The timeless beauty of AlUla is now reaching a global audience through Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Valley of Memory. This new expansion from Ubisoft uses Saudi Arabia’s stunning landscapes and ancient history to create an immersive world.
At Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Valley of Memory, players follow the main character, Basim Ibn Ishaq, as he travels to AlUla to uncover a mystery involving a painting linked to his father.
To make the game feel real, Ubisoft worked closely with experts from the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA). Historians as well as archaeologists guided the design of the famous monumental tombs at Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Every detail – from the thickness of the stones to the intricate carvings on the tomb façades – was carefully researched to reflect the 9th-century setting. While some small features were added to help players climb and explore, the authentic identity of the landmarks remains protected.
The game features several iconic locations, including Elephant Rock, the AlUla Old Town Fort, and Jabal Ikmah, often called an “open-air library” due to its ancient inscriptions, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Players can also explore the lush AlUla Oasis and the narrow rock passages of Jabal Ithlib. Educational content within the game even uses real photos and artifacts to teach players about the region’s true history.
This partnership successfully blends the creative gaming industry with cultural preservation. By integrating AlUla’s real geography and history into a famous franchise, the project reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a premier global destination for both physical travel and digital creativity.
