Episode 3 Release Date: February 17th!

[Lambonius]

I want to say that poem is familliar from somewhere (except the last line) but my knowledge of literature is minimal. I can write well, but I honestly couldn't care less about "famous writings" or what have you. That being said, that poem sounds something like Shakespeare.

As a teacher of art history, I cringe when I read things like this.  Nothing informs the work of an artist better than a thorough knowledge of the canonical works of the past.  The study of history tells us who we have been, why we are who we are now, and suggests new places for us to go in the future.

*And yes, that was Shakespeare, from Macbeth.

[dark-daventry]

I want to say that poem is familliar from somewhere (except the last line) but my knowledge of literature is minimal. I can write well, but I honestly couldn't care less about "famous writings" or what have you. That being said, that poem sounds something like Shakespeare.

As a teacher of art history, I cringe when I read things like this.  Nothing informs the work of an artist better than a thorough knowledge of the canonical works of the past.  The study of history tells us who we have been, why we are who we are now, and suggests new places for us to go in the future.

*And yes, that was Shakespeare, from Macbeth.

The thing is, I'm not an artist. I don't know what I am honestly, but I'm no artist, that much I can tell you. That being said, perhaps I should clarify my previous statement. I respect what famous writers have done and accomplished. I just personally find little interest in them. Whether it's the subject matter or the style of the writing, I don't know. When I was younger, I was in special education english. I couldn't read or write very well at all. Come seventh grade, I sky-rocketed in my abilities to the very top. I scored in the 99.9th percentile. None of that growth or understanding of the English language do I attribute to Shakespeare or other famous authors. I attribute it to my own hard work and dedication more than anything else. Although I find the history presented in Assassins Creed very interesting. Yes, I know it's merely a game and they morphed history to their liking. But through playing that game, I've had serious thoughts about actually studying some history. Not many games can make me do that.

[kindofdoon]

It's from Macbeth.

[Lambonius]

The thing is, I'm not an artist. I don't know what I am honestly, but I'm no artist, that much I can tell you. That being said, perhaps I should clarify my previous statement. I respect what famous writers have done and accomplished. I just personally find little interest in them. Whether it's the subject matter or the style of the writing, I don't know. When I was younger, I was in special education english. I couldn't read or write very well at all. Come seventh grade, I sky-rocketed in my abilities to the very top. I scored in the 99.9th percentile. None of that growth or understanding of the English language do I attribute to Shakespeare or other famous authors. I attribute it to my own hard work and dedication more than anything else. Although I find the history presented in Assassins Creed very interesting. Yes, I know it's merely a game and they morphed history to their liking. But through playing that game, I've had serious thoughts about actually studying some history. Not many games can make me do that.

Heh, yeah...sorry for my snideness.


I think most people would consider literature one of the arts, inasmuch as it is inherently a creative activity.  Sure, studying literary history won't teach you HOW to write, but it will teach you the types of things that have been important to humanity in the past, the way mankind has perceived beauty, themselves, and the divine, and  it just might give you some inspiration into new and historically relevant ways to approach your own work.

And honestly, you could do a lot worse than Assassin's Creed as a source of historical inspiration.  Sure, it's fictionalized, but at least in the case of Assassin's Creed 2, the historical research is impeccable.  Renaissance Italy has never been better represented in a video game, that's for damn sure.    Probably more accurate than most films on the subject as well.

[dark-daventry]

The thing is, I'm not an artist. I don't know what I am honestly, but I'm no artist, that much I can tell you. That being said, perhaps I should clarify my previous statement. I respect what famous writers have done and accomplished. I just personally find little interest in them. Whether it's the subject matter or the style of the writing, I don't know. When I was younger, I was in special education english. I couldn't read or write very well at all. Come seventh grade, I sky-rocketed in my abilities to the very top. I scored in the 99.9th percentile. None of that growth or understanding of the English language do I attribute to Shakespeare or other famous authors. I attribute it to my own hard work and dedication more than anything else. Although I find the history presented in Assassins Creed very interesting. Yes, I know it's merely a game and they morphed history to their liking. But through playing that game, I've had serious thoughts about actually studying some history. Not many games can make me do that.

