Assassin's Creed: Mirage

You cannot know anything. Only suspect.

This article contains content from pre-release sources that may or may not be reflective of canon upon release. This article therefore likely contains spoilers.

Assassin's Creed: Mirage is an upcoming installment in the Assassin's Creed series. It will be a stealth-focused game. The game will feature the Hidden One Basim Ibn Ishaq, a central character from the 2020 video game Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, and it will take place in the city of Baghdad in the 9th century.^[1]

Plot synopsis

Experience the story of Basim, a cunning street thief seeking answers and justice as he navigates the bustling streets of ninth–century Baghdad. Through a mysterious, ancient organization known as the Hidden Ones, he will become a deadly Master Assassin and change his fate in ways he never could have imagined.^[2]

Gameplay

Set 20 years prior to the events in Valhalla,^[3] players assume the role of Basim Ibn Ishaq with the gender choices, dialogue options, and relationship possibilities removed. After Valhalla had Eivor's raven Sýnin provide her with Eagle Vision despite being a corvid rather than an eagle, Mirage will return to the method used in Assassin's Creed: Origins and Assassin's Creed: Odyssey by having the Eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) Enkidu aid Basim.^[4] The main location of the game will primarily be the city of Baghdad, with minor parts in Alamut. The Black Box missions from Assassin's Creed: Unity and the Valhalla DLC The Siege of Paris will return, with Basim being able to explore the environment and find different ways to approach and eliminate his targets.^[5] Basim will also have a variety of weapons and tools he will use, including smoke bombs, the iconic Hidden Blade,^[4] blow darts, mines, throwing knives, noise makers and more.^[6] Basim will be witness to the prelude of the Zanj Rebellion, the people of Baghdad rising up against the Turk forces of the Caliphate.^[7]

Unlike all past installments in the Assassin's Creed series, Mirage will be the first to not have a modern day story element, except for the start and end of the game.^[8] Assassination contracts,^[7] and hiding places are set to return. Enemy archers can also shoot Basim's Eagle, canceling the Eagle Vision.^[6]

Development

The conceptual title, Assassin's Creed: Rift, was first leaked on 9 February 2022 and reported by Bloomberg.^[9] Originally planned to be a DLC for Valhalla, Rift was expanded into its own standalone game. Bloomberg also revealed that it would be be developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux and was planned for released in late-2022, but was pushed back to the first quarter of 2023.^[10]

On 1 September, after the official title "Assassin's Creed: Mirage" was leaked alongside art for a DLC called "The Forty Thieves" that promised to visit the infamous criminals of legend, Ubisoft formally announced the game,^[11] and promised more details to come at Ubisoft Forward convention on 10 September.^[12] Reportedly, Darby McDevitt, the creator of Basim's character will not have any development role, but acted as a consultant on the character.^[4] On 12 September, it was reported that the Microsoft Store listing for Mirage had an Adults Only ESRB rating. This however, was deemed a probable mistake due to the Adults Only rating Ubisoft showed at the start of their Ubisoft Forward event, and is therefore subject to change.^[13]

Release

Assassin's Creed: Mirage is set to release in 2023 for Amazon Luna,^[13] Windows Microsoft, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S.^[4]

Marketing

After a series of leaks, Ubisoft officially confirmed the existence of Assassin's Creed: Mirage on 1 September.^[11]^[12] on 10 September, Mirage was featured in the 2022 Assassin's Creed Ubisoft Forward showcase, alongside the debut of its cinematic trailer.^[3]^[14]