Ashraf Ismail

Overview

Ashraf Ismail is a Canadian game development professional with over two decades of experience directing, designing, and producing large-scale interactive entertainment projects. He has held senior leadership roles on several well-known titles in the Assassin’s Creed series, contributing to their creative direction and design. 

Current Role

Ashraf Ismail currently serves as Creative Director at TiMi Studio Montreal, part of Tencent’s global gaming network. In this role, he contributes to the creative vision and development of game projects within an international studio setting. 

Professional Background 

Ismail has an extensive career in game development. He has held key leadership roles including:

• Creative Director for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, where he oversaw the vision, design, narrative and world of this Viking-fantasy entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise.

• Game Director on Assassin’s Creed Origins, owner of the game’s design direction, and key contributor to the world and narrative which saw the franchise shift to an Action RPG experience.

• Game Director on Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, where he oversaw the game’s direction and helped shape its blend of narrative and gameplay for a pirate fantasy.

Ismail’s work spans creative leadership, gameplay vision, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams on projects intended for global audiences.

Career Highlights

• Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag — BAFTA Games Awards nominated for Game Design, Best Game, Action & Adventure.

• Assassin’s Creed Origins —  BAFTA Games Awards nominated for Game Design and Best Game.

• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla — BAFTA Games Awards nominated for Best Narrative.

Areas of Focus

• Creative direction and leadership

• Game development and production collaboration

• Game design with emphasis on world-building, systems, narrative and player experience

• Large-scale interactive entertainment projects

Selected Work 

Ashraf Ismail has contributed to the development of multiple commercially released games during his career with EA, Behavior Interactive and Ubisoft in the interactive entertainment industry.

His work has primarily focused on projects requiring coordination across large development teams and long-term production cycles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ashraf Ismail?
Ashraf Ismail is a game development professional known for creative leadership and direction on several major titles in the Assassin’s Creed series.

What does Ashraf Ismail do currently?
He currently works as Creative Director at TiMi Studio Montreal, contributing to international game development projects.

What games has Ashraf Ismail worked on?
He has directed the high-profile games Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Assassin’s Creed Origins, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Previously he had worked in the FIFA and NBALive franchises, EA Skate., and Wet from Behavior Interactive.

Professional Profiles 

• LinkedIn

• TiMi Studios

• IMDb

• MobyGames

• Medium