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{{short description|2014 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Assassin's Creed Unity
| image =
| developer = [[Ubisoft Montreal]]{{efn|Additional work by [[Ubisoft Annecy]], [[Ubisoft Kyiv]], [[Ubisoft Quebec]], [[Ubisoft Singapore]], [[Ubisoft Toronto]], and [[Ubisoft Shanghai]]}}
| publisher = [[Ubisoft]]
| director = {{Unbulleted list|Alexandre Amancio|Marc Albinet}}
| producer = {{Unbulleted list|Vincent Pontbriand|Antoine Vimal du Monteil|Philippe Ducharme}}
| designer = Alexandre Pedneault
| programmer = James Therien
| artist = Mohamed Gambouz
| writer = {{Unbulleted list|Sylvain Bernard|Alexandre Amancio|Travis Stout|Russell Lees|[[Darby McDevitt]]|Ceri Young}}
| composer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Chris Tilton]]|[[Sarah Schachner]]|Ryan Amon}}
| series = ''[[Assassin's Creed]]''
| engine = [[
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Google Stadia|Stadia]]}}
| released = '''PS4, Windows, Xbox One'''{{Video game release|NA|November 11, 2014|PAL|November 13, 2014|UK|November 14, 2014}}'''Stadia'''{{vgrelease|WW|December 15, 2020}}
| genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]], [[Stealth game|stealth]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}
'''''Assassin's Creed Unity''''' is a 2014 [[action-adventure game]] developed by [[Ubisoft Montreal]] and published by [[Ubisoft]]. It was released in November 2014 for [[PlayStation 4]], [[Windows]], and [[Xbox One]], and in December 2020 for [[Google Stadia|Stadia]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bennett|first=Jade|date=2020-12-18|title=Three Assassin's Creed games on Google Stadia|url=https://gameir.ie/news/three-assassins-creed-games-on-google-stadia/|access-date=2020-12-19|website=GamEir|language=en-GB|archive-date=December 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218164110/https://gameir.ie/news/three-assassins-creed-games-on-google-stadia/|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the eighth major installment in the ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' series, and the successor to 2013's ''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''. It also has ties to ''[[Assassin's Creed Rogue]]'', which was released for the [[Seventh generation of video game consoles|previous generation consoles]] on the same day as ''Unity''.
The plot is set in a [[historical fiction|fictional history]] of real-world events and follows the millennia-old struggle between the [[Order of Assassins|Assassins]], who fight to preserve peace and free will, and the [[Knights Templar|Templars]], who desire peace through control. The framing story is set in the 21st century and features an unidentified and unseen protagonist, who joins the Assassins as an initiate to help them locate the corpse of an 18th-century Templar Grand Master. The main story is set in [[Paris]] during the [[French Revolution]] from 1789 to 1794, and follows Assassin [[Arno Dorian]] and his efforts to expose the true powers behind the Revolution, while seeking revenge against those responsible for his adoptive father's murder. ''Unity'' retains the series' [[Third-person (video games)|third-person]] [[open world]] exploration as well as introducing revamped combat, parkour, and stealth systems. The game also introduces [[Cooperative video game|cooperative multiplayer]] to the ''Assassin's Creed'' series, letting up to four players engage in narrative-driven missions and explore the open world map.
''Assassin's Creed Unity'' received mixed reviews upon release. It was praised for its visuals, customization options, setting, and characterization. Its narrative, gameplay, mission design, and multiplayer-oriented format received more divided opinions. The game was also [[List of video games notable for negative reception#Assassin's Creed Unity (2014)|widely panned]] for its numerous graphical issues and [[Software bug|bug]]s, prompting Ubisoft to issue an apology and offer compensation in the form of a free [[Expansion pack|expansion]], ''Dead Kings'', which acts as an epilogue to the base game's story. Players who had bought the game's [[Season pass (video games)|season pass]] (which was later made unavailable for purchase in response to the controversy) additionally received a free copy of another Ubisoft title of their choice. Despite the initial critical reception, ''Unity'' was a commercial success, selling over 10 million units by May 2020. It was followed in October 2015 by ''[[Assassin's Creed Syndicate]]'', which continues the modern-day narrative, but has its main plot set in [[Victorian era]] [[London]].
==Gameplay==
''Assassin's Creed Unity'' is an [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]],<ref>{{cite journal |title=Best Xbox One Third-Person Games |url=https://www.gamespot.com/genre/third-person/xbox-one/ |access-date=January 28, 2018 |journal=[[GameSpot]] |date=October 14, 1998 |archive-date=January 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129140506/https://www.gamespot.com/genre/third-person/xbox-one/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[stealth game]] played from a [[Third-person (video games)|third-person perspective]] and set in an [[open world]] environment. The game features a historical recreation of [[Paris]] in the late 18th-century at a roughly 1:1 scale. The setting is divided into seven major districts—Le Louvre, [[Île de la Cité]], [[The Marais|Le Marais]], La Bièvre, Les Invalides, [[Latin Quarter, Paris|Quartier Latin]], and Ventre de Paris—and also includes the town of [[Versailles, Yvelines|Versailles]], located on the outskirts of Paris. The [[Communes of France|commune]] of [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]] (renamed Franciade during the French Revolution) is featured as part of the free ''Dead Kings'' [[expansion pack]].
