Montreal, Canada – Analekta, an independent classical record company in Canada, is thrilled to announce Angèle Dubeau with La Pietà newest album Game Music. Her 36th album was devoted to film music and topped the Canadian charts for the last 9 months; this new recording features unrivalled performances of strong and striking works from some of the most popular video games in the world. Never before has the realm of video game music been imbued with such virtuosity and originality.

“I have never placed limits on my choice of repertoire, and for this project, I reached toward a unique world that was creative and vibrant in its originality,” explains Angèle Dubeau, the violinist and artistic director of La Pietà. “In my quest to discover the gems of video game music, I listened to many works written and revisited by composers of great talent. Above all, I wanted to avoid distorting them, and my intention has been to preserve the form that initially won over video game aficionados while at the same time breathing new life into them.”

As Angèle did previously when she picked film music, she assembled works that were powerful and evocative enough to have a life of their own. The album features, works associated with famous games such as Tetris, Final Fantasy, Halo 3, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, Assassin’s Creed and Angry Birds, as well as others heard in Chrono Trigger, Heavy Rain and Secret of Mana. The album is available for digital download and can be purchased on CD starting October 23 in Canada and on October 30 in the US.

Additionally a free companion App has been released with trivia on video game music and clips from the album, it can be downloaded here.

Considered one of the most prominent violin virtuosos in Canada since she was 15, Angèle Dubeau has led a dazzling career in the great concert halls of the world. Her virtuosity and musicality have garnered many prizes over the years, and is one of the rare classical violinists in the world to have been awarded gold records. She has already sold over 500,000 albums in her career.

Driven by a constant desire to innovate, Angèle Dubeau founded La Pietà in 1997, an all-female string orchestra featuring some of Canada’s best musicians. From early on, the ensemble gained a solid reputation, playing Canada’s most prestigious venues and on television. The Los Angeles Times noted that “Dubeau is an exciting, dynamic fiddler…The performances were consistently robust and inquiring, taking nothing for granted…Dubeau’s well-drilled band played with agility, power, a nicely weighted sound and a fierce joy in the doing.”

To download the album on iTunes please go here.

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London, U.K. — On August 10, Ubisoft announced that Assassin’s Creed III for PCs will be available in the UK on November 23, 2012.

Set against the backdrop of the American Revolution in the late 18th century, Assassin’s Creed III introduces a new hero, Ratohnhakéton, of Native American and English heritage. Adopting the name Connor, he becomes the new voice for justice in the ancient war between the Assassins and Templars. Players become an Assassin in the war for liberty against ruthless tyranny in the most stylized and fluid combat experiences in the franchise to date.

Assassin’s Creed III is set to release on October 31st for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and will be available for Wii U from Nintendo when the Wii U launches.

Initially launched in 2007, the first four Assassin’s Creed games have sold more than 38 million units worldwide, and the franchise is now established as one of the best-selling series ever. Recognized for having some of the richest, most engrossing storytelling in the industry, Assassin’s Creed transcends video games, branching out into other entertainment experiences including comic books, Facebook games, novels, short films and more.

Assassin’s Creed III can be pre-ordered at UBIShop by visiting: http://shop.ubi.com/assassinscreed3

For more information on Assassin’s Creed, please visit the Assassin’s Creed Official Website (www.assassinscreed.com)

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Ubisoft, one of the most influential video game creators of our time, is breaking into the film business. In May of 2012, the Paris-based Ubisoft created Ubisoft Motion Pictures with the goal of creating films of their video game franchises of Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell, and Ghost Recon.

Ubisoft will have full creative control over every aspect of all three films: writer, director, cast, everything. So far there is no director or release date yet, but it has been confirmed that Michael Fassbender, Magneto in ‘X-Men First Class’ will star and co-produce the Assassin’s Creed film.

“Ubisoft has decided to never sell its licenses because it wants to have creative control,” stated Ubisoft Motion Pictures CEO Jean-Julien Baronnet. “There are strong licences and investments in important games that require us to diversify sources of franchise value and synergies.”

Ubisoft has decided to extend to the big screen because, as Baronnet stated, “humans convey more emotion on the big screen. And it shouldn’t be forgotten that actors bring viewers into the cinemas.” Baronnet also expressed that Ubisoft was worried about how another company would change the story. “We prefer making the film a 100 percent by ourselves instead of having a studio that could betray the spirit of the license, because this would have a negative effect on the image of the game.”

