Assassin’s Creed, a franchise inspired by history and a cult novel, has become one of the world’s most successful and beloved gaming series. With nearly 30 entries, Assassin’s Creed has captured the hearts of gamers with its immersive gameplay, rich storytelling, and breathtaking historical settings.
In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the key statistics and revenue figures that have propelled Assassin’s Creed to the pinnacle of the gaming industry.
Assassin’s Creed sold over 200 million games worldwide.
From its humble beginnings to the present day, Assassin’s Creed has achieved remarkable success in terms of game sales. The series has collectively sold over 200 million games, making it one of the best-selling franchises in gaming history.
This astounding feat is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Assassin’s Creed universe and its ability to captivate players across the globe.
Assassin’s Creed’s sales success can be attributed to its engaging narratives, historical accuracy, and captivating open-world environments that allow players to immerse themselves in various eras.
The franchise’s innovative concept of exploring history through the eyes of high-tech AI projections known as the Animus resonated with players, creating a unique and addictive gameplay experience.
Since its debut in 2007, the series has undergone significant evolution and expansion. Each installment introduced players to a new historical setting and a different protagonist, providing a fresh and exciting experience with every release.
Players were taken on thrilling adventures through ancient Egypt in Assassin’s Creed Origins, sailed the high seas as a pirate in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, and delved into the intricacies of the Viking Age in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on Steam.
This constant reinvention ensured the franchise remained active and kept players eagerly anticipating each new installment. The series’ popularity has been consistent across multiple gaming platforms, including consoles, PC, and mobile devices.
Ubisoft’s strategic marketing campaigns and consistent release schedules have maintained the franchise’s momentum. An extensive marketing campaign backed each new game, generating buzz and excitement among fans and newcomers.
Moreover, Ubisoft’s commitment to delivering high-quality content and regular updates post-launch further contributed to the series’ long-term success.
Introducing downloadable content (DLC) and expansion packs allowed players to extend their gaming experience, exploring new storylines and regions within the game’s world.
Assassin’s Creed’s global appeal also stems from its ability to balance action-packed gameplay and thought-provoking storytelling. The games seamlessly blend historical events and figures with fictional narratives, creating a rich and immersive player experience.
This fusion of fact and fiction educates players about various historical periods and sparks their curiosity to learn more about the real-world inspirations behind the games.
Furthermore, Assassin’s Creed’s success can be attributed to its dedicated fan base, whose passion for the franchise is evident through fan art, cosplay, and an active online community.
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Leads the Pack is the game’s best-selling title, with 15 million copies sold.
Among the numerous entries in the franchise, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag stands tall as the best-selling title. This installment, set in the Golden Age of Piracy, sold an impressive 15 million copies, solidifying its place as a fan favorite.
Alongside Black Flag, other notable best-sellers include Assassin’s Creed III, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Assassin’s Creed Origins, and Assassin’s Creed Unity.
Released in 2013, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag took players on an unforgettable journey through the Caribbean, where they assumed the role of Edward Kenway, a charismatic and daring pirate.
The game’s historical setting allowed players to experience the thrilling life of a pirate, engaging in epic naval battles, exploring hidden coves, and uncovering long-lost treasures.
One of the standout features of Black Flag was its seamless transition between land and sea exploration. Players could seamlessly switch between the lush jungles and bustling cities on land to commanding their ship, the Jackdaw, on the open sea.
This unique combination of on-foot and naval gameplay brought unparalleled freedom and excitement to the Assassin’s Creed experience. The game’s captivating story also played a significant role in its success.
As players embarked on Edward Kenway’s journey from a mere pirate to a legendary Assassin, they encountered historical figures such as Blackbeard and Benjamin Hornigold, immersing them in the rich tapestry of the Golden Age of Piracy.
The narrative’s blend of historical accuracy and fictional storytelling resonated with players, enhancing the game’s appeal.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag also introduced players to the thrilling world of naval combat. Commanding the Jackdaw in epic ship-to-ship battles brought the franchise a refreshing and immersive gameplay element.
The naval mechanics were so well-received that they became a recurring feature in subsequent Assassin’s Creed games.
The game’s success also highlighted the potential of exploring different historical periods and settings. Ubisoft recognized the immense interest and excitement generated by the pirate-themed adventure, inspiring them to continue diversifying the franchise’s narrative.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla's Revenue reached $1 Billion.