A number of side missions can be found and initiated from within the open world, such as "Paris Stories", which require the player to assist a [[Non-player character|non-playable character]] (usually a [[historical figure]]) with a minor problem; "Murder Mysteries", in which the player investigates various murder scenes, collecting clues and interrogating witnesses to determine the culprit; and "[[Nostradamus]] Enigmas", a series of cryptic riddles that lead the player to different artifacts, which can be used to unlock a special reward. Players can also find a number of collectibles scattered around Paris, including treasure chests, [[cockade]]s, and artifacts, which provide various rewards, typically in the form of new gear or cosmetic options.[[File:Assassin's Creed Unity screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|''Assassin's Creed Unity'' features a crowd system that allows more than 30,000 [[non-playable character]]s to appear on-screen simultaneously.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-unity-can-support-crowds-of-30-000/1100-6421542/|title=Assassin's Creed Unity Can Support Crowds of 30,000, Will Have More Customization Than Assassin's Creed IV|first=Alex|last=Newhouse|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=August 6, 2014|access-date=August 13, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111222358/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-unity-can-support-crowds-of-30-000/1100-6421542/|url-status=live}}</ref>]]''Unity''<nowiki/>'s combat system was greatly refined over previous entries in the series, with [[fencing]] being used as an inspiration for the new system. The stealth system also saw several improvements with the addition of new features like manual crouching and the Phantom Blade, a variation of the series' signature Hidden Blade which doubles as a silent [[crossbow]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-US/news/news_detail.aspx?c=tcm:152-147115-16&ct=tcm:148-76770-32|title=Assassin's Creed Unity DevBlog – Combat with Alex Pedneault|publisher=Assassin's Creed|date=June 10, 2014|access-date=June 12, 2014|archive-date=June 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614141046/http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-US/news/news_detail.aspx?c=tcm:152-147115-16&ct=tcm:148-76770-32|url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, the linear assassination missions from previous ''Assassin's Creed'' games were abandoned in favor of a new "Black Box" design, which offers more freedom to the player in how they go about eliminating their target; the player can explore the environment to find different entry points or possibly helpful distractions, allowing them to choose the approach that best suits them. For navigation, the game introduces new "Free-run up" and "Free-run down" commands to make it easier for the player to scale buildings in either direction, allowing them to make controlled ascents and descents at will.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-US/news/news_detail.aspx?c=tcm:152-147127-16&ct=tcm:148-76770-32|title=Assassin's Creed Unity DevBlog – Navigation with Max Spielberg|publisher=Assassin's Creed|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=June 12, 2014|archive-date=June 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615160028/http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-US/news/news_detail.aspx?c=tcm:152-147127-16&ct=tcm:148-76770-32|url-status=live}}</ref> With the updated, larger crowds, new interactions with them are also available. The crowd regularly presents many activities, appearing organically, that the player can choose to engage in or not. Examples include scaring a group of bullies by pulling out a weapon, "settling" a fight between two civilians by killing one of them, or chasing down a thief who has just pick pocketed somebody.<ref name="GITenThings" />
For the first time in the series, the player character, [[Arno Dorian]], presents a unique set of abilities that can be upgraded through a [[skill tree]] system, enabling the player to assign points earned through gameplay to improve Arno's skills in stealth, melee, and ranged combat, as well as his health.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hawkins |first1=Josh |date=November 17, 2014 |title=Assassin's Creed Unity Character Customization – Outfits, Boosts and Equipment |url=http://www.primagames.com/games/assassins-creed-unity/tips/assassins-creed-unity-character-customization-outfits-boosts-and-equipment |access-date=November 30, 2014 |website=[[Prima Games]] |archive-date=December 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204015943/http://www.primagames.com/games/assassins-creed-unity/tips/assassins-creed-unity-character-customization-outfits-boosts-and-equipment |url-status=live }}</ref> Players are also able to customise Arno's weapons, armor and equipment to further complement their individual style of play.<ref>{{cite web |title=Assassin's Creed Unity: Customize Arno's Skills & Gear |url=http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-us/games/assassins-creed-unity/customize-arno/index.aspx |access-date=December 1, 2014 |website=assassinscreed.ubi.com |publisher=Ubisoft |archive-date=December 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212230050/http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-US/games/assassins-creed-unity/customize-arno/index.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> The quality of these items is indicated by their level, which can be a maximum of 5 (in the case of legendary gear). Players also have a wider selection of weapons available, including swords, axes, spears, rifles, pistols and throwable items, such as smoke bombs.<ref>[http://m.au.ign.com/wikis/assassins-creed-5-unity/Weapons "Weapons"]. ''[[IGN]]''. Retrieved July 3, 2015.</ref> The ''Dead Kings'' expansion introduces an additional weapon: the Guillotine Gun - a [[grenade launcher]] with an axe head mounted under the barrel.
Like most previous ''Assassin's Creed'' titles, the game features an in-game economy system, which primarily revolves around the Café Théâtre, a former intelligence gathering front for the Assassins which has fallen into ruin and serves as Arno's main headquarters during the story. The player can renovate the Café by investing in upgrades, which change the building's interior and unlock new rooms, including a secret passage to the Assassins' underground hideout. The Café also functions as a passive business, producing revenue in the background which is deposited in a chest for Arno to collect; the more renovated the Café is, the more money it earns. Players can further increase their income by completing Café-related missions and purchasing additional taverns around Paris.
''Unity'' also introduces [[Cooperative video game|cooperative multiplayer]] to the series. Players can enter taverns, which act as social hubs in the game, where they can see if any of their online friends are playing the game at the current time. If they are currently in a mission, they will appear as a "ghost" version of their character, allowing the player to approach them to request to join their mission. If their request is accepted, both players enter the same game session, where they can continue the mission from the last checkpoint. Up to four players can play together at the same time. Each player takes on the role of Arno, customized within their own game, with other players appearing as their own customized version of Arno and retaining their gear. Many missions and activities are available for cooperative play (all of which can also be attempted solo), but all of the main story missions are single-player only.<ref name="GITenThings" />
There are significant tie-ins with the game's Companion App, a "freemium" click app with limited "direct ties to the overall story of ''Unity''". There are a significant number of treasure chests, assassination targets, and other collectibles that are visible to all players but only accessible to those who have completed certain goals within the app. Following an update in February 2015, this requirement is no longer necessary, meaning players who have downloaded the update, can now collect all the chests in the game without having to play the companion app.<ref>Nunneley, Stephany. (February 18, 2015). [http://www.vg247.com/2015/02/18/assassins-creed-unity-patch-companion-app/ "Assassin’s Creed Unity patch drops Companion App requirement"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703211528/http://www.vg247.com/2015/02/18/assassins-creed-unity-patch-companion-app/ |date=July 3, 2015 }}. ''[[VG247]]''. Retrieved July 3, 2015.</ref><ref>Mailberg, Emanuel. (February 18, 2015). [http://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassin-s-creed-unity-patch-removes-companion-app/1100-6425380/ "Assassin's Creed Unity Patch Removes Companion App Requirements to Gear"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624055354/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassin-s-creed-unity-patch-removes-companion-app/1100-6425380/ |date=June 24, 2015 }}. ''[[GameSpot]]''. Retrieved July 3, 2015.</ref><ref>Phillips, Tom. (February 19, 2015). [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-02-19-assassins-creed-unity-patch-removes-need-to-play-companion-app "Assassin's Creed Unity patch removes need to play companion app"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703105651/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-02-19-assassins-creed-unity-patch-removes-need-to-play-companion-app |date=July 3, 2015 }}. ''Eurogamer''. Retrieved July 3, 2015.</ref>
==Synopsis==
===Characters===
{{See also|List of Assassin's Creed characters}}
