Assassin’s Creed Origins Preload Dates, Launch Trailer Released

Assassin’s Creed Origins preloading begins over the next few hours across most platforms. This exciting news arrives alongside a launch trailer focusing on the main themes of the game’s narrative. Here’s a quick transcript of the dialogue found in the clip for those who don’t want to watch it:

Narrator: “Your legend, assassin, is spreading. The corners of this world speak of a man who fights without being seen, who goes where the Gods forbid, who kills the wicked and the corrupt. What you have started in Egypt will change the course of history.”

Bayek: "We must continue to fight and defend the free will of the people. And no matter how small, our brotherhood is the only hope.”

After that there are lots of rapid shots of glory kills, sliding down pyramids and taking down mounted enemies. In short, the trailer accomplishes its goal of setting the tone for Origins’ larger experience, without diving too deep into the mechanical nuances of what players will find inside. In some ways that’s a pity, considering how Ubisoft has changed the Assassin's Creed formula this time around, but it's only possible to reveal so much in 90 seconds.

Those eager jump into Origins’ fully realized view of ancient Egypt may be curious about preloading. According to a recent Ubisoft support post, here are the dates to look out for across all platforms:

• Xbox One: Oct. 12
• PS4: Oct. 25
• PC [Steam]: Oct. 24
• PC [Uplay]: Oct. 24

The unlock times aren’t listed in the article, but like most major triple-A releases, we’re guessing everything will be live at 12 a.m. EDT on Oct. 27, or 9 p.m. PDT Oct. 26. Once that hour strikes, all digital downloads will become playable and the game’s various online services will be available.

The team behind Assassin’s Creed Origins took a rare break from the series' annualized plan to develop this year’s title into something different. While the base concepts of Origins may look familiar, the game features a less cluttered world map, tiered difficulty settings and a host of RPG mechanics that offer deeper, more customizable player progression.

While exploring the open world, Bayek will gain XP, level up, gather loot and expand his skill tree. The button-mashing combat of the past gives way to a system that encourages tactical movement to assert dominance over opponents. Origins looks like old Assassin's Creed, but it plays like something far more modern.

Assassin’s Creed Origins comes to Xbox One, PS4 and PC Oct. 27.

What do you think of the launch trailer for Assassin’s Creed Origins? Has your preload already begun? Tell us in the comments section!