In the 2007 video game Assassin's Creed, the player controls Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad for most of the historical story.
Altaïr is a Syrian-born Assassin operating during the Third Crusade in 1191. After breaking the Brotherhood's rules, he is stripped of his rank and must regain his status by carrying out missions for his mentor, Al Mualim.
The game alternates between Altaïr's medieval missions and the modern-day story of Desmond Miles, whose genetic memories are accessed through the Animus. Altaïr is the central playable historical character, although Desmond also appears in modern sections.
Altaïr should not be confused with Ezio Auditore, the protagonist of Assassin's Creed II and its two major follow-ups. The first game established the series' recurring themes of historical investigation, stealth, and conflict between Assassins and Templars.