The main character of the game is [[Arno Dorian]] ([[Dan Jeannotte]]),<ref name="PolygonJune2014">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/9/5793796/assassins-creed-unity-french-revolution |title=Assassin's Creed Unity hits Oct. 28, pre-orders live |last=Lien |first=Tracey |publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=June 9, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2014 |archive-date=June 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613110622/http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/9/5793796/assassins-creed-unity-french-revolution |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/08/13/the-man-behind-assassins-creed-unitys-arno-dorian-on-comedy-and-motion-capture-make-outs.aspx|title=The Man Behind Assassin's Creed Unity's Arno Dorian On Comedy And Motion-Capture Make-Outs|last=Hilliard|first=Kyle|publisher=GameStop|magazine=Game Informer|date=August 13, 2014|access-date=August 15, 2014|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016214446/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/08/13/the-man-behind-assassins-creed-unitys-arno-dorian-on-comedy-and-motion-capture-make-outs.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> a native Frenchman who was born in [[Versailles, Yvelines|Versailles]] to an Assassin father. After his father is killed by [[Shay Patrick Cormac]] at the end of ''[[Assassin's Creed Rogue]]'', Arno is adopted, unaware that his new family holds a senior position within the Templar Order, with his new father figure being the Templar Grandmaster.<ref name="GITenThings" /><ref name="GICoverStory">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/08/05/september-cover-reveal-assassins-creed-rogue-unity.aspx|title=September Cover Revealed – Assassin's Creed Rogue And Unity|last=Wallace|first=Kimberly|publisher=GameStop|magazine=Game Informer|date=August 5, 2014|access-date=August 5, 2014|archive-date=August 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805190710/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/08/05/september-cover-reveal-assassins-creed-rogue-unity.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GIArno">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/08/13/get-to-know-arno-from-assassins-creed-unity.aspx|title=Get To Know Arno From Assassin's Creed Unity|last=Wallace|first=Kimberly|publisher=GameStop|magazine=Game Informer|date=August 13, 2014|access-date=August 15, 2014|archive-date=August 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815002858/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/08/13/get-to-know-arno-from-assassins-creed-unity.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Arno blames himself when his adoptive father is murdered, and so sets out on a quest of redemption that brings him into the Brotherhood of Assassins, where he slowly rises through the ranks, much like [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] and [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] as seen in previous games.<ref name="GITenThings" /><ref name="GIArno" /> Arno's love interest is [[Élise de la Serre]] (Catherine Bérubé),<ref name="GIActors" /> the daughter of the Templar Grandmaster who adopted Arno, who also sets out to investigate more about her father's death and its role in a growing ideological change within the Templar Order that threatens its core values.<ref name="GICoverStory" /><ref name="GIArno" /><ref name="GIElise">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/08/15/get-to-know-elise-from-assassins-creed-unity.aspx|title=Get To Know Elise From Assassin's Creed Unity|last=Wallace|first=Kimberly|publisher=GameStop|magazine=Game Informer|date=August 15, 2014|access-date=August 16, 2014|archive-date=August 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817204420/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/08/15/get-to-know-elise-from-assassins-creed-unity.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The era also features appearances from several historical figures, such as the [[Marquis de Sade]] ([[Alex Ivanovici]]), [[Maximilien Robespierre]] ([[Bruce Dinsmore]]), and a young [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] (Brent Skagford).<ref name="GIActors">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/assassins_creed_unity/b/playstation4/archive/2014/10/16/meet-the-actors-behind-assassin-s-creed-unity-s-cast.aspx|title=Meet The Actors Behind Assassin's Creed Unity's Cast|last=Futter|first=Mike|publisher=GameStop|magazine=Game Informer|date=October 16, 2014|access-date=October 19, 2014|archive-date=October 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018171127/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/assassins_creed_unity/b/playstation4/archive/2014/10/16/meet-the-actors-behind-assassin-s-creed-unity-s-cast.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Setting===
Arno's story
===Plot===
In 2014, Abstergo releases their Helix software, which allows access to [[Genetic memory (psychology)|genetic memories]], to the general public as a gaming device. While [[Story within a story|playing through a memory]] of [[Jacques de Molay]] (Mario Desmarais), in which he orders a fellow Templar to hide his codex and sword during the sacking of the Paris [[Temple (Paris)|Temple]] in 1307, the player is contacted by the Assassin Brotherhood through their agent, codenamed "Bishop" ([[Kate Todd]]). Bishop invites the player to join the Assassins as an initiate, and presents an Abstergo video memo describing [[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag|the capture of a Sage]] who contains precursor DNA. Abstergo hopes to use the Sage to compile a precursor genome. Bishop directs the Initiate to locate another Sage, whose corpse they hope to recover.
The Initiate relives the memories of [[Arno Dorian]], a French-Austrian nobleman. Orphaned in 1776 after [[Assassin's Creed Rogue|his father Charles was assassinated]], Arno was taken in by François de la Serre, Grand Master of the French Templars. In 1789, Arno is given a message to deliver to de la Serre, but leaves it in his office and goes to meet with his childhood friend Élise, de la Serre's daughter, following her initiation into the Templar Order. Arno later finds de la Serre murdered, and is framed as the killer. He is imprisoned in the [[Bastille]], where he befriends a fellow prisoner, Pierre Bellec ([[Anthony Lemke]]), who knew his father. Bellec invites Arno into the Brotherhood after they escape during the [[Storming of the Bastille]].
Returning home, Arno is turned away by Élise, who reveals that the message he failed to deliver was a warning of her father's impending murder. Arno joins the Brotherhood to eliminate the Templars behind de la Serre's death. During his investigation, Arno rescues [[François-Thomas Germain]] (Julian Casey), a silversmith held hostage by the acting-Templar Grand Master Lafreniere (Noel Burton). Arno assassinates Lafreniere, only to discover that he was the one trying to warn de la Serre and that Germain is actually a Templar extremist who staged a [[Coup d'état|coup]] after being banished from the Order by de la Serre. When Germain begins murdering Élise's faction of Templars, Arno persuades her to parley with the Brotherhood. The Assassin Mentor [[Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau|Mirabeau]] ([[Harry Standjofski]]) agrees to help, hoping to broker peace between the Orders, but is later murdered by Bellec, who sought to prevent the alliance and purge the Assassin leadership he saw as weak to allow the Brotherhood to be reborn. Arno is forced to kill Bellec when he tries to defend his actions as a necessary evil and convince Arno to join him.
While searching the [[Tuileries Palace]] for potentially damning letters from Mirabeau to [[Louis XVI|King Louis]], Arno encounters [[Napoleon|Napoleon Bonaparte]], who helps him escape. Arno realizes that Germain plots to spark a mass revolt against the King, and assassinates the Templars aiding him with Napoleon and Élise's help, rekindling his relationship with the latter in the process. With the [[French Revolution|Revolution]] in full swing, Arno tracks Germain to [[execution of Louis XVI|Louis' execution]], but chooses to protect Élise rather than pursue him. Élise rejects him for this, and Arno is exiled from the Brotherhood for his rash actions. Falling into a drunken depression, Arno languishes for months before he is found in Versailles by Élise, who convinces him to return as Paris is tearing itself apart during the [[Reign of Terror]]. With Élise's help, Arno discredits [[Maximilien Robespierre]], whom Germain had placed in charge of maintaining chaos. After Arno and Élise find Robespierre, Élise shoots him in the jaw and makes him write down Germain's ___location.
Arno confronts Germain, who is empowered by de Molay's sword—a Sword of Eden—and pursues him to the Templar crypt underneath the Paris Temple, where Élise soon arrives to help. After Arno is temporarily incapacitated, Élise tries to take on Germain by herself, but the Sword explodes, killing Élise and mortally wounding Germain. Arno kills Germain, who confirms he is the Sage and that he wanted to purge the Templars who had forgotten de Molay's teachings. The game ends with Arno explaining how his understanding of the Creed has changed, and promising to watch over Paris and keep Élise's memory alive. Years later, Arno recovers Germain's skeleton and places it in the [[Catacombs of Paris]]. Bishop is relieved, confident that Abstergo will not be able to find it.
===''Dead Kings''===
One month after Élise's death, a devastated Arno finds refuge in [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Franciade]]. He is contacted by the [[Marquis de Sade]], who requests his help in finding the manuscript of [[Nicolas de Condorcet]], hidden in the tomb beneath the city, in exchange for a ship to take Arno to [[Egypt Eyalet|Egypt]]. During his search, Arno encounters tomb raiders led by Captain Philippe Rose (Taylor Price), a subordinate of Napoleon, who wishes to retrieve an artifact—an Apple of Eden—from a Precursor temple under the city's church. Arno finds that the manuscript has been stolen by a child thief, Léon (Eamon Stocks), who was captured by the raiders. Arno rescues Léon and retrieves the manuscript, but declines to help him stop the raiders. After a vision of Élise and hearing Léon's pleas, however, he changes his mind.
