Time For Change: Desmond’s Story “Needs To End”, Says Assassin’s Creed 3′s Lead

There’s a time for everything underneath the sun, a time to laugh and cry, and a time to change. AC III’s creative lead Alex Hutchinson believes it’s time to “end” Assassin’s Creed’s protagonist Desmond Miles’ story.

“It’s more like The Twilight Zone,” Hutchinson told Polygon.

“There’s always a guy introducing it and he’s there every episode, but each game completes its own story. Assassin’s Creed 1 was Altair’s story. Ezio has been and gone. You can engage with these historical stories individually without having to necessarily understand Desmond’s story. But yes, we eventually do have to wrap it up.”

Hutchinson believes Assassin’s Creed should adopt a Star Trek-like strategy, where different sub-series focus on different groups of characters.

“I think what you do is you finish it,” said Hutchinson, talking about Desmond’s story.

It’s not the only conceit you can use. There’s other ways you can frame the experience.

I always pitched it to the guys on this game to think of it almost like Star Trek. Each game is a season [...] each big number is a sub-title. We’re not changing the universe, but we’re being given the reins to the equivalent of [Star Trek:] The Next Generation. Yes, it’s the Star Trek universe, and that has certain immutable laws and there’s a base kind of tone to it, but within that you can do whatever you want.”

He continued: “I think Desmond needs to end. At some point. You know what I mean? Things that go on too long lack resonance. We’re asking people to remember seven years’ worth of story. Which is like saying you were in junior high and now you’re finishing college. And you need to remember what you were doing in junior high.”

Assassin’s Creed 3 sees a release this October on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation will be released on PS Vita.