It is completely understandable why Ubisoft is being a little obsessive about holding on to the creative rights of the trilogy. The story is extremely intricate with several well developed characters. The Assassin’s Creed story, first launched in 2007, surrounds the character Desmond Miles who lives in the present day. He is descended from several individuals who were a part of a group known as the Assassins. The Assassins archenemies are the Templars, a rivalry which dates back thousands of years.

In present day, the Templars and Assassins are still at war; the Assassins protecting freedom while the Templars attempt to control the populace through mind control and manipulation. Desmond Miles, a former member of the Assassins, is kidnapped by the Templars and put in a machine known as the Animus so he can revisit the memories of his ancestors in order for the Templars to find a weapon hidden long ago.

The first ancestor, Altair, whose memories he explores was the plot of Assassin’s Creed, the first game, and was set in the Crusades. The second ancestor, Ezio Auditore, is featured in Assassin’s Creed II, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, and Assassin’s Creed Revelations in which Ezio explores Renaissance Italy and Constantinople. The upcoming Assassin’s Creed III will feature a new ancestor, Connor, who lives in eighteenth century America and is half Native American and half European.

Ubisoft has made a deal with Sony that they will have complete control over the production of the film, but that also means that they must invest in it as well. Prior to the production of the Assassin’s Creed film, Ubisoft released two other short films that fell in before the release of Assassin’s Creed II and after Assassin’s Creed Revelations, the latest game. ‘Assassin’s Creed: Lineage’ was the first film and explained the background of Ezio, the second generation Desmond explores. ‘Assassin’s Creed: Embers’ is the latest film that explains the end of Ezio’s life.

This latest Assassin’s Creed Film will be the first produced by Ubisoft Motion Pictures, the new branch created by Ubisoft. Ubisoft Motion Pictures will also have a television division within it to create such shows as “Raving Rabbids,” an adaptation of one of their video games.

With the fantastic story and incredible game franchise we have all come to know and love, this film could be one of the best the year it is released (whenever that may be). Especially since all fans know that Ubisoft will do the story justice with the film – without adding elements that were not there to begin with or taking out important story elements that are necessary to the development. According to screenrant.com Ubisoft is hoping for a “long-term film franchise” which would definitely be necessary to cover all the material. However, the first film will have to do very well, not only with fans but with non-fans; here’s to hoping for the best.

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On October 30, 2012, the long-awaited Assassin’s Creed III will be released. Ubisoft will also release another game for the PlayStation Vita on October 30 called Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation.

The PlayStation Vita game will be offered in both regular game form and the Chrystal White Vita bundle that will include the game and bonus material.

Liberation features the first and only female assassin, Aveline, who joined the assassins in 1759. According to Joystiq, Aveline is “a woman of conviction” who stands between Spain and their complete control of New Orleans.

Aveline has French and African heritage which is also expressed in her weapons of choice. Aveline uses the usual assassin hidden blade but will also use a sugarcane machete, a poison dart blowpipe, and dueling pistols.

The game takes place only in New Orleans and the surrounding bayou in the eighteenth century. The game begins in 1765 and continues through 1780 with a focus on the impacts of the French and Indian War.

The French and Indian War was fought mainly between Britain and France – and their respective Native American allies – over their North American territories between 1754 and 1763. Although most of the fighting in North America had ended by 1760, after Aveline joins the Brotherhood in the game, the official treaty was not signed until February of 1763. As part of the treaty, Spain, who was the French ally during the war, lost Florida to the British. The French gave the Louisiana territory, which included New Orleans, to Spain as compensation for the loss of Florida.

During the time period of the game players will witness the impacts of the French and Indian War first hand. Many French and German settlers in New Orleans were not happy about their new government nor the individuals that were sent to govern them. Players will most likely witness and participate in such events as the Louisiana Rebellion of 1768 when the first Spanish governor, Antonio de Ulloa, was run out. Other events that will probably be included in the game are the Spanish involvement in the American Revolutionary War (on the side of the rebels) in 1779 and the Battle of Saint Louis in 1780 – the only Revolutionary battle west of the Mississippi.

Although the game is on a handheld system, Ubisoft promises that the game will live up to the reputation of the PlayStation console games. Geoffroy Sardin, Chief Executive of Ubisoft Sales and Marketing stated, “The release of Assassin’s Creed III Liberation will be the series’ most ambitious handheld offering to date.”

