The highly anticipated game Assassin’s Creed Mirage has been released, and it has been praised for its return to the series’ original style. However, one major change in this edition is the use of Arabic language. The developers, Ubisoft, have recorded the game’s performances in Arabic, offering players the option to experience the game in a more “authentic” way. This decision has been welcomed by fans, who have often heard Arabic spoken in games only in the context of terrorism. The use of classical Arabic in the game is seen as a positive depiction of Arabic speakers, as it is a language that has been preserved for over a thousand years.

Mohammed Al Imam, who works for Ubisoft’s Middle Eastern and North African branch, explains that the use of classical Arabic in the game is a departure from the common portrayal of Arabic characters in Western media speaking broken Arabic or mimicking the sounds without understanding the words. He emphasizes the importance of having fluent Arabic speakers perform the Arabic lines in the game to ensure accuracy. Small details like accurate translations and cultural references are scattered throughout the game, which may go unnoticed by non-native speakers but are appreciated by Arabic speakers.

Another significant aspect of Assassin’s Creed Mirage is its faithful recreation of historical settings. Ubisoft employed historical experts to ensure the authenticity of the game’s world. Ameer, a fan of the game who grew up in Baghdad, hopes that the game will help change the perception of Iraq and the Arab world. He believes that the game will highlight the importance of Baghdad in history and showcase its golden age, where knowledge and significant contributions to various fields originated.

The game has received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising its focused approach and historical accuracy. However, some have raised concerns about the return to the style of earlier games in the franchise. Despite this, Ameer is excited to play the game and hopes that it will inspire more Middle Eastern game developers. He believes that representation in games can inspire others to create their own stories and contribute to the gaming industry.

It is worth noting that the release of the game coincides with reports of sexual harassment allegations against five former Ubisoft employees. The company has stated that it has no knowledge of the allegations and cannot comment on them.

Original news source: Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Why Arabic is at the heart of the new game (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Headline Creation
Instructions: Divide the students into pairs or small groups. Give each group a headline related to the article (e.g. “Assassin’s Creed Mirage Breaks Barriers with Arabic Language”). Instruct them to brainstorm and create a newspaper headline and subheading that summarizes the main idea of the article. Encourage them to be creative and concise. After a few minutes, have each group share their headline and explain their reasoning.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group a role: gamers, game developers, or cultural critics. Instruct each group to discuss and debate their opinions on the use of Arabic language in Assassin’s Creed Mirage. They should consider the positive and negative aspects and come to a consensus within their group. After a set amount of time, have each group present their opinions and reasoning to the rest of the class. Facilitate a class discussion based on the different perspectives.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Compile a list of vocabulary words from the article (e.g. Ubisoft, portrayal, authenticity). Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Assign each group a word from the list. Instruct them to draw a picture that represents the word and have their partner(s) guess what it is. They can only communicate using English. After a few rounds, have each group share their drawings and explain the meaning of their assigned word.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Instruct the students to work individually or in pairs. Tell them to imagine themselves as game developers for a new edition of Assassin’s Creed set in a different historical period or cultural context. They should brainstorm and write a short paragraph predicting how they would incorporate language and cultural elements into the game to make it more authentic and educational. After a few minutes, have volunteers share their predictions with the class and encourage discussion.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: one group representing the positive aspects of Assassin’s Creed Mirage and the other group representing the negative aspects. Instruct each group to brainstorm and list as many reasons as possible to support their assigned perspective. After a set amount of time, have each group present their arguments to the opposing group. Encourage respectful debate and discussion. At the end, facilitate a class discussion to summarize the different viewpoints.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is one major change in Assassin’s Creed Mirage compared to previous editions?
2. How have fans reacted to the use of Arabic language in the game?
3. Why is the use of classical Arabic in the game seen as a positive depiction of Arabic speakers?
4. Who emphasized the importance of having fluent Arabic speakers perform the Arabic lines in the game?
5. What are some small details in the game that may go unnoticed by non-native speakers but are appreciated by Arabic speakers?
6. What did Ubisoft do to ensure the authenticity of the game’s historical settings?
7. What does Ameer hope the game will help change the perception of?
8. What concerns have some critics raised about Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The highly (1)______ game Assassin’s (2)______ Mirage has been released, and it has been praised for its return to the series’ (3)______ style. However, one major change in this (4)______ is the use of Arabic language. The developers, Ubisoft, have recorded the game’s performances in Arabic, offering players the option to experience the game in a more “authentic” way. This decision has been welcomed by fans, who have often heard Arabic spoken in games only in the context of terrorism. The use of classical Arabic in the game is seen as a positive depiction of Arabic speakers, as it is a language that has been preserved for over a thousand years.

