Yardbarker
x

Well, this is unexpected. Just when you thought Ubisoft was done with Assassin’s Creed Mirage, they’ve gone and pulled a rabbit out of their hat—or should I say, a hidden blade out of their robes? The 2023 Baghdad-based adventure is getting free DLC set in ancient Saudi Arabia, and honestly, it’s about time something good happened to this underrated gem.

Ubisoft Drops a Saturday Bombshell

Picture this: it’s Saturday morning, you’re probably still in your pajamas scrolling through social media, and BAM! Ubisoft decides to casually announce that Assassin’s Creed Mirage is getting a whole new story chapter. Because apparently, dropping major gaming news on weekends is the new thing now. The announcement came completely out of left field, which is pretty much par for the course in the gaming world these days.

The free DLC will transport players to AlUla, an ancient oasis city that’s now part of modern-day Saudi Arabia. We’re talking 9th century here, so get ready to parkour across some seriously old architecture. And let’s be real—if there’s one thing Assassin’s Creed does well, it’s making you want to climb absolutely everything in sight.

Why AlUla Makes Perfect Sense for Assassins

Image of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, courtesy of Ubisoft.

Here’s the thing about AlUla: it’s basically tailor-made for an Assassin’s Creed game. This UNESCO World Heritage site has over 7,000 years of history packed into it, complete with towering rock formations that are practically screaming, “Please climb me.” It’s like the developers looked at this place and thought, “You know what? This needs more people in white hoodies jumping off tall things.”

The location choice isn’t just about pretty scenery, though. AlUla fits perfectly with the timeline and setting of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, maintaining that authentic historical atmosphere that made the base game feel like a proper return to the series’ roots. After the Viking longships of Valhalla and the upcoming samurai showdown in Shadows, going back to the Middle East feels refreshingly familiar.

The Deal Behind the DLC

Now, here’s where things get a bit interesting from a business perspective. Earlier this year, there were reports about Ubisoft striking a deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund for additional Mirage content. At the time, Ubisoft kept their lips sealed tighter than a tomb in the Valley of the Kings. But now that the Saudi Arabia expansion is officially confirmed, those reports are looking pretty accurate.

It’s not uncommon for governments to partner with gaming companies to showcase their historical sites and culture. Tourism boards have been getting savvy about the power of video games to inspire wanderlust, and honestly, if I could afford it, I’d probably book a trip to see these ancient cities after experiencing them virtually.

What’s Actually Coming in This Free Update

The free DLC isn’t just throwing us a bone with a couple of extra missions. We’re getting a full story chapter with additional missions, plus gameplay improvements for both the new content and the base game. That’s the kind of post-launch support that makes you feel good about your gaming purchases, especially when it doesn’t cost extra.

The timing couldn’t be better, either. Assassin’s Creed Mirage was always intended as a smaller, more focused experience—a palate cleanser between the massive epics that the series had become known for. But sometimes smaller games deserve to grow a little, and this expansion seems like the perfect way to give Basim’s story some extra breathing room.

Why This Matters for the Franchise

Let’s talk about why this announcement actually matters beyond just “hey, more content.” Assassin’s Creed Mirage represented a return to form for the franchise—smaller scale, stealth-focused, and set in a single city rather than sprawling across entire countries. The game was developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux and originally started life as DLC for Valhalla before growing into its own thing.

The fact that it’s getting post-launch content suggests that maybe, just maybe, there’s still appetite for these more intimate Assassin’s Creed experiences. Not every game needs to be a 100-hour epic with skill trees that require a PhD to navigate. Sometimes you just want to sneak around ancient cities and stab people who probably deserve it.

The Bottom Line

This free Saudi Arabia DLC for Assassin’s Creed Mirage is exactly the kind of surprise the gaming world needs more of. No season pass required, no “premium edition” nonsense—just good old-fashioned additional content for a game that deserves more attention than it got.

Whether you’ve already experienced Basim’s journey through Baghdad or you’ve been waiting for the right moment to jump in, this upcoming expansion gives you the perfect excuse to don those white robes once again. Just remember to check your fall damage before attempting any real-life parkour—these games make it look way easier than it actually is.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!