The new game Assassin’s Creed Mirage is out now, and people are really excited about it because it goes back to the original style of the series. But one big change in this game is that they use Arabic language. The company that made the game, Ubisoft, recorded the performances in Arabic so players can have a more “real” experience. Fans are happy about this because usually in games, Arabic is only used when talking about terrorism. Using classical Arabic in the game is seen as a good thing because it shows Arabic speakers in a positive way and this language has been around for a long time.

A guy named Mohammed Al Imam, who works for Ubisoft, says that using classical Arabic in the game is different from how Arabic characters are usually shown in Western media. Usually, they speak broken Arabic or just make sounds without understanding the words. He thinks it’s important to have people who speak Arabic well do the Arabic lines in the game to make sure it’s accurate. There are also small details in the game that only Arabic speakers would notice, like correct translations and cultural references.

Another cool thing about Assassin’s Creed Mirage is that it recreates historical places really well. Ubisoft got experts to help make sure the game’s world is authentic. A fan of the game named Ameer, who grew up in Baghdad, hopes that the game will change how people think about Iraq and the Arab world. He thinks the game will show how important Baghdad was in history and how it had a golden age where a lot of knowledge and important things came from.

The game has gotten mostly good reviews, with critics liking how focused and accurate it is. But some people are worried because it’s going back to the style of the earlier games in the series. Even with that, Ameer is excited to play the game and hopes it will inspire more game developers from the Middle East. He thinks that seeing people like him in games can make other people want to tell their own stories and be part of the gaming industry.

It’s important to know that the game came out at the same time as some reports about sexual harassment from five former Ubisoft employees. The company says they don’t know about these reports and can’t say anything about 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:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Have each pair read the article together and then summarize the main points in their own words. Afterward, have pairs share their summaries with the class and discuss any differences or similarities.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Have the class form small groups. Each group will be given a set of statements related to the article. They must discuss and rate each statement on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree). Once they have completed the ratings, groups will share their opinions and reasoning with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into pairs or small groups. One person from each group will choose a word and draw a picture to represent it, while the other members of the group try to guess the word. Once the word is guessed, they can move on to the next person in the group.

– Keyword Hangman
Instructions: Choose a few important keywords from the article and write blanks on the board to represent each letter of the word. Play a round of hangman with the class, giving them clues or definitions for the chosen keywords. The class must work together to guess the keywords before the hangman is complete.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students discuss and make predictions about the impact of Assassin’s Creed Mirage on the gaming industry and representation of Arabic speakers. They should consider both positive and negative outcomes. Once they have discussed their predictions, groups can share their thoughts with the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Why are people excited about the new game Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
2. What is one big change in this game compared to previous games in the series?
3. Why are fans happy about the use of Arabic language in the game?
4. According to Mohammed Al Imam, why is it important to have people who speak Arabic well do the Arabic lines in the game?
5. What are some small details in the game that only Arabic speakers would notice?
6. How did Ubisoft ensure that the game’s world is authentic?
7. What does Ameer hope the game will change people’s perception of?
8. What are some concerns that people have about the game, despite the mostly good reviews it has received?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The new game Assassin’s Creed (1)______ is out now, and people are really excited about it because it goes back to the (2)______ style of the series. But one big change in this game is that they use Arabic language. The company that made the game, Ubisoft, recorded the performances in Arabic so players can have a more “real” experience. Fans are happy about this because usually in games, Arabic is only used when talking about terrorism. Using classical Arabic in the game is seen as a good thing because it (3)______ Arabic (4)______ in a positive way and this language has been around for a long time.

A guy (5)______ Mohammed Al Imam, who works for Ubisoft, says that using classical Arabic in the game is different from how Arabic characters are usually shown in Western media. Usually, they speak broken Arabic or just make sounds without understanding the words. He thinks it’s important to have people who speak Arabic well do the Arabic lines in the game to make sure it’s (6)______. There are also small details in the game that only Arabic speakers would notice, like (7)______ translations and cultural (8)______.

Another cool (9)______ about Assassin’s Creed Mirage is that it recreates (10)______ places really well. Ubisoft got experts to help make sure the game’s world is authentic. A fan of the game named Ameer, who grew up in Baghdad, hopes that the game will change how people think about Iraq and the Arab world. He thinks the game will show how important Baghdad was in history and how it had a golden age where a lot of knowledge and important things came from.

