Alain Mercieca

Alain Mercieca (born March 30, 1981) is a Canadian playwright, screenwriter, and video game writer, best known for his work on Assassin's Creed: Origins (2017) and Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (2020). Mercieca's background in theatre and his edgy, punk-rock sensibility have heavily influenced his writing across different mediums, from stage to video games.

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Mercieca grew up in the Hydrostone neighbourhood, known for its unique historical background following the Halifax Explosion of 1917.^[1] He developed his craft in Montreal's vibrant theater scene, where he became known for his unique approach to storytelling. Mercieca co-owns Théâtre Sainte-Catherine, where he produced and starred in Dépflies, a bilingual comedy series based on life inside a dépanneur in Montreal's St-Henri neighbourhood.^[2]

Mercieca's work in theatre caught the attention of a cinematic director at Ubisoft, leading to his role as a writer for the Assassin's Creed franchise. His plays, often described as edgy and punk-influenced, have a recurring theme of spiritual quests, which Mercieca incorporated into his video game writing.^[3] Mercieca's work on Assassin's Creed: Origins was praised for bringing a sense of humility and emotional depth to the game's characters, particularly the protagonist, Bayek.^[4] His ability to blend historical accuracy with creative storytelling helped shape the narratives of both Origins and Valhalla.