Ubisoft has formally apologized to its Japanese player base over the controversies surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows and its inaccuracies.
In a perhaps anticipated turn of events, Ubisoft has issued an apology to its Japanese fanbase. This is all about its upcoming release, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which has been marred in controversy since its initial reveal. Ubisoft rarely sticks to its creative decisions, including when it backtracked on how political the clearly political Watch Dogs: Legion was. Nevertheless, this apology is intended to appease Japanese fans who have clearly found issue with Shadows’ representation of their culture and history.
Ubisoft Issues Apology to Japanese Players About Assassin’s Creed Shadows
In an effort to appease fans, specifically those from Japan, Ubisoft has issued an official apology via X. It is regarding the historical inaccuracies and various blunders surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows. In its apology, initially posted in English and later in Japanese, Ubisoft starts by saying that making a game set in Feudal Japan “has been a long cherished dream.” It then explains that it has received criticism, specifically from its Japanese players. This is, in large part, to do with Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ supposed lack of authenticity, particularly around one of its protagonists, Yasuke.
There is much discourse surrounding Ubisoft’s decision to include a Black protagonist as opposed to a strictly Japanese one. Of course, Yasuke was a real person who served under Oda Nobunaga, one of the most famous daimyo in history. Ubisoft directly mentioned that Yasuke’s inclusion in Assassin’s Creed Shadows “is a matter of debate and discussion”. However, it then reassured fans that it has “woven [his story] carefully into [its] narrative, and with [its] other lead character, the Japanese shinobi Naoe, who is equally important to the game.” You can see the full post below.
Additionally, Ubisoft has once again addressed its use of a Japanese reenactment group’s banner in official Shadows concept art. Admittedly, the post is a little vague and indirect. It states, “We acknowledge that some elements in our promotional materials have caused concern within the Japanese community. For this, we sincerely apologise.” Ubisoft ends its apology by hoping players will appreciate its hard work. It wrote, “We sincerely hope […] players in Japan and around the world will appreciate the dedication, effort, and passion we have poured into [Assassin’s Creed Shadows].”
Naturally, some fans have pointed out that Ghost of Tsushima, a game also developed by a Western studio set in Feudal Japan, never had any of these issues. However, Ubisoft has always prided itself on being more historical fiction. It often includes a statement at the start of its games clearly indicating it’s only loosely based on real events. What do you think about Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ perceived lack of authenticity? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to check out our Guide Hub for more articles just like this one.
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