The game has gotten mostly good (11)______, with critics liking how (12)______ and accurate it is. But some people are worried because it’s going back to the style of the earlier games in the (13)______. Even with that, Ameer is excited to play the game and hopes it will inspire more game (14)______ from the Middle East. He thinks that seeing (15)______ like him in games can make other people want to tell their own stories and be part of the gaming industry.

It’s important to know that the game came out at the same time as some reports about sexual harassment from five former Ubisoft (16)______. The company says they don’t know about these reports and can’t say anything about them.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is Assassin’s Creed Mirage and why are people excited about it?
2. How do you think using Arabic language in the game can give players a more “real” experience?
3. Do you think it’s important for video games to show Arabic speakers in a positive way? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about the idea of using classical Arabic in the game instead of broken Arabic or just sounds?
5. How do you think small details like correct translations and cultural references can make a game more authentic?
6. Why do you think it’s important for Assassin’s Creed Mirage to recreate historical places accurately?
7. How do you think the game can change people’s perceptions about Iraq and the Arab world?
8. Do you like playing video games that are focused and accurate? Why or why not?
9. How do you think seeing people like you in video games can inspire others to tell their own stories?
10. How do you feel about the reports of sexual harassment from former Ubisoft employees?
11. Do you think it’s important for companies to address reports of sexual harassment? Why or why not?
12. How do you think the reports of sexual harassment might affect the reputation of Ubisoft?
13. What do you think about companies that release products without knowing about reports of misconduct within their organization?
14. How can the gaming industry encourage more diversity and representation?
15. Do you think video games have the power to influence people’s perceptions and inspire change? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. game
2. Arabic
3. classical
4. accurate
5. historical
6. authentic
7. reviews
8. reports

Meanings:
(a) Correct and exact
(b) Opinions or evaluations of something
(c) Official statements or accounts of certain incidents
(d) Genuine and true to the original
(e) The language spoken in Arab countries
(f) The traditional and formal form of a language
(g) Related to events or people from the past
(h) An activity that people play for fun
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

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

2. Why are fans excited about Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
(a) It goes back to the original style of the series
(b) It features new gameplay mechanics
(c) It has a completely different storyline
(d) It introduces a new language in the game

3. What language is used in Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
(a) French
(b) Spanish
(c) Arabic
(d) German

4. Why is the use of Arabic in the game seen as a positive thing?
(a) It adds an element of realism to the game
(b) It helps players learn a new language
(c) It promotes cultural diversity in the gaming industry
(d) It shows Arabic speakers in a positive way

5. What is one small detail in the game that only Arabic speakers would notice?
(a) Historical accuracy
(b) Cultural references
(c) Correct translations
(d) Authentic world design

6. How did Ubisoft ensure the authenticity of the game’s world?
(a) They conducted extensive research
(b) They got experts to help with the development
(c) They visited historical sites
(d) They consulted with local communities

7. What does Ameer hope the game will change?
(a) The perception of gaming industry in the Middle East
(b) The popularity of historical games
(c) The portrayal of Arabic characters in Western media
(d) How people think about Iraq and the Arab world

8. What controversy is associated with the release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
(a) Reports of sexual harassment from former Ubisoft employees
(b) Accusations of plagiarism against the game developers
(c) Issues with the game’s performance and bugs
(d) Lack of diversity in the game’s characters

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Mohammed Al Imam, a Ubisoft employee, believes it is important to have Arabic speakers accurately portray the language in the game.
2. The game does not feature Arabic language, which is consistent with the usual portrayal of Arabic in video games.
3. Ubisoft, the company behind the game, did not record the performances in Arabic to provide a more authentic experience for players.
4. The new game Assassin’s Creed Mirage has been released and is generating a lot of excitement among fans.
5. Assassin’s Creed Mirage is criticized for its inaccurate recreation of historical places, despite the involvement of experts.
6. Arabic speakers are pleased with the game’s use of classical Arabic, as it presents the language in a positive light and showcases its long history.
7. The game includes small details that only Arabic speakers would notice, such as correct translations and cultural references.
8. Fans like Ameer are not excited to play the game and do not have hopes that it will inspire more Middle Eastern game developers.
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. Why are people excited about the new game Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
2. What is one big change in this game compared to previous games in the series?
3. Why are fans happy about the use of Arabic in the game?
4. According to Mohammed Al Imam, why is it important to have people who speak Arabic well do the Arabic lines in the game?
5. What does Ameer hope the game will change people’s perception of?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why are people excited about the new game Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
People are excited about the new game Assassin’s Creed Mirage because it goes back to the original style of the series.

