Talk:Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

Contested deletion
This page should not be speedily deleted because... (your reason here) --81.129.116.105 (talk) 17:39, 28 February 2013 (UTC)

Although some information was unsourced and incorrect. Game has been announced and therefore page should exist

This page should not be speedily deleted because video games. And it is a video game. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.162.163.121 (talk) 17:41, 28 February 2013 (UTC)
 * I think you misunderstand the purpose of this speedy delete, there' no question the game exists. What this speedy delete aims to accomplish is put the article in the right spot.  CRRays Head90  | Get Some! 17:44, 28 February 2013 (UTC)

There is not enough information and too much hearsay about this for it to have it's own page. It should be a redirect to the article in the main Assassin's Creed article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.230.248.30 (talk) 19:22, 28 February 2013 (UTC)
 * There is more than enough information for this subject to warrant an article of its own. The only 'hearsay' mentioned is the identity of the protagonist which will be confirmed either way on Monday with the announcement proper. --Jasca Ducato (talk) 10:15, 1 March 2013 (UTC)

AUS Release date
The ANZ release date is 31/Oct/13, as seen in an official trailer: and on retailer sites:. Sorry I can't add it myself on the device I'm using at the moment. Thanks, DarkToonLink (talk) 11:55, 28 March 2013 (UTC)
 * Well, I just did it myself now... DarkToonLink (talk) 23:13, 27 April 2013 (UTC)

First Civilisation
Why is there no mention of the First Civilisation, at the end of the last game they were on the verged of world domination. So why aren't they mentioned in the contemporary section of the Assassins Creed Universe?--124.169.171.200 (talk) 12:44, 22 April 2013 (UTC)
 * No information has been released about their involvement, at the moment. All we know about the present day story line, is that the player will be an Abstergo employee and you will use cloud storage to access Desmond's memories to learn about Edward Kenway. - Favre1fan93 (talk) 13:20, 22 April 2013 (UTC)

Is there any information of their role now of August? --124.169.215.165 (talk) 08:53, 19 August 2013 (UTC)
 * No. --Jasca Ducato (talk) 09:09, 19 August 2013 (UTC)

AC4 on "Xbox 720"
This is not a secret:

http://www.videogamer.com/ps4/watch_dogs/news/ubisoft_devs_confirm_next-gen_xbox_watch_dogs_and_assassins_creed_4_coming_to_x720.html

http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/464049/20130503/assassin-s-creed-4-battlefield-xbox-720.htm#.UZMh_9joyT9

http://n4g.com/news/1230666/ubisoft-devs-confirm-next-gen-xbox-watch-dogs-and-assassins-creed-4-coming-to-x720

http://www.gamespot.com/news/assassins-creed-iv-watch-dogs-for-xbox-720-spotted-on-resumes-6406812

http://www.behindgames.com/assassins-creed-4-ps4-and-xbox-720-graphics-engine-modifications-revealed/

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Assassin-s-Creed-4-Won-t-Appear-on-PS4-and-Xbox-720-at-the-Same-Time-As-Other-Consoles-336922.shtml

http://tech2.in.com/news/console/watch-dogs-and-assassins-creed-4-black-flag-will-make-their-way-to-xbox-720/870456

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/news/news-14614-Watch_Dogs-and-Assassin-s-Creed-IV-Listed-as-Coming-to--X720-.html

Waiting till you've got a copy of it in your hands? Silliness. Green-eyed girl ( Talk  ·  Contribs ) 15:17, 15 May 2013 (UTC)
 * It's more the fact that the "Xbox 720" (or "Xbox Infinity") hasn't actually been announced yet. --Jasca Ducato (talk) 16:27, 15 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Exactly. Until the console is presumably announced on May 21 and there is a reference saying ACIV and the name of the new console in the same context, it is WP:CRYSTAL. - Favre1fan93 (talk) 20:59, 15 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Which is precisely why when I edited the article, I used the term "Next-generation Xbox" and not any unconfirmed codename or speculative name. Hey, it's your pool. I won't piss in it (Die Hard reference). I just think it's a little silly, because, as I said, this is not a secret. Green-eyed girl  ( Talk  ·  Contribs ) 05:53, 17 May 2013 (UTC)
 * We are not saying it's a secret. It is noted and worded correctly in the release section. That is actually all the information we have, "Microsoft's next console" because news media is calling it "the next Xbox", "Xbox 720", "Xbox Infinity" etc, etc and there is no validity to these names, as Microsoft has not confirmed anything.  Wording this way is fine for the time being.  Again, Microsoft is supposedly going to announce the console and a name on May 21 at their press event about the state of Xbox, and I'm sure Ubisoft will have a press release confirming the game on the new console.  But until then there is no rush. - Favre1fan93 (talk) 06:14, 17 May 2013 (UTC)

