game, Desmond Miles (Nolan North), Lucy Stillman (Kristen Bell), Rebecca Crane (Eliza Schneider), and Shaun Hastings (Danny Wallace) escape from the Templars who attacked their hideout and establish a new base in the ruins of the Villa Auditore in Monteriggioni. After restoring the electricity in the tunnels under the villa, Desmond uses the Animus 2.0 to continue reliving the genetic memories of his ancestor Ezio Auditore (Roger  Craig Smith). His mission is to find the Apple of Eden, which could prevent an impending disaster coming that same year, believed to be perpetrated by the Templars. Ezio's story continues in December 1499, as he exits the Vault and escapes Rome with his uncle, Mario (Fred Tatasciore). Returning to Monteriggioni, Ezio explains to his fellow Assassins what he saw inside the Vault and is comforted by the prospect that his personal vendetta is over; however, Niccolò Machiavelli (Shawn Baichoo) challenges Ezio's decision to leave Rodrigo Borgia (Manuel Tadros) alive. The following day, Monteriggioni is besieged by the  Papal Army, commanded by Cesare Borgia (Andreas Apergis), Rodrigo's son. Cesare kills Mario and claims the Apple for the Templars. An injured Ezio escapes and travels to Rome, the center of Templar power in Italy, seeking vengeance against the Borgias. There, he discovers that the Assassin Order had lost much of its manpower and strength. Determined to rebuild the Guild, Ezio convinces Machiavelli that he can lead it, recruiting people for the Brotherhood and restoring it to its former strength. Over the next three years, Ezio cripples the Borgias' hold in the capital, sabotaging Cesare's resources and assassinating  key people close to him, while slowly restoring Rome to its former glory. After returning the Assassins to full strength, Ezio is given the rank of "Il Mentore" (Italian for "The Mentor") and made the de facto leader of the Assassins in Italy. During this time, Ezio's sister Claudia (Angela Galuppo) is also made an Assassin. After learning of Ezio's actions, Cesare confronts his father to ask for more money and the Apple. Rodrigo refuses, cautious of provoking the Assassins, and attempts to poison his son, fearing Cesare's lust for power. Cesare, having taken an antidote beforehand , survives and murders Rodrigo. After learning of the Apple's location, Ezio retrieves it from within St. Peter's Basilica, before using it to overwhelm Cesare's forces and withdraw the backing of his supporters. Cesare is arrested by Pope Julius II's Papal Army after Ezio and the Assassins confront him and kill his remaining followers. A few years later, Ezio uses the Apple once more to check on Cesare, discovering he has broken out of prison. After hiding the Apple in a First Civilization Temple built underneath the Roman Colosseum, Ezio leaves Italy in pursuit of Cesare. In  1507, Cesare, with the support of his new patron, John III of Navarre, lays siege to the city of Viana in Spain. Ezio encounters Cesare on the battlements of a crumbling castle and fights him. Cesare claims that he cannot be killed by the hand of a mortal man, thus inciting Ezio to "leave [him] in the hands of fate" by dropping him off the battlements to his death. Using the coordinates from Ezio's memories, Desmond, Lucy, Shaun, and Rebecca travel to the Temple where Ezio hid the Apple, intending to use it to locate other Temples and  keep the Pieces of Eden they contain out of the Templars' reach. As Desmond enters the Temple, he is confronted with holographic apparitions of a woman called Juno (Nadia Verrucci), similar to Minerva. She comments on humanity's lack of knowledge, calling it "innocent and ignorant", before suddenly becoming angry and yelling, "We should have left you as you were!" As Desmond approaches the Apple and touches it, time freezes around him. Juno states that Desmond is descended from her race, and is their enemy; she also says there is a woman who would accompany him through "the gate," but  must not be allowed to. She takes control of Desmond's body and forces him to stab Lucy. Both fall to the ground, with Lucy dead and Desmond entering a coma. As the credits roll, two men are heard discussing . Section::::"The Da Vinci Disappearance". In 1506, during his pursuit of Cesare Borgia, Ezio visits his friend, Leonardo da Vinci (Carlos Ferro), at his workshop in Rome to ask for his help in securing a ship to take him to Spain. Leonardo offers to take Ezio to meet a friendly ship captain, but before that, he asks that Ezio go find  his apprentice, Salaì (David Kaye). When the two return to the workshop after a run-in with Hermeticists, members of the Cult of Hermes, they find it abandoned, and deduce that Leonardo was kidnapped by the Hermeticists, who forced him to take them to an underground temple he had found. Salaì finds writing on the floor that implies they should seek out five of Leonardo's paintings once owned by Ezio at Monteriggioni but now missing. After recovering all the paintings, Ezio finds small diagrams hidden on each of them which, when combined, reveal the location of the temple. Ezio  heads there and kills the Hermeticists holding Leonardo hostage. The pair then investigate the temple and discover another vault built by the First Civilization, which contains only a pedestal. When Ezio places his hand on the pedestal, it reveals the numbers 43 39 19 N and 75 27 42 W. Ezio comments that these numbers are not intended for them as he and Leonardo exit the Temple. In the present-day, two men are heard commenting that Desmond has fallen into a coma, before one of them says "we have a location for the temple" and "what are you waiting  for, let's go." Development. "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" was developed by Ubisoft Montreal. Montreal also worked on both of the other main "Assassin's Creed" games in the series and was thus chosen to lead production for the third installment. A new "Assassin's Creed" episode featuring multiplayer was announced during Ubisoft's 2009 fiscal third-quarter results while not revealing its name. In early May 2010, a