By Jim Rossignol on February 15th, 2011 at 6:58 pm.
(Well, almost on the ides thing. It would have been so perfect…) Ubi’s UK forum manager has posted the release date for the PC version of the critic-pleasing Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. He says that the game “will be released on March 17th [NA and certain EMEA countries] and the 18th of March for [UK].”
But will we like it? And what kind of DRM will it feature? I’ve dropped Ubi a line to get an answer to that second question. The first question we’ll answer ourselves next month. Fuss-explaining trailer below.
15/02/2011 at 19:00 zergrush says:
Depending on the DRM I’ll either buy it at launch or borrow the ps3 version from a buddy.
15/02/2011 at 19:03 Rhin says:
Depending on the DRM, I’ll either donate food to starving orphans or slaughter a bunch of kittens.
Your call, Ubisoft.
15/02/2011 at 19:05 zergrush says:
Why don’t you just feed the orphans some delicious kitten barbecue?
15/02/2011 at 19:07 Rhin says:
That would be the logical solution, but it doesn’t fit the “Ubisoft DRM” madlibs game…..
15/02/2011 at 19:37 imirk says:
Depending on the DRM, I’ll either slaughter a bunch of orphans or donate food to starving kittens.
Your call, Ubisoft.
15/02/2011 at 19:44 Unaco says:
Depending on the DRM, I’ll either starve a bunch of kittens, or create a bunch of orphans.
Your call, Ubisoft!
15/02/2011 at 19:56 Henk says:
Depending on the DRM, I’ll either donate kittens to starving orphans or slaughter a bunch of food.
Your call, Ubisoft.
15/02/2011 at 20:07 ChiefOfBeef says:
Depending on the donations, I will either feed barbecued orphans to Ubisoft or kill the DRM.
Your call kittens.
15/02/2011 at 20:10 sebmojo says:
Depending of the level of level I’ll DRM the kittens or starve the orphanage DRM DRM DRMDRMDRMs in the deep… we cannot get out!
15/02/2011 at 20:22 patricij says:
*a bunch of singing Vikings appears* DRM, DRM, DRM…LOVELY DRM…DRM, DRM, DRM…
15/02/2011 at 21:11 Caleb367 says:
Depending on the donations, I’m going to starve DRM or feed a bunch of orphan kittens.
15/02/2011 at 21:44 Baka says:
Donating on the dependencies, I’ll DRM the kittens to the… actually I’m surprised the game is actually getting a PC release.
15/02/2011 at 22:41 Jahkaivah says:
This is the best conversation ever.
15/02/2011 at 23:07 brulleks says:
I’m DRMing of an orphaned kitten
Just like the ones I used to know
With Ubisoft starving and children slaughtering
A bunch of food dependencies
15/02/2011 at 23:11 FRIENDLYUNIT says:
Bad news guys – I just heard that the DRM is that the game will require you to slaughter a bunch of kittens every time you launch it.
15/02/2011 at 23:16 Mr Chug says:
Ugh, the ‘EA’ model of DRM. At least it doesn’t take 4 days off your life expectancy every time you load it up like GfWL.
19/02/2011 at 09:43 RegisteredUser says:
NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
We will eat kittens and starve orphans and then donate our sperm to science.
And we ain’t goan support no mo’ poopysoft.
15/02/2011 at 19:03 Linfosoma says:
I really liked AC2 and while I have a stable connection Ubi’s DRM actually synced my save games incorrectly and made me lose 3 hours of progress. So yeah, depending on that factor I’ll either buy it at launch or wait for it to drop to $10.
Your call Ubi!
15/02/2011 at 19:06 ZIGS says:
Will it still have mouse lag?
15/02/2011 at 20:30 kyrieee says:
Will it still force widescreen on 4:3 monitors?
15/02/2011 at 19:07 Tally Lassiter says:
I’ve beaten it already on my friend’s Xbox. Good call Ubisoft on the delay; there’s no way I’m buying it until it’s less than $30.
15/02/2011 at 19:12 mwoody says:
Played it on the PS3, and can heartily recommend it. Singleplayer is a further refined version of AC2, with some (sort of lackluster but addictive anyway) ownership mechanics and a system for training recruits for a “bunch of dudes jump out of a bush and wail on my target” button that never gets old. Desmond is as boring a character as ever, but playing him was worth it to get to parkour around a present-day town a little. Don’t get fanatical about trying to get 100% completion on each mission (given for fulfilling mission-specific objections like “only use this weapon” or “don’t be seen”) since you don’t get a reward for getting above 70-something% anyway, and you’ll have a damn good time.
