Viking Questions for Assassin's Creed: Valhalla Director!

Ubisoft Montréal's Darby McDevitt (Narrative Director of Assassin's Creed: Valhalla) answers questions about the real Viking history and Old Norse lore that went into Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, in this Crowdcast recorded live on December 2, 2020 with Patreon supporters of Dr. Jackson Crawford. Timestamps:
0:51 Is there a book where I can find all the game's tattoo designs?
3:08 Are the NPCs speaking Old Norse, Modern Icelandic, or what?
6:25 Why were some stories from Norse myth altered for the game?
11:19 What made Ubisoft go with 'Eivǫr' for the character's name? [spoilers]
16:07 What inspired the game's version of Ívar the Boneless?
18:30 Can the runic tattoos be translated or are they just for show?
20:56 Does Jackson Crawford have a cameo in the game?
22:13 Will we meet some of the Norse gods within the game? [spoilers]
25:42 What mix of runes and futharks was used in the game?
27:22 What research was done into Dark-Ages combat techniques?
34:43 What inspired the game's focus on Viking-Age England?
49:57 Talk about the "flytings" (word battles) in the game.
44:38 Did Crawford's advice lead to any major changes in the game?
48:51 Talk about difficult tasks you had in consulting on the game.
52:02 Why is fate "woven" instead of "carved" in the game?
56:03 How many stanzas of Hávamál are in the game?
59:01 Are there any Old Norse dialect features reflected in the game?
60:49 Will we see Eivǫr in any future Assassin's Creed games?
61:39 How involved was Jackson Crawford in creating the game?
64:16 Are the ambient NPC languages realistic to the time and place?
67:07 What specific sites in Norway inspired the scenery in the game?
69:36 Is Odin presented more as a wise counselor or a manipulator?
72:01 Will we see recognizable characters from Icelandic sagas in the game?
74:07 Were real sagas inspirational in writing Assassin's Creed: Valhalla?
76:25 How did you adapt the structure of real sagas in writing the game?
Jackson Crawford, Ph.D.: Sharing real expertise in Norse language and myth with people hungry to learn, free of both ivory tower elitism and the agendas of self-appointed gurus. Visit jacksonwcrawfo... (includes bio and linked list of all videos).
Jackson Crawford’s Patreon page: / norsebysw
Visit Grimfrost at www.grimfrost.com?aff=183
Latest FAQs: vimeo.com/3751... (updated Nov. 2019).
Jackson Crawford’s translation of Hávamál, with complete Old Norse text: www.hackettpub... or www.amazon.com...
Jackson Crawford’s translation of The Poetic Edda: www.hackettpub... or www.amazon.com...
Audiobook: www.audible.co...
Jackson Crawford’s translation of The Saga of the Volsungs: www.hackettpub... or www.amazon.com...
Audiobook: www.audible.co...
Music © I See Hawks in L.A., courtesy of the artist. Visit www.iseehawks.com/
Logos by Elizabeth Porter (snowbringer at gmail).

[@JacksonCrawford]

Timestamps for individual questions: 0:51 Is there a book where I can find all the game's tattoo designs? 3:08 Are the NPCs speaking Old Norse, Modern Icelandic, or what? 6:25 Why were some stories from Norse myth altered for the game? 11:19 What made Ubisoft go with 'Eivǫr' for the character's name? [spoilers] 16:07 What inspired the game's version of Ívar the Boneless? 18:30 Can the runic tattoos be translated or are they just for show? 20:56 Does Jackson Crawford have a cameo in the game? 22:13 Will we meet some of the Norse gods within the game? [spoilers] 25:42 What mix of runes and futharks was used in the game? 27:22 What research was done into Dark-Ages combat techniques? 34:43 What inspired the game's focus on Viking-Age England? 49:57 Talk about the "flytings" (word battles) in the game. 44:38 Did Crawford's advice lead to any major changes in the game? 48:51 Talk about difficult tasks you had in consulting on the game. 52:02 Why is fate "woven" instead of "carved" in the game? 56:03 How many stanzas of Hávamál are in the game? 59:01 Are there any Old Norse dialect features reflected in the game? 60:49 Will we see Eivǫr in any future Assassin's Creed games? 61:39 How involved was Jackson Crawford in creating the game? 64:16 Are the ambient NPC languages realistic to the time and place? 67:07 What specific sites in Norway inspired the scenery in the game? 69:36 Is Odin presented more as a wise counselor or a manipulator? 72:01 Will we see recognizable characters from Icelandic sagas in the game? 74:07 Were real sagas inspirational in writing Assassin's Creed: Valhalla? 76:25 How did you adapt the structure of real sagas in writing the game?

