Something went wrong. Try again later

Giant Bomb News

68 Comments

Renaissance Revisited: Assassin's Creed II DLC Revealed

Ubisoft teases two forthcoming DLC packs for its Italian jump-and-stab sequel.

 How do you ever get tired of this?
 How do you ever get tired of this?
Today Ubisoft has announced that it has two pieces of downloadable content in the works for Assassin's Creed II, though it's being highly judicious with just how much detail it's actually revealing. The two packs, Battle of Forli and Bonfire of the Vanities, are scheduled to be made available for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in January and February of next year, respectively. No price is being given at the moment, though it seems that you can expect these to be fairly significant pieces of content, as each will require a minimum of 1GB of hard drive space on your console.

Still, with little more than the titles to go from, a certain amount of informed speculation can be made about the nature of these add-ons. A quick Wikipedia search reveals that the Battle of Forli was an actual historical event that occurred in the same region that Assassin's Creed II takes place, though with it dated in 1282 AD, it precedes Ezio's story by several hundred years. Similarly, before it was a bad Bruce Willis movie, the Bonfire of the Vanities was a literal bonfire of items deemed to be sinful during a period of religious fervor, though its occurrence in Florence, Italy circa 1497 puts it smack dab in the middle of Assassin's Creed II's story. This all seems to keep with the tone of Assassin's Creed II, which routinely injected its own fictional tale of Templars and Assassins with people and events ripped from the pages of history. 
 
With Assassin's Creed II still fresh in my mind, I'm actually pretty eager to have another excuse to return to its richly realized world and learn more about the grand conspiracies that drive it. And of course, to stab more dudes in the face.
 
UPDATE: Ubisoft PR says to expect more details about these DLC packs later this month. Also, as many of you have pointed out in the comments, it seems likely that this stuff will slot into the blank chapters that the main story in Assassin's Creed II skips over.

68 Comments

Avatar image for diamond
Diamond

8678

Forum Posts

533

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Edited By Diamond

The only problem I have with DLC is too much of this stuff is in development along side the retail products.  No way they waited until Assassin's Creed 2 was done and then started on this DLC.  Apparently some people have even been experiencing bugs with AC2.
 
That's the one difference I'd argue compared to expansion packs.  There are parts or complete paid DLC that developers worked on along side the game I already paid full price for.  Developers would argue that without the extra money people pay for DLC this content wouldn't be possible, but I'd argue making your main product that much better would equal more sales.

Avatar image for belonpopo
Belonpopo

2142

Forum Posts

-1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 12

Edited By Belonpopo

I'm really touchy on spoilers are there any in this article?

Avatar image for denryu12
denryu12

37

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By denryu12

why do i have a feeling this is gonna be unlock BS, there have been scenes in the trailers for this game that arn't in the game im telling u this will just unlock places on the map that are blocked off. 

Avatar image for dastan
Dastan

16

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Dastan
@Binman88: 
I'm ready to bet it will arrive with the PC version out of the box, for free.
Avatar image for hexogen
hexogen

802

Forum Posts

3477

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 7

Edited By hexogen

The first thing I thought after finishing AC2 was, "Man, I wish Assassin's Creed 3 was out right about now." This may not be Assassin's Creed 3, but it's more Assassin's Creed, so it'll help tide me over until 2011/2012.

Avatar image for jeffgoldblum
jeffgoldblum

3959

Forum Posts

4102

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By jeffgoldblum
@Griffinhollow said:
" The DS Assassin's Creed II game explains what happens during sequences 12 and 13. Just thought I'd point that out. "
Yeah but no one played that. For good reason.
Avatar image for griffinhollow
Griffinhollow

50

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Griffinhollow

The DS Assassin's Creed II game explains what happens during sequences 12 and 13. Just thought I'd point that out.

