The Animus Project was an initiative conducted by the Templar-owned company Abstergo Industries, in order to exploit the Animus for their own benefit. Operating since at least 1980, and led by Dr. Warren Vidic – with Lucy Stillman joining some time prior to 2010 – the Animus Project was one of the most important Abstergo initiatives in their history. The project mainly included the kidnapping of Assassins or their descendants via the Department of Lineage Discovery and Acquisition, the exploration of said captives' genetic memories, and the acquisition of Pieces of Eden.