The game will have the same incredible visuals – although on a significantly smaller screen – and will allow the player to do all of the same types of actions as previous assassin games. Assassinations, pickpocketing, and tree climbing will all be possible. Players will also be able to swim through the bayou to explore ancient Mayan ruins and will have to avoid dangerous animals in the forest, like in Assassin’s Creed III. Ubisoft has also announced that all of the PlayStation Vita features – the dual touchpads, motion detection, and built-in camera – will be used during the gameplay.

The missions in Liberation will be shorter – to better accommodate the hand-held nature of the game – but will still be similar to those in Assassin’s Creed III. There is also the possibility of overlapping events with Assassin’s Creed III and that Aveline and Connor, the character in Assassin’s Creed III, will meet.

If the user links the PlayStation Vita with the PlayStation and has Assassin’s Creed III, they will receive exclusive in-game content. Other upgrades include extra multiplayer characters, upgrades of ammunition pouches and a tomahawk for Aveline.

Liberation will also have a multiplayer function, like in Assassin’s Creed III and previous AC games.

After the somewhat disappointing array of PlayStation Vita games announced at the E3 conference, many are excited to finally get to use their Vita.

Ubisoft Sofia is responsible for the creation of this game, the same creators of “Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars” that was a hit on the Nintendo 3DS; it comes as no surprise that the game was nominated as the Best Handheld/Mobile Game at the E3 Conference this year. Assassin’s Creed III, the PlayStation console game, was also nominated for several awards: Best of Show, Best Console Game, and Best Action/Adventure Game.

Ultimately, the worries that Assassin’s Creed III will not live up to the previous incarnations are unnecessary. Both games are highly anticipated by old and new fans and will definitely be games that should not be missed.

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Unlike their competitors, Sony wasted no time getting to the most important topic for any gamer during its E3 presentation: games. Unfortunately, not all of the games shown were to everyones liking.

Beyond: Two Souls, developed by Quantic Dreams, the makers of Heavy Rain, was announced at the beginning of the show. Much like Heavy Rain, story and cinematic seem to play a large role in the game and follows the protagonist, Judie Holmes, over the course of her life.

Sony fans itching for some Super Smash Bros. are fortunately in luck; PlayStation All-Star Battle Royale aims to fill that niche. Battles are based around getting points, which players can obtain through defeating others and special moves. Big Daddy from Bioshock was confirmed as a playable character; other 3rd party characters may be included.

Sony also touched on their online service, PlayStation Network (PSN), revealing that over 200 games are due for release on the service within the next 12 months, including titles like The Unfinished Swan PSN and PS1 titles available online are also headed toward the Vita.  Fans can look forward to PS1 classics like Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy 7.

In addition, PlayStation Plus members can also expect to get great deals on content and online games, a smart move that will hopefully get more people to sign up for the service.

A Call of Duty game is in development for the Vita, along with the upcoming Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation (AC). Liberation is the first Assassin’s Creed game to feature a female assassin as the lead, has touch screen capabilities, and was built ground up for the Vita. There are also extras that can be unlocked when the game is linked up to Assassin’s Creed 3 on PlayStation 3. The games will give Vita owners something to look forward to in the coming months.

The latest flagship game in the AC series will have an emphasis on water, with controlling ships on the high seas as an important part of the game. A special and realistic weather system will also be in place in the game. Both Assassin’s Creed games will take place in America during revolutionary times.

Far Cry 3 multiplayer was also shown. The mode will include 4-player co-op and feature missions made specifically for multiplayer. Looking a little rough at this time, the game still has a ways to go in development, but looks to be a fun experience.

Sony, however, went wrong announcing Wonder Book: Book of Spells. Utilizing the PlayStation Move, players can cast spells and embark on quests in a Harry Potter themed world. The game is, however, nothing like the games fans were expecting and is more reminiscent of a point-and-click game meant for children. Many fans voiced their disapproval of the software and the lengthy amount of time devoted to it. 

Toward the end of the conference, a trailer for the new God of War game, subtitled “Ascension,” was shown. Fans of the series will be delighted to know that the game looks to follow its predecessor’s closely in terms of game-play and gore. A multiplayer mode will be included, up to 8 players can join in games of competitive team play where players will battle for control of the map. A release date of March 12, 2013 has been announced.

