Ubisoft's "Assassin's Creed Mirage" Aims for Redemption Amidst Financial Troubles

Ubisoft's upcoming "Assassin's Creed Mirage" is a crucial release for the French video game publisher, Reuters reports. The game, set to launch on Thursday, marks a return to the company's flagship franchise following a string of recent box office disappointments.

"The release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a bit of an existential moment for Ubisoft," says Joost Van Dreunen, a lecturer at NYU's Stern School of Business. "If it does really well, it could go a long way toward repairing its financial position."

Ubisoft has faced significant financial challenges in recent months, with its stock price plummeting over 40% last year and speculation swirling around a potential buyout. The company's founding Guillemot family, its largest shareholder, has reportedly been in discussions with Tencent and other investors regarding a deal that would allow them to retain control.

"Assassin's Creed Mirage" is strategically important for Ubisoft to reverse these trends and regain its financial footing. The game, set in feudal Japan, is a popular setting for fans. It features two protagonists: Naoe, a stealthy female assassin, and Yasuke, a heavily armored African samurai inspired by a real-life historical figure.

Ubisoft has refined the series' core gameplay mechanics of parkour and stealth to enhance the dual-character system. "They’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, but they really hope that what they tried with the previous games still works right now," notes Jordan Van Andel, a YouTuber with over 1 million subscribers, who has played the game.

While Van Andel praises the game's polished feel compared to recent entries in the franchise, he expresses disappointment with the storyline. He also emphasizes that "Assassin's Creed Mirage" needs to attract a broader audience beyond core fans to achieve the financial success of "Assassin's Creed Valhalla," the last major release in the series, which generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2020.

## Diversity Controversy Looms

The game has also attracted controversy due to its diverse cast of characters, facing criticism on social media, including from Elon Musk.

Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter believes the current political climate in the US could pose further challenges for the game, suggesting that "Trump has made it okay to be anti-DEI."

"Assassin's Creed Mirage" has faced criticism from various groups since its reveal over two years ago regarding its creative choices, such as featuring a black samurai and a female assassin.

Pachter speculates that while the game's target audience might have some overlap with those who voted for Trump, their disapproval might be less vocal than other groups.

North America represents a significant portion of Ubisoft's revenue, making it crucial for the game to resonate with a wide audience in the region.

Van Dreunen, however, suggests that the controversy could actually benefit Ubisoft. "It’s free press. This only makes the game more interesting to a lot of players, I’m sure," he says.