Avatar image for zeforgotten
zeforgotten

10368

Forum Posts

9

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By zeforgotten
@AllenV86 said:
" lol yet another game with DLC's only 2 months after its release, whats next DLCs before the release of games  grtz Allen :-p "
Actually, DLC for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 was up on the PSN before the game was out :P lol 
 
Anyway, I think I'll be getting this DLC for sure. 
I really enjoyed the game and since the DLC is so big it sounds like (though I can't be 100% sure about it) it will be two huge portions added to the game. 
Here's to hoping, and no matter what the price is I'll pay it.  
I'm a sucker for Assassins Creed stuff ^_^
Avatar image for joshlarson
JoshLarson

68

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By JoshLarson

It seems to me that if Ubisoft knows how large the DLC's are going to be (they have stated 1 GB) then the content is finished and done. It was intentionally withheld to squeeze a few more dollars out of their fans. It might pay off for them in the short term but I don't think fans will reward them for this nickel and diming in the long term. At least I hope they won't. Gamers are notoriously fickle.
Avatar image for jedted
Jedted

2970

Forum Posts

1307

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 17

Edited By Jedted

I heard about this last night on G4 and i jumped with excitement!  I can't wait to see what happens with Ezio during those two events. 
 
If the Battle of Forli takes place before the AC2 timeline then i wonder how it fits into the story.  Maybe you play as Ezio's great-grandfather? 
Avatar image for allenv86
AllenV86

153

Forum Posts

2

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By AllenV86

lol yet another game with DLC's only 2 months after its release, whats next DLCs before the release of games
 
grtz Allen :-p

Avatar image for meatsim
MeatSim

11201

Forum Posts

150

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 23

Edited By MeatSim

With 1GB downloads I would hope this DLC will be pretty heavy content wise.

Avatar image for septim
septim

787

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Edited By septim

Having just finished AC2 I don't really have any complaints in the content department. I'm still torn as to whether I want to support DLC that was clearly developed before launch and held back to get some more $$$.

Avatar image for schuey19
Schuey19

9

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Schuey19
@jakob187 said:
" Just beat AC2 tonight...and I'll DEFINITELY be picking up these two DLC packs if the price is right. "
You and me both
Avatar image for jakob187
jakob187

22970

Forum Posts

10045

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 9

Edited By jakob187

Just beat AC2 tonight...and I'll DEFINITELY be picking up these two DLC packs if the price is right.

Avatar image for bouke
Bouke

1400

Forum Posts

11

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 15

Edited By Bouke

I'm actually finishing up AC2, so some DLC in a month or two is more then welcome... maybe some  additional trophies / achievements in these  packs? I sure hope so... i'm enjoying AC2 a lot!
Avatar image for deactivated-60339640361ae
deactivated-60339640361ae

977

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 1

I'm so frigging done with AC2. I absolutely loved the game, but it was getting really boring. When the last piece of Venice opened up I just wanted to finish the story.

Avatar image for nazar3ne
NAZAR3NE

67

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By NAZAR3NE
@Media_Master: Two gigs of content? Free? I would get my head out of the clouds if I were you... and out of my ass. 
 
It would be cool if, as long as these are sequence 12 and 13, this content showed up during a regular playthrough as well as an option in the DNA menu to simply play them if you already have a completed game. I've played AC2 twice now and I'm planning on playing it again. I think it would be cool if this content automatically played during a new game if you have already finished AC2 once.
Avatar image for burns098356gx
Burns098356GX

1368

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Burns098356GX

 My main problem with these types of DLC is that its stuff that has been cut out of the main plot of the game, it would be a different story if it was some extra side missions, assassin tombs or something, but this is main game-content plot stuff that they leave out, then sell you. So its like going to a movie theatre, then about half way through they skip ahead and say if you want to see the whole story you have to buy this extra stuff. Its nonsence, I think its a really poor way to grab money, and sadly its becoming more and more common. They even say in the game that those 2 memory blocks are 'corrupted, and I'll work on them'.

Obviously I can't prove anything, but does it not seem odd that the game comes out, then a short 3 weeks later they announce the DLC for the mysteriously corrupted data files that bridge the gap of the story between Ezio in his 20's to his 30's?

You can't blame a company for finding new innovative ways to produce content and make money off it, but selling content that should have been in the game at launch is a slap in the face to the consumers.

Avatar image for unsolvedparadox
unsolvedparadox

2298

Forum Posts

31

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 2

Edited By unsolvedparadox

My wallet's open, Ubisoft can have its way with it.