The latest addition to the series, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, set a new benchmark in terms of revenue generation.
Within a few months of release, Valhalla grossed a staggering $1 billion in consumer revenue, cementing its place as one of the most successful games in the franchise’s history.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s triumph can be attributed to several factors. The game’s Viking setting and compelling narrative resonated with players, offering a fresh perspective on history and exploration.
The game’s success was also fueled by its enhanced gameplay mechanics, including more in-depth RPG elements, brutal combat, and a captivating settlement-building feature.
Furthermore, Ubisoft’s commitment to supporting Valhalla with regular updates, expansions, and in-game events contributed to its popularity and revenue growth.
The post-launch content allowed players to continue their Viking journey and engage with the game’s world long after its release.
When Assasin’s Creed Movie was released in 2016, it grossed $150 million.
While Assassin’s Creed has thrived in the gaming world, its foray into cinema was met with a mixed reception.
The Assassin’s Creed movie, released in 2016 and starring Michael Fassbender, grossed $150 million at the box office worldwide, becoming the #1 movie in the UK during its release period.
Despite the movie’s commercial success, it faced criticism from both fans and critics. Some fans expressed disappointment that the movie deviated from the game’s storyline, while critics found fault with its convoluted plot and lack of character development.
The movie’s ambitious attempt to blend the game’s historical elements with a modern-day narrative proved challenging to execute effectively.
In 2020, the Assassin's Creed live-action show created a buzz among fans.
However, despite initial excitement, no sign of the show materializing exists. The departure of the showrunner, Jeb Stuart, added to the uncertainty surrounding the project.
Fans eagerly anticipated the prospect of an Assassin’s Creed show that would delve deeper into the franchise’s lore and rich historical tapestry.
The potential for exploring different periods and characters through the television series format gave gamers and fans of historical fiction alike excitement.
However, there has yet to be a confirmed release date for the much-anticipated series, leaving many to wonder if it will ever see the light of day.
Assassin’s Creed players in Unity generated over 4 billion assassinations, putting in 16,030 years of playtime.
The Assassin’s Creed Unity community boasts impressive player achievements and weapon preferences. Players in Unity performed over 4 billion assassinations and put in 16,030 years of playtime, showcasing the game’s enduring popularity among fans.
Unity’s diverse weapons allowed players to choose their preferred assassination tools. The deadly Sword of Eden emerged as the most lethal weapon, capable of dispatching foes with precision and power.
The Pepper Shot gained popularity as the most used pistol, providing players with a reliable ranged option during intense combat scenarios. Additionally, the Foil, known for its swift and agile strikes, became the players’ most favored melee weapon.
Unity’s robust online features allowed for creating over half a million clans, fostering a sense of camaraderie and competition among players.
The challenging Head Will Roll mission, attempted by millions, tested players’ skills and strategy, contributing to the game’s replayability and lasting appeal.
In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, players made 28.6 billion kills within the game's first year.
Released in 2020, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla took players on an epic Viking journey, allowing them to step into the fur-lined boots of Eivor, a fierce and determined Norse warrior. The game’s expansive open world offered a stunning and dynamic representation of the Viking Age.
It invited players to conquer new lands, build settlements, and forge their legacy as they led their clans to prosperity and glory.
Of the jaw-dropping 28.6 billion kills recorded within the game’s first year, a remarkable 2.9 billion were carried out through the time-honored art of assassinations.
This emphasis on stealth gameplay stayed true to the series’ roots and gave players the thrilling satisfaction of a silent, lethal approach.
As Eivor, players lurked in the shadows, striking from concealed positions and taking out enemies with swift precision, solidifying their reputation as masterful Assassin.
The game’s vast and meticulously detailed open-world map was the largest in the series, offering players a rich and diverse landscape to explore.
From the snow-capped mountains of Norway to the lush fields of England, every region was painstakingly designed, immersing players in the harsh beauty of the Viking territories.
This attention to detail created a captivating atmosphere, drawing players into the world and enriching their overall experience.
However, amidst the triumphs of exploration and combat, there were moments of setback and challenge. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla boasted a staggering 524.8 billion total desynchronizations.
These occurred when players’ actions led to a desynchronization with Eivor’s ancestral memories in the Animus.
While some desynchronizations were unavoidable parts of the narrative, most occurred during combat encounters, underscoring the game’s demanding and engaging battles.
