In response to recent reports, Ubisoft has clarified its stance regarding claims of new content for its 2023 title, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which is allegedly linked to investments from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Ubisoft’s Financial Support and PIF
French publication Les Echos indicated that Ubisoft’s CEO, Yves Guillemot, secured financial support from PIF during a meeting in Saudi Arabia last month.
However, when Eurogamer reached out for more information, an Ubisoft spokesperson declined to confirm the specifics of the alleged deal but also did not outright deny it.
Instead, they reiterated the company’s current focus on the upcoming release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set to launch on March 20.
PIF is part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to diversify its economy, investing heavily across various sectors, including gaming.
The fund, led by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has faced scrutiny over serious human rights violations, including connections to the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Despite this, it remains a significant player in the gaming industry, with notable investments in companies like Take-Two Interactive, EA, Nintendo, and Capcom.
Future Options for Ubisoft
At the same time, Ubisoft is exploring its future options, holding discussions with Tencent—a key investor from China—and considering various strategic paths, including potential sale opportunities.
The prospect of new content for Assassin’s Creed Mirage has come as a surprising development, particularly as Ubisoft seems more consumed with promoting Shadows.
Set against the backdrop of ninth-century Baghdad, Mirage was initially positioned as a smaller-scale project, aimed at recapturing the essence of earlier Assassin’s Creed games while winding down the expansive narratives of more recent installments.
Expanding the Assassin’s Creed Universe
Developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux, the same team currently crafting Claws of Awaji—the first major expansion for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, available to those who pre-order—the emergence of downloadable content for Mirage could fit into Ubisoft’s broader vision of an interconnected narrative across the franchise.
This will be supported by the introduction of an Animus Hub, slated to accompany Shadows.
This hub will serve as a dynamic space for future story updates and supplementary content.
Shadows is designed to introduce players to a fresh narrative experience set in a near-future environment.
There’s growing speculation that the downloadable content for Mirage could delve into unresolved plot threads, particularly those related to the modern-day storyline that follows the events of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
According to previews from Eurogamer, Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents one of the most significant shifts in the franchise in recent years.
The excitement surrounding both Shadows and the potential for additional content in Mirage continues to build as gamers look forward to more engaging experiences in the beloved series.
Source: Eurogamer