Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Spotlight on Game’s Accessible Features in the Limelight

Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the latest installment in the popular video game franchise, is set to release on October 5th. This time, players will be transported to ninth-century Baghdad, where they will take on the role of Basim Ibn Is’haq, a young street thief who eventually becomes a Master Assassin. The game aims to capture the essence of the early Assassin’s Creed titles, focusing on stealth and incorporating familiar gameplay elements. However, it also prioritizes accessibility, ensuring that as many people as possible can enjoy the experience.

Antony Marques, the UX designer at Ubisoft Bordeaux, explains the team’s approach: “Our philosophy was to create a game that goes back to its roots while retaining the modern accessibility options and feedback elements found in later Assassin’s Creed titles, like Valhalla.” To achieve this, Ubisoft collaborated with teams in Montreal, Kyiv, Odesa, and Bordeaux. The goal was to seamlessly integrate accessibility into the core gameplay rather than relying solely on options.

Building upon the high bar set by Assassin’s Creed Valhalla in terms of accessibility, the developers of Assassin’s Creed Mirage found innovative ways to enhance the player experience. One notable addition is the ability to navigate menus using the d-pad. This feature was a major priority for the developers at Ubisoft Kyiv and provides a more accessible option for players with motor and visual disabilities.

Another important consideration was providing players with ample notice when they draw attention from guards. As Mirage places a greater emphasis on stealth gameplay compared to recent entries in the series, the developers wanted to ensure that players are well-informed when they are close to being detected. Marques explains, “We wanted to make sure that all signs and feedback are well communicated and not reliant on color alone.” The game includes various forms of feedback, such as animations and meters, to indicate changes in the player’s status and alertness of enemies.

The targeting system in Assassin’s Creed Mirage has also been revamped to provide players with essential information quickly. For instance, when Basim aims at a civilian, the crosshairs change to a gray “X” to signify that they are not a target. Additionally, the crosshairs adapt to indicate the direction from which enemies can be damaged, allowing players to make informed decisions during combat.

Scouting with Basim’s eagle, Enkidu, is another crucial aspect of gameplay in Mirage. The crosshairs play a significant role in this mechanic as well. When enemies are nearby, the crosshairs are surrounded by a white ring, which disappears once all hostiles have been spotted and tagged. Furthermore, a yellow ring guides players towards their target and even shows the distance. This addition provides players with more information and enhances their ability to strategize effectively.

To streamline gameplay, players can now quick-select certain tools without having to navigate through menus. By holding the left trigger to aim, tool icons appear on the HUD, allowing players to easily access items like smoke bombs or traps. This change improves the flow of the game and adds a faster pace to combat encounters.

In terms of stealth, Assassin’s Creed Mirage offers players various options for reading their environment and outsmarting enemies. The game reintroduces classic Eagle Vision, enabling players to see enemies and points of interest through walls with brightly colored auras.

The developers have made significant efforts to ensure that Assassin’s Creed Mirage is accessible to a wide range of players. The game includes an extensive list of accessibility features covering visual, audio, and motor accessibility. These features allow players to customize their experience based on their individual needs and preferences.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage will be available on October 5th for Playstation 5, Playstation 4, XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, PC via Ubisoft Store and Epic Games Store, and Amazon Luna. Players can also access the game on day one with a Ubisoft+ subscription. With its blend of classic Assassin’s Creed elements and modern accessibility options, Mirage promises to provide an immersive and inclusive gaming experience for all players.

Background Information

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About Epic Games: Epic Games is a well-known American video game and software developer, established in 1991 and headquartered in Cary, North Carolina. The company has made significant contributions to the gaming industry, most notably through its Unreal Engine, a widely used game development platform. Beyond game engines, Epic Games is renowned for its popular titles like Fortnite, which has achieved global cultural prominence.

  

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About Ubisoft: Ubisoft is a prominent 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.