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Today Ubisoft officially announced that â??Assassinâ??s Creed 2â? for all current-generation platforms is slated for a Holiday 2009 release.

Following the news that Game Informerâ??s May issue will feature â??Assassinâ??s Creed IIâ? as its cover story, Ubisoft officially announced today that the game will be available in Holiday 2009 for all current-generation platforms. The company also said the game is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal and the â??original creative teamâ? behind the franchise.

As for the story, the press release stated:

In a vast open world environment, the game invites players to incarnate Ezio, a privileged young noble in Renaissance Italy whoâ??s been betrayed by the rival ruling families of Italy. Ezioâ??s subsequent quest for vengeance plunges players into a captivating and epic story that offers more variety in missions, surprising and engaging new gameplay elements, diverse weapons and a profound character progression that will appeal to fans of the original Assassinâ??s Creed as well as entice players new to the brand.

Creative director Patrice Desilets said in the press release that the team is working hard to â??top the experienceâ? of the first title and that theyâ??ve â??made improvements to every aspect of the game.â?

See below for an image of lead character Ezio and the full press release:



UBISOFT® UNVEILS ASSASSINâ??S CREED® II

SAN FRANCISCO â?? April 16, 2009 â?? Today Ubisoft announced that Ubisoft Montreal is developing Assassinâ??s Creed II on all current-generation platforms for a scheduled Holiday 2009 release. The initial installment of Assassinâ??s Creed® was released in November 2007 to popular and critical success, selling 8 million copies worldwide and garnering awards such as Best Action Game 2007 from 1UP and Outstanding Achievement in Animation from the AIAS.

Assassinâ??s Creed II is the product of over two years of intensive development by the original creative team behind the Assassinâ??s Creed brand. In a vast open world environment, the game invites players to incarnate Ezio, a privileged young noble in Renaissance Italy whoâ??s been betrayed by the rival ruling families of Italy. Ezioâ??s subsequent quest for vengeance plunges players into a captivating and epic story that offers more variety in missions, surprising and engaging new gameplay elements, diverse weapons and a profound character progression that will appeal to fans of the original Assassinâ??s Creed as well as entice players new to the brand.

â??Our creative team is working hard to top the experience of Assassinâ??s Creed,â? said Patrice Desilets, creative director at Ubisoft. â??Weâ??ve made improvements to every aspect of the game. Weâ??ve plunged ourselves into the stunning history of the Italian Renaissance so that we can offer fans a unique, varied and innovative Assassinâ??s Creed experience.â?

Additional details on Assassinâ??s Creed II are revealed in the May issue of Game Informer.

Ubisoft uses 'Assassin's Creed' flaws

Ubisoft has revealed that it is using previous criticisms of Assassin's Creed to boost the development of its sequel.

Speaking to Now Gamer, the game's producer Sebastian Paul revealed that he felt the weakest part of the first game was the structure of its missions.

He pointed out that it is a "difficult process" for any game developer to have their "baby" reviewed by the media.

However, his team are using the negative feedback they received about the first title to "enhance the game experience" of Assassin's Creed II.

"We want [the sequel] to be unpredictable and full of epic moments that will immerse you into our story featuring our numerous characters and environments," said Paul.

"We are redefining the mission gameplay structure to give gamers a more enjoyable and rewarding experience."

Assassin's Creed II will be released for PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, PC and Wii in time for Christmas 2009.