Date issued: 15 January 2021
Skål! – which mean Cheers! in Old Norse
Colchester Museums is thrilled that global game developer Ubisoft has reimagined Colchester from the 9th Century. Colchester is one of many settings featured in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which was released in November 2020.
Complete with the ruins of the Temple of Claudius (on which the modern Colchester Castle now stands), Colchester’s formidable town walls and the remains of what was once the centre of Roman Britain is now a thriving Saxon settlement in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Colchester is one of the many settings seen in Assassin's Creed Valhalla and with videos and stills, Colchester Museums will be using their social media platforms over the coming weeks to show its followers how the cutting-edge technology of video games has given life to this period in history.
Historians and artists worked closely on the game, taking inspiration from historical documents and Renaissance artworks to compile this interpretation of Colchester, with a few surprises thrown in along the way!
Set at the end of the 9th Century, Assassin's Creed Valhalla introduces players to England at a time of great turmoil and change. Britain is ruled by the Saxons, with kingdoms such as Wessex, Northumbria and Essex dividing the country. In a landscape filled with the relics of the Roman past, towns and cities grow their own identity under famous rulers like King Alfred. But envious Vikings eyeing up the rich lands and resources of England are bound to change the course of History…
Councillor Julie Young, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Performance and Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “Through the visuals of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Colchester Museums will give its social media followers a real opportunity to visualise what life would have looked like if they had lived in Colchester during these turbulent times! Join us, step back in time and go on a historical journey with us!’’
Page last reviewed: 13 January 2021