Assasins Creed Mirage Flashcards
why does Basim appear re appear in the franchise?
Basim - appeared as a side character in Valhalla - this will appeal to the fan community, and presumably increase sales of this title.
why do they return to alamut as the loaction for Mirage?
Returning to Alamut - a location from the original game, again to appeal to long-term fans by going full-circle. It is also a return to more stealth-based gameplay.
language
The game’s default is entirely in Basim’s native language, with the series’ first-ever full localisation in Arabic.
what did that guardian say?
The Guardian praised its stripped back approach as ‘a stab in the right direction.’
Critical/Commercial Contexts
Basim - appeared as a side character in Valhalla - this will appeal to the fan community, and presumably increase sales of this title.
Returning to Alamut - a location from the original game, again to appeal to long-term fans by going full-circle. It is also a return to more stealth-based gameplay.
The game’s default is entirely in Basim’s native language, with the series’ first-ever full localisation in Arabic.
The Guardian praised its stripped back approach as ‘a stab in the right direction.’
Reviews and Marketing
Retails for £35.99, significantly lower than most AAA titles.
Ubisoft said that Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s smaller scope was partially due to some fans wanting a less bloated game.
However, Assassin’s Creed Mirage currently has a 77 overall critic rating, making it one of the lowest-rated main series games in the franchise’s history.
The launch celebration livestream featured star and developer interviews, behind the scenes deep dives, a Collector’s Case unboxing, etc. with links to the pre-order.
Industry and Audience Contexts
While triple-A studios are commonly associated with lengthy, full-priced games, more developers are starting to recognize the value of smaller-scale, lower-budget releases. These budget entries in major series are often referred to as “standalone expansions.” Standalone expansions aren’t a new concept for triple-A studios, but their increasing prominence in the modern gaming landscape not only reflects their creative potential but also highlights the growing fatigue towards the industry’s current trends.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage was planned to be downloadable content until Ubisoft decided to expand their unique concept into budget titles.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage returned the series to its stealth-based roots after the last few games adopted an open-world RPG format. However, Mirage’s release as a standalone expansion also serves as a low-risk means for Ubisoft to test whether the series’ classic formula will still appeal to fans. After the critical and commercial success of Mirage, it’s likely that future full-priced Assassin’s Creed games will follow in its example and adopt the series’ original stealth-oriented gameplay.
Technological Context
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is out now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC via the Ubisoft Store and Epic Games Store, and Amazon Luna, and is included with a Ubisoft+ subscription.
Ubisoft + - available on a few platforms, it offers over 150 Ubisoft back catalogue and new games, plus DLC and in-game items for a monthly fee.
Master Assassin Edition Bonus Content
Only available with Ubisoft +
Deluxe Pack: unlock a Prince of Persia-inspired outfit, eagle and mount skins, weapons.
Digital Collectibles: digital Artbook and soundtrack
Master Assassin Pack: four costumes
Bonus Content:
Lightning Weapons Pack: Lighting Sword, Lightning Dagger
Guardian Pack:guardian costume, Mesopotamian Lion
Jinn Pack:Jinn outfit, Jinn sword, Jinn dagger
Fire Demon Pack: Fire Demon outfit, Demon Claw, Demon Fang, Merthyhuwar, Simurg, Red Initiate of Alamut
PEGI 18
Some cutscenes include finishing moves which feature elements of graphic violence, such as a bladed weapon being thrust and twisted into a person’s neck, accompanied by large amounts of blood and agonised sounds. This is shown in close-up. The game also contains infrequent depictions of the motiveless killing of innocent people, who will scream and try to flee but can be caught and killed. There are also depictions of violence towards defenceless human characters. For example, during an interrogation, a character is seen seated on a chair with his hands bound behind his back as he is punched. The game includes use of strong language (‘fuck’). At one point, there is sight of child thieves who have been hanged, although the hanging is not shown.
Other issues:
This game offers players the opportunity to purchase in-game items - in the form of maps, weapons and costumes - which some parents or carers may want to be aware of. Parents, carers or other responsible adults should check to see what is being offered before making any purchase on behalf of a child.
🗡️ Overview:
Release Date: October 5, 2023
Developer: Ubisoft Bordeaux
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, Amazon Luna
🧳 Setting:
Location: 9th-century Baghdad
Time Period: Islamic Golden Age (~861 AD)
Rich historical setting with a focus on cultural and architectural authenticity.
🎭 Protagonist:
Basim Ibn Ishaq — a character introduced in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Mirage explores his origin story, going from street thief to Master Assassin.
🎮 Gameplay Style:
Back to Basics: Focuses on stealth, parkour, and assassinations—very much like AC1 and AC2.
Compact Map: A more condensed open world, unlike the sprawling RPG-style maps of Odyssey or Valhalla.
