Assassin's Creed as a franchise is now firmly established as a genre-defining part of the gaming industry. The next addition to the expanding collection of titles that fall under this famous IP will supposedly be called Assassin's Creed Rift, which is rumored to receive its own standalone release.
This upcoming title will reportedly be of a much smaller scale compared to the expansive mainline entries the Assassin's Creed franchise has recently seen. That being said, there will undoubtedly be a lot of important lore pertinent to the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood due to the time and place in which Assassin's Creed Rift is reportedly set to take place.
The Fundamentals of Assassin's Creed Rift
Assassin's Creed Rift is currently rumored to release sometime toward the end of 2022. The title was originally set to be DLC for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, but Rift has proven to be so expansive that Ubisoft decided it warrants its own separate release.
It should be said that Assassin's Creed Rift is currently only a working title, and like many aspects of the game, may be subject to change. However, many core elements of the game have remained consistent through different sources, such as its setting and main characters. The game is rumored to be set within the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, with other major Middle Eastern cities also likely to make an appearance. The main protagonist for Assassin's Creed Rift will reportedly be Basim Ibn Ishaq, a central character within the story of Assassin's Creed Valhalla.
It is known that Basim was born and raised in Baghdad, becoming one of the most respected members of the Hidden Ones - an ancient organization that would go on to become the infamous Assassin Brotherhood. Quickly rising to the rank of Master Assassin, players see Basim in Valhalla as a widely respected and lethal operator who is wise beyond his years.
One of the most peculiar but dominant aspects of Basim's life is that he is a human reincarnation of the Isu Loki, as revealed in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. This was slowly revealed to him via revealed memories as he aged, and will surely be a key point of Basim's conflict and development within the story of Rift. One of the most glaring implications of this split personality is the potentially effects that Loki's manipulative nature may have upon the Hidden Ones as a whole.
Implications for the Hidden Ones
The Hidden Ones are an ancient organization, being founded all the way back in 47 BC by Bayek of Siwa, the main protagonist of Assassin's Creed Origins. The Hidden Ones were founded under the guise of protecting the freedoms and civil liberties of people from the shadows, shrewdly stamping out corruption and abuse by any means necessary. Keen fans of the franchise will note the stark similarities between these ideals and the ethos of the Assassin Brotherhood, with the Hidden Ones being the first officially iteration of what would become the Brotherhood.
Given that Assassin's Creed Rift will have to be set before the events of Valhalla, fans can assume the upcoming game will be set around 860 CE. With Basim still introducing himself as a member of the Hidden Ones in Valhalla, the organization at this time will have been established for over 800 years. With how aged the Hidden Ones will be at the likely time when Assassin's Creed Rift is set, there are many avenues available for potential exploration when exploring how the Hidden Ones ceased to be.
Dedicated fans of the wider Assassin's Creed lore know how the Hidden Ones were officially retitled to the Assassins in the year 1090 CE in the mountains of Persia, under the leadership of Hassan-i Sabbah. Despite the Hidden Ones going on to exist for at least another 200 years, the events of the game can still inform their eventual change in identity.
When Basim is introduced in Valhalla, it is under the guise that he befriended fellow supporting character Sigurd. It is inferred that Basim travels globally as part of his high-ranking role within the Hidden Ones, however his decision to permanently leave his homeland to join the Vikings in England is subject to further elaboration. While it was revealed that the will of Loki influenced Basim to travel to England, Rift could see Basim betray the Hidden Ones, leading to his long-distance migration.
If this potential Loki-influenced betrayal isn't the catalyst for the downfall of the Hidden Ones, the introduction of the Templar threat could be a leading cause introduced in Rift. The sworn enemies and antithesis of the Assassin Brotherhood, the earliest remnants of the Templar Order also found its roots in Ancient Egypt. With long-term fans interested in seeing Assassin's Creed return to the Templar conflict, a tumultuous and cataclysmic event could easily be the main source of conflict introduced in Assassin's Creed Rift, which would then see the Hidden Ones flee to Persia to form the iconic Brotherhood.