Wait a second....this information is already in the article!

"It was announced on March 1, 2013 that the game will also come to the PlayStation 4 and Microsoft's next console, with release dates unknown.[4]"

Not really seeing why it can go in the body text but not the infobox. But whatever. Green-eyed girl ( Talk  ·  Contribs ) 08:34, 17 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Because the body of the text isn't asserting that the game will definitely release on the next Xbox console, whereas its inclusion in the infobox is. --Jasca Ducato (talk) 11:35, 17 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Jasca is right on. And like I've been saying Green-eyed, the console is supposedly being announced in 4 days. The game does not come out until the end of October, so there is plenty of time to wait for this info to be added, and the proper sources saying "Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag will also be coming to the [name of next console]." to verify it. - Favre1fan93 (talk) 15:19, 17 May 2013 (UTC)

Composer source
It might be better to discuss the reliability of that Facebook screengrab here, rather than engaging in edit-war like behavior. Personally, I don't think a picture is trustworthy because they can easily be altered, even though this probably hasn't.  Dark Toon Link Heyaah! 11:21, 2 September 2013 (UTC)
 * I'm working on getting a direct link, though it might be difficult given it's a direct message, and will reveal the identity of the person who asked the question (which, considering it is redacted in the image, is likely something they wished to avoid divulging). --Jasca Ducato (talk) 12:27, 2 September 2013 (UTC)
 * Yeah, that might be a bit difficult, so good luck!  Dark Toon Link Heyaah! 12:35, 2 September 2013 (UTC)

It's a matter of verifiability, anyone must be able to out and verify the source, which isn't possible for direct messages or pictures of them. It's the same rules that applies for emails. It's frustrating that no source seems to exist after so long.  Я ehevkor ✉  14:59, 2 September 2013 (UTC)
 * It is extremely frustrating. I'm sure all of us here know that Brian Tyler is doing the composing, but there are no sources ANYWHERE that we can use to confirm. It was a valid attempt by Jasca, but that screen shot won't cut it. - Favre1fan93 (talk) 17:04, 2 September 2013 (UTC)
 * Well, I've got the link, but I'm not sure if I could, in good conscience, cite it. I certainly don't want to advertise the question-asker's Facebook profile to the entire world, so to speak. --Jasca Ducato (talk) 08:41, 3 September 2013 (UTC)
 * There are other issues, WP:SOCIALMEDIA states that self published information like this shouldn't be used for information on 3rd parties (Tyler).  Я ehevkor ✉  09:29, 3 September 2013 (UTC)
 * It could be argued that since both are involved in the development of a single product (i.e. the game) that neither might be considered a third party in this particular example. --Jasca Ducato (talk) 09:38, 3 September 2013 (UTC)
 * In this case the source should be treated as an individual. Either way, I wouldn't be entirely opposed to putting this in the article, but I maintain the source is questionable at best. Maybe the best use would be to put it in the prose, something along the lines of "Gabe Wossname has stated that Brian Tyler will compose the soundtrack."  Я ehevkor ✉  11:47, 3 September 2013 (UTC)

Teach v. Thatch
This page lists Blackbeard's name as Edward Thatch. His name is actually Edward Teach--184.56.255.132 (talk) 19:08, 17 September 2013 (UTC)
 * For this game it is not. Teach and Thatch were variations on his name, and the development team, which actually does extensive, accurate research, found that Thatch was the name to go with. Plus read Blackbeard. Just because the lead lists it as that spelling on the Blackbeard page, doesn't mean that is the only one. - Favre1fan93 (talk) 19:15, 17 September 2013 (UTC)
 * Indeed, the name is both sourced and annotated. --Jasca Ducato (talk) 09:32, 18 September 2013 (UTC)

