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Assassin’s Creed Shadows devs respond to historical accuracy furor

BBG News

As a longtime fan of the Assassin’s Creed series, I have eagerly anticipated the release of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” set in Feudal Japan. However, recent controversies surrounding the game, particularly the inclusion of Yasuke, a Black samurai, as one of two playable characters, have left me feeling uneasy.

The team responsible for “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” the new Assassin’s Creed title set in Feudal Japan, issued a statement on Tuesday regarding the controversy surrounding the game. The main source of criticism appears to be centered around Yasuke, one of the two playable Black samurai characters.

Ubisoft’s developers acknowledged the concerns raised by Japanese players regarding historical inaccuracies and a mistake involving Chinese subtitles in the promotion of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows.” They expressed regret for any confusion caused within the Japanese community.

Ubisoft’s development team acknowledged that they have devoted much resources into creating an engaging and culturally sensitive portrayal of Feudal Japan for “Assassin’s Creed Shadows.” However, it is essential to note that their goal has never been to produce historically accurate games or depict authentic characters from history.

“Ubisoft described Assassin’s Creed Shadows as primarily created to provide an enjoyable gaming experience with a captivating historical narrative set in Feudal Japan. To ensure authenticity, the development team worked closely with external experts, historians, researchers, and Ubisoft Japan colleagues.”

The central issue in the small dispute over “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” revolves around its main characters: Yasuke, a Black samurai, and Naoe, a Japanese ninja. Some people have raised concerns about Yasuke being labeled as a samurai since there seems to be limited historical evidence supporting this designation. As a former servant of Oda Nobunaga, his status has sparked debate.

While many believe Yasuke was not a samurai, historian Yu Hirayama makes an argument based on evidence that Nobunaga granted him the title and its accompanying privileges. Yet, it is important to note that Nobunaga’s enemies did not consider Yasuke as holding this esteemed position.

It seems that there’s a topic about a black man who worked for Oda Nobunaga. The information about him is scarce, but it’s unlikely that he held the samurai title under Oda. Regardless of his background, if his master took him as a samurai, then that was the societal norm during the medieval (Warring States) period. Why can we say this?

— K・HIRAYAMA (@HIRAYAMAYUUKAIN) July 19, 2024

Despite Yasuke’s actual title in Japanese history not being confirmed by Ubisoft, they made it clear that “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” is not intended to be a historical text, but rather a work of fiction. The portrayal of Yasuke as a samurai within the game significantly impacts the storyline.

In creating an authentic experience for our audiences, Assassin’s Creed games draw inspiration from actual historical events and characters. Since the beginning, the series has utilized creative liberties and incorporated fantastical elements to produce captivating and immersive stories. An example of this can be seen in our portrayal of Yasuke within the game. The intriguing and enigmatic nature of his life made him an excellent candidate for an Assassin’s Creed tale set against the backdrop of Feudal Japan. Although Yasuke is shown as a samurai in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, it is essential to note that this interpretation is open to debate and discussion. We have integrated this intricately into our plotline, with our other significant character, the Japanese ninja Naoe, who plays an equally vital role in the game. Our dual protagonists offer players distinct gameplay styles.

Ubisoft’s statement highlights that they have worked closely with outside experts, historians, researchers, and their own team in Japan to guide their creative process. However, it’s important to note that these individuals have no control over the final decisions made by Ubisoft’s creative teams for gameplay and entertainment purposes. Therefore, please refrain from criticizing our collaborators, whether internal or external.

It’s possible that this request is an effort to limit future harassment towards external organizations, such as Sweet Baby Inc., which collaborate with game developers like Ubisoft to enhance cultural representation in their games. Previously, employees of Sweet Baby Inc. have faced harassment for allegedly advocating for “mandated” diversity in the gaming industry.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is coming to Mac, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X on Nov. 15.

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2024-07-23 18:19

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