The multiplayer is truly fantastic. It’s not entirely a new idea, but it’s never been done with such a large budget and attention to detail. No game multiplayer mode has held my interest since BF2142 – and that just because I liked squishing people with drop pods – but this I played for something like 50+ hours. The glory of standing motionless in a crowd as your target strolls by, himself trying to look inconspicuous, and having him not even notice your lightning-fast poison stab, only to take five or six steps and drop, confused and frustrated, to the ground… Dammit, now I need to go hook up the PS3 again.
19/02/2011 at 09:45 RegisteredUser says:
Awww. Are the bunch of dudes that sad?
15/02/2011 at 19:12 AndrewC says:
If it doesn’t have the always on DRM, I will buy this game on launch day. I’m not sure how much clearer we can all be.
15/02/2011 at 19:20 Frosty840 says:
I would also like to be this clear.
15/02/2011 at 20:05 MrWolf says:
Wait, wait….you lost me at “if”.
15/02/2011 at 22:54 stele says:
I have an always-on Internet connection but I agree – give me reasonable DRM (good ole Steam would be fine!) and I’ll buy on Day 1. For $60 even. The MP sounds that intriguing.
15/02/2011 at 23:23 FRIENDLYUNIT says:
I also want them to apologise.
OK, I’m strange, but there it is. I want them to say “OMG I have no idea what we were thinking. Sorry. We won’t be that stupid again.”
It was just that offensive.
15/02/2011 at 19:14 clownst0pper says:
I never like Console to PC conversions. Its just never felt comfortable for me :(
15/02/2011 at 20:47 Xiyng says:
Personally I liked the PC version of the first Assassin’s Creed, and I typically hate quick ports from consoles. I don’t know, for some reasion I just thought it worked.
15/02/2011 at 23:11 Shadram says:
Buy a gamepad. Problem solved.
16/02/2011 at 00:28 DigitalSignalX says:
I’m with you, normally console ports suck balls. But the AC series is one of the few exceptions. The PC controls feel fluid and work nicely.
Watching that promo vid, I’m reminded that 5 years ago, that would have only been possible as a high-end cutscene out of engine. Today, that is entirely in-engine and exactly how the game is played. I love PC gaming.
15/02/2011 at 19:19 GiganteAsesino says:
Finally I have restrain myself from watching videos and reading because of potential spoilers looks like it will pay off.
15/02/2011 at 19:19 Paul says:
yeah I will buy this if it does not use always on DRM.
Otherwise I will buy Crysis 2 or Bulletstorm.
15/02/2011 at 19:25 RyuRanX says:
Ubisoft has finally set a release date, but I won’t buy the game in march. Why? This is why:
Warhammer 40.000: Dawn of War II – Retribution
Shogun 2: Total War
Might and Magic: Heroes VI
IL-2 Sturmovick: Cliffs of Dover
Crysis 2
Four major PC exclusives plus Crysis 2. I might get the game in April, if it doesn’t bring that constant online DRM.
15/02/2011 at 21:29 Tarqon says:
Dragon Age 2 and Brink are coming soon as well. I don’t have the money to pick up all these at full price, so I guess I’ll just go for the ones with promising multiplayer (Brink).
15/02/2011 at 19:28 Shakermaker says:
There are too many other games coming out in the coming weeks that get much stronger readings on my personal hype-o-meter. Homefront and Shogun 2 for example, and wasn’t Brink coming out next month as well?
15/02/2011 at 19:32 zergrush says:
Isn’t Brink stated for April or May?
edit: Just checked, Brinks release date is May 17th.
15/02/2011 at 19:36 Shakermaker says:
@Zergrush
Ah, cheers. Somehow I had a March release date stuck in my head for that game.
15/02/2011 at 19:37 Jad says:
If the game contains always-on DRM: I will never purchase this game.
If the game checks online every time you play: I might buy this when it gets to $5, as it is effectively a long-term rental.
Lesser DRM (Steam, GFWL, SecurRom): I’ll buy it. Exact time of purchase will depend on other releases at that time.
Disk Check or None: Instant purchase. Pre-order. Special Edition, whatever.
The ball’s in your court, Ubi.
15/02/2011 at 23:59 mwoody says:
Ah, the days when we railed against disc checks. Seems almost quaint now.
16/02/2011 at 05:48 ancienttoaster says:
I’d still rather have Steam than a disk check.
16/02/2011 at 09:19 iainl says:
Disc check would be a bit useless. I only buy PC games from Steam, because my 11″ laptop has no disc drive.
