What if?
Though were currently hyped for the release of Assassins Creed III at the end of the month, were already thinking about what comes after. Were curious about the planned DLC for the game, especially after Ubisoft unveiled the Tyranny of King Washington. We expected the series would stick to painting in the corners of actual history, but completely changing everything with alternate accounts of the past opens up so many possibilities. We opened up our history books to find 10 other changes wed love to see ACIIIs DLC make to our timeline.
Prevent John Adams from killing Pres. Washington to usurp the office
Founding Father/original Vice President John Adams is well remembered for his contributions to the birth of America. However, hes also known for hating the position of Vice President, once calling it, the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived. We imagine a world where the drudgery of being VP became too much for him during Washingtons second term, and he rose up against George, leading an armed revolt against the commander-in-chief on the streets of New York City (no president lived in the White House before 1800).
Connors objective: Connor has to choose which leader to follow, and the player should too. Once you pick which president to support on the battlefield, youre given the most important job of all. You have to use your assassin skills to take out either Washington or Adams, thus ending the battle and changing the course of this new nation forever.
Thomas Jefferson ignites civil war and Connor must defend the White House
We dont mean to pick on Adams, but he also had a well-known grudge with another Founding Father--Thomas Jefferson. Back then, the second place presidential candidate ended up the vice president, and Jefferson was no fan of Adams politics, particularly the Alien and Sedition Acts. Meant to quiet revolts in the states against the federal government, Jefferson found the acts outrageous and contemplated outright rebellion against Pres. Adams. Our dream DLC sees him following through on that threat in 1800.
Connors objective: Despite some misgivings, Connor sides with Adams, choosing to defend the White House. Fire burns on the White House lawn, Connor working the shadows to slow Jeffersons progress in Washington D.C. The campaign could end with a showdown in the Oval Office, where Connor must defeat Jefferson in a knife fight before he executes Adams.
You help Alexander Hamilton kill Aaron Burr in a duel
As a classic Got Milk? ad taught a generation, the founder of the American economy, Alexander Hamilton, was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr, but what started the fatal contest? Hamilton was suspicious that the former VP was secretly planning a succession movement in New York, charges that Burr took offense to. In this new history, Hamilton has proof of Burrs treason (and Templar backing), so he seeks the assistance of a famous assassin.
Connors objective: Connor secretly accompanies Hamilton to the duel, fixing the fight by giving Burr a non-functioning gun. Unfortunately, that plan fails because Hamilton is a lousy shot and misses, leaving Connor no choice but to hunt down Burr and kill the man himself. The few witnesses there are sworn to secrecy in a bid to keep Burrs plans (and the existence of the Assassins Guild) from the unsuspecting public.
Help James Monroe "convince" Napoleon to sell Louisiana
While the nation was still young and on slightly shaky political ground with France, many were nervous about the huge area known as Louisiana that bordered the US. To help ease the situation, President Jefferson sent Constitution drafter James Monroe to France to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans. Instead Napoleon offered Monroe all of Louisiana, an addition that would double the size of the US, something Monroe quickly accepted.
Connors objective: The reality of the sale of Louisiana to the US was sketchy enough, so its not much of a stretch to have Connor secretly accompany Monroe to France for assist in the treaty signing. Connor could use his assassin skills to quell political opposition, plant rumors and half-truths, and hasten the sale of the territories to America. How did the US get such vast amounts of lands for such a low price? Perhaps Connor, after swiftly dealing with the imperial guards, negotiated the final details with Napoleon at knife-point.
The British win, and it's Connors fault
There were so many moments in the Revolution that could have turned the tide between the rebels and England that its hard to choose one turning point, though well go with the midnight ride of Paul Revere. He fails to warn the people of the British approaching Lexington, and that causes the dominos to fall on the young nation, with one city after the next falling until England wins. And its all your fault.
Connors objective: Connor is given false information that Revere is a Templar agent, so he hunts down and kills Revere days before he would work to warn his fellow revolutionaries. One by one Connor sees the colonies fall to the British, and the hero watches the rebel generals get captured by the Brits. Connor ultimately does his best to make amends in the DLCs final mission, where he daringly frees the generals before their execution, killing British leader Charles Cornwallis along the way, though Connor is eventually killed by the huge number of armed guards chasing him while he buys the generals enough time to escape. Wed call this one the dark ending.
