Assassin’s Creed: The Golden Cityis an upcoming novel by Jaleigh Johnson that offers a deeper look into some of Basim’s earliest days. The novel’s plot revolves around an emperor’s involvement withthe Order of the Ancients, as well as the efforts of the Hidden Ones to stop the assassination of the emperor’s son. Exploring a new, earlier dynamic between Hytham and Basim is also a significant element of the story, helping drive the complexity of the plot.
Hytham and Basim’s characterization are crucial aspects of the novel for obvious reasons, with Johnson explaining how she approaches their personalities, motives, and backstories during a recent interview with Game Rant. In the novel,Hytham is an idealistic member of the Hidden Ones, known for his protective nature, and he navigates Constantinople to complete his mission successfully. Basim, meanwhile, is a more complicated and multi-layered character, with both characters being similar to theirAC Valhallacounterparts, but differing in a few ways.
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According to Johnson, the novel serves as a “window” into Basim’s character and how he has “been shaped by more than just the weight of his past existence and the scars left behind.” His character is complex, and, while his intentions are not always clear, his earliest interactions with Hytham provide a rich and dynamic contrast toAssassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Basim.
InAssassin’s Creed Valhalla, Hytham and Basim have a very strong relationship, and although Hytham often questions Basim’s motives and actions, the two still retain a great deal of respect and loyalty toward each other. Johnson was interested in exploring this relationship further in her novel, questioning the origins of their relationship and how it had transpired to that point.
“How did that dynamic come about? Without getting into spoiler territory, I knew I wanted to explore that in the novel. How much can a person like Hytham ever really know or trust in Basim?”
In the novel, Hytham and Basim have a shared goal, yet their association is not really coincidental. Hytham also has a second mission:discover Basim’s true intentionsand whether he truly is loyal to the Hidden Ones. This level of distrust only adds another layer that further complicates the early dynamic between Hytham and Basim, giving Johnson time to explore how the relationship seen inAC Valhalladeveloped. Johnson explained that a novel allowed her to explore this conflict further in ways that a game might not. “With a novel, I knew I could deepen the complications surrounding that mission and give space to more of the inner worlds of characters like Basim and especially Hytham,” Johnson said.
Part of that, Johnson also discussed, is Hytham’s struggle to find a balance between his duty to the Hidden Ones and his own emotions. She explained that she felt her strongest contribution was in writing this character development and fitting it into the plot ofAssassin’s Creed: The Golden City.
“How Hytham struggles with his personal feelings and his commitment to his mission, and how that plays out over the course of the novel were where I felt I could contribute the most of myself and my own perspective."
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Johnson did a great deal of historical research to ensure she would be crafting authentic characters. Johnson’s research into the history and political climate of Constantinople played a vital role in thecharacter development of Hytham and Basim, shaping their personalities as well as their actions. For example, the emperor is based on an actual historical figure and is somewhat influenced by the gossip of the time. The inclusion of historical figures and events is a hallmark of theAssassin’s Creedfranchise, and Johnson seamlessly weaves them into the narrative.
“I think there has maybe been one or two other books in my career that have required as much research as this book did,” Johnson said. “Mostly because you’re not only dealing with a historical setting that needs a lot of attention to detail, but you have to integrate that with the lore ofAssassin’s Creedand make it feel as seamless as possible. So, one day, you might be digging into the history of Constantinople, its rulers, and the day-to-day lives of its people, and the next, you’re re-watching every Valhalla cutscene with Hytham and Basim in it to try to get a sense of their characters and motivations.”
Johnson stated that the balance to stay true toAssassin’s Creed’s immense lorebut also create her own, unique characters and story was difficult, but that she also had a great deal of positive support and encouragement.
“I had a lot of help, both from my amazing editor and from the team at Ubisoft, who are very committed to ensuring that all the media tie-ins stay true to the games and the lore they’ve created,” Johnson said. “They were always very good at being able to guide me back if I was getting too far off track, while at the same time allowing me room to play in the sandbox.”
Assassin’s Creed: The Golden Citywill be released on July 26, 2025.
