Assassin’s Creed Origins Director Reveals New Map Locales & Teases Animus Story

Assassin’s Creed Origins promises to be twice as big as 2013’s Black Flag , and game Director Ashraf Ismail recently spoke to AusGamers about what that means. In so doing, he touched on a few previously unknown locations and teased the title’s ties to the Animus.

Ismail specifically mentioned the map’s more desert-focused areas, including the the Great Sand Sea, the White Desert, the Black Desert and the Eastern Mountains. He described these sections as “more deserted mountains” that are “really integrated into the world.” One mechanic that furthers this sense of immersion is the exclusive Desert Overheat system signaled by a shimmering effect. While it’s been toned down in demos, Ismail described it as “fu---ing awesome” when in full swing.

Even though deserts are a major part of the Egypt experience, however, they’re only one facet of a much larger and diverse historical setting. To contrast with wilderness, Alexandria stands as an educated, fully developed city. Recreations of the Libyan Plateau and the Faiyum provide picturesque views, mixing bodies of water and lush landscapes.

With these varied concepts in mind, a brand-new part of the Origins formula is the chance to interact with the environment while underwater. However, it’s not just a matter of adding swimming animations. In addition to that basic action, Bayek can also use bodies of water to survive when pitted against human or wildlife AI. For example, it’s possible to crash into enemy ships while sending crew members into the aquatic depths below. Then there’s the matter of hippos to consider. Longer time spent in lakes means more chances to be confronted by an animal threat. Combo systems exist for defense while submerged but only to a basic degree.

Trappings such as these are a first for the franchise, but one major question that remains about Origins is how, or even if, the fresh-featured game will tie into the existing Animus lore. While cast changes suggest modern-day plots may be getting the boot, however, Ismail has since implied the opposite. “You've seen it in the demo that there is an Animus,” he said, “and the menu system is a representation of that.” In other words, that aesthetic isn’t a part of the game purely for continuity's sake. It will be further detailed at a later date.

From what we know about it, the story of Assassin’s Creed Origins largely intends to offer unique answers to some of the past’s most intriguing questions. For Egypt’s lore, that means explaining circumstances surrounding the true identities of masked pharaohs and hidden secrets beneath the Sphinx and pyramids. Without saying too much, it’s suggested the Animus will be Origins’ primary vehicle through which Ubisoft warps history to fit Bayek's narrative of self-discovery.

Assassin’s Creed Origins comes to Xbox One, PS4 and PC Oct. 27. Read our impressions of the game’s E3 demo right here.

Does the map of Assassin’s Creed Origins sound interesting to you? Are you interested in unraveling the mysteries of the Animus? Tell us in the comments section!