Mohammed Al Imam, who works for Ubisoft’s Middle Eastern and North African branch, explains that the use of classical Arabic in the game is a departure from the common portrayal of Arabic characters in Western media speaking broken Arabic or mimicking the sounds without understanding the words. He (5)______ the (6)______ of (7)______ fluent Arabic speakers perform the Arabic lines in the game to ensure accuracy. Small details like accurate translations and cultural references are scattered throughout the game, which may go (8)______ by non-native speakers but are appreciated by Arabic speakers.

Another significant (9)______ of Assassin’s Creed Mirage is its (10)______ recreation of historical settings. Ubisoft employed historical experts to ensure the authenticity of the game’s (11)______. (12)______, a fan of the game who grew up in Baghdad, hopes that the game will help change the perception of Iraq and the Arab world. He believes that the game will highlight the importance of Baghdad in history and showcase its golden age, where knowledge and significant contributions to various fields originated.

The game has received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising its focused approach and historical (13)______. However, some have raised concerns about the return to the style of earlier games in the franchise. Despite this, Ameer is (14)______ to play the game and (15)______ that it will inspire more Middle Eastern game developers. He believes that representation in games can inspire others to create their own stories and contribute to the gaming industry.

It is worth noting that the release of the game coincides with reports of sexual harassment allegations against five (16)______ Ubisoft employees. The company has stated that it has no knowledge of the allegations and cannot comment on them.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What do you think about the use of Arabic language in Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
2. How would you feel if your native language was represented in a video game in a positive way?
3. Do you think it’s important for video games to accurately portray different cultures and languages? Why or why not?
4. What is the significance of using classical Arabic in the game?
5. How do you think the use of accurate translations and cultural references in the game affects the overall gaming experience?
6. Do you think the portrayal of Arabic characters in Western media has been accurate in the past? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the recreation of historical settings in video games can impact people’s perception of certain countries or regions?
8. What is the importance of showcasing the golden age of Baghdad in Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
9. How do you think representation in video games can inspire others to contribute to the gaming industry?
10. Do you believe that video games have the power to change people’s perceptions of certain countries or cultures? Why or why not?
11. How do you feel about the positive reviews and praise that Assassin’s Creed Mirage has received?
12. What are your thoughts on the concerns raised about the return to the style of earlier games in the franchise?
13. How do you think the allegations of sexual harassment against former Ubisoft employees impact the release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
14. Do you think it’s important for gaming companies to address and handle allegations of misconduct? Why or why not?
15. How do you think the release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage will impact the gaming industry, particularly in the Middle East?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Arabic
2. Ubisoft
3. classical
4. accurate
5. historical
6. franchise
7. representation
8. allegations

Meanings:
(a) Claims or accusations of wrongdoing or misconduct
(b) Precise and correct
(c) Video game developer and publisher
(d) Language spoken in the Middle East and North Africa
(e) Series of related video games
(f) Relating to the past or history
(g) Depiction or portrayal
(h) Pertaining to the ancient form of a language
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the game that has been released?
(a) Assassin’s Creed Origins
(b) Assassin’s Creed Unity
(c) Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
(d) Assassin’s Creed Mirage

2. What language is used in the game?
(a) Arabic
(b) English
(c) French
(d) Spanish

3. Why is the use of classical Arabic in the game significant?
(a) It is a positive depiction of Arabic speakers.
(b) It adds authenticity to the game.
(c) It has been preserved for over a thousand years.
(d) All of the above.

4. Who emphasized the importance of having fluent Arabic speakers perform the Arabic lines in the game?
(a) Ameer
(b) Mohammed Al Imam
(c) Ubisoft
(d) Historical experts

5. What small details are appreciated by Arabic speakers in the game?
(a) Historical accuracy
(b) The portrayal of Baghdad’s golden age
(c) Accurate translations and cultural references
(d) The use of classical Arabic

6. What has been a criticism of Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
(a) Its use of Arabic language
(b) Its historical accuracy
(c) Its portrayal of Baghdad’s golden age
(d) Its return to the style of earlier games

7. What does Ameer hope the game will do?
(a) Inspire more Middle Eastern game developers
(b) Change the perception of Iraq and the Arab world
(c) Highlight the importance of Baghdad in history
(d) All of the above

8. What recent controversy has surrounded Ubisoft?
(a) A decrease in game sales
(b) A data breach
(c) Sexual harassment allegations against former employees
(d) None of the above