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

It doesn’t look like all the timestamps are linked.

[@tommerenator]

One timestamp (flyting) is 10 minutes ahead

[@CAepicreviews]

I noticed your timestamps after 1 hour do not properly work. Below I have them as they should link. 1:00:49 1:01:39 1:04:16 1:07:07 1:09:36 1:12:01 1:14:07 1:16:25

[@Elchinodiabolero]

I find it impossible to not love Darby. He shows such passion for what he does...

[@AdityaSathya]

@@CaptainPupu there are sound effects though

[@longwoolcoat2266]

I hate him

[@pasdepoisson]

Came to the channel from watching black metal videos about a year ago. What a wealth of real knowledge!

[@skyshatter3452]

Love this interview. Absolutely astonishingly good game. Black flag was my previous favorite, but this one may take the mantle. This team is the A-Team of Ubisoft in my eyes. I'm surprised that the Last Kingdom didn't come up, I only recently found out that the singer of the theme song is also named Eivor

[@kendrick5469]

By asking the right questions; I ended up at your channel a few years back thru feeding my infinite curiosity of world history Doc & having listened to your audiobooks multiple times, as well as Neil Gaiman's. I just want to say thank you for being courteous and catering to an audience who seeks an authentic modern perspective of the *why it all was, and *what it all means. In my journey, I've felt the heavy gravitational pull to understand my own European predecessors and your work has not only answered many of my questions but has also taught me as to how to think about the past. Then I find out YOU"RE one of the masterminds behind this game-- wow yeah I'm stoked 🔥 my console comes in later this month and I look forward to playing it 💯 Anyway-- just wanted to shout you out one time for added intellectual value in my journey and yeah lol from Southern California--all the best 🤟🏼😎

[@kniter]

great guys and great questions

[@BlazeLeeDragon]

29:41 like the hair styles from the TV show vs historical hair styles 😭

[@Darvit_Nu]

one of my favorite aspects in the game is reading the runes and trying to understand what is written or being said. :) So far, I've not found any gibberish which is rather exciting and makes me satisfyingly happy lol.

[@xaqqu7881]

Can’t believe I’m watchin this after Darby left 🥲

[@osricsbruk]

Damn, spoilers! I found something out before I did it in the game. I'll come back when i get to the end!

[@osricsbruk]

About a quarter way through my 2nd run through as female eivør this time. Also reading the wanderers havamal! 👍

[@smoothbrain9779]

Can someone explain the part where they talk about where the bad poets come from?

[@talonjspencer]

Lol up the story. It comes out of Odin's bum while he's an eagle

[@Soapmaker19]

No questions about Orlog?

[@corynorgrove9794]

Is there any way to get some clarification on This Odin Illusionary Rune thats shaped like an L? researching information on this seems impossible

[@scoroscopebjd6149]

It’s probably supposed to be Svefnthorn

[@AkshayJoe]

The echo is killing me 😅

[@kenetmendoza2157]

My question is, why did they make Åsgardr such a roman mess? And why are Jötnar big blue dudes? Why is Loki's character so weirdly not-Loki?

[@melodramatic6488]

Maybe the art director/concept artist leaned more into the creative freedom(?)

[@kenetmendoza2157]

@@melodramatic6488 He definitely did. Not the smartest decision at all

[@skyworm8006]

@@melodramatic6488 Less creative freedom and more like copying pop culture to appeal. Of course, you can't expect anything decent from such a big company.

[@melodramatic6488]

@@skyworm8006 oooooof, those last words tho... Harsh

[@ChaosToRule]

@@melodramatic6488 It's sad but true.

