OneRepublic, the Grammy-nominated pop rock band behind hits such as “Apologise”, “Counting Stars” and “Secrets”, has joined forces with Mishaal Tamer, a rising Saudi Arabian singer and songwriter, to create a new song for Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage. The song, titled “Mirage (for Assassin’s Creed Mirage)”, was released on 22 September, 2023, and features a blend of English and Arabic lyrics reflecting the setting and theme of the game. It is the first time Ubisoft has collaborated with a ‘Top 50’ global artist.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the latest instalment in the popular action-adventure stealth franchise (see our review here). It spans various historical periods and locations, but is ultimately set in the 13th century during the Mongol invasion of the Middle East. The game follows Basim, a young assassin who is part of the secret order opposing the Templars, who uses his skills and gadgets to navigate the war-torn cities of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo, while uncovering the secrets of his past and connection to the mysterious First Civilisation (Isu).

Mirage by OneRepublic and Mishaal Tamar

“Mirage (for Assassin’s Creed Mirage)” is a catchy and upbeat tune mixing pop rock elements with Arabic influences. The song explores the theme of illusion and reality, as Basim questions his identity and purpose in a chaotic world. The song also features a bridge section where Mishaal Tamer sings in Arabic, adding a unique flavour and contrast to the song. Paying further homage to the franchise, OneRepublic’s Mirage also weaves in elements from the original soundtrack of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, originally composed by Brendan Angelides in collaboration with Layth Sidiq, the lead vocalist and violinist.

OneRepublic’s frontman Ryan Tedder, who helped co-write and produce the song, is a self-confessed fan of the Assassin’s Creed franchise – since the very beginning – and wanted to capture the spirit of the Middle East region and reflect the location of the game sonically as much as possible. As such, he revealed how the group was honoured to collaborate with Mishaal Tamer, who added his own flair and style to the song.

“Most people don’t know this about me, but my band and I are closet gamers,” said Tedder

NME

Mishaal Tamer, who rose to fame after winning the first season of The Voice Arabia in 2022, is noted for being a fan of the games and for expressing his gratitude to be able to work with OneRepublic (who he has recently toured with). Being able to express his own perspective and culture through his lyrics, and bringing a level of authenticity to OneRepublic’s Mirage, is quite a career highlight for the young artist.

The release of OneRepublic’s Mirage is accompanied by a music video showcasing scenes from the game interspersed with footage of OneRepublic and Mishaal Tamer performing in a secret ‘Hidden Ones’ location. The video also features a few Easter eggs and references for eagled eyed fans of the franchise to enjoy.

[Sources: Geek Culture, NME, Scene Noise, YouTube]

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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.