Avatar image for harrisonave
harrisonave

840

Forum Posts

196

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Edited By harrisonave
@Milkman said:
" @KaosAngel said:
" I'm sick and tired of all this DLC shit.  PC games never did this and DLC is just an excuse to strip us pennyless.  I haven't bought any DLC this generation and don't plan on it.    Content should be free as it has been on the PC since 1993. "
Would you have a problem if they called a "Assassin's Creed 2 expansion pack"? "
Ha!
Avatar image for fresh2deafbill
fresh2deafbill

929

Forum Posts

1490

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 1

Edited By fresh2deafbill

so excited, hope they make so you can replay memories

Avatar image for synthballs
Synthballs

2223

Forum Posts

222

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 6

Edited By Synthballs

I don't even have the game yet and I'm excited!

Avatar image for pinkshley1
Pinkshley1

460

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By Pinkshley1

I was hoping for some DLC, and at least 1GB each means they should pack a lot of stuff. Sweet!

Avatar image for andrewkin
Andrewkin

14

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Andrewkin
@Alphazero said:
" I've made it my mission to murder every musician that runs up and gets it my way as I go about my dirty work.  Oh, and I don't like them in the game either. Stabby stab stab. "
This. I just grab them, beat them a couple of times, then curbstomp. If this doesn't work then repeat, but with lathering this time :P
 
You wont lose synchronization points.
Avatar image for media_master
Media_Master

3259

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Media_Master

I hope its free.

Avatar image for homegabomb
bwooduhs

1683

Forum Posts

732

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 4

Edited By bwooduhs

Yay! Another excuse to go back to Assassins Creed.

Avatar image for liquidprince
LiquidPrince

17073

Forum Posts

-1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

Edited By LiquidPrince

Epic.

Avatar image for dayoneadvantage
DayOneAdvantage

117

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By DayOneAdvantage

DLC for this game is most welcome in my book. I felt very satisfied with AC2's length and quality. In fact, this game was about twice as long as other action adventure games of this generation. Granted, I did beat it in two days, but that was two full days of gaming, during the holiday, with no distrations such as work or school. I absolutely do not feel like that this DLC is a nickle and dime job at all.

Avatar image for milkman
Milkman

19372

Forum Posts

-1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 3

Edited By Milkman
@KaosAngel said:
" I'm sick and tired of all this DLC shit.  PC games never did this and DLC is just an excuse to strip us pennyless.  I haven't bought any DLC this generation and don't plan on it.    Content should be free as it has been on the PC since 1993. "
Would you have a problem if they called a "Assassin's Creed 2 expansion pack"?
Avatar image for meteora
meteora

5844

Forum Posts

17

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 3

Edited By meteora

DLCs = Expansion Packs.
 
Except without the casing and a variable amount of content/pricing.

Avatar image for rasgueado
Rasgueado

838

Forum Posts

2324

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 6

Edited By Rasgueado
@Lies   :  It doesn't matter where they leave the hole for extra content. Whether the holes are at the end, or in between, there are still holes. Putting them in the middle allows them to keep their story intact while expanding on play. 
Avatar image for rasgueado
Rasgueado

838

Forum Posts

2324

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 6

Edited By Rasgueado
@KaosAngel: Yeah... I'm not sure what you're talking about here. There weren't many developers that continued to add content after release. Companies like Valve, iD, and Epic did this with multiplayer content, but usually not singleplayer. DLC is the modern incarnation of retail expansion packs. The only difference is that EP's usually had more content, but they were also usually about $30 - $40 each. (CAD) 
 
I also do assure you... PC gaming was happening long before 1993.
Avatar image for jaffaz
jaffaz

193

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 3

Edited By jaffaz

awesome news...nothing wrong with more assassin's creed II :)

Avatar image for papercut
papercut

4200

Forum Posts

10068

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 9

Edited By papercut

Pow Block anyone?

Avatar image for duketogo
DukeTogo

1516

Forum Posts

626

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 7

Edited By DukeTogo
@Lies said:
" DNA Sequences 12 and 13  Seriously fuck intentionally excising part of your story mode to sell DLC. Shameful. "
More like a good way to explain it's place in the story rather than some bullshit excuse to shoehorn it in.  And if it never got made as DLC, it would go on being a random corrupted memory in the game, and it would be fine, either way it fits into the game without feeling tacked-on.  Ubisoft has said that both packs will be 1 GB is size each, meaning it's both sizeable in content and going to be paid.
 
As far as it holding the story back, the game is a solid 14-20 hours long, and this looks to be minor in the context of the overall story, so feeling cheated is a bit of stretch all things considered.  This also explains the southern part of Florence being inaccessible, as well as the loose thread of the Countess you helped early on and never saw again, both pretty plain markers to a planned DLC release.
 
