Summary
Ever sinceUbisoft unveiled Assassin’s Creed Shadows, a vocal group of fans across the internet has continually voiced outrage that one of its protagonists, Yasuke, is Black. Petitions have been made to cancel and boycott the game, even though Yasuke is based on a real historical figure, andthe Japanese trailer was bombarded with dislikes.
Ubisoft has finally addressed the backlash in an official capacity, defending the choice to make Yasuke one of the two leads in the game; “His unique and mysterious life made him an ideal candidate to tell an Assassin’s Creed story with the setting of Feudal Japan as a backdrop.
Our intention has never been to present any of our Assassin’s Creed games as factual representations of history, or historical characters.
“While Yasuke is depicted as a samurai inAssassin’s Creed Shadows, we acknowledge that this is a matter of debate and discussion. We have woven this carefully into our narrative and with our other lead character, the Japanese shinobi Naoe”.
Ubisoft CEO And An Assassin’s Creed Producer Have Also Spoken Out About The Yasuke Backlash
This letter was penned directly to the community, explaining why Yasuke was chosen as one of the protagonists, going into detail on how the series approaches not only historical contexts but also real figures. However, several high-profile developers at Ubisoft have commented on the controversy already.
Last month, producer Marc-Alexis Côté said thathe hopes people “keep an open mind"and “play the game for themselves” in response to Elon Musk’s comment that “DEI kills art”, which Côté called “sad”.Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot likewise denounced the “hateful acts"towards Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Yasuke, saying in an interview on the studio’s website that he’s concerned about the “malicious and personal attacks” the company is facing in regards to this outrage.
We, at Ubisoft, condemn these hateful acts in the strongest possible terms, and I encourage the rest of the industry and players to denounce them, too.
In this new letter, Ubisoft once again stresses that players should not direct their criticism at internal or external collaborators, but rather share their thoughts “respectfully.”
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been caught in a storm of controversy this year, but Ubisoft is sticking by its decision to put Yasuke in the spotlight, writing that it has “put significant effort into ensuring an immersive and respectful representation of Feudal Japan.” Indeed, such a setting wasn’t just highly-requested among fans foryears, but a “long-cherished dream” for the team itself.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