After discovering the temple's ___location and retrieving the key from one of Napoleon's officers, Arno opens the door to the temple, but is ambushed by Rose, who has betrayed Napoleon and wishes to take the Apple for himself. Arno survives the ambush, kills Rose, and retrieves the Apple, using it to repel the remaining raiders and escape. He later meets de Sade and gives him the manuscript. Arno decides to stay in France, and contacts the Brotherhood to deliver the Apple to Egypt, far from the reach of Napoleon, who is arrested for desertion and treason.{{efn|Within series lore, Napoleon's later [[French campaign in Egypt and Syria|campaign in Egypt]] had the goal of retrieving the Apple of Eden, which allowed him to rise to power as First Consul and eventually [[Emperor of the French]].}}
==Development==
Development for the game began shortly after the completion of 2010's ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'',<ref name="GITenThings">{{cite
At [[E3 2014]], trailers were released for the game, demonstrating the game's [[Cooperative
Lead game designer Benjamin Plich has said this game will be more difficult than previous entries thanks to the removal of the counter button and more aggressive guards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geekparty.com/assassins-creed-unity-will-be-more-challenging-than-previous-games|title=
In August 2014, ''[[Assassin's Creed Rogue]]'' was announced for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]] and was revealed to have ties to the story in ''Unity''.<ref name="GICoverStory" />
The game is written in a combination of [[C++]] and [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], totaling an estimated 15.5 million [[lines of code]] of the former, and five million of the latter.<ref>{{Cite conference |first=Nicolas |last=Fleury |title=C++ in Huge AAA Games |conference=[[CppCon]] |year=2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYN6eduU06s |access-date=May 24, 2015 |archive-date=April 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427234156/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYN6eduU06s |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Historical representation===
[[File:Notre-Dame de Paris 2013-07-24.jpg|thumb|180px|right|Among the many landmarks featured in ''Unity'' is the Notre-Dame de Paris, whose in-game model took well over a year to recreate.<ref name="fire">{{Cite news |date=2019-04-17 |title=Notre-Dame fire: Assassin's Creed's maker pledges aid |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47963835 |access-date=2025-03-03 |work=[[BBC]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>]]
On October 6, 2014, Ubisoft announced that they had enlisted the help of academic historians such as Laurent Turcot, professor at [[Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières]] for daily life of 18th-century Paris, and Jean Clement Martin, a professor at the [[University of Paris (post-1970)|Sorbonne]], to revise the script.<ref>{{cite web | author=Beer, Jeff | title=The (fun, violent) History lesson inside "Assassin's Creed Unity" | date=October 22, 2014 | url=http://www.fastcocreate.com/3037212/the-fun-violent-history-lesson-inside-assassins-creed-unity | access-date=October 27, 2014 | archive-date=August 1, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801162317/http://www.fastcocreate.com/3037212/the-fun-violent-history-lesson-inside-assassins-creed-unity | url-status=live }}</ref>
Like other games in the series, ''Unity'' portrays a large number of real world Parisian landmarks, including the [[Tuileries Palace]] and [[Notre-Dame de Paris|Notre-Dame Cathedral]] and, through the time anomalies feature, it also includes the [[Eiffel Tower]] and the [[Statue of Liberty]], neither of which existed at the time of the French Revolution.<ref>http://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/2014/00075547-la-faille-temporelle-d-assassin-s-creed-unity.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031212304/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/2014/00075547-la-faille-temporelle-d-assassin-s-creed-unity.htm |date=October 31, 2014 }} La faille temporelle d'Assassin's Creed Unity, [[Jeuxvideo.com]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Tassi|first1=Paul|title='Assassin's Creed' Needs To Slow Down And Refocus, Or Risk Total Derailment|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2014/11/11/assassins-creed-needs-to-slow-down-and-refocus-or-risk-total-derailment/|website=[[Forbes]]|access-date=November 11, 2014|archive-date=May 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529205644/https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2014/11/11/assassins-creed-needs-to-slow-down-and-refocus-or-risk-total-derailment/|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the [[Notre-Dame de Paris fire|April 2019 fire]], there have been persistent, unsubstantiated rumours that Ubisoft had sufficiently accurate scans of Notre-Dame that may help in the reconstruction of the Cathedral, despite people involved in ''Assassin's Creed Unity'' having acknowledged their own reproduction of the building isn't historically accurate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rochefort |first=Simone de |date=2024-08-23 |title=Stop being wrong about Assassin's Creed Unity |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/443162/assassins-creed-unity-notre-dame-cathedral-models-debunked |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> Ubisoft donated €500,000 to the reconstruction of the cathedral and also provided ''Unity'' as a free download for the week following the event so as to give everyone a chance to explore the cathedral as they had modeled it in game.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesn.com/assassins-creed-unity/notre-dame | title = Ubisoft's giving Assassin's Creed Unity away free and donating €500,000 to Notre-Dame | first = Ali | last = Jones | date = April 17, 2019 | access-date = April 17, 2019 | work = [[PCGamesN]] | archive-date = April 16, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190416210507/https://www.pcgamesn.com/assassins-creed-unity/notre-dame | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="NotreDameAid">{{cite web |last1=Domanski |first1=Harry |title=Ubisoft offers Assassin's Creed Unity for free so you can see Notre-Dame Cathedral |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/ubisoft-gives-away-assassins-creed-unity-for-free-so-you-can-see-the-notre-dame |website=TechRadar |date=April 18, 2019 |access-date=April 18, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=April 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418023141/https://www.techradar.com/news/ubisoft-gives-away-assassins-creed-unity-for-free-so-you-can-see-the-notre-dame |url-status=live }}</ref> Ubisoft reused the Notre Dame model for a [[virtual reality]] interactive tour entitled ''Notre-Dame de Paris: Journey Back in Time'', a subset of the original game's setting which allows users with a compatible virtual reality headset to explore the cathedral's interior and exterior.<ref name="notredamevr">{{Cite web |title=Assassin's Creed Unity Bends History As Ubisoft Celebrates Notre Dame's Reopening |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-unity-bends-history-as-ubisoft-celebrates-notre-dames-reopening/1100-6528351/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Release==
The game was originally intended to be released worldwide on October 28, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=June 9, 2014 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-06-09-assassins-creed-unity-release-date-set-for-october |title=Assassin's Creed: Unity release date set for October |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |
== Reception ==
=== Critical reception ===
{{Video game reviews
| MC = (XONE) 72/100<ref name="MCXONE">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/assassins-creed-unity/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Assassin's Creed Unity for Xbox One Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=November 12, 2014 |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114110628/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/assassins-creed-unity |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(PC) 70/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/assassins-creed-unity/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Assassin's Creed Unity for PC Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=November 12, 2014 |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115222220/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/assassins-creed-unity |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(PS4) 70/100<ref name="MCPS4">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/assassins-creed-unity/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Assassin's Creed Unity for PlayStation 4 Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=November 12, 2014 |archive-date=November 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112063629/http://www.metacritic.com/game//playstation-4/assassins-creed-unity |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Destruct = 7/10<ref name="Destruct">{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=November 11, 2014 |url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-assassin-s-creed-unity-283448.phtml |title=Review: Assassin's Creed Unity |publisher=[[Destructoid]] |access-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811190533/https://www.destructoid.com/review-assassin-s-creed-unity-283448.phtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