I'd say reserve your ire until we see what it entails and how much it costs.
Avatar image for btman
btman

1114

Forum Posts

2974

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By btman

bought the game saturday, finished today....all im doing now is collecting feathers. i CANNOT wait for this to come out

Avatar image for irish87
Irish87

161

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

Edited By Irish87

YEAH! DLC is horrible... ninety percent of the fans who play the game will buy the DLC, but still they're going to do it angrily and not smiling as Ubisoft pictures. DLC is nothing more than Capitalism at work, and guess what, it's working pretty well for the studios and for us. We get a decent amount of new content for a modest fee. What would be shameful is if they forced us to buy DLC to find out the true ending of the game. 
 
DLC is not the enemy, the rich people who can afford it are. Woot for class warfare! See, it's like we're in Renaissance Italy!

Avatar image for jeffgoldblum
jeffgoldblum

3959

Forum Posts

4102

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By jeffgoldblum
@RedSox8933 said:
"Of course I just traded it in yesterday because I figured there wouldn't be any DLC.  Fuck. "
I never trade in games anymore. I was tired of being ripped off and losing parts of my collection at the same time.
Avatar image for redsox8933
RedSox8933

2501

Forum Posts

398

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 7

Edited By RedSox8933

Of course I just traded it in yesterday because I figured there wouldn't be any DLC.
 
Fuck.

Avatar image for mgsfreak
Mgsfreak

139

Forum Posts

3

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Mgsfreak

Do want!

Avatar image for nexas
nexas

644

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By nexas
@KaosAngel said:
" @Nexas:@Kefkaesque:   Expansion packs aren't DLC....expansion packs are similar to GTA4 stuff, and those retailed for about 30 bucks and had a shit-ton of content. "
One comes in a box and the other doesn't. Though they are technically different they still scratch the same itch. 
Avatar image for nnilley
nnilley

47

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Edited By nnilley

Kickass! I love Ubisoft!

Avatar image for kaosangel-DELETED
KaosAngel

14251

Forum Posts

6507

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 3

Edited By KaosAngel
@Nexas:@Kefkaesque: 
 
Expansion packs aren't DLC....expansion packs are similar to GTA4 stuff, and those retailed for about 30 bucks and had a shit-ton of content.
Avatar image for arjuna
Arjuna

918

Forum Posts

448

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By Arjuna

I'm about to get an S Rank(1000 points) on Assassin's Creed...  So yeah, I love this game and will certainly be buying these add-ons.

Avatar image for tony1661
Tony1661

30

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 3

Edited By Tony1661
@KaosAngel:  why would a company put out something for free? you are getting a few missions so you only pay like 5 or 10 bucks, i hate people who complain... if you dont wanna buy it then dont!
Avatar image for oni
Oni

2345

Forum Posts

5885

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 26

User Lists: 12

Edited By Oni
@Lies said:
" DNA Sequences 12 and 13  Seriously fuck intentionally excising part of your story mode to sell DLC. Shameful. "
Yeah when you go to DNA those are left blank, and they're pretty much glossed over in the story, so I suspected as much. BUT, and this is a big but, AC2 is a game that already has so much content that I don't feel short-changed in any way, and neither should you. I think this was stuff that was cut simply because it was extraneous and they didn't have the time to complete it for the retail game, so it's perfectly fine by me.
Avatar image for lies
Lies

3985

Forum Posts

32517

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 12

User Lists: 14

Edited By Lies

DNA Sequences 12 and 13
 
Seriously fuck intentionally excising part of your story mode to sell DLC. Shameful.

Avatar image for venatio
Venatio

4757

Forum Posts

288

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 6

Edited By Venatio

Awesome, I really want DLC for this game and more excuses to play it 
 
I hope it holds the same quality as the rest of the game

Avatar image for nexas
nexas

644

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By nexas
@KaosAngel said:

" I'm sick and tired of all this DLC shit.  PC games never did this and DLC is just an excuse to strip us pennyless.  I haven't bought any DLC this generation and don't plan on it.    Content should be free as it has been on the PC since 1993. "

Yeah remember those free Half-Life expansions like Blue Shift and Opposing....oh wait. 
 
Anyways I'm guessing this DLC will be DNA sequences 12 & 13.