Will Assassin’s Creed Have a Game Set in the Aztec Empire?

Rumours about the setting for the next game in the Assassin’s Creed series have been swirling for some time now. One of the most interesting theories is that it could be set during the Aztec Empire in Central America. How did this rumour begin and is it likely to be true?

All About the Aztec Rumours

This rumour began online when a gamer known as ACG posted in mid-July that the next instalment of the franchise “will be Aztecs”. No further information was revealed, but the fact that this person has been right about several issues surrounding Assassin’s Creed in the past meant that fans took this rumour seriously.

With Ubisoft celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Assassin’s Creed series year, there have been a lot of rumours about new developments such as a VR game and a remake of the original game. In this context, the idea of a game featuring Aztecs made sense, but nothing else has come out since then to confirm or deny the theory.

What Would This Game Be Like?

It’s easy to imagine an Assassin’s Creed set in the Aztec Empire, which would presumably take place around the time of the Spanish conquistadors in 1519. The Aztecs were at the height of their power when Europeans arrived, but within a couple of years their capital, Tenochtitlan, had fallen and the Aztec population was decimated.

The setting for this game could be spectacular, with the story potentially beginning as Hernán Cortés and his group of about 630 explorers landed on the Yucatán peninsula and destroyed their boats, meaning that forging ahead into the unknown land was the only option open to them.

They faced a mighty empire of up to six million citizens, mainly based in the city of Tenochtitlan, which was the largest city in the Americas at the time. Sitting on Lake Texcoco in the site of what is now modern-day Mexico City, it was renowned for its bridges, temples and large house.

The sight of Tenochtitlan left the Spaniards in awe, as it was said to be the same size as the biggest European cities of the time, such as Seville and Paris. While this could be the main setting for a game, the surrounding jungle, volcanoes and pyramids make for interesting options away from the city.

We probably won’t know any more until September, when Ubisoft has a special event planned where they’ll reveal the future of the franchise. However, many fans now believe that the next game will take place in Baghdad rather than in Central America.

The Popularity of Aztec-Themed Games

An Assassin’s Creed game set in the Aztec Empire wouldn’t be the first time that developers have set a game here. Shadow the Tomb Raider is one example, with this 2018 effort from Square Enix showing Lara Croft trying to stop the Mayan apocalypse, but also covering the Inca and Aztec cultures. This game sold about nine million copies, despite receiving some relatively poor reviews for its gameplay.

The Aztec Empire is also represented across other sectors within the entertainment industry. For example, consider the iGaming and gambling sectors: several online slots that we can find at casinos offering a free spins bonus are obviously Aztec-themed. For instance, Gonzo’s Quest is listed as one of the popular slots for players to use their free spins on. This game from NetEnt sees a Spanish conquistador journey to the jungles of America, although it isn’t explicitly said where in the continent he lands.

A further Aztec adventure can be found with the Aztec: The Curse in The Heart of the City of Gold game from 2001. While there are other games that cram in the Aztecs alongside several other ancient cultures, this title is notable for focusing on this empire. The player takes on the role of a village that gets framed for murder but also has to deal with a mystery illness and human sacrifices.

A different approach is seen in 2017’s Aztez, which mixed turn-based strategy and beat-em-up style action. The player has the role of an Aztec warrior in this game, as they travel through the Aztec lands and the underworld, meeting legendary beasts and Gods along the way.

Source: Pixabay

Summary

There’s still a chance that Assassin’s Creed fans get to go on an Aztec adventure in the next game in the series. The latest reports suggest that this isn’t guaranteed to be the next release from Ubisoft, but there’s no doubt that the setting has a lot of potential that could make it one of the most exciting games in the series.