The Curious Production Quirks Behind Assassin’s Creed
Budget constraints often push teams to improvise, and the earliest Assassin’s Creed projects were no exception. During the development of the first game, the studio faced unusual hurdles with horse animation. The tech available for building creatures was largely oriented toward human characters, so the design team had to get creative to bring the horse to life. In fact, a notable workaround involved using a human skeleton as the base model for the horse. This surprising choice revealed itself through the careful work of animators and riggers who found clever ways to morph a standing silhouette into a four legged form that could move believably on screen. This approach might sound odd, yet it worked within the limitations of the toolchain at the time. Citation: VG Times
A former Ubisoft employee shared that the software and tools only supported bipeds in three dimensional space, which meant the team had to push beyond standard workflows. Rather than pause production, the crew leaned into inventive rigging and animation techniques to sell the illusion. The result was a horse that carried the weight of a dream to the screen, even if the underlying model started from a human skeleton. The dedication of the animators and riggers made this leap feel seamless to players who were unaware of the constraint. Citation: VG Times
Another memorable tidbit concerns a character named Malik. During a particular task in development, Altair’s ally sustained an injury that caused his right arm to be altered in a surprising way. The arm was effectively inverted and the missing limb was hidden within the upper arm to maintain the visual continuity required for the scene. This kind of on the fly adjustment illustrates how designers used available tools to meet both narrative needs and technical limits. Citation: VG Times
As the Assassin’s Creed series reaches its fifteenth year, fans anticipate the next chapter with keen interest. September marks a moment of celebration and speculation as Ubisoft hints at new installments. Ideas about a possible continuation in the saga continue to circulate, fueling discussions about returning characters and fresh twists. The franchise remains a focal point for fans who follow every development and piece of lore as it unfolds. Citation: VG Times
Source: VG Times