Ubisoft to revise history with Assassin’s Creed III downloadable content

At the end of the American Revolution, George Washington opted to usher in a democracy, but what if he had instead crowned himself? Video gamers will be able to explore that possibility with Assassin’s Creed III (Windows, PS3, Xbox 360), developed at Ubisoft Montreal.

In an interview, Ubisoft spokesperson Jaye Acevedo said that “The Tyranny of King Washington” will make up three of the five packs of downloadable content planned for the game after its release on October 30. Acevedo likened the DLC to a single-player expansion that gives players a chance to step into the “what if” scenario.

Acevedo spoke with the Straight at the annual PlayStation holiday preview event yesterday (October 3) and said the “Tyranny” DLC would be included in the Assassin’s Creed III Season’s Pass. Consumers get all five DLC packs for one price of $29.99. Purchasing the packs separately will cost more, according to Acevedo.

At the event, Ubisoft was giving media an opportunity to play a five-minute demo of the naval battles that are part of the Assassin’s Creed III gameplay. Not only did warfare at sea feature prominently during the American revolutionary war of the late 18th century, but Acevedo said that completing naval missions in the game open up trade routes that improve commerce.

As with previous games in the Assassin’s Creed series, players can upgrade their Homestead—in Assassin’s Creed II it was a villa—by undertaking missions to improve the land and infrastructure, thereby attracting a growing population, which leads to a better economy.

It’s one way, said Acevedo, that the Assassin’s Creed games provide a sense of the political and historical state of the setting, which adds to the authenticity of the franchise.