“We are all exhausted”: The Assassin’s Creed community is turning on itself and Ubisoft

“We are all exhausted”: The Assassin’s Creed community is turning on itself and Ubisoft

As a gamer who has been through countless gaming generations, I have witnessed the evolution of video games from simple pixelated sprites to highly immersive, realistic worlds. The debate surrounding Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is one that I find myself tiredly observing from the sidelines.


Assassin’s Creed: Shadows faced a highly contentious debut, marred by accusations of enforced diversity, cultural insensitivity, and historical inaccuracies. More recently, Ubisoft issued an apology for any offenses caused, while still expressing their commitment to the game’s release. This move follows an investigation into the matter by the Japanese government, as well as reactions from the community itself. The prevailing emotions now are weariness, annoyance, and overall anger directed towards both Ubisoft and those who oppose them.

“The moderators of the Assassin’s Creed subreddit have made it clear: ‘Yasuke was a Samurai.’ They don’t welcome disagreements on this topic and request that such discussions take place elsewhere. They are tired of rehashing this debate, which has been discussed extensively, and have taken note of the recent official statement from Ubisoft.”

Historical Foundations and Imaginative Spin-offs: In all that we produce, we aim for accuracy, but Assassin’s Creed games are imaginative tales spun from real historical events and characters. Since the beginning, the series has employed creative freedom and incorporated fantastical elements to generate captivating and immersive adventures. The portrayal of Yasuke in our game serves as an example of this. His intriguing and enigmatic life makes him a fitting choice for an Assassin’s Creed narrative set against the backdrop of Feudal Japan. Although Yasuke is shown as a samurai in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, we acknowledge that his depiction may be subject to debate and discussion among scholars. We have delicately interwoven this aspect into our storyline, with our other main character, the Japanese shinobi Naoe, who plays an equally essential role in the game. Our dual protagonists offer players distinct gameplay styles by providing them with two unique characters to explore the game world.

Ubisoft

The moderators of AC reiterate a consistent perspective; Assassin’s Creed is and has always been historical fiction. Although Yasuke, a samurai confirmed by numerous credible historians worldwide including from Japan, may not have played as significant a role in reality as he does in Shadows, it is still a video game, allowing for creative liberties.

“It’s no surprise to see racists rallying,” says one user, while another accuses the discussion of being dishonest from the start.

“We are all exhausted”: The Assassin’s Creed community is turning on itself and Ubisoft

The post was secured because of “brigading,” possibly triggered by numerous critical comments about Yasuke in the game. Although the discussion doesn’t stop within this subreddit, it has been ongoing on Twitter among gamers advocating against diversity and inclusion (DEI). A well-known figure is stirring controversy with the claim that Ubisoft is heavily controlled by DEI and is one of the most oppressive studios to work at.

“We are all exhausted”: The Assassin’s Creed community is turning on itself and Ubisoft

Additional tweets critical of Ubisoft’s statement have emerged, filled with harsh and derogatory language. One tweet specifically targets Ubisoft’s development team, appearing alongside a headline from an anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) publication suggesting that Ubisoft has brought on queer activists to support the development of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.

As an ardent fan of Assassin’s Creed, I’ve noticed a striking divide within our community. On one hand, there are fans like me who appreciate the game for its artistic merit, creative expression, and fictional narrative. Then, there are some individuals who seem more interested in stirring up controversy to boost their popularity rather than engaging with the game itself. Frankly, it can be quite draining.

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2024-08-01 12:10