Ubisoft recently launched “Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown,” marking the first major installment in the iconic series in nearly 14 years. This release is particularly noteworthy as it represents the franchise’s initial title since its debut in 1989 where characters speak Farsi, the Persian language.
Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, a subsidiary of Ubisoft, this edition aims to authentically depict and respect Persian and Iranian culture within the gameplay. Mounir Radi, the game’s designer, expressed the developers’ commitment to cultural accuracy, emphasizing the importance of staying true to the depicted culture.
“It was natural for us to say, ‘if we are going into this culture, we have to be true to this culture, we have to do this,'” Radi told the BBC.
The game, available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, incorporates several updates to appeal to modern gamers. Enhanced graphics inspired by the acclaimed animated film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” are among the improvements.
In an effort to make the game more authentic, the developers introduced elements like language and history tied to the region it portrays. Abdelhak Elguess, the producer, highlighted the incorporation of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion, into the game’s narrative.
Among the notable features is the inclusion of a dub option in Farsi, a decision that resonated positively with gamers. Some Reddit users expressed satisfaction with this addition, contrasting it with past controversies surrounding Ubisoft, such as the absence of a Greek language option in “Assassins Creed: Odyssey.”
“This is a necessity because just imagine there is a video game set in USA. And they decided not to add English language support,” the post says. “This is the same. And Ubisoft did this for decades.”
One Reddit user drew a parallel, stating that incorporating Farsi in a game set in Persia is akin to having English language support in a game set in the USA. The decision to include the Persian language option was particularly meaningful for some gamers, with one user sharing that it made them “finally feel seen” within the gaming community. Overall, Ubisoft’s focus on cultural authenticity and language options has been well-received, contributing to a positive reception among players.
