Ubisoft, a leading video game developer, has announced partnerships with several renowned institutions to bring the “History of Baghdad” feature to Assassin’s Creed Mirage. This feature will be included in the upcoming installment of the popular Assassin’s Creed franchise, set to launch worldwide on October 12th, 2023. By collaborating with esteemed museums and institutions, Ubisoft aims to offer players an interactive and educational experience that delves into the rich setting of the game.
Discover Imagery Sourced from Renowned Collections
Within Assassin’s Creed Mirage, players will be able to explore a meticulously recreated version of Baghdad and encounter sixty-six historical sites. Each site serves as a portal to valuable insights about the era and is divided into five categories: Art & Science, Beliefs and Daily Life, Court Life, Economy, and Government. To ensure accuracy and authenticity, Ubisoft has worked closely with historians and expert advisors.
To illustrate these historical entries, Ubisoft has sourced images from the collections of prominent museums and institutions worldwide. The following institutions have contributed their treasures to the “History of Baghdad” feature:
The David Collection
The David Collection is an exclusive museum located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It boasts one of the most comprehensive collections of Islamic art in the Western world. One of the notable objects from The David Collection featured in “History of Baghdad” is the magnificent ivory-carved Casket with gilt-bronze fittings.
Institut du monde arabe (IMA)
The Institut du monde arabe (IMA) in Paris, France, has played a pivotal role in promoting cultural exchange between France, the Arab world, and the rest of the world. One of the exquisite objects from IMA featured in Assassin’s Creed Mirage is the Ruby Lustre Bowl.
The Khalili Collections
Professor Sir Nasser D. Khalili has assembled eight of the world’s finest art collections over five decades. The Eight Collections contain around 35,000 works, with one dedicated to Islamic Art, housing over 28,000 objects. Among the objects from The Khalili Collections featured in the game is the fascinating Planispheric Astrolabe.
Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design
The Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design, located in Honolulu, Hawaii, is part of the Doris Duke Foundation. Founded by Doris Duke, the museum aims to enrich public understanding of Islamic art and cultures. One of the astonishing objects from Shangri La featured in “History of Baghdad” is the Blown Glass Jar with Trailed Zigzag Decoration.
A Research-Based Perspective
Ubisoft’s Head of Humanities & Inspiration Department, Thierry Noël, emphasizes that Assassin’s Creed has always strived to be a gateway for players to explore and learn about fascinating historical settings. With the “History of Baghdad” feature, Ubisoft offers a research-based perspective on 9th-century Baghdad and the Abbasid Empire, challenging preconceptions and stereotypes often associated with them. By collaborating with esteemed partners and experts, Ubisoft underscores its commitment to authenticity and accuracy, which are hallmarks of the Assassin’s Creed series.
The contributions of advisors Dr. Glaire Anderson, an expert in Islamic art, and the Digital Lab for Islamic Visual Culture & Collections of the University of Edinburgh; Dr. Vanessa Van Renterghem, a specialist in medieval Baghdad; Dr. Ali Olomi, a Scholar of Islamic History; and Dr. Raphaël Weyland, an expert of Islamic history who joined Ubisoft for the game’s creation, were crucial for the recreation of Baghdad in Assassin’s Creed Mirage and the “History of Baghdad” feature.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage: A Tribute to the First Assassin
Assassin’s Creed Mirage, developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux, pays homage to the first Assassin’s Creed game while offering a unique and captivating experience. Set in the magnificent ninth-century Baghdad during its Golden Age, the game provides players with a condensed, narrative-driven action adventure filled with parkour, stealth, and assassination gameplay elements that have defined the franchise for over fifteen years.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is available for pre-order on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One, and Luna. Additionally, players can access the game at launch by subscribing to Ubisoft+. Windows PC users can purchase the game through the Epic Games Store and the Ubisoft Store.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Windows