Edit request on 19 September 2013
PC release date for Assassin's Creed: Black Flag is December 31st, 2013. Link: http://www.gamestop.com/pc/games/assassins-creed-iv-black-flag/108254

66.177.143.198 (talk) 15:18, 19 September 2013 (UTC)
 * We can't use store/retailer sites for dates as they are generally unreliable. As well, that is a placeholder date. - Favre1fan93 (talk) 16:30, 19 September 2013 (UTC)

PC Release date
According to games.on.net: “The PC version hasn't been delayed,” said Ubisoft in a statement to us yesterday. “We’re all still working towards an October 31 release date for all formats.” — Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.165.248.176 (talk) 17:09, 23 September 2013 (UTC)

Article expansion sources
I don't have the time at the moment, but here are some sources to expand the article, notably in the Release section, or the creation of new sections. If anyone can add any or all of them, that'd be great. Whenever I get some time, I'll try tackling it, but am a bit backed up on projects on and off Wikipedia. - Favre1fan93 (talk) 21:06, 8 October 2013 (UTC)


 * http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/assassins-creed-4-retailer-pre-order-bonuses-revealed/ (Mainly about Freedom Cry single player DLC, with good info on writer, setting etc.)
 * http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/10/09/assassin-39-s-creed-4-black-flag-dlc-not-headed-for-wii-u.aspx (No DLC Wii U)
 * http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/08/assassins-creed-4-black-flag-dlc-and-season-pass-announced (Second season pass source if needed)
 * http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/15/assassins-creed-4-retailer-pre-order-bonuses-revealed/ (NA preorder packs and content. Mainly for the pack names and content, not as much for which retailer is giving said pack.)
 * http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/08/assassins-creed-4-black-flag-present-day-details (Present day info 1)
 * http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/10/07/modern-time-aciv-abstergo.aspx (Present day info 2)

Release dates are wrong
Since this game is on many platforms, available at different times across the world, etc., and have had multiple changes, I think these release dates in the infobox have wound up incorrect. Sources are a bit confusing to find, seeing as some of these changes happened without a big deal and retailer sites are not reliable sources, even though this where I noticed the date change is obviously correct. Actually, it is backed up by the official site here:. So yeah, I'll go fix that, but there is still a bit more to do with the PS4/XBO versions and I'm not sure what the best organizational structure should be. The US site just says Day 1 for those consoles, so obviously list the launch date there, but for other countries it may be different, as I mentioned above.  Dark Toon  Link  12:32, 16 October 2013 (UTC)
 * The Wii U version has also been pushed back in Australia. All the 8th-gen versions arrive here on 21 November.
 * This means the PS4/XBONE version releases are wrong, since it can't be a worldwide date if it's different in different countries. Also, neither of those systems will be out in Japan at that time, so I doubt they'd see release there.
 * Actually, I think I over-reacted, sorry. I'm getting it all fixed up a bit.  Dark Toon  Link  12:41, 16 October 2013 (UTC)
 * And I guess the PS4 version comes out before the PS4 in Europe and Australia.  Dark Toon  Link  12:45, 16 October 2013 (UTC)
 * ✅  Dark Toon  Link  13:07, 16 October 2013 (UTC)
 * A note for future reference; there are a number of Xbox One and PS4 games being released before their respective consoles. If a next-gen game has a release date listed before the console, it's not necessarily incorrect. --Jasca Ducato (talk) 13:42, 16 October 2013 (UTC)
 * That's not what I was referring to as wrong, but thanks for pointing that out anyway, as I think that has confused me at times.  Dark Toon  Link  13:44, 16 October 2013 (UTC)

Atleast the release date for PC version in EU is wrong. The page states November 22nd, but it was released on 21st, atleast on Steam and Uplay. 37.219.27.19 (talk) 23:26, 22 November 2013 (UTC)

