Assassin’s Creed III ‘on track’ to become highest pre-ordered game in Ubisoft history

Assassin's Creed III is on track to become the highest pre-ordered game in Ubisoft's history, the company announced today.  Assassin's Creed III is making history for Ubisoft in North America particularly.  In only three weeks since the game's announcement, pre-orders in the U.S. are higher than any other previous Assassin's Creed titles.

According to Ubisoft, Assassin's Creed III has over 10 times the U.S. pre-order total that Assassin's Creed Revelations had in the same period.  In addition, the game has already reached Assassin's Creed Brotherhood's life-to-date pre-order total.  If it continues at this rate, Assassin's Creed III will match the life-to-date U.S. pre-order figures for Ubisoft's previously most pre-ordered game, Assassin's Creed Revelations, by June.

Since the game's reveal earlier this month, Assassin's Creed III has attracted a ton of attention from both old fans of the series and even those with no prior interest, likely thanks to the change of setting.  Assassin's Creed III will ditch it's older environments and head into the United States with events taking place during the American Revolution.

Assassin's Creed III will also say goodbye to franchise characters Altair and Ezio; instead, it will introduce a brand new character, Connor.  Connor is a half English, half Mohawk Indian who dedicates himself to eradicating tyranny and injustice after his home village is set on fire.  Along the way, players will meet historic figures like George Washington and Ben Franklin.  Tons of details have been leaked since then.

Perhaps, the change of environment coupled with the game's strong emphasis on American history has led to the booming pre-orders in the U.S.  I can't say for sure, but I can say that I am one of the people who have hopped on the Assassin's Creed bandwagon since I first saw the trailer of this new game.

"On October 30th players will experience the biggest game launch in Ubisoft's history with the highly anticipated release of Assassins Creed III," said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Ubisoft. "With a development cycle of three years, Assassins Creed III is the true next-generation experience of the Assassins Creed brand."

"The production value of the game, combined with the biggest marketing commitment we've ever made, will make Assassins Creed III the highest-selling Assassin's Creed game ever," Key continued. "Additionally, the new setting and hero makes this the perfect time to jump into the series for anyone that has not previously played an Assassin's Creed game."

Several weeks ago, Ubisoft's UK managing director Rob Cooper said the new hero and setting for Assassin's Creed III make the game a "great time for gamers to join the adventure."