Heh, yeah...sorry for my snideness.


I think most people would consider literature one of the arts, inasmuch as it is inherently a creative activity.  Sure, studying literary history won't teach you HOW to write, but it will teach you the types of things that have been important to humanity in the past, the way mankind has perceived beauty, themselves, and the divine, and  it just might give you some inspiration into new and historically relevant ways to approach your own work.

And honestly, you could do a lot worse than Assassin's Creed as a source of historical inspiration.  Sure, it's fictionalized, but at least in the case of Assassin's Creed 2, the historical research is impeccable.  Renaissance Italy has never been better represented in a video game, that's for darn sure.    Probably more accurate than most films on the subject as well.

I can respect this. The thing is, modern day english has made it nearly impossible for anyone not versed well in Shakespeare's style (I.E. high school students) to read his works. My eyes reel trying to understand what he's saying. But I also remember that was how people wrote back then. There also must be a valid reason why he's still taught some 600 years later (or something like that. I may have botched the timeline a bit.)

And yes, Assassin's Creed has done history justice. Apparently, Ezio Auditore De Firenze was a real person. It's hard to get more historically accurate than that in a video game. The Assassins Creed series is among my favorites. It perfects on game-play with each iteration, the plot just gets better and better, and the graphics are nice... I know graphics aren't everything, but it's the icing on the cake for me. I can't wait to see what Ubisoft has in store for the next AC title...

[Arkillian]

I saw on failblog a school that forced their students to read Twilight for their english essays. Man, I had to study Macbeth, 1984, Rebel without a Cause and old school stuff like that O.o I don't think we GOT to study anything that was created when I was alive.

They still teach Shakespeare today for alot of reasons. What I got out of it is the emotion and the drama- the meaning that was in his plays. They have old words, but back then they all held so much power. I feel that it teaches us how we miss use the english language. Like awful is now a bad word. Back then, it was a compliment.

Shakespeare also seemed to be the real pioneer for genre IMHO. I may be wrong, but he hit the nail on the head on tragedy and romance and comedy. When the old english way of seeking is explained, the old verses are actually REALLY good scripts which is why they're continually referenced today

[Cez]

If you want to become a writer, as much as you want, Chris, you need to go to the basics. Having an understanding of classic literature won't make you a good writer, that's true, but like Lamb said, it does open your mind to the understanding of why many things in our current world are the way they are.

I told you the other day it was heresy when you said Shakespeare bore you to death. I was only half kidding, of course, but the last person I would expect to hear this from is from an aspiring artist. As much as I know some literature is not everyone's cup of tea, there are so many things that go back to his original works. Again, like Jason said, it gives us the understanding of what some things mean, and go to the extend of what modern authors' roots are, why do they use certain metaphors, etc. Ypu'd be surprised how much goes back to the guy.

Like I told you, even TSL is inundated with Shakespeare. If, for example, you knew the works, you could probably tell what the episodes are about just by the titles. And speaking of Shakespeare quotes, same as it is now, the game used to have Shakesperian names for all the chapters. They changed when we reduced the story, of course, but this is what they originally used to be:

Chapter 1: What is Decreed Must Be
Chapter 2: Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made on.
Chapter 3: Goodnight, Sweet King (Original being "Prince", of course)
Chapter 4: We know what we are, but know not what we may become.
Chapter 5: To Be or not To Be.
Chapter 6: Two Households
Chapter 7: My Only Love Sprung From My Only Hate
Chapter 8: There is Nothing Either Good or Bad, but Thinking Makes It So
Chapter 9: Out Dark Spot, Out I Say! (toned down "damn" for language)

[Cez]

I can respect this. The thing is, modern day english has made it nearly impossible for anyone not versed well in Shakespeare's style (I.E. high school students) to read his works. My eyes reel trying to understand what he's saying.