| EuroG = 7/10<ref name="EuroG">{{cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=November 11, 2014 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-11-assassins-creed-unity-review |title=Assassin's Creed Unity review |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113142309/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-11-assassins-creed-unity-review |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GI = 8/10<ref name="GI">{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Matt |date=November 11, 2014 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/assassins_creed_unity/b/xboxone/archive/2014/11/11/game-informer-review-assassins-creed-unity.aspx |title=Starting From Scratch - Assassin's Creed Unity - Xbox One |publisher=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020618/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/assassins_creed_unity/b/xboxone/archive/2014/11/11/game-informer-review-assassins-creed-unity.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpot = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Walton |first=Mark |date=November 11, 2014 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/assassin-s-creed-unity-review/1900-6415948/ |title=Assassin's Creed Unity Review |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111170931/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/assassin-s-creed-unity-review/1900-6415948/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GRadar = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="GRadar">{{cite web |last=Blain |first=Lousie |date=November 11, 2014 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/assassins-creed-unity-review/ |title=Assassin's Creed Unity review |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |access-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-date=February 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210001719/http://www.totalxbox.com/82438/reviews/assassins-creed-unity-xbox-one-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GT = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Brandon |date=November 11, 2014 |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/zim345/assassin-s-creed-unity-review |title=Assassin's Creed Unity - Review |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |access-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924053328/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/zim345/assassin-s-creed-unity-review |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GB = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Navarro |first=Alex |date=November 11, 2014 |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/assassins-creed-unity-review/1900-686/ |title=Assassin's Creed: Unity Review |publisher=[[Giant Bomb]] |access-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111212344/https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/assassins-creed-unity-review/1900-686/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN = 7.8/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |last=Sliva |first=Marty |date=November 11, 2014 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/11/assassins-creed-unity-review |title=Assassin's Creed Unity Review |work=[[IGN]] |access-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-date=April 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418084121/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/11/assassins-creed-unity-review |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Joystiq = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="Joystiq">{{cite web |last=Prell |first=S. |date=November 11, 2014 |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/11/assassins-creed-unity-review-a-tale-of-two-games/ |title=Assassin's Creed Unity review: A tale of two games |publisher=[[Joystiq]] |access-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317062746/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/11/assassins-creed-unity-review-a-tale-of-two-games |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| OXMUK = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Kate |date=November 11, 2014 |url=http://www.totalxbox.com/82438/reviews/assassins-creed-unity-xbox-one-review/ |title=Review: Assassin's Creed Unity Xbox One |publisher=[[Official Xbox Magazine UK]] |access-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-date=February 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210001719/http://www.totalxbox.com/82438/reviews/assassins-creed-unity-xbox-one-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| PCGUS = 65/100<ref name="PCGUS">{{cite web |last=Senior |first=Tom |date=November 14, 2014 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/assassins-creed-unity-review/ |title=Assassin's Creed Unity review |publisher=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=November 14, 2014 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124011531/https://www.pcgamer.com/assassins-creed-unity-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Poly = 6.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Gies |first=Arthur |date=November 11, 2014 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/11/7192467/assassins-creed-unity-review-xbox-one-PS4-PC |title=Assassin's Creed Unity review: Paris burning |publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120201510/https://www.polygon.com/2014/11/11/7192467/assassins-creed-unity-review-xbox-one-PS4-PC |url-status=live }}</ref>
| VG = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Trinca |first=Jamie |date=November 11, 2014 |url=http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/assassins_creed_unity_review.html |title=Assassin's Creed Unity Review |work=VideoGamer.com |access-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024947/http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/assassins_creed_unity_review.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
''Assassin's Creed Unity'' received "mixed or average" reviews from critics upon release, according to [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCPS4"/><ref name="MCXONE"/>
Matt Miller from [[Game Informer]] gave the game 8/10, praising the detailed environment and architecture, decent voice acting, strategy-required missions, challenging gameplay and well-paced story missions, but criticizing the controls and balance, as well as game-breaking technical issues. He also stated that both the navigation system and the combat system still needed to be improved.<ref name="GI"/> Louise Blain from [[GamesRadar]] gave the game 4/5, praising the dense and atmospheric game world, character-focused mission design, overhauled free-running mechanics, in-depth character customization and satisfying combat. However, she criticized the game's framerate and poor enemy [[Artificial intelligence (video games)|AI design]].<ref name="GRadar"/>
Chris Carter from [[Destructoid]] gave the game 7/10, praising the new movement system, likable lead characters, iconic setting, smooth animation and improved draw distance. New additions such as character customization and huge crowds were also praised. However, he criticized the predictable story, technical issues, and the mission design of co-op multiplayer, as it is impossible to play some missions solo. He stated that "''Unity'' feels like a step back. ... It lacks that grand sense of roaming the uncharted seas in ''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'', or even the open-ended feel of the wilderness in ''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'', but it's a journey worth taking if you're already into the series."<ref name="Destruct"/> Tom Bramwell from [[Eurogamer]] gave the game 7/10, praised the setting, rich content, inspiring story and interesting side-missions. However, he criticized the over-familiar and unimaginative mission-design, overzealous auto-correct system in the free-running mechanics and the lack of weapon customization. He described the game as a "missed opportunity".<ref name="EuroG"/>
Marty Sliva from [[IGN]] gave the game 7.8/10, praising the recreation of Paris and ambitious ideas presented in the multiplayer, but criticizing the unrefined stealth, weak story and lack of a strong lead character. He stated that "the true new-gen ''Assassin's Creed'' game is a gorgeous, entertaining, and successful proof of concept for what lies ahead for the series, though it isn't what I'd call revolutionary."<ref name="IGN"/>
