When we hear a game has changed its release date, the usual deal is that it’s getting delayed for some much-needed polish, or a similar reason, right? Well, Ubisoft has decided to break the trend a bit when it comes to Assassin’s Creed Mirage, as the giant French publisher revealed today that the title in question will hit PC and consoles on October 5th, a full week before its original release date of October 12th.

Considering the busy schedule multiplatform gamers will have in the month of October (off the top of my head I can list Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Alan Wake 2 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder) I feel this decision was made with the intention of getting this more focused entry in the Assassins vs. Templars saga into as many players’ hands as possible before their attention gets swept away by a deluge of other titles. Considering the company is marketing Mirage as a return to basics for the franchise, it might actually be a pretty good play, since gamers will know that they won’t have to dedicate months of their life to play this title, unlike previous entries in the series (here’s looking at you, Valhalla!)

In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, you are Basim, a cunning street thief with nightmarish visions seeking answers and justice.

Join an ancient organisation and come to understand a new creed – one that will change Basim’s fate in ways he never could have imagined.

Discover a narrative-driven action-adventure experience that follows the transformation of a defiant young man into a refined Master Assassin with a conflicted destiny. Meet an inspiring cast of characters who will shape Basim’s destiny and may be more than what they seem…

Become the most versatile Assassin in franchise history. Parkour seamlessly through the city and leverage the largest assortment of tools to date. Get contracts at the Assassin’s bureaus, collect vital clues, and stealthily take down targets with more visceral assassinations than ever before.

Explore a dense and vibrant city whose inhabitants react to your every move. Uncover the secrets of four unique districts, from the industrial Karkh to the lush gardens of the Round City. Discover surprising world events and interact with historical figures that shaped the Golden Age of Baghdad.

Experience a modern take on the features and gameplay that have defined a franchise for 15 years. Journey to Alamut, the legendary home of the Assassins who laid the foundations of the Creed in this heartfelt homage to the game that started it all.