During the initial seven years of the Assassin's Creed saga, a clear narrative trajectory seemed to guide the series. In parallel with the present-day Assassin's Creed titles, the first five games revolved around Desmond Miles, an underachiever who delved into the memories of his ancestors: Altair Ibn-La'Ahad, Ezio Auditore, and Connor Kenway.
Desmond's transformation from a lackadaisical individual to a skilled assassin, facilitated by the Animus' 'bleeding effect,' hinted at a grand finale where he would wield his newfound abilities in a modern-day showdown. However, this anticipated climax was averted as Desmond sacrifices himself in AC3, departing from the overarching Assassin's Creed narrative.
The Account of Desmond's Exit from Assassin's Creed
Ubisoft's Vision Beyond Desmond
Prior to the launch of Assassin's Creed 3, the game's creative lead, Alex Hutchingson, expressed the necessity of moving on from Desmond. He emphasized the diminishing impact of prolonged storylines, advocating for a shift towards an anthology format akin to The Twilight Zone and Star Trek. This vision materialized over a decade later, defining Assassin's Creed as an anthology series.
Desmond's Obstruction to Assassin's Creed's Evolution
While integrating Desmond into the anthology framework was plausible given his intertwined narratives with historical assassins, his absence streamlined the franchise's progression. Continuity constraints associated with direct sequels impeded the introduction of new characters and settings. Retaining Desmond would have necessitated convoluted plot justifications, hindering the exploration of diverse historical backdrops.
The Ramifications of Desmond's Omission
Concluding Desmond's storyline in Assassin's Creed 3 ushered in fresh settings and historical plots while impeding the modern-day narrative's advancement. Desmond's survival promised a compelling confrontation with the Templars in a contemporary setting, potentially culminating in a game bridging Assassin's Creed mechanics with modern scenarios. Presently, the absence of a definitive modern-day narrative direction has left fans yearning for closure since 2007.