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Assassin's Creed Mirage: Valley of Memory DLC - A Landmark Release

Last Updated: November 6, 2025

Basim Ibn Ishaq exploring 9th-century Baghdad in Assassin's Creed Mirage: Valley of Memory DLC.

Ubisoft expanded the world of its acclaimed stealth-action title, Assassin's Creed Mirage, with a surprise free DLC titled 'Valley of Memory.' The substantial content pack, which launched on November 18, 2025, took players back to 9th-century Baghdad for a new chapter in the journey of master assassin Basim Ibn Ishaq.

Released to celebrate the game's two-year anniversary, the expansion was lauded for providing a significant amount of new content at no cost and was a landmark release as the first major project born from the strategic partnership between publisher Ubisoft and Savvy Games Group.

A Rewarding Return to the Shadows

In a move that delighted fans, Ubisoft delivered a robust expansion for a title that was originally presented as a self-contained, complete experience. The 'Valley of Memory' DLC proved to be more than a minor addition, offering what many players clocked as more than six hours of new gameplay. It introduced an entirely new region to explore, expanding the meticulously crafted world of Baghdad and its surroundings.

The DLC's narrative plunged Basim into a new conspiracy, introducing a dangerous new enemy faction that tested players' stealth and combat skills. The storyline delved deeper into the lore of the Hidden Ones and Basim’s personal struggles, touching upon forgotten histories hinted at in the main campaign. True to the base game's design philosophy, 'Valley of Memory' focused on enhancing the core mechanics rather than introducing sweeping new systems. The expansion was praised for its masterfully designed assassination targets, intricate new environments perfect for parkour, and a new signature outfit for Basim that became a fan favorite.

Revisiting the Golden Age of Baghdad

Assassin's Creed Mirage first launched in October 2023 to a positive reception. Developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux, the studio behind the 'Wrath of the Druids' expansion for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Mirage was a deliberate and successful pivot away from the sprawling open-world RPG format of recent entries like Odyssey and Valhalla. It offered a condensed, focused adventure reminiscent of the series' origins. The game's smaller scale, dense urban environment, and renewed emphasis on social stealth were celebrated as a welcome homecoming for long-time fans.

The game's narrative serves as a prequel to Valhalla, exploring Basim Ibn Ishaq's origin story as he evolves from a common street thief into a master assassin. Its setting in 9th-century Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age remains a critical highlight, offering a rich, historical tapestry for players to explore. 'Valley of Memory' provided a compelling reason for players to return to this world, proving the setting had more stories to tell.

The Savvy Partnership Realized

Beyond the high-quality content, the development of 'Valley of Memory' was noteworthy for its financial backing. The DLC was the first major product of the partnership between Ubisoft and Savvy Games Group. Savvy, wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), has become one of the most significant investors in the global video game market, with a stated goal of establishing Saudi Arabia as a major industry hub.

This collaboration represented a major step for Savvy, moving the group from a passive investment role into active participation in the development and publishing of AAA content. In the years prior, Savvy made headlines with multi-billion dollar investments and acquisitions, including:

  • Acquiring mobile games publisher Scopely for $4.9 billion.
  • Purchasing esports tournament organizers ESL and FACEIT.
  • Building significant minority stakes in giants like Nintendo, Embracer Group, and Electronic Arts.

For Ubisoft, this collaboration provided a new avenue for funding projects and expanding its global reach. The success of 'Valley of Memory' demonstrated how such strategic partnerships could function, reshaping the landscape of how major games are funded and supported post-launch.

The Legacy of a Free Expansion

The immediate impact of 'Valley of Memory' on Assassin's Creed Mirage players was overwhelmingly positive. A substantial, well-crafted piece of new content extended the life of a beloved title and rewarded the player base, all completely free of charge.

On a broader scale, the partnership behind the DLC highlighted major industry trends. The increasing flow of capital from sovereign wealth funds into gaming proved it could lead to tangible benefits for consumers. The 'Valley of Memory' DLC served as a successful blueprint for future projects, demonstrating a model of co-funded development that could support creative endeavors outside of the traditional live-service model. The quality and scope of the expansion were seen as a positive indicator of what the powerful new alliance between Ubisoft and Savvy Games Group could produce, setting a high bar for future collaborations.