On Thursday, Ubisoft communicated to the Japanese community on concerns about Assassin's Creed Shadows, set in Feudal Japan. This is where Yasuke, based on a historical Black figure-now one of two playable characters-is based. Assuring players that this will be immersive and respectful, Ubisoft brings players into a rendition of the era. Obviously, Assassin's Creed games aren't completely factual but attempt to evoke the feeling of an era.
Apologies and Addressing Criticism
Ubisoft admitted that some promotional materials for Assassin's Creed Shadows caused concern in Japanese players. They have apologized and reassured fans that the game is going to evolve further until release. The message also said that Yasuke's depiction as a samurai under warlord Oda Nobunaga is disputable. This statement came out both in English and Japanese.
Reactions and Controversy
Reactions to the statement by Ubisoft have been very mixed. Some feel that the company is pandering to reactionary Western audiences instead of really listening to the real concerns from Japanese players. Some have accused the company of "feeding the trolls" who complain about diversity, equity, and inclusion in games.
The company has previously condemned hateful comments-against it, including from high-profile figures like Elon Musk, following the reveal of Yasuke in the game. The house of Ubisoft once again promised to stand up against hate and for inclusivity in video games.
