Aveline de Grandpre, the main character of PlayStation Vita exclusive Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation, will be returning in Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. She's the star of a mission pack exclusive to the PS4 and PS3 versions of AC4.
AC3: Liberation took place in Louisiana after the French and Indian War. Aveline was an Assassin of African and French heritage based in the city of New Orleans. Throughout Liberation, she struck at Templar leadership and sought an artifact known as the Prophecy Disk. The game ended with her acquiring the Disk. The DLC doesn't directly continue this plotline, though.
“It’s a ways forward so Aveline is a bit older,” lead writer Darby McDevitt said of the DLC. "It’s not directly related to the end of her story. If Assassin’s Creed IV is like a novel, Aveline’s missions are like a short story."
The present-day side of the DLC takes place at Abstergo Entertainment. Using new upgrades of Animus technology, the company is combing through genetic memories in order to develop new products. Players will learn the deeper plans behind Abstergo's actions as the DLC proceeds. The story is said to be penned by Jill Murray, who also wrote Liberation.
The Aveline content is said to be spread over three missions. Ubisoft reiterated today that it should take players about an hour to complete all these missions.
AC4 stars Captain Edward Kenway, the grandfather of AC3 hero Connor Kenway. Players will control Kenway during the Golden Age of Piracy as he plunders the Caribbean. They'll explore the towns and jungles of the region while also engaging in high-seas combat.
Aveline isn't the only alternate character besides Kenway. Kenway's first mate, Adewale, will be playable in a series of DLC missions. It's possible that Edward will be the only character played in the main campaign, though.
It's a bit shitty that only PS3 and PS4 gamers will be able to play the Aveline missions. There's plenty of gamers who never touched Liberation that would still love to play this DLC. The content's desirability makes it an effective exclusive, for better or worse.
The Aveline DLC will ship with the game this fall. AC4 will hit the PS3 in October and the PS4 whenever that console launches.