Tom Senior from [[PC Gamer]] gave the game 65/100, saying that "''Unity'' could become a perfectly enjoyable part of the ''Assassin's Creed'' canon. It's a solid campaign elevated by quality assassination missions and an extraordinary setting that might just push the big number at the bottom of this review into the 80s, but with a big selling point out of operation, a raft of technical issues, performance problems, microtransactions and stilted combat and free-running systems, ''Unity''—in its current state—can only be considered a failed revolution."<ref name="PCGUS"/> Sam Prell from [[Joystiq]] gave the game 2.5/5, saying that "It's hard not to appreciate everything that it [Unity] gets right, and you'll have a good time if you can wrangle some friends for co-op, but it's impossible to ignore where ''Unity'' falls tragically short."<ref name="Joystiq"/> PC World stated that the game "is a new low for the ''Assassin's Creed'' series." The review also criticized ''Assassin's Creed Unity'' for its small scale, poor gameplay, and high minimum system requirements.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dingman |first=Hayden |date=November 15, 2014 |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2847262/assassins-creed-unity-review-let-them-eat-cake.html |title=Assassin's Creed: Unity review: Let them eat cake |publisher=PCWorld |access-date=November 17, 2014 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027122809/https://www.pcworld.com/article/2847262/assassins-creed-unity-review-let-them-eat-cake.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Similarly, CNET stated that "[w]hile it will likely suffice for ''Assassin's Creed'' core fans, ''Unity'' stumbles throughout and never really finds its footing."<ref>{{cite web |date=November 11, 2014 |url=https://www.cnet.com/products/assassin-s-creed-unity/ |title=Two steps back |work=CNET |access-date=November 17, 2014 |archive-date=November 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119010758/http://www.cnet.com/products/assassin-s-creed-unity/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
During the [[18th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''Assassin's Creed Unity'' for outstanding achievement in "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Animation|Animation]]", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction|Art Direction]]", and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design|Sound Design]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2015&idGame=1368 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Assassin's Creed Unity |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=28 November 2023}}</ref>
=== Technical issues and developer response ===
Upon release, ''Assassin's Creed Unity'' was subject to widespread [[Software bug|bugs]] and glitches, as well as performance and online connectivity issues.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hamilton |first1=Kirk |title=Assassin's Creed Unity Just Doesn't Run Very Well On PS4 Or Xbox One |url=https://kotaku.com/assassins-creed-unity-just-doesnt-run-very-well-on-ps-1657617530 |website=Kotaku |date=November 14, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2021 |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226061457/https://kotaku.com/assassins-creed-unity-just-doesnt-run-very-well-on-ps-1657617530 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sheridan |first1=Connor |title=Assassin's Creed Unity's glitches are awful, but also kind of amazing |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/assassins-creed-unitys-glitches-are-awful-also-kind-amazing/ |website=GamesRadar+ |date=November 19, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2021 |archive-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305170458/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/assassins-creed-unitys-glitches-are-awful-also-kind-amazing/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Crecente |first1=Brian |title=Ubisoft's guide to everything wrong with Assassin's Creed Unity |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/11/14/7222679/ubisofts-guide-to-everything-wrong-with-assassins-creed-unity |website=Polygon |date=November 14, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2021 |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830215322/https://www.polygon.com/2014/11/14/7222679/ubisofts-guide-to-everything-wrong-with-assassins-creed-unity |url-status=live }}</ref> Ubisoft Montreal CEO Yannis Mallat apologized on behalf of the studio with regard to the poor launch of ''Unity'', stating that the "overall quality of the game was diminished by bugs and unexpected technical issues", and prevented users from "experiencing the game at its fullest potential".<ref>{{cite news |title=Ubisoft Apologizes for Assassin's Creed Unity With Free DLC |url=https://kotaku.com/ubisoft-apologizes-for-assassins-creed-unity-with-free-1663768202 |access-date=January 28, 2018 |work=[[Kotaku]] |first=Jason |last=Schreier |author-link=Jason Schreier |date=November 26, 2014 |publisher=[[Gizmodo Media Group]] |archive-date=January 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124204746/https://kotaku.com/ubisoft-apologizes-for-assassins-creed-unity-with-free-1663768202 |url-status=live }}</ref> In response to the issues, Ubisoft announced that it would halt sales of the game's season pass and Gold Edition, and offer the first [[downloadable content]] (DLC) pack, ''Dead Kings'', for free. As compensation, those who bought the season pass received a free digital download of one of six Ubisoft games (''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'', ''[[The Crew (video game)|The Crew]]'', ''[[Far Cry 4]]'', ''[[Just Dance 2015]]'', ''[[Rayman Legends]]'', or ''[[Watch Dogs (video game)|Watch Dogs]]''), and would also "continue to have access to a variety of additional content [for ''Unity''], including ''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]''".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/481815/assassins-creed-unity-season-pass-discontinued-free-game-offered/|title=Assassin's Creed Unity Season Pass 'discontinued', free game offered|author=Mike Jackson|work=[[Computer and Video Games]]|date=November 27, 2014|access-date=November 27, 2014|archive-date=February 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216042844/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/481815/assassins-creed-unity-season-pass-discontinued-free-game-offered/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/assassins-creed-unity-season-pass-canceled-free-game-offered-instead/|title=Assassin's Creed Unity season pass sales halted, free game offered to owners|author=Andy Chalk|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=November 27, 2014|access-date=November 27, 2014|archive-date=December 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218051740/https://www.pcgamer.com/assassins-creed-unity-season-pass-canceled-free-game-offered-instead/|url-status=live}}</ref> To claim the game, however, users had to forfeit their right to sue Ubisoft with regard to the game and the devaluation of the season pass.<ref name=gameinformer-unitycatch>{{cite magazine|title=Your Assassin's Creed Unity Season Pass Free Game Comes With A Legal Catch|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/12/18/your-assassin-s-creed-unity-season-pass-free-game-comes-with-a-legal-catch.aspx|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=December 20, 2014|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023017/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/12/18/your-assassin-s-creed-unity-season-pass-free-game-comes-with-a-legal-catch.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
In February 2016, Ubisoft announced that it would not be announcing any additional ''Assassin's Creed'' games for the rest of the year, citing the many issues of ''Unity'' and stating that, "we've learned a lot based on your feedback." In this statement, Ubisoft pledged its commitment to evolve the game's mechanics in order to create "more enjoyable games".<ref>{{Cite web|title = A Message from the Assassin's Creed Team - UbiBlog - Ubisoft®|url = http://blog.ubi.com/a-message-from-the-assassins-creed-team/|website = UbiBlog - Ubisoft®|access-date = February 23, 2016|language = en-US|archive-date = August 28, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170828211851/http://blog.ubi.com/a-message-from-the-assassins-creed-team/|url-status = live}}</ref> This news has possible connections to Ubisoft's third quarter financial report, which was released on the same day, and states that ''Assassin's Creed Syndicate'' had a "slower launch than expected."<ref>{{Cite web|title = No new Assassin's Creed game this year, Ubisoft confirms (update)|url = http://www.polygon.com/2016/2/11/10966664/assassins-creed-no-new-game-2016|website = Polygon|date = February 11, 2016|access-date = February 23, 2016|language = en-US|first = Allegra|last = Frank|archive-date = February 26, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160226170636/http://www.polygon.com/2016/2/11/10966664/assassins-creed-no-new-game-2016|url-status = live}}</ref>
=== Criticism by French Left Party ===