Nobody is born these days with the ability to understand Shakespeare, actually, and nobody that reads shakespeare or other old classics for the first time has an easy way understanding it. However, if you spent time with them, and researched what those complicated words and phrases mean, your vocabulary would expand a lot. And believe me, again, if you aspire to be a writer, your vocabulary is one of your strongest weapons.

[Baggins]

Shakespeare is one of those things I find easier to understand watching than trying to read.

While you can't understand everything (there are alot of double entendres that are lost in modern language), seeing what goes on on screen or stage gives important context to what is being said.

[Blackthorne]

Christopher Marlowe is screaming in his grave.


Bt

[noonchild]

I think that I shall never see,
I game as lovely as King's Quest III.  (My favorite!)

[Calibandit]

Hi all,

Sorry to complain, but...

Umm, In some parts of the world it is already the 18th. Here in Sydney it is 11:25 PM Where is Episode 3? according to timeandadate.com's extended world clock, it is wednesday nowhere on the planet, which means it is at least the 17th everywhere

Chomping at the bit,

Pat

[Sslaxx]

Here its 12.32pm on the 17th. In some parts of the US, for example, it's 4.32am. There's still a lot of the 17th to go, even though it's the 18th for you.

[aneilljr]

It is the 17th.  Where can we download?

[KatieHal]

Our release times are based on the US date & time. We haven't set a specific time for the release today, but it will be today. My guess is this afternoon sometime. (it's morning here right now)

[Vyerna]

Today will be a great day!
Today we're gonna play!
My only Love Sprung from my only Hate!

[dark-daventry]

If you want to become a writer, as much as you want, Chris, you need to go to the basics. Having an understanding of classic literature won't make you a good writer, that's true, but like Lamb said, it does open your mind to the understanding of why many things in our current world are the way they are.

I told you the other day it was heresy when you said Shakespeare bore you to death. I was only half kidding, of course, but the last person I would expect to hear this from is from an aspiring artist. As much as I know some literature is not everyone's cup of tea, there are so many things that go back to his original works. Again, like Jason said, it gives us the understanding of what some things mean, and go to the extend of what modern authors' roots are, why do they use certain metaphors, etc. Ypu'd be surprised how much goes back to the guy.

Like I told you, even TSL is inundated with Shakespeare. If, for example, you knew the works, you could probably tell what the episodes are about just by the titles. And speaking of Shakespeare quotes, same as it is now, the game used to have Shakesperian names for all the chapters. They changed when we reduced the story, of course, but this is what they originally used to be:

Chapter 1: What is Decreed Must Be
Chapter 2: Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made on.
Chapter 3: Goodnight, Sweet King (Original being "Prince", of course)
Chapter 4: We know what we are, but know not what we may become.
Chapter 5: To Be or not To Be.
Chapter 6: Two Households
Chapter 7: My Only Love Sprung From My Only Hate
Chapter 8: There is Nothing Either Good or Bad, but Thinking Makes It So
Chapter 9: Out Dark Spot, Out I Say! (toned down "darn" for language)

Ill take this into consideration, cesar. I truly do want to be a writer, so ill give Shakespeare an honest shot. If the internet hadn't intervened in my life, I'd probably be at a much different place than I am now. I think if I really sit down and devote time to it, I can understand it. I'm only 19, so I have much yet to learn.

Also, to clarify a bit with the us time: there are at least two us timezones. Katie and I are in the eastern time zone. Many others are in the Pacific time zone. While its morning for Katie and I, its still night for others. My aunt in California is still fast asleep right now.

[wilco64256]

It is the 17th.  Where can we download?

Patience my friend!  We're just working on getting all the download stuff set up and working correctly.

[Sslaxx]

So, is 4 going to be "There is Nothing Either Good or Bad, but Thinking Makes It So" and 5 "Out Dark Spot, Out I Say!"?

[KatieHal]

No, no. Those were the old names--you'll notice for example that what was the title of Chapter 7 is now Episode 3. We've posted the full list of Episode titles before around here somewhere; the remaining ones are:

Episode 4: 'Tis In My Memory Locked, And You Yourself Shall Keep The Key Of It
Episode 5: A Thousand Times Goodnight