15/02/2011 at 19:52 disperse says:
What song is in that trailer?
Also, Assassins Creed 2 is one of the choices I have for my OnLive + Laptop + Gamepad gaming rig. The first 30 minutes didn’t grab me. Is it worthwhile?
One of my problems with it is it seems less stealth based and more combat based. It isn’t really the successor to Thief that I wanted it to be.
15/02/2011 at 20:23 SirKicksalot says:
The first hour sucks, but then it just keeps getting better and better. It’s an amazing game.
Well, except for the DLC chapters included in the PC version. Those are the weak links.
15/02/2011 at 20:39 disperse says:
@SirKicksalot
Thanks, it didn’t help that most of the first 30 minutes was tutorial and walking around a laboratory being introduced to characters. After finishing Alpha Protocol I need a new game I can kick back with a gamepad and play, this might fit the bill.
15/02/2011 at 21:34 Tarqon says:
The song is UNKLE – Burn My Shadow.
15/02/2011 at 22:32 Zenicetus says:
I enjoyed it. There are opportunities to use stealth for assassination (get good at roof-leap kills, and use of the poison blade), and some interesting distraction mechanics where you can sometimes avoid combat completely, if it’s not an assassination mission.
You have to role-play it though, because Ezio is such a bad-ass fighter, especially when upgraded with skills and weapons later in the game. From about the halfway point onwards, you can just go in with blades flashing and do fine, so you have to intentionally choose to try and do it stealthy. And that can be a lot of fun. There are some situations though, that force melee combat regardless of what you do. It’s still a good game for the stealth content, I think. It’s not like we have many choices in this genre.
15/02/2011 at 23:44 DrGonzo says:
AC2 wasn’t my cup of tea. It was still repeating the same actions over and over again for the majority of the game.
And no, there isn’t any stealth in the game, but to be fair there isn’t meant to be. Don’t mistake acrobatics for stealth. I suppose it is possible to add some yourself, but just like the first one the easiest way to play the game is to chop up everyone that moves. Once you have learned how to counter the only challenge in the game is when they add it in artificially, e.g. you fail the mission if X occurs.
16/02/2011 at 14:30 disperse says:
The song is UNKLE – Burn My Shadow.
Thanks, I'll check them out. I was getting a cool Johnny Cash meets Tom Waits vibe.
You have to role-play it though, because Ezio is such a bad-ass fighter, especially when upgraded with skills and weapons later in the game. From about the halfway point onwards, you can just go in with blades flashing and do fine, so you have to intentionally choose to try and do it stealthy. And that can be a lot of fun. There are some situations though, that force melee combat regardless of what you do. It’s still a good game for the stealth content, I think. It’s not like we have many choices in this genre.
This doesn’t sound too bad to me. I really liked how stealth was handled in Alpha Protocol. Once you skilled up the stealth tree and had decent stealth armor it was fairly easy to sneak around. Also, if you were caught it wasn’t a game over situation; you could simply fight your way through the level until you got to a point where you could deactivate the alarm. Not as tense as Thief but a fun way to kick back and relax.
15/02/2011 at 20:03 mod the world says:
What are EMEA countries?
15/02/2011 at 20:56 Aldrikh says:
a fancy name for Europe (actually stands for Europe, Middle East and Africa)
15/02/2011 at 20:04 Heliocentric says:
I’ll buy it once its a tuppence, regardless of drm.
15/02/2011 at 20:06 Out Reach says:
Do I get it free if I lived through AC2 DRM?
15/02/2011 at 20:06 BobbleHat says:
Depending on the level of DRM, I’ll either ignore this or wait until it’s less than a tenner. I don’t like it when PC gamers get sloppy seconds from six months ago.
15/02/2011 at 20:14 Squirrelfanatic says:
“Video not available in your country.” Yesss.
15/02/2011 at 20:39 Ravenger says:
The pack artwork as shown on Amazon says it requires a permanent internet connection, so looks like it’s got the UBI DRM.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Assassins-Creed-Brotherhood-PC-DVD/dp/B003L0OVO2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1297802150&sr=8-3
I really don’t understand companies that don’t realise there are people out there like me with disposable income that actually WANT to buy the games but won’t due to excessive DRM.
It’s also not like AC2 miraculously became a multi-million seller because all the masses of pirates suddenly had to go legit to get hold of a copy.
If companies would make commitments to competely patch out DRM after the initial sales period I’d be more happy to buy games at launch instead of when they’re cheap in the bargain bin months later.
