A subsidiary of Assassin’s Creed developer Ubisoft, has unveiled “The Lost Crown,” the latest installment in the iconic Prince of Persia series. Breaking a 14-year hiatus, the game is not only a visual spectacle with upgraded graphics inspired by Sony’s Into the Spider-Verse but is also the first in the franchise to feature complete voice acting in Farsi.
According to the BBC, the decision to voice the game in Farsi is a nod to the series’ roots in Persian mythology and Iranian culture. The move is part of an effort to accurately depict and respect the rich history of Persia and Iran. The game is slated to be translated into English to ensure a wider audience while maintaining cultural authenticity.
Sam Mandi-Gohmi, a UK-based fan of the series, praised the move, stating that the inclusion of Farsi voice acting was “brilliant” and showcased a commitment to better representation. Growing up with an Iranian father, Mandi-Gohmi highlighted that previous titles in the series lacked fully Iranian characters, underscoring the importance of diverse representation in media.
“I rushed to show my dad [the game] – he laughed and translated alongside in disbelief,” Mandi-Gohmi said. He emphasized that while strides have been made, there remains minimal Iranian representation in Western media.
Mounir Radi, the game’s designer, expressed the team’s dedication to accurately portraying Persian culture. “From the start, we wanted to be able to depict and to respect Persia and Iran,” Radi stated. “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.”
“The Lost Crown” incorporates elements of Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion founded in present-day Iran, into the gameplay, further deepening the cultural connection. The game marks the first in the series since 2010’s “The Forgotten Sands” and signifies a significant step towards modernization and cultural authenticity in the world of gaming.