The French [[Parti de Gauche|Left Party]] and its frontman [[Jean-Luc Mélenchon]] criticized the historical interpretation the game was conveying about the [[French Revolution]], depicting [[Maximilian de Robespierre|Robespierre]] as "a blood-thirsty monster" and [[Marie Antoinette]] as "a poor little girl".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/breve/2014/11/14/jean-luc-melenchon-s-emporte-contre-assassin-s-creed-unity_4523542_4408996.html|title=Jean-Luc Mélenchon s'emporte contre " Assassin's Creed Unity "|website=[[Le Monde]]|access-date=November 14, 2014|archive-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424195752/http://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/breve/2014/11/14/jean-luc-melenchon-s-emporte-contre-assassin-s-creed-unity_4523542_4408996.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He has described Ubisoft's version of the historical period as "propaganda" that builds upon the growing sense of self-hatred spreading throughout France. Mélenchon has expressed his criticisms in multiple media appearances, telling the ''New York Times'' that, "Smearing the great revolution is dirty work that aims to instill the French with even more self-loathing and talk of decline. If we continue like this, no common identity will remain possible for the French besides religion and skin color."<ref>{{Cite news|title = Video Game Meets History, and France Rebels Again|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/world/europe/assassins-creed-unity-french-revolution-left.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = November 20, 2014|access-date = February 23, 2016|issn = 0362-4331|first = Dan|last = Bilefsky|archive-date = May 8, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150508134532/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/world/europe/assassins-creed-unity-french-revolution-left.html|url-status = live}}</ref>
[[Alexis Corbière]], national secretary of the Left Party, said that "the game was conveying all the [[counter-revolutionary]] clichés that have been forged for two centuries".<ref>« ... reprend à son compte tous les poncifs contre-révolutionnaires forgés depuis plus deux siècles » [http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/le-scan/citations/2014/11/13/25002-20141113ARTFIG00300-un-responsable-du-parti-de-gauche-denonce-la-propagande-d-assassin-s-creed-unity.php article on French newspaper] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012130/http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/le-scan/citations/2014/11/13/25002-20141113ARTFIG00300-un-responsable-du-parti-de-gauche-denonce-la-propagande-d-assassin-s-creed-unity.php |date=November 12, 2020 }} [[Le Figaro|lefigaro.fr]]</ref> He added "To everyone who's gonna buy ''Assassin's Creed Unity'', I wish you a nice time. But I also tell you that having fun doesn't prevent you from thinking. Just play it, but don't let yourself be manipulated by the propaganda."<ref>« À tous ceux qui vont acheter Assassin's Creed Unity, je leur souhaite un moment agréable, mais je leur dis aussi que le plaisir de jouer n'empêche pas de réfléchir. Jouer oui, mais ne vous laissez pas manipuler par ceux qui font de la propagande » [http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/le-scan/citations/2014/11/13/25002-20141113ARTFIG00300-un-responsable-du-parti-de-gauche-denonce-la-propagande-d-assassin-s-creed-unity.php article on French newspaper] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012130/http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/le-scan/citations/2014/11/13/25002-20141113ARTFIG00300-un-responsable-du-parti-de-gauche-denonce-la-propagande-d-assassin-s-creed-unity.php |date=November 12, 2020 }} [[Le Figaro|lefigaro.fr]]</ref>
Without mentioning the criticism specifically, in an interview published on October 6, 2014, by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', the game's creative director Alex Amancio said "What we actually try to do, and I think this is just a personal belief that we have, is to avoid reducing history... We try very hard to portray things as factually as possible."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3471390/assassins-creed-unity/|title=How Assassin's Creed Unity Navigates the French Revolution's Politics|author=Matt Peckham|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=October 6, 2014|access-date=December 13, 2014|archive-date=July 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701211129/https://time.com/3471390/assassins-creed-unity/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this, game producer Antoine Vimal du Monteil answered that, ultimately, "''Assassin's Creed Unity'' is a mainstream video game, not a history lesson."<ref>« Assassin's Creed Unity est un jeu vidéo grand public, pas une leçon d'histoire »[http://www.arretsurimages.net/breves/2014-11-13/Melenchon-s-emporte-un-peu-vite-contre-Assassin-s-Creed-Unity-id18201 Article on French news website Arrêt sur images.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901184936/http://www.arretsurimages.net/breves/2014-11-13/Melenchon-s-emporte-un-peu-vite-contre-Assassin-s-Creed-Unity-id18201 |date=September 1, 2017 }}</ref>
=== Sales ===
{{As of|2014|12|31|df=US}}, Ubisoft has shipped a combined 10 million units of ''Assassin's Creed Unity'' and ''Assassin's Creed Rogue''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ubisoft® reports third quarter 2014-15 sales|url=https://www.ubisoftgroup.com/comsite_common/en-US/images/pressrelease_downloadablemm_20150212_050959_ubisoftq3fy15englishfinaltcm99193930.pdf|publisher=[[Ubisoft]]|access-date=February 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213212843/https://www.ubisoftgroup.com/comsite_common/en-US/images/pressrelease_downloadablemm_20150212_050959_ubisoftq3fy15englishfinaltcm99193930.pdf|archive-date=February 13, 2015|date=February 13, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> From April 17 to 25, 2019, Ubisoft made the PC version available free of charge with a message encouraging donations to restore Notre Dame de Paris [[Notre-Dame de Paris fire|following the fire]] there on April 15, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/last-chance-to-get-assassins-creed-unity-for-free-/1100-6466327/ |title=Last Chance To Get Assassin's Creed Unity For Free On PC |first=Jenae |last=Sitzes |date=April 24, 2019 |access-date=April 29, 2019 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive Inc.]] |archive-date=April 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405210520/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/last-chance-to-get-assassins-creed-unity-for-free-/1100-6466327/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Thanks to this, Ubisoft donated €500,000 to help with the restoration and reconstruction of Paris' [[historic landmark]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-04-17-assassins-creed-unity-is-currently-available-to-download-for-free-on-pc |title=Assassin's Creed Unity is currently available to download for free on PC |first=Matt |last=Wales |date=April 17, 2019 |access-date=April 29, 2019 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207045451/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-04-17-assassins-creed-unity-is-currently-available-to-download-for-free-on-pc |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2020, Ubisoft revealed that ''Assassin's Creed Unity'' (and ten other games published by them in the [[Eighth generation of video game consoles|eighth console generation]]) had sold over ten million units by March 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Minotti |first1=Mike |title=Ubisoft says 11 games sold over 10 million copies each in PS4/Xbox One era |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/ubisoft-says-11-games-sold-over-10-million-copies-each-in-ps4-xbox-one-era/ |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=10 February 2024 |date=May 14, 2020}}</ref>
==Controversies==
===Gender options in cooperative mode===
{{See also|Ubisoft#2020_sexual_misconduct_accusations_and_dismissals|l1=2020 sexual misconduct accusations and dismissals at Ubisoft}}
{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote=We recognize the valid concern around diversity in video game narrative. ''Assassin's Creed'' is developed by a multicultural team of various faiths and beliefs and we hope this attention to diversity is reflected in the settings of our games and our characters. ''Assassin's Creed Unity'' is focused on the story of the lead character, Arno. Whether playing by yourself or with the co-op Shared Experiences, you the gamer will always be playing as Arno, complete with his broad range of gear and skill sets that will make you feel unique. With regard to diversity in our playable Assassins, we've featured Aveline, Connor, Adewale and Altaïr in ''Assassin's Creed'' games and we continue to look at showcasing diverse characters. We look forward to introducing you to some of the strong female characters in ''Assassin's Creed Unity''.|source= —Ubisoft's response to the all-male character models for the cooperative mode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2014/06/11/ubisoft-responds-assassins-creed-female-character-controversy|title=Ubisoft Responds to Assassin's Creed Female Character Controversy|last=Narcisse|first=Evan|publisher=Kotaku|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=June 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618160634/http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2014/06/11/ubisoft-responds-assassins-creed-female-character-controversy|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
