Assassin’s Creed®IV Black Flag™

Become Edward Kenway, a charismatic yet brutal pirate captain who can switch between the Hidden Blade of the Assassin’s Order and all-new weaponry including pistols and swords.
Attack and board massive galleons, recruit sailors to join your crew and embark on an epic and infamous adventure across 50 unique locations.
Stand amongst legendary names such as Blackbeard, Calico Jack and Benjamin Hornigold, as you establish a lawless republic in the Bahamas.
Choose from an eclectic cast of characters and fight against or co-operate with your friends in ruthless multiplayer modes.
Also coming to PlayStation 4 - see the future at eu.playstation.com/ps4.

Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag E3 screenshot

A pirate’s life for you?

Step into the shoes of Edward Kenway, a rebellious 18th century pirate with an urge to thrust a sword across the neck of authority. It's this attitude which puts Kenway on a collision course with a member of the Assassin's Order, and deep into a conflict which threatens to change his entire world view.

Despite his scrappy demeanour, Kenway is a likeable rogue. While drawn into the ancient Assassins and Templars war that the series is known for, his goal is nothing more than to retire with riches.

Sailing everywhere from a bustling Havana to a sun-kissed Kingston, there's no escaping a number of dark dangers. Spanish and British fleets roam the open waters, looking to sink any careless pirates who cross their path. And rivals seek to plunge their blades into Kenway's back at any opportunity. Not to mention the deadly storms and hungry wildlife.

Even with the likes of Blackbeard and Benjamin Hornigold at his side, death stalks every part of Kenway's swashbuckling life. A classic pirate journey is yours to enjoy - if you can survive its perils...

Flying the flag

Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag on PlayStation 3 transports you to a Caribbean hunting ground of courageous buccaneers and treacherous pirates. And this massive adventure is so convincing you can almost taste the sea salt in the air.

Starting off in a vicious storm, the boom of broadside cannons swallow your captain's desperate orders to fend off a rival ship threatening to end your high seas career before it's begun. With its fiery and energetic opening, Black Flag grabs your attention in its very first minutes and doesn't let go.

From there you're introduced to more luscious surroundings: sand, surf, palm trees and busy towns. The locations are rich and full of life, and even the abandoned islands are rife with scuttling crabs, mischievous monkeys and speedy iguanas. And you'll never feel alone, as your crew sing merry - and rather bawdy - songs while you command your ship's deck.

Loot, pillage and plunder

Thrown into deep water from the start, your adventure as scheming pirate Edward Kenway is full of variety. Your heart-stopping missions range from assassination or eavesdropping on a conversation, to stealing a vital treasure or protecting an important companion. Fortunately, Kenway is well equipped to handle these tasks. His agility can take him to the top of most towering buildings, while a sword and gun combo makes him handy in a fight.

Stealth is also important, so use undergrowth and the shadows to keep Kenway out of trouble. Useful smoke pellets can assist in a quick getaway, and if you need to remain incognito when trailing a suspicious target, blend into a crowd to throw them off your scent.

On the deck of the Jackdaw you can upgrade its weapons, sail to uncharted areas, use your spyglass to pick out ships to plunder and then engage them in thrilling combat. Whether you decide to capture your rival's crew and steal their cargo or sink them is up to you. However, you're not only dealing with the threat of other vessels, but the dangers of crashing waves and ship crippling storms, too...

Cohorts in the Caribbean

Like any true seafaring bandit, gathering your mates for games, hearty jokes and backstabbing is part and parcel of Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag. And there are plenty of modes which allow you to enjoy this pirate pastime of pillaging and plundering, from free-for-all assassinations to team-based treasure stealing. It's quick and easy to set up - simply choose your character, mode, map and environment, and away you go.

Game Lab lets you create your own multiplayer modes from over 200 different elements such as weapon types and what activities earn you the most points.

Be sure to make your particular assassin look the part and dress him or her up with masks, war paint, scars and, of course, eye patches, so that your mates know exactly who has taken them down.

Stalking your targets is spiced up by giving your character special skills and perks, such as Blender, which creates a civilian lookalike to confuse your enemies and allows you to hide in crowds more easily. Use these abilities wisely, and you'll become more legendary than any cutlass waving, seafaring scoundrel.