Assassin's Creed Mirage will not have lootboxes or gambling according to Ubisoft

The ESRB rarely gives out an AO rating for games. Titles that receive an AO rating struggle in terms of sales, as distribution channels can be severely limited. Marketing games with the AO rating can also be a challenge as the advertisements for the game cannot be shown to minors.

For comparison, Grand Theft Auto V, a title known to contain violence, sexual themes, and partial nudity, received a Mature 17+ rating. The game even has a casino where players can gamble in-game currency. Assassin's Creed Mirage will likely also be receiving the Mature rating from the ESRB similar to previous titles in the series.

Loot boxes have been a concern in the Assassin's Creed franchise after Ubisoft revamped the leveling system in Assassin's Creed Origins. The move became controversial since the company started selling boosts for players to level up faster via microtransactions in the game.

While something like a level boost can be a cause for concern for some players, it is not a loot box or close to any form of "real gambling." Ubisoft's clarifying statement should settle the matter and fans can likely purchase the game in any of their favorite retail stores.

Ubisoft has not yet announced a release date for Assassin's Creed Mirage but the game is expected to come out next year. We already have a trailer revealing some plot elements and showcasing Basim as the protagonist of the game.

Assassin's Creed Mirage is already available for pre-order at the Ubisoft Stor where it retails for a "lower" price of $50.