GameStop employee published on the internet some images of a pre-order box featuring the "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" title while Ubisoft was teasing the game on Facebook and Twitter. Ubisoft  then confirmed the authenticity of these pictures. "Brotherhood" has not been numbered unlike "Assassin's Creed II" because players, and even developers themselves would have expected a new setting and a new ancestor while this is only the continuation of Ezio's story. The game was developed primarily by Ubisoft Montreal in Canada. Production was aided in part by four other Ubisoft developers: Annecy, Singapore, Bucharest and Québec City. The multiplayer mode is mainly developed by Ubisoft Annecy, the studio responsible for creating multiplayer mode in "". Ubisoft also announced plans for downloadable content (DLC) after the game's launch. Two  sets of free DLC have already been released under the names "Animus Project Update 1.0" and "Animus Project Update 2.0". The first includes the new map "Mont Saint-Michel" and one new mode, "Advanced Alliance". The "Animus Project Update 2.0" was released in January 2011, was also free, and included another map, mode and the introduction of a player grading system. From the perspective of performance, Ubisoft have commented that they hope the gaps between the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions will be even smaller with Brotherhood. Additionally, humorist Danny Wallace and actress Kristen Bell reprise their roles from  Assassin's Creed II. While still in development, creative director Patrice Désilets left before the game's presentation at the E3 2010. Ubisoft and production manager Jean-Francois Boivin stated that he only took a "creative break" after completing his task on "Brotherhood". A teaser trailer of the multiplayer mode was released on the official site before the E3. A cinematic debut trailer was diffused during Ubisoft's E3 2010 press conference along a walkthrough of the game's beginning. "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" reached gold status on October 28, 2010. The Microsoft Windows version has Nvidia 3D Vision and  multi screen support through AMD Eyefinity. It also uses Tagès copy protection, as well as Ubisoft online services platform, but doesn't require an always-on Internet connection to play. On November 30, 2010, a of the game was published. The novel is a sequel to the . Music. The music in the game was composed by Jesper Kyd, who created the scores to previous "Assassin's Creed" games. The soundtrack was released digitally on November 16, 2010. A physical CD-DA release of the soundtrack accompanied selected retail editions. However, the track-listing is altered from the digital release — the  CD has 22 tracks, including 3 exclusive pieces, but is missing "Apple Chamber" present in the digital release. Retail editions. There are different special retail editions of "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood". Different editions are available in different regions. There is also a certain number of pre-order bonuses, which may vary, depending on the retailer. Some retailers also offered the access to the multiplayer beta on the PlayStation 3 system as a pre-order bonus. All versions of "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" for the PlayStation 3 feature exclusive free additional downloadable content called the Copernicus Conspiracy which became available on  the PlayStation Store on November 16, 2010. Players have access to several new missions featuring the famous Renaissance astronomer Copernicus. Extra content includes courier, assassination and protection missions — Ezio will be tasked with foiling the conspiracy against Copernicus and defending his philosophy. The PC version of "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" was released by Akella in Russia in exclusive Collector's Edition featuring 6 metal figurines of multiplayer characters. Downloadable content. Uplay content. Ubisoft's Uplay system enables further in-game enhancements which can be redeemed by points that are given when playing the game. The available awards are a "Brotherhood  theme or wallpaper for PC and PlayStation 3, Florentine Noble Attire, Armor of Altaïr, Altaïr's Robes, Gun Capacity Upgrade and Hellequin character. Section::::Copernicus Conspiracy". "Copernicus Conspiracy" is a free downloadable content pack for "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood", initially released exclusively for the PlayStation 3 on the game's release, later receiving official support on the PC via a patch on May 23, 2017 on both Steam and Uplay and later being automatically available in the Ezio Trilogy Collection on the PS4 and Xbox One. It focuses on the famed astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, who gets into trouble with the Vatican , who do not want Copernicus educating the public about astronomy. The pack consists of eight optional missions, ranging from courier, assassination and protection objectives. Section::::"Animus Project Update 1.0". The "Animus Project Update 1.0" included a new game mode and a new map. The game mode, "Advanced Alliance", is a version of the "Alliance" mode, with target identification and engagement more difficult than in the original, thus providing a more challenging experience for players. With three teams of two players each, "Advanced Alliance" is a tougher test for players and rewards teams that work together. The new map, Mont Saint-Michel , is located on a rocky tidal island of Normandy in France. Its particular topography of narrow streets, high-perched bell-tower, and multi-leveled architecture are perfect for hunters and predators alike to surge from out of nowhere to execute their prey. To survive, recruits need to use free-running and narrow roads to their advantage. Section::::"Animus Project Update 2.0". The "Animus Project Update 2.0" included a new game mode and map. The Pienza Map provides a free-running playground with wide-open plaza areas, where predators and targets can quickly blend and