Assassin’s Creed Mirage: From DLC Pitch to Standalone Game

A Return to the Roots

Last September, Ubisoft unveiled Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the next installment in the long-running series, during a special stream celebrating its 15th anniversary. Priced at $49.99, it promised a scaled-back approach and a shorter runtime compared to its predecessors. Ubisoft made it clear that Mirage would serve as a spiritual successor to Altair’s original adventure, taking players back to the series’ roots.

Origins as DLC

However, Mirage wasn’t initially planned as its own game; it started as downloadable content (DLC) for 2020’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. According to Mirage’s creative director, Stephane Boudon, the idea to create a specific expansion set in the Middle East came up during the development of Valhalla. The team wanted to revisit the environment and vibes that made the series so beloved, particularly with the 15th anniversary approaching. As Boudon recalls, “It was something we wanted to bring back for the players.”

The pitch for Mirage DLC was well received, especially considering that Ubisoft Bordeaux, the studio responsible for its development, had only been operating as a support studio for other Ubisoft projects since its establishment in 2017. The positive response led to the greenlighting of Mirage as a standalone game.

A Transition from Paper to Reality

Boudon reveals that initially, the Mirage pitch was just an idea on paper. It even involved Eivor, the protagonist of Valhalla, going to the Middle East. However, during the pitch development process, the team decided to shift focus entirely and develop Mirage as its own game. Boudon explains, “As soon as we switched, we decided to go with Mirage.”

The development of Mirage as DLC only lasted a few weeks because the team was already hoping for the opportunity to create a standalone experience. Boudon recalls, “We did the full work for the pitch for a DLC, but we already saw that it could be something more. So we pushed a little bit, and it worked out wonderfully for everybody.”

A Standalone Assassin’s Creed Experience

At a price of $49.99, Ubisoft emphasizes that Mirage is not a massive, hundred-hour, open-world RPG like Valhalla or its predecessors. Nevertheless, it is a full release and a new entry in the renowned Assassin’s Creed franchise. Game Informer’s hands-on experience with Mirage for their cover story confirms that Ubisoft made the right decision in transforming what was once planned as DLC into a full-fledged Assassin’s Creed game.

With its scaled-back approach, shorter runtime, and a return to the series’ roots, Assassin’s Creed Mirage offers a breath of fresh air for fans of the franchise. It sets itself apart from its predecessors while still offering a compelling and immersive experience.

For more information and exclusive coverage of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, check out Game Informer’s dedicated coverage hub here.