Ubisoft's educational push with Assassin's Creed: Discovery Tour

Ubisoft has expanded the reach of the Assassin's Creed series by adding educational elements through the Discovery Tour mode. This innovative approach lets players and curious fans explore the historical settings of the games without the usual combat or stealth gameplay.

What is Discovery Tour?

Discovery Tour was introduced in 2017 alongside the release of Assassin's Creed: Origins. It gives players the chance to explore the fascinating world of ancient Egypt. It is available either as a free add-on for the game or as a standalone title. With this model, Ubisoft makes the rich history behind its game worlds accessible to a wider audience.

Expansion to other eras

Since launch, several Discovery Tour versions have been released, focusing on other historical periods. The Viking and Greek eras are represented in Discovery Tour editions inspired by Assassin's Creed: Valhalla and Assassin's Creed: Odyssey. This means players can not only enjoy the gameplay, but also learn about the history that shaped these worlds.

A mobile app has also been developed, allowing users to take a virtual tour of medieval Baghdad based on Assassin's Creed: Mirage. These initiatives show how Ubisoft is using its games to create educational experiences.

Educational collaborations

Ubisoft has worked with several institutions to bring these educational projects to life. One notable collaboration took place with the Arab World Institute in Paris. It featured an exhibition about 9th-century Baghdad, using concept art, maps, and video material from Assassin's Creed: Mirage.

The exhibition ran for about a year and reportedly led to a 20% increase in visitor numbers. The result highlights the potential of video games as educational tools, and how they can contribute to cultural and historical knowledge.

Timeline

Ubisoft continues to aim for a positive impact on culture and education through its games and educational projects. With this innovative approach, the Assassin's Creed franchise can keep growing not just as a gameplay experience, but also as a valuable learning tool.