Sony closed its show with The Last of Us. Created by developer Naughty Dog, responsible for successful franchises like Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter and the Uncharted series, the trailer for the game was by far the highlight of Sony’s conference. It features two characters, the ruthless Joel and the young but wise Ellie, trying to survive in a zombie infested post-apocalyptic world. While the concept might seem overdone, Naughty Dog breathes fresh life into the wasteland with fast and action-packed game-play.

While Sony had some high points and some low points, many fans overall were disappointed. Many games they expected to be shown or announced were not touched upon, such as Kingdom Hearts 3. Other than The Last of Us, there were no big surprises, and many hated Wonder Book: Book of Spells. Luckily for Sony, The Last of Us was enough not to alienate fans, but they definitely will not attract any newcomers with the show.

Image Courtesy of  PlayStation.Blog.Europe

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Johnson Ting, a digital concept artist from Malaysia, had a knack for all that is mecha and video game related. In this portion of his interview, he gives readers insights into his college life, inspirations, and his future goals in the art world.

Toonari Post (TP): If you could make the perfect piece of artwork what would it look like?  What medium would it be in? How would you achieve “perfection”?

Johnson Ting (JT): I don’t think I can achieve ‘perfection’. To me, one of the best moments in creating a work is the process of trying to make it ‘perfect’, but you can never achieve it. It’s the ‘trying to make it perfect’ part that is the part where you gain a lot of knowledge. We’re all students of art, no matter our age and our qualifications, we’re always learning. If we ever stopped learning, the purpose of creating better art is lost. The art could end up being soulless. A painting without the artist’s effort and passion is just.. dead.

TP: If there was any art medium that you wish you could master, what would it be and why?

JT: It would be the digital medium. It’s one of my most frequently used mediums and my favorite. I love it a lot, so if i could be given a wish to master it, then why not?

TP: What is your college life like at One Academy of Communication Design? Did your classes help your skills and give you inspiration for the future?

JT: To be honest it was rather unexpected, not how I imagined an art school to be like. The college focuses more on fundamentals and technical skills. In my opinion, it helps a lot, building a strong foundation for future purposes. What I like most about the college are the lecturers, not just the stuff they teach, but the part when they share their opinions about art and what their life as an artist is like.

To me, that is something you can’t buy, it is just priceless. The people I met during my college years are some of my proudest moments. Being able to meet great people and masters helps a lot in boosting one’s dedication towards art.

TP: You will be graduating soon, how does it feel to be finishing your degree? Any worries about what comes after graduation?

JT: Not really. Worrying doesn’t help, action does! I’m already a concept artist in a game studio a few months ago before I graduate. I’m switching to a full time concept artist afterwards. There are some worries, but if you’re sure on what you’re going to do and where you’re going to be, then there’s not much to worry about actually. Believe in yourself and fight for the best.

TP: Outside of art what is your life like? Tell me anything about yourself that you would like.

JT: Enjoying being alive! I’m grateful of the life I have been given and I often go out to a quiet place with a pen and a sketchbook. Seeing people interacting with each other, enjoying the view, and the breeze in your hair, it’s just amazing to be able to do so. I usually catch movies with friends and join as many outdoor activities as i can, hiking or cycling especially.

Interacting with mother nature is just relaxing and you can also gain a lot of inspirations from it. If I had the time I would just go around driving, enjoying the drive and the music, just great.  Oh, and games!

TP:What are your goals in life? Do you plan to continue art as a hobby or make it a career?

JT: My goal in life is to be a part of a team creating a successful game title, like Assassin’s Creed, Call of Duty, Gears of War, etc. Being a part of a team creating something epic is always something I have aspired to do and it’ll always be my main goal in life. Opening a studio with a bunch of fun people is also one of my goals! And yes, it’ll be my lifelong career and I’m really grateful that I’m fortunate enough in being able to achieve these goals.

TP: Do you feel that your culture has influenced you in some way that makes you different than other artists?

JT: Yes, I do. It’s something you don’t really know or notice. We all come from different backgrounds and cultures, everything we do affects our art. How we grow up, what we like to eat, where we lived, what we like to play, who we know, it’s all connected. It subconsciously changes the way we draw and it’s what makes us all unique. Everyone is special, everyone is unique, that is what makes us all one of a kind.

Image Courtesy of   rhinoting

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The newest installment of Assassins Creed Revelations is still the same open and sprawling world that fans have come to know and love. Ubisoft Montreal has managed to produce yet another exciting and excellently crafted foray into the worlds of Assassin’s Creed. Sadly, it will also depress fans to know that Ezio’s story has come to its final chapter.