15/02/2011 at 21:49 Valvarexart says:
I’m sorry to say, but I fucking hated AC2. Consolified shit that was ultra-delayed to the best platform. They don’t even get that DRM will actually make MORE people pirate the game, dem retards.
15/02/2011 at 22:14 brau says:
I have been waiting for a while for this to come out of PC. I love the 2nd one haha The only thing i don’t really get is, is this the next game on the series? or is this more like an expansion of the 2nd one? i don’t get it, some people talk about they are excited about AC3, but i thought this was it, what’s the deal?
15/02/2011 at 22:27 Dolphan says:
It’s basically somewhere inbetween the two. It’s certainly a full game in terms of length, and it probably improves on AC2 gameplay-wise, but only refining and focusing; it’s fundamentally the same sort of thing, apart from one new gameplay mechanic (other assassin’s that you can summon to take people out/help you in a fight, although there’s a whole metagame system built round them). The biggest sense in which it’s not AC3 is that it continues Ezio’s story rather than moving to a new time period (it does move things forward a bit with Desmond though, rather than leaving him in the lurch).
15/02/2011 at 22:19 Teddy Leach says:
I still haven’t noticed the first being on sale. This makes Hulk sad.
15/02/2011 at 22:20 Miker says:
The pre-order page is up on Steam. No mentions of 3rd party DRM so far, but that could change. It should also be noted that it’s $50 to ACII’s $60 on launch.
15/02/2011 at 22:32 JohnnyMaverik says:
If it lacks the ridiculous always online DRM which genuinely means I can’t play the games that use it during term time when I’m living at Uni halls atm (the internet connection is shit here… and that’s when it’s even up) I might buy it on launch, if not I’ll wait until they drop it and then for the game to go on sale on steam for a ridiculously low price because fk giving a company who punish me for not pirating their games a decent profit.
15/02/2011 at 22:42 Ravenger says:
My internet connection currently sucks as Virgin media have oversubscribed my area again. I can’t play online games so any game that requires a constant internet connection simply won’t work for me, even if i did compromise my principles and buy it, which I won’t.
15/02/2011 at 23:47 DrGonzo says:
Virgin did the same to me. I phoned them up and complained, they refunded my phone costs, gave me the previous and following month for free and fixed my connection issues incredibly quickly. I was really quite shocked I must say.
15/02/2011 at 22:50 Horza says:
I may end up betraying the PC and getting this one for the X-Box because:
1) It’s older and therefore cheaper on the xbox
2) I think these kinds of games are best played with a gamepad and I don’t own one for my PC. Also, the lack of PC gamepad means that if I wanted to play the pc version on my TV, I’d have to play with my head turned 90 degrees left.
Good to see it finally being released on PC tho.
15/02/2011 at 23:19 Shadram says:
You have an XBox, so you have a PC controller… You just need one of these
15/02/2011 at 23:51 DrGonzo says:
Yes, a somewhat confusing comment.
I recently purchased an Hd TV. I tried out a few of my 360 games on it and have now settled on playing games through it with my PC. I just couldn’t stand how pixelated everything was on the Xbox. High Def console my arse!
I was quite surprised my 4-5 year old PC could so easily out do the Xbox at such high resolutions, but there you go.
15/02/2011 at 23:55 tixxx says:
Yea, was going to say just “hook” it up to the PC. If you have a wired controller you just connect it since it is standard USB.
If Wireless you get one of those controller receivers.
Most modern/recent games should support the 360 controller immediately “plug’n play” (usually applicable to multiplatform games both on 360/PC. I mean they are both Microsoft products afterall, cross compatibility/support). You can even use programs like gameprofiler or xpadder etc. to custom setup your controller for those 360 controller unsupported games.
16/02/2011 at 05:54 ANeM says:
Sadly I have to say go with the xbox, the 360 gamepad support in AC2 was atrocious. The default button mapping was all wrong and even once you sorted it out you still couldn’t map anything to the triggers because the game decided since they were analog they must be joysticks.
16/02/2011 at 09:00 MrMud says:
The button mapping could be completely fixed with 3rd party dlls. Its terrible support I know, but it can be fixed.
16/02/2011 at 09:24 iainl says:
Personally, I think you’re better off spending £18 on a spare wired 360 controller that works with the PC, than you are £15 on the receiver for your existing wireless pad. Unless you really need a wireless connection to the computer, that extra pad can turn out to be handy – between it, my SFIV pad and the second wireless pad that came with my 360 bundle, I’ve got enough for 4-player 360 games now.
