Assassin’s Creed: Shadows Faces Controversy Ahead of Release

Montreal, Canada — Ubisoft‘s anticipated title in the Assassin's Creed series, Shadows, is set to launch on Thursday, following a long development period marked by two delays.

Taking place in 1579 during Japan‘s tumultuous civil war, the game features two protagonists: Fujibayashi Naoe, a female shinobi, and Yasuke, an African slave who becomes a samurai. Ubisoft reports that Japan has been a sought-after setting for the franchise for years. “Every time we start a new game, Japan comes up, and we ask, is this the time?” said Marc-Alexis Cote, executive producer.

The impending release of Shadows comes on the heels of recent mixed performances by Ubisoft’s other titles, including Star Wars Outlaws and Skull and Bones. This has heightened expectations for the success of Shadows amidst a competitive market.

In a bid to promote historical accuracy, creative director Jonathan Dumont revealed that the development team engaged in extensive research, employing in-house historians and specialists from around the world. “A huge data bank is continually fed,” Dumont explained, adding that trips to Kyoto and Osaka helped the team gather important details about the era.

Particularly, Cote noted a lesson learned during a visit to Japan, where local experts corrected their approach to landscape lighting. “That’s not how light falls on the mountains in Japan,” they insisted, prompting adjustments based on their insights.

Shadows continues the series’ tradition of incorporating real locations and figures from history. Castles such as Takeda, Fukuchiyama, and Himeji accurately represent the architecture of the period. Gamers can expect to experience a blend of stealth and action as they navigate the open world, with choices between the stealthy Naoe or the combat-driven Yasuke.

The game is being released amid controversy surrounding Yasuke’s character, with a petition in Japan receiving over 100,000 signatures against his portrayal as a samurai. Local historians express mixed views; some argue it ignores historical context, while others believe it enhances the narrative.

Souyri, among the historians consulted, defended the inclusion of Yasuke, who “really existed” although the nuances of his status can be complex. Yuichi Gozai, a medieval history specialist, emphasized that Yasuke’s distinction was his ethnicity and strength, rather than his status as a samurai.

Despite debates over Yasuke’s inclusion, Shadows aims to respect the historical setting while creating an engaging gaming experience. Dumont acknowledged the influence of Japanese storytelling and films in shaping the game’s narrative style, citing works like Kagemusha and Studio Ghibli‘s films.

Ubisoft’s Shadows emerges as a significant entry into the gaming industry, especially as players show renewed interest in single-player experiences following a spate of live-service game failures. With careful craftsmanship evidenced in its environments and gameplay, Shadows is poised to captivate audiences.