“We aim to spark curiosity”: Ubisoft responds to AC: Shadows critique while Japanese government investigates

As a long-time fan of the Assassin’s Creed series, I have always been captivated by Ubisoft’s immersive and intricately designed historical settings. The latest addition to the franchise, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, had me excited at first with its promise of exploring feudal Japan. However, my enthusiasm was quickly dampened as I became aware of the cultural turmoil surrounding the game’s historical inaccuracies and controversial character choices.

Ubisoft has released a statement addressing the controversy surrounding Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and its historical inaccuracies.

In response to criticism spanning several months, Ubisoft has issued an apology for their latest game’s controversial elements. The game, which is set in feudal Japan, features two central characters: Yasuke and Naoe. Yasuke, a black Samurai, has sparked controversy among Japanese audiences who feel underrepresented and desire more authentic portrayals. Meanwhile, Naoe, a female character, has triggered accusations of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) bias from Western viewers. Japanese players have expressed concerns over historical inaccuracies and flawed architecture within the game as well.

In creating Assassin’s Creed Shadows, our primary goal was to deliver an engaging and respectful portrayal of Feudal Japan as a captivating backdrop for an immersive video game experience. However, it’s essential to clarify that our intention is not to present factual historical accounts or depict authentic characters in this game. Instead, we aim to inspire players’ curiosity and motivate them to delve deeper into the rich history of Feudal Japan.
Our team collaborated closely with external consultants, historians, researchers, and Ubisoft Japan to ensure our creative decisions were well-informed. We understand that certain aspects of our marketing materials have raised concerns in the Japanese community, for which we offer our sincere apologies. Please note that all game footage shown so far is still under development and subject to change as we continue refining Assassin’s Creed Shadows until its release.
We remain committed to listening to constructive feedback and making improvements throughout the development process. Our ultimate goal is to deliver an immersive, historically-inspired game that provides players with a unique and entertaining experience.
Ubisoft

Ubisoft’s apology includes a note that cultural consultants were involved in the production process to ensure authenticity. It’s important to remember that the portrayal of the historical figure Yasuke in our game is not based on factual accuracy, but rather on fantasy.

“Though we recognize that satisfying every player’s expectations is a significant challenge, we genuinely hope that when Assassin’s Creed Shadows is released on November 15, players in Japan and globally will acknowledge the hard work and fervor we have invested into it.”

At present, the Japanese authorities are looking into the representation of Japan in the game “AC: Shadows,” expressed worry over inappropriate portrayals. Japanese legislator and avid gamer Satoshi Hamada from the NHK Party brought this matter to the attention of Japanese lawmakers and publically disclosed a conversation with a French gaming company regarding historical modifications. Though not an official probe, it’s been identified as a potential cultural concern. The primary point of contention appears to be Yasuke being depicted as a Samurai, which goes against historical facts.

Considering Ubisoft’s apology, which came just before the Japanese investigation started, it seems uncertain that the game’s structure will undergo any significant changes, given the developers’ strong dedication to their initial vision.

2024-07-23 19:40

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