Tools and Gadgets: Smoke bombs, throwing knives, eagle vision, and more.
Crowd Blending & Rooftop Chase: Emphasis on fluid movement and stealth kills.
🧠 Cool Features:
Contract Missions: Optional assassination jobs around the city.
Notoriety System: Acts like in AC2, where your actions draw attention.
Historical Accuracy Mode: Similar to the “Discovery Tour” in previous games.
💬 Fan Reaction:
Many long-time fans love the return to the classic AC feel.
Some newer fans miss the deeper RPG mechanics of the recent titles.
Visuals and environmental detail in Baghdad are widely praised.
🏢 Ownership:
Publisher/Developer: Ubisoft, a major multinational games publisher based in France.
Ubisoft owns the Assassin’s Creed IP — one of the most profitable franchises in gaming.
Mirage was developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux, showing Ubisoft’s global studio model (different studios around the world contribute to different AC games).
💡 Mirage is part of a long-standing franchise that supports Ubisoft’s brand identity and financial stability.
💰 Economic Context:
AAA (triple-A) production — large budget, large team, high expectations.
Ubisoft uses franchise strategies: sequels, spin-offs, and merch to extend profit.
Mirage was marketed as a “budget” release compared to other AC games (priced lower at launch), appealing to more traditional/casual gamers.
Released on multiple platforms: cross-gen (PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series X), increasing potential market.
💡 Game was developed and released during a time when the industry was balancing high production costs with consumer pushback on “live service” models.
📜 Regulation:
Regulated by age ratings:
PEGI 18 (Europe)
ESRB M (Mature 17+) (USA)
Content includes violence, blood, suggestive themes — standard for the franchise.
Ubisoft adheres to industry self-regulation (e.g., ESRB, PEGI), but also adjusts based on regional censorship laws (e.g., content altered in some countries).
💡 Self-regulation allows publishers like Ubisoft to avoid direct government censorship, but ratings still affect distribution and marketing.
🌍 Cultural Context:
Set in 9th-century Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age.
Ubisoft consulted historians, cultural experts, and Arabic voice actors to ensure cultural authenticity.
Representation of a non-Western setting was praised, though Ubisoft is still a Western company interpreting this culture.
💡 The game reflects a broader industry trend toward more diverse settings and stories — both for representation and market expansion.
🎬 Production Context:
Developed during the post-COVID period, with hybrid/remote workflows.
Initially planned as a DLC for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, but expanded into a standalone title — showing flexibility in production pipelines.
Built using Ubisoft’s Anvil game engine — used across the franchise, allowing shared assets and efficient development.
💡 Use of in-house engines and shared tech helps Ubisoft streamline production and maintain a consistent brand look.
🔧 Production – How it was made
🎮 Shared Game Engine: Ubisoft uses the Anvil engine, allowing different Ubisoft studios to collaborate globally on assets, animations, and mechanics. This makes cross-studio production faster and cheaper.
🌍 Remote Collaboration: Thanks to cloud-based tools (e.g., real-time editing software, shared asset libraries), developers in Bordeaux could work with teams around the world, even post-pandemic.
🧠 AI and Procedural Tools: AI-assisted animation and world-building tools make environments more realistic while saving time.
🧪 Performance Capture: Advanced motion capture and facial scanning converge film and game tech — improving realism and storytelling.
In short: Convergence of film tech, cloud software, and advanced engines streamlined Mirage’s production across international teams.
💻 Distribution – How it’s sold
🛍️ Digital Distribution: Mirage launched digitally on PlayStation Store, Xbox Live, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect — removing the need for physical copies.
☁️ Cloud Gaming: Available on Amazon Luna, showing convergence of gaming and streaming tech — players can stream the game like Netflix, no console needed.
🔗 Cross-platform release: Releasing on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X/S, and PC simultaneously requires optimization tools that ensure the game works on various hardware — all thanks to tech convergence.
In short: Converged platforms and online storefronts let Ubisoft reach a global audience instantly, without needing physical media.
📣 Circulation – How it spreads
📱 Social Media: Trailers, updates, and behind-the-scenes content are shared on YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram — reaching fans directly.
🧑💻 Influencer and Streamer Integration: Streamers on Twitch and YouTubers play and review the game pre-launch, creating hype (e.g., sponsored streams).
🌐 User-Generated Content: Fans share theories, walkthroughs, memes, and fan art across Reddit, YouTube, and Discord — all part of converged fan ecosystems.
🧩 Companion Apps & Services: Ubisoft Connect provides stats, cross-save, rewards, and game news — blending gaming, social media, and mobile access.
In short: Media convergence makes fans part of the marketing machine — using platforms that combine video, chat, and content creation.
