Here’s a nice thought for you: Imagine Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting taking place 2427 years ago. Now try to remember the popular quote: “Choose life, choose…” What would the characters choose back then? Fear not; they would not go all in for big TVs, washing machines, cars, compact disc players, or electrical tin openers. And we are pretty sure that they wouldn’t choose drugs either. The thing they would probably choose would be to stand against what the society dictates them to do, the Gods, and their own families telling them what to do. See, not much of a badass group like in Danny Boyle’s black comedy.

The latest ad for Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey—launching October 5^th—is exactly what one needs to imagine what a Mark Renton of 431 BC would do. Made by DDB Paris in partnership with directing collective TRAKTOR, the ad is an inventive homage to the iconic Trainspotting movie and focuses on an ancient “Rent Boy” who must juggle with a lot of decisions in order to become a hero at the end.

Our ancient Ewan McGregor plays the role of Alexios, a descendant of the legendary Spartan general Léonidas. Following the novel and the film’s “Choose Life” concept, the character sees himself facing decisions he has to carefully make if he wants to survive the violence, conspiracies, and power struggles that bloomed in the year 431 BC.

The video’s plot brings a wonderful tribute to the movie’s famous opening scene, in which the consumer society is taken apart from the pressure it puts on the choices of young individuals. But no Trainspotting plot—be it ancient or modern—should be happening without the sounds of Iggy Pop’s epic song “Lust for Life”. With this song in the background, Irvine Welsh’s words do not lose their magic. On the contrary, everything still has the same powerful effect that we can find in the original movie. Transported to the heart of Ancient Greece, the players get a chance to taste Assassin’s Creed’s world whilst taking a sip of the famous cinematic experience.

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is released in the form of a pacey video, which can be admired in a long version and adapted in short formats (45’, 30’, and 20’) on TV and in cinemas. But why would you want to do a thing like that? Choose not to choose the short formats. Choose somethin’ else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you’ve got Ubisoft’s “Choose Life” campaign?

So, will you choose to watch the game’s trailer?

When it comes to promoting their games, Ubisoft have become the real deal. Have you already chosen Assassin’s Creed Odyssey? Not yet? Good, because we’ll give you a reason to think twice before you make your decision. Here’s Assassin’s Creed Origins and its amazing trailer in which players feel like tourists in Ancient Egypt.

Created by Bleublancrouge ad agency, the campaign “Explore Ancient Egypt” allows visitors to immerse themselves in historic places where they can explore the country’s best-kept secrets whilst getting a glimpse of what the game feels like. Plus, as online tourists, you have a chance to customize your experience and share your adventure on social platforms. What are you waiting for? Choose life… in Egypt!

Credits:

Agency: DDB° Paris

Advertiser: Ubisoft

Clients account managers: Geoffroy SARDIN, Guillaume CARMONA, Clément PREVOSTO, Valentin MEYER

Agency account managers: Marie-Elise ARCHAMBAUD, Olivier GUILLEROT

Game advisor: Alban 404

Strategic planning: Sebastien GENTY, Dominique CASTELLANO

Creative Executive director: Alexander KALCHEV

Art director: Alexandre LAGOET

Copywriter: Stephane KACZOROWSKI

Head of TV Production: Corinne PERSCH

TV production assistant: Laurie DELAHAYES

Post-Producer: Jérôme DEPLATIÈRE

Production: STINK

Director: TRAKTOR

Director of photography: Linus Sandgren

Executive producer: Greg PANTEIX

Line producer: Jeanne-Marie DE LA FONTAINE

Film editor: Joe GUEST -Final Cut London

Post-production / FX: Mikros- Stéphanie MOLLET

Supervision VFX: Franck LAMBERTZ, Jao M’CHANGAMA

Color Grading: MPC London – Jean-Clément SORET / Matthieu TOULLET.

Sound design and mix: Patch ROWLAND

Audio Producer: Laura HARRIS

Audio Post Facility: Machine Sound London

Studio son ISDN: Martin SUMEIRE – THE

Voice Over: Jay TAYLOR