The growing wave of disapproval, especially from ardent Japanese admirers, regarding the upcoming release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, which is set against the intriguing backdrop of Feudal Japan, has notably intensified. This surge of dissatisfaction has become increasingly significant, prompting Ubisoft to pay heed and issue a formal response.
This reaction from the gaming community appears rooted in concerns about cultural representation, historical accuracy, and the potential for perpetuating stereotypes. Consequently, Ubisoft's acknowledgment and promise to address these issues underscore the company's commitment to ensuring that the game will be both respectful and engaging to its diverse audience.
The situation has not only highlighted the global nature of gaming but also the necessity for developers to deeply engage with and respect the cultures they strive to depict in their interactive narratives.
Ubisoft, the French game developer, clarified its creative choices for AC Shadows on social media and extended its apologies simultaneously.
In their message, Ubisoft stated: "It has never been our goal for any of the Assassin's Creed series, AC Shadows included, to be perceived as exact portrayals of historical events or figures. Our aspiration is to ignite interest and inspire gamers to delve into and learn about the historical eras that motivate us.
"Assassin's Creed Shadows is, above all, crafted to be an engaging video game that weaves an intriguing tale of historical fiction situated within Feudal Japan.
"To inform our artistic decisions, our crew has worked in-depth with external advisors, scholars, and researchers, along with our internal teams at Ubisoft Japan.
"In spite of our diligent efforts, we recognize that certain aspects showcased in our promotional content have raised concerns among the Japanese audience. We offer our heartfelt regret for this."
Ubisoft then goes on to affirm its commitment to ongoing consultation and collaboration to address the well-meaning feedback received. The company also briefly commented on the current debate concerning Yasuke, mentioning, "While Yasuke is portrayed as a samurai in Assassin's Creed Shadows, we recognize that his status as such is the subject of debate and dialogue. We have carefully integrated this aspect into our story, and with our other primary character, the Japanese shinobi Naoe, both play a significant role in our game, offering players diverse playing experiences."