Assassin's Creed: Revelations Coming in November

Ever since the logo for Assassin's Creed Revelations was "accidentally" leaked on Ubisoft's Facebook page last week, rumors have been circulating throughout the web regarding the possibility of a new Assassin's Creed title; today we get official word that Assassin's Creed Revelations not only exists, but will be available this November for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. Several details have already surfaced, such as the return of Altair, and the fact that the game will focus on all three major protagonists in the franchise to date. Indeed, Altair, Ezio, and Desmond will all be getting more or less equal screen time and attention.

As far as the setting is concerned, Revelations will be placing Ezio in the Ottoman Empire at the height of its power in order to investigate a critical gathering of Templars in the capital Constantinople (what we know today as Istanbul). Altair and Desmond will presumably be right where we left them, although Ubisoft has promised that the title of Revelations is more than just a little relevant - we’ll finally be getting some answers regarding the cross-generational plot and the twists thereof.

Gameplay seems to be building on what we know and love, with a few changes. There will apparently be a new weapon and tool "that changes the way you'll fight and traverse the world” (spoilers: as revealed by the above screenshot, it’s apparently a climbing hook), and multiplayer will return in an expanded capacity. To fuel this expansion, Ubisoft Montréal will be working "with the support and expertise of Ubisoft studios Annecy, Massive Entertainment, Quebec, Singapore and Bucharest."

The release isn't until November, but according to Alexandre Amancio (Creative Director at Ubisoft Montréal), there will be a full exposition at E3 this year, with lots of juicy information to whet our appetites. In the meantime, any news that surfaces will result in those of us on the Internet moving the information to you as the story develops.

UPDATE: We've now heard some more information, so as promised: Desmond's story will revolve around "narrative-fueled puzzle sequences" in the Animus; meanwhile, Ezio will be accessing Altair's memories by searching for "seals" in in Constantinople's four massive districts as well as in Cappadocia. We'll be crafting and using "over 300 types" of bombs to aid in combat, and the new tool is indeed a hookblade which will apparently allow for new combat options as well as zipping around the city on the ziplines Ezio will construct between buildings - with the help of the assassins we'll be recruiting in an expanded guild mechanic similar to the one from Brotherhood.

Instead of Borgia Towers, there will be Assassin's Dens which act as local headquarters for the Brotherhood. and which will have to be maintained and defended from assault - by sending troops if Ezio himself is too far away. Additionally, the side quest structure will be revamped to center around random events - catching a robber when asked to do so by a storekeeper, for instance, similar to what we saw in Red Dead Redemption.

As suspected, there will be a huge expansion of multiplayer including guilds, character customization and more. Finally, the facial animations are also confirmed to be using new technology - a cross between conventional animation and the next-gen methods being used in L.A. Noire.

How's that for some details?