A developer for Assassin's Creed Mirage revealed a new character whose actions in the narrative may leave a more profound effect than even Basim Ibn Ishaq.
According to Screen Rant, Assassin's Creed Mirage's narrative director Sarah Beaulieu claimed its supporting characters would be an essential element of the game's storyline. She specifically mentioned the character of Ali ibn Muhammad, a historical figure who will influence Basim during his rise from street rat to Master Assassin of the Hidden Ones. "In the story, Ali, one of my favorite ones, actually, Ali is the leader of what was called the Zanj Rebellion," Beaulieu explained. "It's a major historical event that we wanted to depict in the game. He was the leader of this rebellion and he's going to have a huge impact on Basim. A character evolution is built on all the characters' evolutions around that character."
Beaulieu additionally claimed she wanted Assassin's Creed Mirage to tell its own story while still paying its respects to the authentic historical significance of the setting. The director said she wanted players to feel Ali's effects on the game's narrative and how Basim changes from their interactions. She also hinted Ali is only one of the characters who will profoundly impact Basim, albeit he is "a very, very, very charismatic one."
The Zanj Rebellion occurred between 869 CE to 883 CE, when the enslaved African Zanj people overthrew their captors. It was one of the bloodiest and most brutal uprisings to have ravaged Western Asia, leaving the ruling Abbasid Caliphate destabilized and vulnerable to incursions from the Byzantine Empire. Its leader, Ali, remains a figure of much debate among historians, who are still unsure of his exact origins. Many did agree Ali was a charismatic leader whose promises of wealth and prosperity managed to rally the Zanj and other oppressed groups to his banner.
Mirage previously alarmed fans of the franchise when it was listed under the ESRB's infamous Adults Only 18+ rating, something only a few console games ever managed to obtain. The listing alleged that Mirage contained real gambling mechanics, wherein players can use one of the game's features to wager real currency. Ubisoft quickly claimed the rating was a mistake, with the French-based developer further stating that Mirage was completely free of gambling and loot box mechanics.
Assassin's Creed Mirage is scheduled for release in 2023 for PlayStation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Source: ScreenRant