Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage Gives Basim Ibn Is’haq His Own Game as Playable Protagonist

Introducing Basim’s Journey in Assassin’s Creed Mirage

In September, Ubisoft announced the upcoming release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, a game that features Basim Ibn Is’haq as the protagonist. Basim, who appeared in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, is a master assassin and was responsible for introducing Eivor to the Hidden Ones order. In Mirage, players will follow Basim’s journey as he transforms from a street thief to an initiate of the Hidden Ones order, and eventually into the master assassin seen in Valhalla.

Bringing Basim Back: The Backstory and Connection to Altair

The decision to give Basim his own game was a significant milestone in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. In an interview with creative director Stephane Boudon, he explained that Basim’s mysterious nature made him an intriguing character to explore. Additionally, Basim’s backstory, or the lack thereof when he is first introduced in Valhalla, played a crucial role in tying him to Altair Ibn-La’Ahad, the series’ first protagonist. This parallel in their respective journeys was important to the development team, as Mirage serves as a spiritual homage to the first Assassin’s Creed game.

Basim’s Journey: A Return to Classic Assassin’s Creed Fantasy

World and quest director Simon Arseneault expressed his excitement about the type of Assassin fantasy that Basim allows the team to explore. While previous games focused on different historical periods and themes, Mirage returns to the classic Assassin’s Creed fantasy of a character who excels at stealthy killing. Basim’s narrative progression was carefully designed to align with his ultimate fate as a master assassin in Valhalla, ensuring a cohesive storyline for players.

Freedom in Gameplay: Controlling Basim’s Actions

To provide players with a sense of control and freedom, the development team focused on allowing players to choose how they approach quests and contracts, what outfits Basim wears, and what perks he gains from them. The emphasis was on giving players freedom in how they play, rather than dictating how Basim evolves narratively. While players are already familiar with Basim as a character, the team made sure to align his actions with his established personality, avoiding objectives that contradict his nature as an Assassin of the Hidden Ones.

Designing Basim in a New Light

Artistic director Jean-Luc Sala discussed the challenges and excitement of designing Basim in a new light for Mirage. While players already know Basim’s fate in Valhalla, the goal was to create a full-fledged assassin character that players can relate to and understand before his transformation. The team aimed to build a loveable character whom players would fear becoming the Basim they know in Valhalla.

Anticipation for Assassin’s Creed Mirage’s Release

With a new voice actor, Lee Madjoub, and the opportunity to explore a new period of history and city as Basim, there is much excitement surrounding the full release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage in October. The hands-on experience with Basim as an Assassin left a positive impression, and fans eagerly anticipate adding Basim to their list of favorite series protagonists.