Reception
Here is a link with multiple scores, if someone wants to pull from them to expand the reception section: - Favre1fan93 (talk) 04:52, 30 October 2013 (UTC)

http://blog.ubi.com/assassins-creed-iv-black-flag-review-roundup/

Additional composers
The Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Game Soundtrack - The Complete Edition credits Steve Davis, Omar Fadel, Mike Kramer, Jeremy Lamb, Matthew Llewellyn, Robert Lydecker, Sarah Schachner, Christian Henson, Joe Henson, Alexis Smith for additional compositions.
 * That is a soundtrack that includes music not part of the game's original score, which is solely done by Brian Tyler. That is what should be mentioned in the info box. The additional shanty music can be mentioned in the Music section, with these people, who are most likely the performing artists of the shanties. But for the infobox, just Brian Tyler should be there. - Favre1fan93 (talk) 05:50, 14 November 2013 (UTC)

DLC
My android playstation app trophies list shows an additional DLC called Blackbeard's Wrath, see ign report http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/11/20/assassins-creed-4-blackbeards-wrath-dlc-leaked

70.29.154.26 (talk) 20:48, 26 November 2013 (UTC)
 * ❌ as trophy lists, let alone leaks, can not be used to reliable source game content. - Favre1fan93 (talk) 21:38, 26 November 2013 (UTC)

Genre
Wouldn't it be more accurate to describe the Assassin's Creed series as science-fiction? All of the historical-fiction sections in the narrative are actually taking place as genetic memories accessed via a virtual reality device in order to seek artifacts left on Earth by an extremely advanced pre-human species. Atypicaloracle (talk) 18:05, 30 April 2015 (UTC)

Reassessment
Came here via the reassessment request in the talk page tag; bumping up to B-class. Some ideas for improvement follow:


 * The biggest problem with the article is a good copyedit scrubbing- the DLC section (and others) has a bunch of 1-sentence paragraphs, and the article as a whole tends to use 5 words where 2 would do; it's just overly wordy instead of being to-the-point. It's not terrible, but it's not great, and it does make reading the article a bit of a slog.
 * The plot section is too long. It's always tempting to give a blow-by-blow account of the plot, but it's meant to be a summary, not a full retelling. Especially given that the setting and characters are pulled out into subsections, the actual plot section, including DLC, should be 5 paragraphs at most.
 * Drop Gamerankings from the reviews table; it adds nothing over metacritic as this is a recent game. You also don't need to rehash the aggregate scores in the prose right next to the table.
 * Anywhere you have more than 3 references for a sentence should be re-evaluated. Do you really need 7 citations to prove that reviewers criticized the stealth missions?
 * If you or anyone plan on taking this to GAN, a full rewording of the content that is already there to make it more readable is the biggest concern. -- Pres N  14:33, 10 June 2016 (UTC)

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Navigation
I'd be interested to see an explanation of how they included "sailing" as a gameplay area. I doubt most players are prepared to wait around for days for a favorable wind, nor to spend a week beating up from one island to another, nor wanting to take the time to learn how to judge the wind and leeboard to avoid being blown onto an island as you are trying to sail past it. Even if they just ignore the sailing part and the ships just navigate around like motorized vessels, how do you shrink hundeds of miles down into a few minutes of traveling? Real sea voyaging invovles day after repetitive day of open seas and the same routine; no amount of harpooning whales is going to make that fun gameplay. And there simply aren't so many islands that you are constantly passing them.

Idumea47b (talk) 06:54, 19 January 2019 (UTC)

The talk page is not a discussion page for the subject matter, it is a forum for improvements of the article. Also, the West Indies isn't hudreds of miles.Shrekxy64 (talk) 23:53, 25 November 2019 (UTC)

When you. Beat it
Good 2600:1004:B16C:835A:25AF:6561:21E:7B66 (talk) 03:01, 13 January 2022 (UTC)

Subtitle formatting?
I notice this is the only Assassin's Creed game to use a colon in the subtitle (IV: Black Flag vs IV Black Flag). What's the reasoning for this? Official sources for the game (Ubisoft's main site + Steam listings) seem to title the game IV Black Flag without the colon.

I think the page should be updated to correctly match the titling unless: ConduitForSale! (talk) 01:01, 6 June 2023 (UTC)
 * A) this is some quirk of wikipedia nomenclature I'm not aware of
 * B) someone can find resources showing the colon is actually official