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Assassin’s Creed Unity dev explains why there are no French accents within the game

• Egon Kilin
• September 16th, 2014

Assassin’s Creed Unity is scheduled to arrive later this year as you’re probably aware by now. If you have any interest in the series then maybe you watched a bit of gameplay footage or even the trailer. Perhaps you also know quite a bit about the game already, such as the fact that it’s set in 18th century Paris during the French Revolution for example. That being said, don’t you find it weird that Assassin’s Creed Unity doesn’t actually feature any characters with French accents in the presented footage? Actually, there are no French accents at all throughout the game, but apparently there’s a very good reason for that.

“The idea is that the Animus is translating everything into the language you’re playing in,” said Assassin’s Creed Unity creative director Alex Amancio. “That’s why, since you’re an Anglophone, you’re hearing all the dialogue and cinematics in English,” Amancio said. “It would really make no sense for there to be a French accent because that would mean that this French character is trying to address you in accented English. Everyone in the game is not trying to speak English for your benefit.”

The explanation is certainly sound, but it’s a little too convenient if you ask me. Plus, everyone speaking perfect English takes away a bit from the experience, which is a shame since Assassin’s Creed Unity does a good job at recreating a genuine 18th century Paris. I mean, couldn’t they have just thrown in a few lines of dialogue in French or with French accent for a more immersive experience? Yeah, the Animus explanation wouldn’t have made sense in that case, but I think a lot of people would have overlooked that fact just to have a game that’s set in France feel more…Frenchy. In any case, Assassin’s Creed Unity does look very promising, accents or not and we’re definitely in for an amazing experience once it comes out. Assassin’s Creed Unity will be released on November 18 for PS4, Xbox One and the PC.