disappear, surrounded by narrow alleys and multi -story buildings for extra verticality. In the new "Chest Capture" multiplayer mode, two teams composed of three players compete as Hunters and Protectors; partnered with fellow Templars, Hunters will attempt to steal the contents of the chests scattered around the map as protectors attempt to prevent this. Also included in the update is a Templar Score feature to reward diligent work by Abstergo recruits. "Advanced Alliance" is also packaged with the new DLC, while the Mont Saint-Michel map is not. Only one DLC can be activated at a time, so players will either be missing the new map from  the 1.0 update or the new mode, new map and Templar Scoring from the 2.0 update. Section::::"The Da Vinci Disappearance". "The Da Vinci Disappearance", originally available via the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, features new content for both single player and multiplayer modes. For the single player game, this expansion adds eight new missions, two of which take place at new locations, and ten trophies/achievements. The DLC's storyline, which is set before the final memory sequence of the base game, follows Ezio as he investigates the disappearance of his friend Leonardo da Vinci in the year 1506. The  multiplayer content includes two new game modes, a new map and four new characters. The PC version of the game includes the DLC for free (it must be activated through Uplay) along with both Animus Project Updates. In March, the "Da Vinci Edition" of "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood", which includes the base game as well as "The Da Vinci Disappearance", was released for consoles. This DLC doubles as the technical "Animus Project Update 3.0", with the addition of the preorder multiplayer characters, the Harlequin and Officer, as well as the preorder-only special Drachen Armor for Ezio. Reception. "Assassin's  Creed: Brotherhood" received critical acclaim upon release. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the Xbox 360 version 90.55% and 89/100, the PlayStation 3 version 89.92% and 90/100 and the PC version 87.64% and 88/100. It won best Action Adventure game in the Spike TV Video Game Awards 2010 The game has also been nominated for 7 British Academy Video Games Awards in 2011, including Best Game. It won an award in the Action category, losing to Mass Effect 2 in the category for Best Game. The multiplayer was heralded by many at E3 2010, where it was showcased for  the first time. GameTrailers lauded it as the "Best Multiplayer Game" of the show. The multiplayer portion of "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" was generally well received by critics. "Game Informer" gave the "Brotherhood" a 9.25/10, commenting that the ability to raise a group of followers was a significant enhancement to the previous title's gameplay, and praising the new multiplayer mode as something never before seen. The magazine's review also gave very high marks to the graphics, sound effects and voice acting. Eurogamer praised everything about "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood", giving it a 10/10, and particularly noted the maturity  of the story: "One mission sees Ezio disrupting an assassination attempt in the ruins of the Roman Colosseum during a play about the death of Jesus Christ. It demands a developer of poise and compassion to wield such thorny concepts deftly, and it's a measure of Ubisoft Montreal's maturity that it is more than equal to the challenge...Brotherhood builds an intriguing mystery around compelling characters, surrounds them with collectibles and secrets, and encourages play – and nothing feels out of place." In April 2020, "Game Informer" ranked the game as the best game in the "Assassin's Creed  series to date. The Da Vinci Disappearance" add-on was also met with favorable reviews, and holds a Metacritic score of 75/100. Reviews for the delayed PC version questioned the reason behind the delayed release date as the game was virtually unchanged from the console version albeit with better graphical enhancements and minor bonus content. However, most praised Ubisoft's move to remove the DRM that marred the PC version of "Assassin's Creed II" as well as include all DLC free of charge. Sales. The game passed the one million sales mark in less than a week after its  release. "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" has become Ubisoft's fastest-selling European title ever. It also had the best Ubisoft's launch in Europe and is the best-selling launch title ever as of November 2010. As of May 2011, Ubisoft announced the game had shipped 7.2 million units, and franchise shipments stood at 29 million units. Sequel. On May 5, 2011, "" was revealed to be the next main installment in the "Assassin's Creed" franchise. Set in Constantinople, at the peak of the Ottoman Empire, it is the final major game in the series to feature Ezio as the  main protagonist, and follows him on a quest to uncover the secrets of the Assassins and unlock a library built by Altaïr Ibn-LaʼAhad, the protagonist of the first "Assassin's Creed" game. Altaïr is also playable in "Revelations" as a secondary protagonist, featured in a series of flashback missions. The multiplayer mode introduced in "Brotherhood" also returns, and has been expanded with "more modes, more maps, and more characters". The game was released on November 15, 2011. On September 17, 2018, Triton Noir announced a board game called "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice". It takes place in 1509  (two years after the events of "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood" and before "Revelations") and features characters from the games such as Ezio, Leonardo da Vinci, and Lucrezia Borgia, as well as new characters like Alessandra. It was developed by Thibaud de la Touanne, and is estimated to provide over 20 hours of playtime. Originally scheduled for a November 2018 release, the game was later delayed and eventually released in May 2021 in Asia, and in June 2021 in Europe and the United States.