[@KapteinPuma]

Regarding male Eivor. As a Norwegian I asolutely hate the name. It breaks the immersion for me completely. He even says «outside Scandinavia no one cares», and it’s because of «lore reasons». I just feel it’s so disrespectful, to not even take into consideration the people whose ancestral culture you’re actually portraying.

[@danielleswan3602]

Why does that wolf you ride move like a horse? I don’t play, but every time I walk by my husband playing, it irks me.

[@TheRedleg69]

It's an "animus quirk" it's really a horse, but ends up looking like a wolf

[@amartyasinha7527]

Female Eivor's voice acting is terrible. Male Eivor's voice acting isn't as good as Ezio's and isn't as bad as Alexios'.

[@sisk68]

Ubisoft, put Jackson in a DLC AND MAKE HIM A TRUE Dragur!

[@LordHayabusa85]

Do you mean Drengr?

[@pcrackenhead]

59:01 Old Norse dialects There is a part in the game where Ceowulf asks Eivor why she and Sigurd sound different than other Danes he's met, and they get into a short dialogue about how not all Danes are from the same place. I assume that was supposed to reflect different dialects.

[@SirCarcass]

I've been playing AC:V and decided to come here to maybe see what Dr. Crawford thought of the game, but was pleasantly surprised to see he was actually a consultant on it.

[@iTzROCKGUY]

Enjoyed your class at Boulder and made AC Valhalla much more enjoyable. I understood most of the mythology!

[@williamdonlon6390]

As a teacher history teacher who is loving this game, and who has students who are also loving this game, this video couldn’t make me smile more. Both of you sirs are good drengrs, and thank you for all your work making history even more engaging.

[@misterdonlon]

Don't listen to this cunning trickster! Loki I see you in the comment section trying to come off all noble. I'm the real Mister Donlon, and my students are enthralled by this game! Well done gentlemen for creating an epic interpretation of the sagas!

[@melodramatic6488]

A surprise, but a welcomed one

[@ericraymond3734]

I haven't played AC:V, but I watched The Mighty Jingles's playthrough videos and was impressed with the historical color, not perfect of course but far better than I expect in a game. Months later I got turned into your your videos, Dr. Crawford, and I was all like "....Ohhh, so *that's* how AC:V got it closer to right". I'm very pleased that the collaboration went so well, and utterly delighted that Darby cared enough to weave significant amounts of the Havamal into the game.

[@Skald99]

It was a great event. I'm definately looking forward to the next crowdcast! Thank you for hosting this interview Dr. Crawford

[@crazyprog1938]

I’m in love with Darby McDevitt 🥰 he’s so pure 🤗

[@tsangarisjohn]

Doc Crawford should be given the honor of being placed in the game. Make his character involved in a fun educational side quest!

[@TheDon7684]

Love the Fight Club analogy! One of my favorite movies!! Thank you, Jackson, Darby and everyone else involved for all that went into this game! Valhalla has become an instant favorite

[@brittanycanji1510]

I was hoping for this video!! Thank you!

[@kammila6025]

Yes 👏👏 me too! 😁😁

[@AnonYmous-gg2dq]

Tell your friend Darby to add one handed swords OT: Great video as always

[@matthewcutler6138]

Hopefully it's added in a future update! Or a modder adds the Ulfberht sword (using the axe animation since Darby said it's the same)

[@lakrids-pibe]

Shout out for Cecilie Stenspil and Magnus Bruun ! Wooohoo!

[@Marquis-Sade]

Who?

[@Beef8Cake]

How can you make an authentic “Viking” game but all of the clothes, armor, and weapons are fantasy garbage?

[@paulhood7316]

Thanks for the Great Interview and continued great content here Doc ! These truly are the highlight of my week

[@TheRedleg69]

I just want to know what Valdis's tattoo says lol. Looks like Valhalla misspelled to me

[@DrFrankenskippy]

... another interesting 'spin' on Ivar the boneless is that he actually a 'giant' so hence the nickname was more an ironic one as they found bone remains of a Viking (deemed to be a chieftain or nobility) grave with the skeletal remains of a person with gigantism)

[@xd451e1edcc8]

Fascinating look into game design & execution!

