Since its announcement, Assassin's Creed Shadows has suffered certain criticism around the creative choices made by the developers, and in particular around the main characters of the game. Marc-Alexis Coté, boss of the Assassin's Creed franchise, spoke on this subject by mentioning the impact on the game's development team and attempts by some disruptors to dissuade creative teams from telling stories featuring diverse and inclusive characters in general.
Controversies surrounding Assassin's Creed Shadows characters to consider
Through their structure and algorithms which promote content that generates the most reactions, social networks are amplifiers of hatred. And although what is said there is often far from being the general thought, it is not uncommon for controversies that begin on a network, like Twitter, end up going beyond its borders.
Marc-Alexis Coté, boss of the Assassin's Creed franchise, is well aware of this, and explains in the columns of Eurogamer on the subject, and in particular the attempts at polemics launched by a minority towards Assassin's Creed Shadows, and in particular with regard to the inclusion of black samurai Yasuke as one of the game's two protagonists.
“These conversations can influence how our games are perceived, but instead of running away from them, we should view them as an opportunity”explained Marc-Alexis Coté.
“Assassin's Creed has always been about exploring the entirety of human history, and by nature that history is diverse. Staying true to history means embracing the richness of human perspectives – without compromise. For example, in Assassin's Creed Shadows, we highlight fictional characters, like Naoe, a Japanese female warrior, and historical characters, like Yasuke, a samurai of African origin. While the inclusion of a black samurai in feudal Japan has sparked questions and even controversy, Naoe, as a fictional character, has also been criticized for her gender.
But just as Yasuke's presence in Japanese history is a fact, so too are the stories of women who defied societal expectations and took up arms in times of conflict. Although Naoe and Yasuke's stories are works of historical fiction, they reflect the collision of different worlds, cultures, and roles, and their inclusion is precisely the type of narrative that Assassin's Creed seeks to tell, one that reflects the complexity and interconnectedness of our shared history.
The Assassin's Creed games are works of fiction first and foremost
Never has an Assassin's Creed game been criticized as much for its characters as the episode Shadows which, by chance or coincidence, offers to play a black character as well as a woman. Those who try to launch controversies about a “historical non-respect” have undoubtedly forgotten it, but many episodes of the series have played with various codes without strictly respecting the history of the countries concerned. . Ubisoft has always made it clear that Assassin's Creeds are works of fiction.
From Altaïr to Aveline de Grandpré via Ratonhnhaké:ton [les protagonistes d’Assassin’s Creed 1, de Libération et d’Assassin’s Creed 3 respectivement]we've always featured protagonists with diverse racial, ethnic, and sexual identities. History is inherently diverse, just like Assassin's Creed and the stories we tell. To be clear, our commitment to inclusion is grounded in historical authenticity and respect for different perspectives, and is not driven by modern agendas.
Comments which come in direct confrontation with the official communication from the Assassin's Creed account in July 2023 which “recognized” that “Yasuke is represented as a samurai in Assassin's Creed Shadows” could be a “subject for debate and discussion. » Regardless, the franchise manager is keeping his eyes and ears open.
“Alongside these deeply rooted values of franchising, we are committed to recognizing and listening to legitimate criticism as an essential part of the creative process. Our community helps us grow, evolve, and deliver better games. Today, we all face the added challenge of distinguishing between genuine comments and attacks motivated by intolerance.
The current climate is difficult for our creative teams. They face lies, half-truths and personal attacks online. When the work they put their heart into is turned into a symbol of division, it's not only disheartening, it can be devastating.
What keeps me going is the resilience born from conviction that I see in our teams every day. I'm especially proud of the Shadows team for staying true to their creative vision and the core principles of Assassin's Creed.
Ubisoft wants to stay true to its values
“By choosing Naoe and Yasuke as protagonists, we are expanding the narrative landscape, offering new points of view that challenge the established norms found in many works of fiction, while remaining true to the story that shaped them.
Ultimately, Assassin's Creed isn't just a franchise, it's a platform for entertainment, dialogue, discovery, and understanding. Our commitment isn't just about reflecting on the past, it's about ensuring the stories we tell continue to unite, inspire and excite players, whatever their background.
Ultimately, we believe that the diversity and richness of the human experience is what allows Assassin's Creed to resonate with players around the world, and we are committed to remaining true to this principle.
Marc-Alexis Coté noted that Assassin's Creed has always addressed universal themes such as resistance to tyranny and the preservation of knowledge and identity. But he also recognizes that the stakes are higher today. “The stories we tell, the characters we create and the game worlds we build are exploited by those who seek to silence creativity, stoke fear and incite hatred”.
He quotes author Fareed Zakaria who speaks of an “age of revolution”, a time when the real conflict is not between left and right, but between societies that close in on themselves and those that open to the world. “Throughout history, open societies have always won. While there may be setbacks over the years, even decades, it is openness that has always pushed humanity forward.”.
The creator recalls that each of the protagonists of Assassin's Creed has always fought for freedom, knowledge and the right to chart their own path, “just as we, as creators, fight to tell stories that matter in an increasingly divided world.
As the authors of “How Democracies Die” so eloquently put it, democracies collapse when good people decide to remain silent. I think the same goes for our creative freedom when we let fear drown out our voices. When we self-censor in the face of threats, we give away our power, piece by piece, until freedom and creativity wither.
We cannot let this happen. It is time for us, creators, to make a firm commitment to respecting our values, by telling stories that inspire, challenge and help connect people. Our silence must not become complicit.
To our players – those who have supported us and celebrated our work over the years with enthusiasm and constructive feedback – this position statement is for you
You are at the heart of our adventure. We create for you, and your support fuels our creativity and strengthens our determination to push boundaries, to tell stories that matter. This journey is yours as much as ours, and I thank you for being with us every step of the way. I am an optimist and a dreamer. I believe the answer to hate is to continue creating experiences that celebrate the richness of our world and capture the magic of our collective imagination, because ultimately creativity is stronger than fear, and Together we are creating the future of entertainment. »