16/02/2011 at 10:30 MrMud says:
Yea there is definitely better support for Wired controllers (even for Games for Windows Live games such as Dead Rising 2 that doesnt work for the wireless without a hack) but wired controllers are problematic when your sitting in front of your tv 5 meters from your PC.
16/02/2011 at 14:36 Horza says:
Yeah, I’m aware of the wireless receivers but haven’t bought one, since they’ve always seemed a bit too expensive. Now I’ve found a relatively cheap wireless controller+receiver bundle (from dealextreme if anyone’s interested) so I might just get that sorted out since I need a spare/replacement controller anyway.
16/02/2011 at 00:00 Chizu says:
I already played this on the Playstation of 3 consoletoy. Since I already had Asscreed 1 and 2 there anyway.
If you liked 2, Brotherhood is more of the same goodness in a new single massive area, with some nice little diversions in the Leonardo missions.
Multiplayer is pretty interesting for a while, certainly when people are playing it right.
Less so when all the players are running around like painfully obvious spazzes.
I was worried with the multiplayer, that Brotherhood was going to feel like little more than tacked on DLC or something, but the singleplayer stands up very well on its own, and is completely relevant to the story, ending in another god damned cliff hanger >:/
I guess the only reason its not called Asscreed 3 is because its still Ezio’s story.
16/02/2011 at 01:59 ChiefOfBeef says:
Number one: that’s terror.
Number two: that’s terror.
16/02/2011 at 02:38 Shadram says:
The notion of shoes forking disturbs me greatly.
16/02/2011 at 04:40 bansama says:
I’ve enjoyed the PS3 version so much that I couldn’t care less about the DRM (especially as AC2′s DRM never posed a significant problem to me even on a poor internet connection), so I’ll be pre-ordering this early next month to get the DE content.
16/02/2011 at 10:02 Stephen Roberts says:
I have mixed feelings about people saying ‘fuck it, I can deal with the DRM’. I realise that those of us that have the option are privileged as someone mentioned further up that halls of residence suck balls at the Internet. I went to an art college and we couldn’t look up ‘Nude Descending a Staircase’ in the library, let alone the halls. But if we disagree with the DRM and still buy the product “If we don’t take action now, we’ll settle for nothing later”. Is it perhaps best to write to Ubisoft contesting their DRM and buy the game? Seemingly hypocritical but actively fostering PC gaming while opposing the DRM in the most effective way. Two good acts becoming hypocritical is certainly odd ground to be on.
I’m enjoying Assassin’s Creed 2 so much currently on the PC that I am going to be getting this game without a shadow of doubt. I am just as certain that I can’t afford the massive barrage of games being released at this time, so some of them are going to take a back seat. So while I will be buying it, lets assume it’ll be after a price drop of some sort as I’m already betrothed to Dawn of War 3: Return of the Unguates.
Finally, is that trailer a fan-made piece? The directing was pretty innovative if a little clumsily handled and the song was typically fitting as I’d discovered towards the end of an odd Jude Law film, Repo Men, in a scene of similar bloodshed, reminiscent in itself of the corridor scene from Old Boy. And if you want a cinematic trailer for this particular game, look no further than here. Ooh I love birds!
16/02/2011 at 05:54 Grey says:
If I don’t buy the 45$ jacket and the 15$ sunglasses, maybe I can buy myself Ass-ass-in Creed’s Brothelhood.
16/02/2011 at 07:32 Dreamhacker says:
18th march for the UK only, or for all Europe?
16/02/2011 at 07:56 Nero says:
Damn, the DLC costumes in this game is horrible expensive. Does the handbag also come as a man purse? Might suit Ezio better.
16/02/2011 at 08:16 Inarborat says:
Not worried about DRM when there’s multiplayer that requires an always on connection anyways. All the DLC packed in and at $50 is something I definitely like and will support.
Now, if only Bioware/EA could stop being silly and do things that are consumer friendly.
16/02/2011 at 18:43 letoeb says:
Assassin’s Creed 2 was one of those games that I hate to hate. I really wanted it to be good, and every time I watch someone play it, I feel like I’m missing out on one of the best games of the last years.
Still, it’s a cumbersome affair. The controls are flowbreakingly finicky, the A.I. is spirit-crushing in its inanity and unpredictability and combat is just annoying. The only things keeping the game together are the superb storytelling and the rich environment.
It’s sad really, for every once in a while, it really shows promise, but it lacks more than a bit polish: It’s okay for a sandbox game if its parts lack a little polish (GTA IV shows that when your scope is large enough, just-good-enough is more than a-okay), but Assassin’s Creed 2 doesn’t do anything it does really well. So I’m not holding my breath for Brotherhood.