The turn of the Creed: Patrice Désilets has left the building.

Patrice Desilets' has been one of the most outspoken game- industry creative directors for quite some time now. I particularily remember his active involvement for Assassin's Creed one, where he talked about social stealth, and the innovations that then became possible with the new generation of concoles.

The criticisms that were levvied against the first AC game, were those typical of the "first borne" of any good firsts in a franchies; while there are solid mechanics in place, it is too shallow.

While those criticims were certainly (for the most part) true, the first game had soul. Patrice envisioned a character that would be so natural, so cool, and so identifiable that you really role- played your character. While you could run all the time, he hoped you would sometimes opt to walk: Because that was altair.

There was a shift to AC II. The lead character was much stronger. And while they molded his personality around the game mechanics, one felt that he didn't mesh too well with the players. While I never speak up against strong and interesting characters, I felt that it was an unnessesary step, and one that I was suprised that Desilets would take.

Now that he is gone from Ubisoft for a "creative break" I wonder where they will take the AC franchise. Will they dilut their integrity in a slapstick carneval, or tighten up their game for that final release in the triology?

It is hard to tell. AC: Brotherhood, is in good hands. Patrick Plourdes hands. His game- creation philosophy is one of the more successful ones in late. Test, and iterate - both Media Molecule (LittleBigPlanet) and Sucker Punch (Infamous) has used it to great success. But does this shift the game towards a more populistic design?

Some of the best creative works in both film and games has had very strong and prolific leaders, such as Fumito Ueda (Shadow of the Colossus) and Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear series). Characteristic of games of those designers, is that they take chances, do unexpected things and innovate. Is that something you loose in an iterative process? It's hard to tell.

While Patrice Désilets has left Ubisoft, it doesn't mean that AC will be ruined. The God of War triology had three different directors. All envisioned different endings (and sequels). They were all vastly different. One had Kratos go up to Norway to slay all the norse gods. I presume that will not be the way for Desmond Miles.