Creative Director for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Ashraf Ismail, has recently revealed a bunch of interesting details about the latest entry in the cirtically acclaimed Assassin's Creed series, and it looks like the developers really want to give players more things to get excited over.
When it comes to artificial intelligence in NPCs, Ismail mentions that the series has kept a bunch of mechanics from previous titles, but this time around they want every non-playable character a unique personality for players to inteact with — which makes the game feel even more realistic.
In particular, Ismail talks about the settlement of Viking warriors that players command as Eivor, and how interactions with each and every single one of the members of this settlement will be meaningful to players.
"Everything is being built on top of [previous games] and pushed much further. In terms of NPCs, the big push we’re making right now is the settlement. And so the settlement is a place that, when you arrive in England, you’re settling your people and you’re trying to grow," explained Ismail during an interview with Kotaku.
Ismail then reveals that Eivor — and players, for that matter — will play a very important role in this settlement, which he reveals will have inhabitants with purpose, and that players will have to deal with the community's growing population.
And we wanted to make sure that everyone in the settlement was meaningful to the player, that you have a name, you have a face, you can have relationships and be able to get to know them. And they have a life within that settlement," Ismail concluded.
In Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla, you are Eivor, a fierce Viking warrior raised on tales of battle and glory. Explore a dynamic and beautiful open world set against the brutal backdrop of England’s Dark Ages. Raid your enemies, grow your settlement, and build your political power in your quest to earn your place among the gods in Valhalla.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is expected to release for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, and Stadia this Holiday.