Assassin’s Creed Mirage is one of the most anticipated games of 2023, and Ubisoft is not holding back on delivering a rich and immersive experience for fans of the franchise. The game will take players to the ninth century Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate and one of the most advanced and prosperous cities in the world at the time. To bring this historical setting to life, Ubisoft has partnered with several renowned institutions and experts to create a new feature called “History of Baghdad”, which will allow players to learn more about the culture, art, science, and politics of the era.

“History of Baghdad” is not a separate mode like the Discovery modes featured in previous Assassin’s Creed games such as Origins and Odyssey. Instead, it is an in-game codex players can access as they progress through the main story. The codex will contain 66 entries divided into five categories: Art & Science; Beliefs and Daily Life; Court Life; Economy; and Government. Each entry will provide valuable insights into the historical realities of Baghdad and the Abbasid Empire, as well as images of authentic artefacts from various museums and collections from around the world.

Ubisoft has partnered with several renowned institutions and experts to create a new feature called “History of Baghdad” in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which will allow players to learn more about the culture, art, science, and politics of ninth century Baghdad and the Abbasid Empire. The feature will include 66 entries illustrated by images of authentic artifacts from various museums and collections around the world.

Some of the institutions Ubisoft has collaborated with for this feature are The David Collection, the Institut du monde arabe (IMA), The Khalili Collections, and Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design. These institutions have generously provided images of their exquisite collections of Islamic art, which will illustrate the codex entries and showcase the diversity and beauty of Abbasid craftsmanship. For example, players will be able to see a magnificent ivory-carved casket from The David Collection, a ruby lustre bowl from IMA, a planispheric astrolabe from The Khalili Collections, and a blown glass jar from Shangri La.

The codex entries have been crafted in collaboration with historians and expert advisors who have extensive knowledge and experience in Islamic history and culture. Some of these advisors who joined Ubisoft for the game’s creation include: Dr Glaire Anderson, expert in Islamic art, and the Digital Lab for Islamic Visual Culture & Collections of the University of Edinburgh; Dr Vanessa Van Renterghem, specialist of medieval Baghdad; Dr Ali Olomi, Scholar of Islamic History; and Dr Raphaël Weyland. These advisors have helped Ubisoft to recreate Baghdad in Assassin’s Creed Mirage with accuracy and authenticity, as well as to tackle sensitive and misrepresented topics such as the harem, the role of eunuchs, and slavery in a nuanced way.

Assassin’s Creed always strives to be a gateway for players to discover more about the fascinating historical setting and eras it explores” says Thierry Noël, Head of Ubisoft’s Humanities & Inspiration Department. “With information curated by experts, ‘History of Baghdad’ offers a research-based perspective over 9th century Baghdad and the Abbasid Empire, tackling pre-conceptions and clichés often associated with them. Our collaboration with esteemed partners and experts to bring this feature to life in Assassin’s Creed Mirage further highlights the commitment to authenticity and accuracy that is a hallmark of the series”.

It sure sounds like Ubisoft are going above and beyond for the release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which appears to be a true return to form for the series and its assassin roots. Here’s hoping the title will provide an epic adventure immersing players in one of the most influential and vibrant periods of history. Especially now that “History of Baghdad” will be included and built directly into the game, ensuring players have the opportunity to learn more about this fascinating era and appreciate its legacy.

Ubisoft has partnered with several renowned institutions and experts to create a new feature called “History of Baghdad” in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which will allow players to learn more about the culture, art, science, and politics of ninth century Baghdad and the Abbasid Empire. The feature will include 66 entries illustrated by images of authentic artifacts from various museums and collections around the world.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is set for release on 12 October 2024 on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Amazon Luna. The game will follow Basim Ibn Ishaq, an Assassin who infiltrates the court of Caliph Al-Mu’tasim in order to stop a Templar plot. Along the way, he will encounter historical figures such as Al-Khwarizmi, Al-Jahiz, Al-Kindi, Al-Ma’mun, and more.

Owner, founder and editor-in-chief at Vamers, Hans has a vested interest in geek culture and the interactive entertainment industry. With a Masters degree in Communications and Ludology, he is well read and versed in matters relating to video games and communication media, among many other topics of interest.