Prevent Nathan Hale's execution
The Revolutionary War has a very complicated history, so to make it easier for school children to understand, its first introduced through defining moments like the death of Nathan Hale. The official state hero of Connecticut, Hale earned his fame for dying for the colonists cause. After getting caught as a spy in British-occupied New York, Hale was sentenced to death by hanging. As the legend goes, his final words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.
Connors objective: One of the defining moments of the Assassins Creed franchise came in one of its earliest trailers, when star Altair makes a daylight save of his men before their public execution. Wed like to see that scene repeated, only this time its Connor that has found himself deep within enemy lines to save Hale. Connor makes a last second save, rescuing Hale, unintentionally denying Nathan his place in history while saving his life.
France invades the US
Though friends during the revolution, France and America werent all that neighborly a few years later, mostly thanks to France having a revolution of its own in the interim. Once Napoleon took over, the country wasnt as nice to the new nation, even engaging in a few naval battles with the US. Tensions eventually cooled, but what if France had kept pushing? What if they invaded the still young and vulnerable nation?
Connors objective: The French are coming! Connor has to help defend major cities like Boston and New York from French soldiers, spies, and the Templar agents that accompanied them. The battles could continue on the water as well, taking advantage of the impressive naval battle tech in ACIII. This DLC could even tie-in to the Vita exclusive Assassins Creed III Liberation, with its star dealing with French soldiers stationed in New Orleans.
Washington's Delaware crossing fails, so Connor must help him escape
Another moment in the Revolutionary War that has taken on a mythic quality is Washington crossing the Delaware. On Christmas Day of 1776, General Washington and his troops crossed the frigid river to surprise the Hessian troops the following morning. The enemy army was defeated with few American casualties, making it an important victory for Washington, and likely something that will appear in some form in ACIIIs campaign. But in the DLC wed like to see a situation where the Hessians are waiting for them and a huge battle breaks out.
Connors objective: Connor accompanies Washington on the trip, but thanks to a Templar spy, the Hessians are waiting for the rebels as soon as they land on shore. Its too late to turn back, so Washingtons troops must fight a losing battle against a force that outnumbers them. Can Connor find the Templar spy that sold them out and buy Washington enough time for a hasty retreat?
Native Americans band together to battle the USA
America had won the day in the Revolutionary War, spreading freedom all over the land--though the majority of those freedoms were enjoyed by land-owning white males. Many others in America werent included in those benefits of freedom, and that includes the indigenous people of the country aka Native Americans like Connor. Fed up with the new US government, and secretly assisted by the British, the many different tribes band together to battle the newly formed United States.
Connors objective: Connor has to choose a side in the conflict, which is hardly easy for him. While the two groups battle it out, the player is left to choose for Connor which army to support. Eventually Connor realizes there are Templars working on both sides making the conflict happen, thanks in part to the power of the Apple of Eden. Its up to Connor to kill them and resecure the artifact.
Franklin accidentally invents time travel, transporting Ezio to the colonies
While testing out one of his many scientific experiments, this time involving a key tied to a kite, Benjamin Franklin accidentally opens up a wormhole in time and space. As luck would have it, it creates a portal to Renaissance era Italy, spitting out Ezio Auditore da Firenze. The confused Italian isnt sure whats going on, but hes sure he needs to team up with the current generation of assassins to figure it out.
Connors objective: This special co-op DLC brings some of the flavor of multiplayer to the games campaign, teaming up the two heroes for some silly fun. Ezio and Connor work together to collect items so Franklin can build a time machine to send Ezio back where he belongs. But first, Ezio teaches Connor new ways to control the Apple of Eden, making for even crazier, god-like powers for players to mess around with.
How would you change history?
After studying history closely via the always correct Wikipedia, those are the best scenarios we could come up with, but what do you want to see. The students of history out there can share their favorite ideas for ACIII DLC in the comments.
Need more assassinations? Check out our list of 63 amazing things we saw and did in Assassin's Creed III and everything we know about Connor.
