With Assassin’s Creed II featuring in many critics’ ‘best of 2009’ lists, many have been speculating as to the nature of the upcoming final chapter in the trilogy. Well, much of the speculation can now be put to rest following Ubisoft’s recent announcement that Ezio will once again be the game’s central protagonist, and he’ll be taking his fight to the heart of Templar operations in Rome itself.

Ubisoft made the announcement at its recent third-quarter financial conference call. Many speculated that Assassin’s Creed III would introduce a new protagonist and setting (based on the precedent set by the first two titles). Many even believed that the third game of the trilogy would focus exclusively on Desmond Miles – the modern-day subject of the games whose inherited ‘memories’ form the basis of the series’ gameplay – as the sole protagonist.

It’s also known that Assassin’s Creed III will feature a multiplayer component for the first time in the series. This was reiterated in the conference call, although no further details were added.

UPDATE - 11.40am: While many news sites have reported that the "next Assassin's Creed game"will see Ezio return to Rome, GameSpot reports that Ubisoft has simplyannounced an "expansion". This makes much moresense, however Game Console will endeavour to verify whether this isindeed the case.

There is speculation that "next Assassin's Creed game" may even refer to a spin-off title.