Assassin’s Creed Mirage has just received a big expansion called Valley of Memory. This update, released on November 18, introduces a completely new region to explore and expands protagonist Basim’s backstory, offering approximately six hours of playtime. Unlike traditional post-game expansions, this DLC is set before the final events of the main Mirage storyline, providing additional context to Basim’s character development.
The expansion takes players to the historically rich region of AlUla, described by Ubisoft as a “breathtaking new setting from the Golden Age of the Abbasid Empire, set at a crossroads of civilizations”. This area features diverse landscapes including deserts, oases, and ancient ruins, offering a visually distinct environment from the main game’s Baghdad setting.
What’s The Story?
The story of Valley of Memory begins when Basim hears rumors that his long-lost father might still be alive. After consulting with his friend Dervis, he journeys to AlUla.
Upon arriving, Basim discovers that the valley is threatened by a dangerous band of robbers and his father is missing. This setup creates a dual objective for players: unravel the personal mystery of Basim’s family while confronting a new threat to the region’s stability. According to creative director Olivier Leonardi, the story is designed to add a new piece to Basim’s coming of age story, and why he chooses the path that ultimately define him.
Positioning of expansion within the timeline of the main game, specifically before his final mission in Baghdad, makes it essentially an extended side-quest that fleshes out Basim’s character motivations before players experience the original game’s conclusion.
Gameplay Features and Technical Improvements
Valley of Memory introduces a variety of gameplay features to explore. The AlUla region is divided into five districts with unique points of interest including the old town of AlUla, the Musa Ibn Musayr fortress and the impressive necropolis of Hegra. Beyond the main story quests, players can participate in parkour sequences to collect musical sheets and steal secret maps from robbers to recover valuable goods.
As for technical side of things, movement fluidity has been dramatically improved and players can now choose between “Safe” and “Free” modes for back and side jumps, which allows for more creative traversal. In addition to that, developers added mission replay system called “Animus Sequences”. The system gives players an opportunity to revisit contracts and key story missions with optional challenges to unlock exclusive rewards. Also worth mentioning two new difficulty presets – “Hardened Assassin” and “Ultimate Assassin” – alongside customizable difficulty settings and new level 3 upgrades for each tool (explosive throwing knives, corrosive smoke bombs to dissolve bodies and armor piercing blowdarts) to make Basim even more dangerous.
The Saudi Arabian Connection: Funding and Controversy
The development and funding of Valley of Memory have been subjects of significant discussion and controversy due to Saudi Arabia’s involvement. Multiple reports indicate that the DLC was financially supported by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). While Ubisoft has been notably ambiguous about the exact nature of this relationship, they have acknowledged that this title update to Assassin’s Creed Mirage was made possible thanks to the support of local and international organizations, through access to experts, historians, and resources to ensure the creation of an authentic and accurate setting.
The DLC was first announced by Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot during an appearance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at the New Global Sport Conference. This location choice for the announcement further reinforced the Saudi connection.
The curious partnership has generated rumblings not just on the outside but also inside the studio. Ubisoft staff reportedly raised internal concerns about the company’s dealings with Saudi Arabia, with one representative from Ubisoft’s Social and Economic Committee directly questioning whether seeking a contract with a person accused of crimes against humanity for ordering the assassination (including his dismemberment and dissolution in acid) of a journalist, could contribute to the Ubi-bashing the company is currently suffering?. This reference to Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder underscores the ethical dilemmas raised by the partnership.
Ubisoft management responded by drawing a distinction between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) and the PIF, stating that we do not see the PIF’s money as MBS’s money and that talking with partners who do not share our democratic values does not mean abandoning them.
Critics have noted, however, that the DLC’s setting aligns with Saudi Arabia’s apparent strategy to promote AlUla as a cultural and economic destination. As described by Dr. Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani, VP of culture at the Royal Commission for AlUla, there are active efforts to position AlUla as a global film hub and demonstrate how heritage is a living asset, not just a preserved past, but a driver of economic, social and cultural value.
Generous Update or Strategic Partnership?
Valley of Memory represents a substantial addition to Assassin’s Creed Mirage, both for its generous free content and the geopolitical context surrounding its creation. While players benefit from significant gameplay improvements and an expanded narrative, the DLC also illustrates how global economic and cultural ambitions are increasingly influencing video game development.
The expansion successfully delivers what Ubisoft describes as a true Assassin’s Creed experience through its engaging storyline, beautiful environments, and refined mechanics. However, its legacy may be equally defined by the conversations it has sparked about ethical considerations in game funding and the growing intersection of entertainment and soft power initiatives.