Update: Ubisoft say that the rating was an error
Assassin’s Creed: Mirage’s age rating is leading to some speculation on forumResetErathat it could feature gambling for real-world money, following the game’s reveal during the Ubisoft Forward event. An ESRB 18+ rating that lists “real gambling” appears to be in effect for the upcoming back-to-basics Assassin’s Creed set in 9th century Baghdad. If you missed the first look at Mirage over the weekend then you can watch the cinematic trailer below.
ResetEra user Modiz kicked off the debate by posting a link to the US Xbox store page for Mirage. This listing, which you can see for yourselfhere, says the game will feature “Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Partial Nudity, Real Gambling”. Otherschimed into add that they’d spotted the 18+ rating flash up before Mirage was shown during Saturday’s Ubisoft Forward stream too, which Modizconfirmed.
I’m highly skeptical that Mirage would actually include gambling that might involve genuine money somehow. Ubisoft are surely aware of the existing outcry surrounding loot boxes, includingattempts to legislatein the US, thethreat to do soin the UK, and bans in countries such asBelgium. It would be very strange for Ubisoft to start testing the waters with a big name franchise in case of an equally big backlash. The US Assassin’s Creed Instagram page hasuploadeda version of the trailer showing an ESRB Rating Pending logo since the Ubisoft Forward stream though, so it’s entirely possible the Adults-Only rating is a mistake.
Alice Bee took a look atwhat we know so farabout Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, which looks as though it’ll be what some of us remember the series’ 2007 originator to be. This one’s got The Expanse’s excellent Shohreh Aghdashloo on board though, so that’s one extra reason to take note of it. Mirage was firstrumouredearlier this year, back when it went by the name of Rift. Those rumoursraised their headsagain at the end of August, now going by Mirage. It took an artwork leak to get Ubisoft toacknowledgeMirage’s existence a few days later.
