Author sues Ubisoft over Assassin's Creed for 'memories through ancestors'

American author John Beiswenger wrote a novel called Link which published in 2002, in which a person in a lab experiences memories through the eyes of his ancestors.

That sounds somewhat familiar doesn’t it? That’s the problem asserts Beiswenger, because Ubisoft has pinched a piece of his own storyline for the Animus in Assassin’s Creed.

A suit has been launched against Ubisoft and Gametrailers for 11 counts of copyright infringement, pointing the finger at the games, books and trailers making the rounds.

Numerous plotlines are ‘borrowed heavily’ from his 2002 novel Link for use in Assassin’s Creed and its battle with Templar throughout the ages. The Animus allows player character Desmond Miles access ancestral memory from his genes and relive the past lives of Assassin’s as he fights the influence of Templar forces.

Author Beiswenger also says assassinations play a part with his own Link device. He put forward a document that alleges proof to how similar Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed storyline is to his own. The novelist is demanding a halt to any further infringement and $5.25 million in damages. Beiswenger is also a research engineer with over 20 US patents.

Assassin’s Creed III releases on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC October 31st.