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The game features the use of Arabic language and offers players the option to experience the game in a more “authentic” way.
2. The game has received generally favorable reviews, although some critics have raised concerns about its return to the style of earlier games in the franchise.
3. Assassin’s Creed Mirage has not been released and is not receiving praise for its return to the series’ original style.
4. A fan of the game hopes that it will change the perception of Iraq and the Arab world by highlighting Baghdad’s historical importance.
5. Assassin’s Creed Mirage inaccurately recreates historical settings despite the help of historical experts employed by Ubisoft.
6. The decision to use classical Arabic in the game has been met with criticism by fans who do not appreciate the positive depiction of Arabic speakers.
7. The game does not include accurate translations and cultural references that are appreciated by Arabic speakers.
8. Ubisoft, the developers of the game, have recorded the performances in Arabic to ensure accuracy.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. How has the use of Arabic language in Assassin’s Creed Mirage been received by fans?
2. Why is the use of classical Arabic in the game seen as a positive depiction of Arabic speakers?
3. According to Mohammed Al Imam, why is it important to have fluent Arabic speakers perform the Arabic lines in the game?
4. What significant aspect of Assassin’s Creed Mirage contributes to its historical accuracy?
5. What concerns have some critics raised about the game, despite its generally favorable reviews?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. One major change in Assassin’s Creed Mirage compared to previous editions is the use of Arabic language.
2. Fans have reacted positively to the use of Arabic language in the game, as it offers a more “authentic” experience and a positive depiction of Arabic speakers.
3. The use of classical Arabic in the game is seen as a positive depiction of Arabic speakers because it breaks away from the common portrayal of Arabic characters in Western media speaking broken Arabic or mimicking sounds without understanding the words.
4. Mohammed Al Imam, who works for Ubisoft’s Middle Eastern and North African branch, emphasized the importance of having fluent Arabic speakers perform the Arabic lines in the game.
5. Some small details in the game that may go unnoticed by non-native speakers but are appreciated by Arabic speakers include accurate translations and cultural references.
6. Ubisoft employed historical experts to ensure the authenticity of the game’s historical settings.
7. Ameer hopes the game will help change the perception of Iraq and the Arab world, highlighting the importance of Baghdad in history and showcasing its golden age.
8. Some critics have raised concerns about the return to the style of earlier games in the franchise.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) anticipated
(2) Creed
(3) original
(4) edition
(5) emphasizes
(6) importance
(7) having
(8) unnoticed
(9) aspect
(10) faithful
(11) world
(12) Ameer
(13) accuracy
(14) excited
(15) hopes
(16) former
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Arabic
Answer: (d) Language spoken in the Middle East and North Africa

2. Ubisoft
Answer: (c) Video game developer and publisher

3. classical
Answer: (h) Pertaining to the ancient form of a language

4. accurate
Answer: (b) Precise and correct

5. historical
Answer: (f) Relating to the past or history

6. franchise
Answer: (e) Series of related video games

7. representation
Answer: (g) Depiction or portrayal

8. allegations
Answer: (a) Claims or accusations of wrongdoing or misconduct
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the game that has been released?
Answer: (d) Assassin’s Creed Mirage

2. What language is used in the game?
Answer: (a) Arabic

3. Why is the use of classical Arabic in the game significant?
Answer: (a) It is a positive depiction of Arabic speakers.

4. Who emphasized the importance of having fluent Arabic speakers perform the Arabic lines in the game?
Answer: (b) Mohammed Al Imam

5. What small details are appreciated by Arabic speakers in the game?
Answer: (c) Accurate translations and cultural references

6. What has been a criticism of Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
Answer: (d) Its return to the style of earlier games

7. What does Ameer hope the game will do?
Answer: (b) Change the perception of Iraq and the Arab world

8. What recent controversy has surrounded Ubisoft?
Answer: (c) Sexual harassment allegations against former employees
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The game features the use of Arabic language and offers players the option to experience the game in a more “authentic” way. (Answer: True)
2. The game has received generally favorable reviews, although some critics have raised concerns about its return to the style of earlier games in the franchise. (Answer: True)
3. Assassin’s Creed Mirage has not been released and is not receiving praise for its return to the series’ original style. (Answer: False)
4. A fan of the game hopes that it will change the perception of Iraq and the Arab world by highlighting Baghdad’s historical importance. (Answer: True)
5. Assassin’s Creed Mirage inaccurately recreates historical settings despite the help of historical experts employed by Ubisoft. (Answer: False)
6. The decision to use classical Arabic in the game has been met with criticism by fans who do not appreciate the positive depiction of Arabic speakers. (Answer: False)
7. The game does not include accurate translations and cultural references that are appreciated by Arabic speakers. (Answer: False)
8. Ubisoft, the developers of the game, have recorded the performances in Arabic to ensure accuracy. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