Players had to hone their combat skills, learn enemy patterns, and strategize their approach to various adversaries to emerge victorious.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey, another fan-favorite, saw players making an impressive 20.6 billion kills within its first year.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, released in 2018, transported players to Greece’s ancient and storied land, offering an immersive open-world experience like never before.
The game’s vast map, featuring a breathtaking depiction of ancient Greece, provided players with a vast playground filled with diverse landscapes, iconic landmarks, and hidden wonders.
From the bustling city-states of Athens and Sparta to the serene islands of the Aegean Sea, every corner of the game world was meticulously crafted, making it a living, breathing representation of this historical era.
Within this awe-inspiring setting, players embarked on an epic odyssey as either Alexios or Kassandra, a Spartan mercenary descended from the legendary Leonidas.
The choice of protagonist brought a fresh perspective to the series, allowing players to shape the narrative through their actions and decisions.
Throughout the game, players encountered numerous characters, each with their own compelling stories and quests, offering a rich tapestry of relationships and dilemmas that players had to navigate.
The freedom of choice in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey extended beyond the main storyline. The game’s dialogue choices, a new addition to the series, allowed players to respond to NPCs in various ways, influencing the outcome of conversations and quests.
These choices were binary and often presented various responses, ranging from friendly and diplomatic to stoic and merciless. Players’ decisions had significant consequences, impacting relationships with allies and foes alike and even determining the fate of entire regions.
The statistics showed players’ preferences for role-playing their characters throughout their odyssey. The game’s dialogue choices were revealed to be 48% friendly, 66% truthful, and 57% godlike, showcasing the diverse approaches players took to embodying their chosen mercenary.
This level of agency in shaping the narrative added depth to the gameplay and made each player’s experience unique, fostering a strong sense of ownership over their in-game journey.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla dominated Twitch viewership, with 3.9 million hours watched in 2022.
The game attracted 98,280 broadcasters, with an average of 90 channels streaming it concurrently.
The rise of Twitch as a prominent gaming platform has significantly impacted the gaming industry, providing a space for gamers to connect, share their experiences, and interact with their favorite content creators.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s success on Twitch showcases its ability to captivate players and viewers, further reinforcing the franchise’s position as a cultural phenomenon.
As Assassin's Creed continues to evolve, the future holds exciting prospects for the franchise.
The upcoming installment, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, promises to take the series back to its roots, offering a more intimate and story-driven experience. With Mirage set in Baghdad, close to the origin of the Hashashin sect, players are in for an immersive and historically rich journey.
The decision to revisit the series’ roots and explore new historical settings showcases Ubisoft’s commitment to keeping the franchise fresh and engaging.
The anticipation surrounding Assassin’s Creed Mirage [1] has sparked discussions among fans and critics, who eagerly await the chance to experience a unique and compelling narrative in a rarely explored gaming setting.
The success of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla has set high expectations for Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Fans hope to see further refinements in gameplay, storytelling, and historical accuracy while maintaining the core elements that have made the series so beloved.
Despite its commercial success, Ubisoft has faced numerous controversies that have shaken the company from within.
In mid-2020, several high-profile Ubisoft executives were accused of sexual harassment and toxic workplace behavior, leading to a significant shake-up in the company’s leadership.
The revelations sparked a #MeToo moment in the gaming industry, raising awareness about the need for a safer and more inclusive work environment.
In addition to internal struggles, Ubisoft faced criticism for its handling of game development, with some titles needing to be more timely to meet deadlines and suffering from technical issues at launch.
It led to a dip in player confidence and raised concerns about the quality of future Ubisoft releases.
Furthermore, the company faced scrutiny over its partnership with Tencent, a Chinese tech giant, which raised questions about the potential influence on Ubisoft’s creative direction and ownership.
In light of these challenges, there were rumors of potential takeovers and acquisitions, with larger gaming companies expressing interest in acquiring Ubisoft. Such a move could drastically alter the company’s direction and impact the future of the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
Conclusion
Assassin’s Creed’s journey from a cult classic to a global gaming phenomenon is a testament to its enduring appeal and innovative gameplay. With over 200 million games sold and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s staggering $1 billion in revenue, the franchise has proven its position as a gaming powerhouse.
However, challenges lie ahead as Ubisoft navigates through internal struggles and potential takeovers. As fans eagerly anticipate the release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the future holds exciting possibilities for the series, and gamers worldwide eagerly await the next chapter in this epic saga.