After the cooperative multiplayer mode was revealed at E3 2014, additional information about the mode was revealed by creative director Alex Amancio and technical director James Therien. Amancio stated that the mode did not include the ability to play as a female avatar, due to "the reality of production". Amancio added by saying, "It's double the animations, it's double the voices, all that stuff and double the visual assets. Especially because we have customizable assassins. It was really a lot of extra production work," which was echoed by Therien. Level designer Bruno St-André expanded on this by stating that an estimated 8,000 additional animations would have had to be recreated for a female avatar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/e3-2014/2014/6/10/5798592/assassins-creed-unity-female-assassins|title=Ubisoft abandoned women assassins in co-op because of the additional work|last=Farokhmanesh|first=Megan|publisher=Polygon|date=June 10, 2014|access-date=June 16, 2014|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128161114/https://www.polygon.com/e3-2014/2014/6/10/5798592/assassins-creed-unity-female-assassins|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/pc/assassins_creed_unity/news/no_female_leads_in_assassins_creed_unity_unfortunate_but_a_reality_of_game_development_ubi.html|title=No female leads in Assassin's Creed Unity 'unfortunate but a reality of game development' - Ubi|last=Burns|first=Steve|publisher=Video Gamer|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=October 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002154532/http://www.videogamer.com/pc/assassins_creed_unity/news/no_female_leads_in_assassins_creed_unity_unfortunate_but_a_reality_of_game_development_ubi.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
This caused dissatisfaction in some video game community outlets. Brenna Hillier of [[VG247]] noted how there were nine development teams working on the game, and said "Ubisoft has here trotted out a tired, stupid, constantly refuted excuse for why it has perpetuated the cycle of sexism and under-representation in the games industry."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2014/06/11/ubisoft-attempts-to-explain-why-assassins-creed-unitys-co-op-has-no-playable-women/|title=Ubisoft attempts to explain why Assassin's Creed: Unity's co-op has no playable women|last=Hillier|first=Brenna|publisher=VG247|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111232859/https://www.vg247.com/2014/06/11/ubisoft-attempts-to-explain-why-assassins-creed-unitys-co-op-has-no-playable-women/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tim Clark of [[PC Gamer]] made note "that previous ''Assassin's Creed'' games have had playable women as part of the multiplayer component, and that ''Brotherhood'' had you supported by on-call assassins, many of whom were female, so it's hardly like it can't be done." Clark also looked to the way Amancio and Therien answered the question and felt how they referenced "how much the team wanted to include playable female characters suggests... that this is probably a decision which hasn't gone down well internally."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/06/11/ac-op-ed/|title=The lack of playable female characters in Assassin's Creed Unity is more than just "unfortunate"|last=Clark|first=Tim|publisher=PC Gamer|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=September 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930105032/http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/06/11/ac-op-ed/|url-status=live}}</ref> Former ''Assassin's Creed'' designer Jonathan Cooper responded by saying, "In my educated opinion, I would estimate this to be a day or two's work. Not a replacement of 8,000 animations." He also revealed that [[Aveline de Grandpré]], the female protagonist of ''[[Assassin's Creed III: Liberation]]'', "shares more of [[Connor Kenway]]'s animations than [[Edward Kenway]] does."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/11/5800466/assassins-creed-unity-women-animation/|title=Animating women should take 'days,' says Assassin's Creed 3 animation director|last=Farokhmanesh|first=Megan|publisher=Polygon|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121110958/https://www.polygon.com/2014/6/11/5800466/assassins-creed-unity-women-animation|url-status=live}}</ref> Fans also created petitions urging Ubisoft to change their stance.<ref name="EurogamerControversy" /> Additionally, former ''Assassin's Creed'' game designer [[Patrice Désilets]] commented that Amancio's reasoning was valid, but that Ubisoft should put in the effort to let players have gender options.<ref>{{cite web |title=Desilets: Assassin's Creed Unity with four women would have been awesome |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/13/5805510/assassins-creed-unity-patrice-desilets-ubisoft |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |publisher=Polygon |date=June 13, 2014 |access-date=June 17, 2014 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024836/http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/13/5805510/assassins-creed-unity-patrice-desilets-ubisoft |url-status=live }}</ref>
Amidst the community response, [[Insomniac Games]] published a video of their then-upcoming game ''[[Sunset Overdrive]]''. Taking a community question "Can you play as a female character?", the presenter answers positively while the player character is shown as a female dressed up to resemble [[Ezio Auditore]].<ref>{{cite web |title=You can be a female assassin in Sunset Overdrive |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/you-can-be-a-female-assassin-in-sunset-overdrive |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |publisher=Eurogamer |date=June 20, 2014 |access-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601201706/https://www.eurogamer.net/you-can-be-a-female-assassin-in-sunset-overdrive |url-status=live }}</ref>
Amancio attempted to clear up any confusion, by stating, "I understand the issue, I understand the cause, and it is a noble one, but I don't think it's relevant in the case of ''Unity''. In ''Unity'' you play this character called Arno, and when you're playing co-op you're also playing Arno – everybody is. It's like Aiden Pearce in ''[[Watch Dogs (video game)|Watch Dogs]]''... Arno has different skills - you select skill points in the game, there are gear elements that have an impact and all these weapons that make the character you make your own. But you're always playing Arno... The reason we're just changing the face and keeping the bodies is we want people to show off the gear that they pick up in the game through exploration. That's why we kept that."<ref name="EurogamerControversy">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-06-12-i-understand-the-issue-but-its-not-relevant-in-assassins-creed-unity|title=I understand the issue, but it's not relevant in Assassin's Creed Unity|last=Robinson|first=Martin|publisher=Eurogamer|date=June 12, 2014|access-date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022753/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-06-12-i-understand-the-issue-but-its-not-relevant-in-assassins-creed-unity|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Platform parity===
In October 2014, Ubisoft's senior producer Vincent Pontbriand made a statement that all console versions of the game would be locked at the same resolution of 900p. This was done "...{{nbsp}}to avoid all the debates and stuff."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-unity-runs-at-900p-30fps-on-xbox-o/1100-6422771/|title=Assassin's Creed Unity Runs at 900p/30fps on Xbox One and PS4 to "Avoid Debates" [Update]|first=Chris|last=Pereira|date=October 7, 2014|access-date=February 10, 2019|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402014831/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-unity-runs-at-900p-30fps-on-xbox-o/1100-6422771/|url-status=live}}</ref> Many readers took this in reference to how the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are constantly compared in the media for raw power, presuming that the PlayStation 4 version of the game's resolution was lowered to reach parity with the Xbox One's, but Ubisoft later denied that this was the reason.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ubisoft-denies-it-lowered-ps4-specs-on-assassins-c/1100-6422784/|title=Ubisoft Denies It Lowered PS4 Specs on Assassin's Creed Unity [Update]|first=Rob|last=Crossley|date=October 7, 2014|access-date=February 10, 2019|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402042744/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ubisoft-denies-it-lowered-ps4-specs-on-assassins-c/1100-6422784/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Instead, Pontbriand stated that the decision for parity came from the limitations of the consoles' CPUs. The number of NPCs and general amount of AI was paramount to keeping the game locked at 30 frames per second.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2014-assassins-creed-unity-performance-analysis|title=Performance Analysis: Assassin's Creed Unity|first=David|last=Bierton|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=November 14, 2014|access-date=February 10, 2019|archive-date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401215456/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2014-assassins-creed-unity-performance-analysis|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Assassin's Creed Tour|Assassin's Creed Unity}}
* {{official website|https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/assassins-creed-unity/}}
* {{IMDb title|3947868}}
* {{MobyGames|/game/assassins-creed-unity}}
{{Assassin's Creed}}
{{Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Video Game}}
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