The Ubisoft team made sure to address the recent controversy surrounding Assassin’s Creed in Japan, specifically regarding the choice of Yasuke as the protagonist, his portrayal as a samurai, and the overall context of the game.
Creating a game set in feudal Japan has been a dream for the Assassin’s Creed team, and after 20 years of creating games in various historical periods, they are finally making it happen. Despite receiving both positive and critical feedback, including from Japanese players, they share the passion for history and deeply respect the cultural and historical integrity of Japan’s rich legacy.
Their creative vision aims to respectfully represent feudal Japan, although they clarify that Assassin’s Creed games are not meant to be factual representations of history or historical figures. Instead, they aim to spark curiosity and encourage players to explore and learn more about the historical periods that inspire them.
The team acknowledges that Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is meant to be a fun game that immerses players in a historical fiction inspired by feudal Japan. They work closely with Ubisoft Japan, historians, and authors to make informed creative decisions, but they also admit that there may be concerns among Japanese players.
Feedback is welcomed, and adjustments will be made as the project is still in development. It’s important to remember that the games are works of fiction with creative liberties, as seen with Yasuke being portrayed as a samurai. Despite the debate surrounding this choice, Ubisoft considered it carefully in crafting their narrative and continues to seek respectful feedback.
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