[@Greenmick6982]

WHY DIDNT THEY PUT USABLE SINGLE-HANDED SWORDS IN THE GAME? If they were an expensive status symbol in Viking culture, you would think they would have added them. Missed opportunity.

[@misterdonlon]

Agree... I think they didn't want the game to play or look too similar to Odyssey

[@Greenmick6982]

@@misterdonlon I didnt play Odyssey. I heard it was rad. Similar or not, Im still salty. LOL

[@kenetmendoza2157]

@@Greenmick6982 I'm weirded out with some of the weapon "specials", like, the strangely large swords have a charge, but the dane axes have area attacks. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Like you would use axes with such a small blade area to hit a lot of enemies around you.

[@Greenmick6982]

@@kenetmendoza2157 100%. There are certain things about the combat that are a little clunky to me, especially being a fan of the two-handed system for most games (Vikings never used two-handed swords). Also, Im 31 hours into the game and I have yet to see a "Holmgang" option in my dialog with other characters. "Option 4: Make the squares." LOL

[@kenetmendoza2157]

@@Greenmick6982 Hahaha totally. I mean, it's a fun game. But there are some serious details. Like Åsgardr looks so ugly to me, such a roman fest, white statues of naked dudes with spears and helmets resting over the head, gigantic white pillars, mini pools. Really lacking some imagination or research. Jötnar look so marvel-like, gigantic weird blue dudes. I don't know hahaha my bet is that the director didn't do his job at coordinating everything, cause there are some great aspects of the game, but then there are some that are incredibly wrong.

[@NorthernShark89]

Just so you know, I live near Hadrian's Wall and I cannot see Jorvik (Modern day York) from any of my windows.

[@Marquis-Sade]

It is known that the map of a game must be somewhat smaller and thus more compressed, for a game.

[@BlackHermit]

Jora the horse! Legendary!

[@the_pimp_hand_strong1598]

i can listen to darby talk about ac all day

[@sharkfence576]

Odin's illusionary rune Dr Crawford....what's the deal?!?!?!

[@talonjspencer]

Woohoo I got first question! If there's a place to find this hi res art, I'd love a link.

[@Marquis-Sade]

Funny that Crawfor is coming from the word "Crow". Ironic :D

[@Ithirahad]

Yeah, it's 'crow river-crossing' which is on one hand a pretty normal sort of name, but also very weirdly Odin-y.

[@Marquis-Sade]

@@Ithirahad Its cool

[@neuroticandroid]

I know in some Viking artwork, they use binding runes where a few runes are combined. If Viking warriors had runes tattooed on them, wouldn't they have used the binding runes instead of just one here and there?

[@EivorDaughterofVarin]

YAAAAAAS FEMALE EIVOR CANON CONFIRMED. SHE IS PHENOMENAL. 🥰

[@EivorDaughterofVarin]

@@Dd-fb2tj ....WATCH THE INTERVIEW. Male Eivor is NOT canon. You can realistically play like male Eivor in the Animus based off the "other" DNA, but who Eivor actually was is female. Try to be less condescending when you are wrong. ACTUAL 800 AD era Eivor is female. Darby says it in THIS INTERVIEW.

[@EivorDaughterofVarin]

@@Dd-fb2tj Also LMAO "had you played the game" I am at 157 hours in game and counting bud

[@zonzone6635]

Great podcast! Skål! Best AC of all time. Thank you!

[@BBC-dq3ki]

I really don't like female eivor, the voice acting is awful and it just feels highly unlikely that a woman would captain a ship in an overly masculine society. Plus the only reason they keep having a female protagonist is to appeal to the mob complaining about the lack of female assassin's in the game, which eivor isn't even. Cassandra was a great character and I thought she was the perfect female protagonist with a good character arc that fit her being female, same with aya although she wasn't a protagonist. It just feels like they're designing the character backwards, being like "Ok we're having a female protagonist. Oh we're doing vikings this time? It's fine, just make her so masculine she's female in appearance alone."

[@gamer2101]

Yes!!

[@calcaleb7041]

You’re name is bbc in it I can see why you want to see more men on men 😂😂