User blog comment:Aegis Runestone/Revelations and Brotherhood--Delay for AC3?/@comment-4705174-20120422175029/@comment-4115686-20120423223338

Ezio was a Master Assassin at the end of AC2... especially if you got the DLC. He spares Rodgrio because, historically (I.E. in real history), he doesn't die until 1503. AC2 ends in 1499.

As for Brotherhood, I can KIND OF see that it developed Ezio more, but overall, IMO, it wasn't needed. Ezio's story had been told in AC2.

However, Brotherhood is a lot of fun (I'm playing it now) due to its gameplay, and the development of the other characters (though, I don't like how they portrayed Rodrigo in ACB. He seemed too weak. Though, I was rooting for him at the end when he poisoned Cesare).

I also agree that ACR was not needed. Personally, I think they should have made it all about Altair instead of Ezio.