2. What is one big change in this game compared to previous games in the series?
One big change in this game is that they use Arabic language.

3. Why are fans happy about the use of Arabic language in the game?
Fans are happy about the use of Arabic language in the game because usually in games, Arabic is only used when talking about terrorism. Using classical Arabic in the game is seen as a positive thing because it shows Arabic speakers in a positive way and this language has been around for a long time.

4. According to Mohammed Al Imam, why is it important to have people who speak Arabic well do the Arabic lines in the game?
According to Mohammed Al Imam, it is important to have people who speak Arabic well do the Arabic lines in the game to ensure accuracy and authenticity.

5. What are some small details in the game that only Arabic speakers would notice?
Some small details in the game that only Arabic speakers would notice are correct translations and cultural references.

6. How did Ubisoft ensure that the game’s world is authentic?
Ubisoft ensured that the game’s world is authentic by getting experts to help in its creation.

7. What does Ameer hope the game will change people’s perception of?
Ameer hopes that the game will change people’s perception of Iraq and the Arab world, showing how important Baghdad was in history and its golden age of knowledge and achievements.

8. What are some concerns that people have about the game, despite the mostly good reviews it has received?
Some concerns that people have about the game, despite the mostly good reviews it has received, are that it is going back to the style of the earlier games in the series.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Mirage
(2) original
(3) shows
(4) speakers
(5) named
(6) accurate
(7) correct
(8) references
(9) thing
(10) historical
(11) reviews
(12) focused
(13) series
(14) developers
(15) people
(16) employees
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. game
Answer: (h) An activity that people play for fun

2. Arabic
Answer: (e) The language spoken in Arab countries

3. classical
Answer: (f) The traditional and formal form of a language

4. accurate
Answer: (a) Correct and exact

5. historical
Answer: (g) Related to events or people from the past

6. authentic
Answer: (d) Genuine and true to the original

7. reviews
Answer: (b) Opinions or evaluations of something

8. reports
Answer: (c) Official statements or accounts of certain incidents
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

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

2. Why are fans excited about Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
Answer: (a) It goes back to the original style of the series

3. What language is used in Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
Answer: (c) Arabic

4. Why is the use of Arabic in the game seen as a positive thing?
Answer: (d) It shows Arabic speakers in a positive way

5. What is one small detail in the game that only Arabic speakers would notice?
Answer: (c) Correct translations

6. How did Ubisoft ensure the authenticity of the game’s world?
Answer: (b) They got experts to help with the development

7. What does Ameer hope the game will change?
Answer: (d) How people think about Iraq and the Arab world

8. What controversy is associated with the release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
Answer: (a) Reports of sexual harassment from former Ubisoft employees
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Mohammed Al Imam, a Ubisoft employee, believes it is important to have Arabic speakers accurately portray the language in the game. (Answer: True)
2. The game does not feature Arabic language, which is consistent with the usual portrayal of Arabic in video games. (Answer: False)
3. Ubisoft, the company behind the game, did not record the performances in Arabic to provide a more authentic experience for players. (Answer: False)
4. The new game Assassin’s Creed Mirage has been released and is generating a lot of excitement among fans. (Answer: True)
5. Assassin’s Creed Mirage is criticized for its inaccurate recreation of historical places, despite the involvement of experts. (Answer: False)
6. Arabic speakers are pleased with the game’s use of classical Arabic, as it presents the language in a positive light and showcases its long history. (Answer: True)
7. The game includes small details that only Arabic speakers would notice, such as correct translations and cultural references. (Answer: True)
8. Fans like Ameer are not excited to play the game and do not have hopes that it will inspire more Middle Eastern game developers. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