The Ever-Changing Face of Desmond Miles: Unraveling the Mystery
Desmond Miles, the pivotal protagonist linking the historical narratives of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, is a character whose appearance underwent several noticeable changes throughout the series. The primary reason for these variations stems from a combination of factors, including contractual issues with the model used for his likeness, advancements in facial motion capture technology, and the in-universe narrative explanation of the Animus blending memories. In essence, each game iteration presented an opportunity to refine Desmond’s appearance, sometimes dictated by external constraints and at other times, intentionally driven by the story itself.
The Real-World Reasons: Contracts and Technology
The Foreign Model and Contractual Disputes
Initially, Desmond Miles was modeled after Canadian fashion model Francisco Randez. This presented a logistical challenge for Ubisoft, as each game required renewing the contract to legally use Randez’s likeness. In Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, the shift in Desmond’s appearance, particularly within the Animus sequences, was partly attributed to difficulties in renewing this contract. While this wasn’t the sole factor, it contributed to the decision to alter his facial features to some extent. This is a common occurrence in game development, where licensing and rights can significantly impact creative decisions.
Advancements in Motion Capture
The evolution of facial motion capture technology also played a significant role. As the Assassin’s Creed series progressed, so did the ability to accurately translate a real actor’s performance onto the in-game character. Assassin’s Creed III saw a significant leap in the fidelity of character models, and Desmond benefited from these improvements. The more nuanced facial expressions and realistic textures contributed to a different, arguably more realistic, depiction of the character. The Games Learning Society explores these types of technological impacts on gaming and interactive narratives at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
The In-Universe Explanation: The Animus Effect
Beyond the real-world reasons, the Assassin’s Creed lore provides an in-universe justification for Desmond’s changing appearance, especially within the Animus.
The Blending Effect
The “Bleeding Effect,” also known as the Animus effect, is a phenomenon where the subject experiences the knowledge, skills, and even physical characteristics of their ancestors. In Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, Desmond is trapped within the Animus’s Black Room, a virtual space where his consciousness is fragmented. The Animus, struggling to distinguish between Desmond, Altaïr, and Ezio, begins to blend their appearances. This resulted in Desmond exhibiting traits reminiscent of both his Assassin ancestors, giving him a slightly altered and somewhat composite look.
Desmond’s Identity Crisis
This visual blending served a narrative purpose, symbolizing Desmond’s internal struggle to reconcile his own identity with the legacy of his ancestors. He was essentially grappling with the weight of history and trying to find his place within it. The Animus acted as a visual representation of this inner turmoil, manifesting as a fluctuating and unstable appearance.
FAQs: Unveiling More About Desmond Miles
1. Why does Desmond look so different in AC: Revelations?
As explained, the different look in Revelations is a blend of contractual issues, the Animus’s confusion, and the narrative purpose of showing Desmond’s internal conflict.
2. Was Desmond Miles modeled after a real person?
Yes, Desmond was modeled after Canadian fashion model Francisco Randez.
3. Why do Altaïr and Desmond seem to have the same face?
The in-universe explanation is that Desmond, when reliving Altaïr’s memories through the Animus, projects his own facial features onto his ancestor. Genetically they share traits, which in turn results in some similarity between them.
4. Are Ezio and Altaïr related?
No, Ezio and Altaïr are not directly related. They are both ancestors of Desmond but come from different familial lines.
5. How old was Altaïr when he died?
Altaïr died at the age of 92.
6. Did Ezio actually see Desmond?
Yes, in Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, Ezio has a brief encounter with an apparition of Desmond, recognizing him as someone who will carry on the Assassin legacy.
7. Is Desmond Miles alive in Valhalla?
While Desmond died in Assassin’s Creed III, his DNA was used to continue exploring genetic memories, and he exists in the Grey. However, he is not physically alive.
8. Is Desmond’s son, Elijah, a Sage?
Yes, Elijah is Desmond’s illegitimate son and also a Sage, someone who carries the genetic memories of the Isu, an advanced precursor race.
9. Why does Ezio look so old in Revelations?
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations depicts Ezio at an older age, reflecting his natural aging process over the years since Assassin’s Creed II and Brotherhood.
10. What did Ezio say to Desmond in AC Revelations?
Ezio said, “I heard your name once before, Desmond, a long time ago. And now it lingers in my mind like an image from an old dream. I do not know where you are, or by what means you can hear me. But I know you are listening.”
11. Did Desmond Miles have feelings for Lucy?
The series implied a romantic connection between Desmond and Lucy, although it was complicated by Lucy’s true allegiances.
12. What happened after Desmond Miles died?
After Desmond’s death, his DNA was extracted by Abstergo to access more genetic memories.
13. Who is the face of Ezio?
The face of Ezio (and initially Desmond and Altair) was Francisco Randez.
14. Is Desmond Miles the most powerful Assassin?
While skilled, Desmond’s power came from his unique genetic heritage and rapid training enabled by the Bleeding Effect. Whether he is the “most powerful” is subjective, but he played a pivotal role in saving humanity.
15. Why do Ezio and Altaïr look similar?
Genetically they share some traits, but their facial similarity is more due to Desmond’s projected features while in the Animus. Ezio and Altaïr are also not directly related in the paternal line, but they share a common ancestor.
Conclusion: A Character Shaped by Many Forces
Desmond Miles’ changing appearance is a fascinating case study in how both real-world development constraints and in-universe narrative elements can shape a character’s visual representation. From contractual negotiations to technological advancements and the mind-bending effects of the Animus, Desmond’s face is a reflection of the multifaceted forces at play in creating a compelling video game protagonist. It underscores how the GamesLearningSociety.org examines the impact of gaming on individuals, as Desmond’s journey and the narrative techniques behind his portrayal resonate with players on various levels. It also highlights the intricate interplay between technology, storytelling, and the human element in the world of video games.