How does Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation fit into the series canon? From what we've seen so far, it doesn't appear Connor nor Desmond will play a role in this Vita-exclusive spin-off. Apparently, it's the first game in the franchise to be developed by "Abstergo Entertainment," a branch of the villainous corporation at the heart of the franchise.

The game isn't actually being developed by a fictional company, of course. The real-world developer is Ubisoft Sofia (Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars). However, fans of the franchise's intricate lore will be mesmerized by the possibilities opened by Liberation's unique premise.

Speaking to Kotaku, Liberation writer Richard Farrese explained that this adventure represents a "commercialized version of the Animus." Essentially, the device used to transport Desmond through his genetic past has been modified for general public consumption. It's very Total Recall. Kotaku does raise an interesting question, however. "Why would Abstergo, a company that essentially is a front for the Assassin-hating Templars, create and sell an Animus/game that lets regular people experience the life of an Assassin?"

Farrese, the heroine of Liberation, is not related to Desmond, a first for the franchise. This means that her adventure could be entirely fictional within the confines of Assassin's Creed canon. While that safely relegates Liberation to "spin-off" territory, it also gives fans a chance to explore the lore in an entirely new way.