The overall feeling is that the game, like the highpoint of a feature film, should wrap up any unanswered questions regarding Ezio. As is tradition by now, the cities are beautifully rendered works of art that you happen to be able to climb all over. Constantinople itself is a vast city that features buildings of different heights and angles, a maze that can lead new players astray at first.

Historically accurate, these works of art disguised as set pieces are the play ground for the war between the Assassins and the Templar Order. The Brotherhood element makes a return as well, with wider ranges in character design and a wider variety of training mission’s right out of the gate.

The recruitment missions for brotherhood assassins are also more in depth, requiring a greater amount of work to cultivate a new member of the Assassin Order. The much larger character possibilities for the recruits adds a very natural feel to the game.

If you’ve played through most of the preceding games you’ll find familiarity in the combat system, but find a welcome addition of a secondary weapon wheel which splits the weapon selection interface into two wheels. This is a great improvement from previous games where changing between weapons and tools under pressure could be awkward and frustrating.

You’ll still be able to set weapons and tools for quick use on the D pad, but there are many options to choose from. Surely to the joy of players, the addition of the hook blade is a fantastically tactile weapon that draws you even further into the mayhem. Its use in combat seems just as brutal as the initial introduction of the second hidden blade in the left arm from previous games.

The hook blade also has its advantages in traveling across the city, its tactical advantage is quite clear for roof top assassinations around Constantinople. You’ll need all the help you can get, Archers from past games are gone, replaced with Long Distance Riflemen.

Items found in the natural environment similar to money chests can now create bombs and grenades of sorts that have a much larger affect than in previous games. Not a strong mainline weapon by nature, the use of explosives in the game has always been something of a secondary, not often used feature.

In this iteration however, the Assassins will have their hands full setting these weapons on unsuspecting enemies all across the city in both the single player campaign and the multi-player. Also new is the Den Defense feature, basically a side quest to defend Assassin Den’s from waves of Templar’s.

It isn’t a bad tower defense style gaming extra but it does create noticeable frustration for the player at first when trying to figure out the controls, which only offer brief explanations while playing. This feature has potential to be very addicting but sadly remains unrefined and future versions will require a great deal more polish.

The Eagle Vision feature has also been given a generous upgrade with target path prediction now a standard feature. Ubisoft has given you the ability to know ahead of time, the standard patrol route of any target that you so choose.

Veteran players can breath easier because using the rooftops is a choice rather than a chore, especially since Revelations replaces Archers with Long Distance Riflemen. Additionally, in certain situations, Eagle Vision will ferret out false doors for you as well. The online multi-player brings an entirely new and literal meaning to the phrase ‘know thine enemy well’ as you play the role of a fledgling Templar in Abstergo.

As you play you’ll gain major insight into the inner workings of Abstergo. Right off the bat you’ll have customization options and be able to strategize in game with tons of new game-play modes and rewards. New players will adjust to the learning curve and even veteran players will need to get back into the swing of things.

As a Templar this time around, you’ll still have fun playing this newer more streamlined multi-player. Speaking of new appearances, if you’ve paid attention to the glyphs that Ezio has come across in the last few Assassins’ games you’ll know about Subject 16 and the brief vision that Desmond has of him.

From early on in the first Assassin Creed games we learn that Desmond has been given a message from Subject 16. All is not well at Abstergo Industries, as subjects are kept under lock and key, sometimes for good reason. Desmond’s part in the game is much more engaging than in the past, but still seems to be only an appetizer, rather than a full meal itself.

Also making his presence felt from previous games is Altair, the Assassin from the first Assassins Creed game with the city of Masyaf. His memories are integral to the progression of the game, as they delve into parts of his history not seen in the first Assassins Creed game.

Glimpses into Altair’s life have been featured after the release of the first Assassin’s title but here you’ll have a more fully fledged playing experience as Altair again. At the heart of Assassin’s Creed is still the same game-play that fans will know and love. There are a few changes here and there in the already excellently established game-play elements to keep things fresh.

Ultimately the driving force behind this excellent series has always been its characters, with us experiencing their thoughts and feelings as well as witnessing their actions as we journey through their lives. A gamer may just play the game, but a true fan of the series is emotionally invested in the health of the entire series.

Only time will tell what else can happen in our battle between the Assassins and the Templar’s.

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