Ubisoft’s GDC Journey: The Evolution of “Assassin’s Creed Mirage” from DLC to Full Game

Assassin's Creed Mirage pays tribute to its roots with improved stealth and parkour mechanics, set in a historical 9th-century Baghdad, while also evolving the series with a standalone prequel starring Basim from Valhalla.

Revamped stealth mechanics for a more reliable and fair experience
Efficient and seamless parkour with carefully designed "highways"
Focused and streamlined gameplay without compromising on the overall experience

Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the latest installment in the long-running franchise, is a game that pays homage to its roots while also pushing the boundaries of what the series can achieve. Developed as a standalone prequel by Ubisoft Bordeaux, Mirage takes players on a journey to the Middle East, exploring the bustling city of Baghdad during the ninth century.

Originally conceived as a DLC expansion for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the idea quickly evolved into a full-fledged game starring Basim, the enigmatic Hidden One from Valhalla. Creative Director Stéphane Boudon and Lead Producer Fabian Salomon recently gave a talk at GDC, shedding light on the game’s development process and the challenges they faced along the way.

One of the key aspects discussed in their talk was the emphasis on stealth gameplay in Mirage. Unlike Valhalla, which had a more action-oriented focus, Mirage brings back the classic Assassin experience with refined stealth mechanics. The team took inspiration from a GDC talk on Splinter Cell: Blacklist to revamp the stealth system, making it more reliable and fair for players. They made tweaks to the NPCs’ vision cone, added a state of “searching” for enemies, and conducted numerous playtests to ensure that the stealth mechanics were finely tuned.

Another major focus of Mirage is parkour. The game takes place in an urban setting, and the team wanted to create a seamless and efficient parkour experience for players. They introduced “highways,” unmarked but clear paths that players can use to navigate rooftops and obstacles. These highways were carefully designed and polished throughout development to ensure that players could easily traverse the city without getting lost.

During their talk, Boudon and Salomon also touched on some features that didn’t make it into the final game. These included a monkey companion for Basim, sandstorms, and a dog-commanding enemy. The decision to cut these features was based on various factors, such as technical limitations, accuracy to the time period, and player feedback. The team wanted to ensure that the game remained focused and streamlined, without compromising on the overall experience.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is now available on multiple platforms, including XBOX One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Amazon Luna. It can be purchased individually or accessed through a Ubisoft+ Premium subscription. With its homage to the franchise’s origins and its innovative gameplay mechanics, Mirage is a must-play for fans of the Assassin’s Creed series.

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Background Information

About Ubisoft:

Ubisoft is a important video game company that was founded in 1986 in France by the Guillemot brothers: Christian, Claude, Gérard, Michel, and Yves. The company is known for developing and publishing a wide range of popular video game franchises, including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six, and Watch Dogs. Ubisoft is recognized for its commitment to delivering immersive and engaging gaming experiences across multiple platforms, from consoles and PCs to mobile devices.