New Assassin's Creed DLC emerging in March

Despite claims that the Assassin's Creed franchise would be taking a "breather," Ubisoft confirmed earlier this week that it will have a new Assassin's Creed out before the end of March 2012. However, that doesn't mean the publisher is yet through with the game's current iteration, confirming today that a new downloadable content update for Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood will be available in March.

Available for $10 (800 Microsoft points) through the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, The Da Vinci Disappearance includes both single-player and multiplayer content to extend the experience of Brotherhood. The solo mission sees players attempting to track down Leonardo Da Vinci, who was kidnapped by the Hermeticists after the fall of Borgias in Rome. As Ezio, players will track Da Vinci through clues found in art, uncovering two new locations and a pair of gameplay features.

According to Ubisoft, The Da Vinci Disappearance represents the most substantive multiplayer expansion yet for Brotherhood. It will include a single map, Alhambra, which is set in Spain's Albaicin of Granada and features multistory gameplay in both indoor and outdoor areas. Four new characters will also be included: Dama Rossa, the Knight, the Marquis, and the Pariah.

The multiplayer add-on also includes two new gameplay modes: Escort and Assassinate. In Escort, two teams of four players guard their own VIP while attempting to assassinate the opposing side's very important target. Assassinate mode sees six to eight players attempting to off each other a la classic deathmatch.

For more on Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.