It’s been almost five years, but the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 transformed every aspect of our lives. Faced with such an important and global event, the video game industry has not remained indifferent and has reflected those significant moments. With events canceled and delays in development, this context has led some titles to make direct references to this health crisis. One of the most notable examples is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the first among the Triple A titles to include a direct mention of the disease.
A discreet yet significant mention
During the adventure of the French firm, the player can discover an email where the modern protagonist, Layla Hassan, mentions: “I don’t have Covid, no. I’m well isolated. Just the three of us, traveling together, staying out of sight.” This line reflects the realities of social distancing and restrictions, emotionally connecting with players who experienced it.
Assassin’s Creed has always balanced its modern narrative with historical adventures, and Layla’s note serves as a bridge between both. While other games like Watch Dogs: Legion have also made allusions to the pandemic, the inclusion of this reference in a high-profile title like Valhalla is significant. At a time when many companies were facing difficulties in their releases, Ubisoft managed to integrate the situation into the game’s narrative, turning Valhalla into a mirror of contemporary life.
La huella vikinga: Una era que trascendió la historia y ha conquistado nuestra cultura (No ficción)
* Price may have changed since last revision
The relevance of this inclusion lies in how video games reflect reality and foster emotional connections with their audience. The shared experiences during the pandemic are already part of our social fabric, and video games, as a form of art and entertainment, have the social responsibility to capture these experiences. In this sense, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla not only offers an exciting story about Viking life, but also creates a space to normalize a harsh reality that we have all faced.
In 3DJuegos | One of the most iconic musical themes in video games is written in a language that no one speaks, the dovahzul
In 3DJuegos | Discover how Cyberpunk 2077 is inspired by a classic science fiction that defines our current reality
In 3DJuegos | If you liked Cyberpunk Edge Runners, you should give Megalo Box a try, a science fiction anime with a classic flavor
