Today (23), Ubisoft issued an apology to the Japanese player community due to the numerous controversies arising from “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.” The company reiterated that this game is a fictional work inspired by real historical events and characters, emphasizing that “Yasuke is the best choice to tell the story of ‘Assassin’s Creed’.”
In the announcement, Ubisoft expressed respect for the historical background of the Warring States Period. The aim was not to replicate historical facts or restore characters accurately, but rather to pique players’ curiosity about the historical game stage that inspired their creation. The development process involved collaboration with historians, researchers, and Ubisoft Japan.
The announcement stated, “Despite our continuous efforts, we recognize that certain content in the promotional materials has raised concerns within the Japanese community, and we sincerely apologize for this,” clarifying that the current promotional errors are the responsibility of the development team and are not related to other collaborating parties.
From the Assassin’s Creed: Shadow development team to the Japanese community pic.twitter.com/LYNZUx6P8k
— Ubisoft Japan (@UBISOFT_JAPAN) July 23, 2024
In the latter part of the announcement, Ubisoft further explained the controversy surrounding the historical aspects of “Assassin’s Creed: Shadowbringers,” reiterating that Yasuke is indeed the ideal figure to narrate the story of “Assassin’s Creed.”
“Although we strive for authenticity in everything we do, ‘Assassin’s Creed’ is a fictional work inspired by actual historical events and figures. From its inception, the series has taken creative liberties to incorporate fantasy elements, creating an engaging and immersive experience. The character of Yasuke in our game exemplifies this. His unique and enigmatic life makes him the perfect individual to narrate the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ story within the context of feudal Japan.”
Finally, Ubisoft stated publicly that the portrayal of Yasuke as a samurai is controversial, but they still aim to weave this aspect into the game through storytelling.
“While Yasuke is depicted as a samurai in ‘Assassin’s Creed: Shadowbringers,’ we acknowledge that this is a contentious issue deserving dialogue, and we carefully incorporate this into the narrative. Like our other protagonist, the Japanese ninja Nao, our dual protagonists will offer players different play styles.”
The Assassin’s Creed: Shadow team has a message for our Japanese community. pic.twitter.com/AIyWNU9YhG
—Assassin’s Creed (@assassinscreed) July 23, 2024
Although Ubisoft expressed regret to the Japanese community, the announcement highlighted that the game had the collaboration of historians. This brought attention to Thomas Lockley, a British professor who published “Nobunaga and Yasuke” in 2017. Recently, a series of controversial events regarding this professor have surfaced in the Japanese academic community, including several descriptions in his book that are inconsistent with established history, and modifications to Wikipedia over the past few years that cite content from his books, leading to suspicions of historical fabrication.
The incident has triggered significant reactions abroad. Some Japanese legislators have expressed concerns, while Professor Lockley has closed all his social media accounts, and Ubisoft has yet to clarify which works the film was based on.
If this false propaganda is true, Japanese universities should punish this idiot.
Thomas Lockley, Associate Professor at Nihon University: “Despite the opposition of the Jesuits, black slaves were popular among Japanese feudal lords.” https://t.co/4oLu3TOSiE
— Yoshida Koichiro (@yoshidakoichiro) July 18, 2024
There is a question on Asakuri about editing the Yasuke wiki, but a guy named “Tom Tottori” used to edit the Japanese Yasuke wiki around 2015, and that guy was some university professor who wrote an outrageous book about Yasuke.
If this is true, then that means that Yasuke’s wiki was written by him and he fabricated and spread it himself, right? Isn’t that bad?https://t.co/jkheYK1K0V pic.twitter.com/yTC7WpZ1IA— jk _ no30111 (@jkno30111) July 12, 2024
I don’t mind if historians consider Yasuke to be a samurai based on their professional opinion.
But Thomas Lockley did more than that. He wrote a 400-page novel, marketed as nonfiction, filled with absurdities such as the Japanese owning African slaves. He should be reprimanded. https://t.co/7zZoQhiJe2
— Oliver Jia (@OliverJia1014) July 20, 2024
As the controversy surrounding “Assassin’s Creed: Shadowbringers” intensifies, spanning from Yasuke’s identity as a samurai to Professor Lockley’s Wikipedia alterations, many netizens remain dissatisfied with Ubisoft’s announcement.
To this day, Ubisoft seeks to reaffirm that “Assassin’s Creed: Shadowbringers” is a fictional fantasy work inspired by real historical events and characters, which may still impact the game’s subsequent marketing and launch promotion.
Ubisoft’s Apology Over Assassin’s Creed: Shadows Controversy
Ubisoft recently addressed the Japanese player community regarding the controversies surrounding their latest game, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. The game, set against the backdrop of Japan’s Warring States Period, has sparked significant debates concerning its historical accuracy and representation.
Official Apology from Ubisoft
On July 23, 2024, Ubisoft released a statement apologizing for any concerns raised within the Japanese community, affirming that they respect the rich historical context from which the game draws inspiration. The company clarified that Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is a work of fiction, intended to stimulate players’ curiosity about the historical period it depicts.
From the Assassin’s Creed: Shadow development team to the Japanese community pic.twitter.com/LYNZUx6P8k
— Ubisoft Japan (@UBISOFT_JAPAN) July 23, 2024
Understanding the Controversy
The announcement expressed Ubisoft’s understanding of the mixed reactions to the promotional materials and reiterated a commitment to historical accuracy, achieved through collaboration with historians and researchers. The statement acknowledged responsibility for content errors arising from the promotional campaign:
- Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is a creative retelling influenced by history.
- Yasuke, a notable character, was specifically chosen for his unique story.
- Discussions surrounding Yasuke’s portrayal as a samurai are to be addressed within the narrative.
Yasuke: The Key Character
Yasuke, often regarded as the first African samurai, has been touted by Ubisoft as the ideal figure to navigate the story of this installment. The developers highlighted how Yasuke’s fascinating life journey melds seamlessly into the Assassin’s Creed narrative style, intertwining fiction and historical elements.
Ubisoft’s acknowledgment of Yasuke’s controversial identity begs the question: How should historical characters be portrayed in fictional settings? The developers maintain that despite the controversies, they seek to deliver an engaging storyline that captures the essence of feudal Japan’s social dynamics.
The Assassin’s Creed: Shadow team has a message for our Japanese community. pic.twitter.com/AIyWNU9YhG
— Assassin’s Creed (@assassinscreed) July 23, 2024
Historical Consultation and Criticism
Controversy extends beyond character portrayal to accusations against Professor Thomas Lockley, a historian consulted during the game’s development. Lockley’s assertions, especially those surrounding black slaves being well-regarded by Japanese feudal lords, have led to significant scrutiny within the academic community.
Concerns About Historical Accuracy
The backlash included claims that Professor Lockley has revised historical narratives to favor his interpretations. A notable example includes changes made to Wikipedia entries about Yasuke that have been linked to his writings, raising questions about the integrity of some historical sources.
If this false propaganda is true, Japanese universities should punish this idiot.
Thomas Lockley, Associate Professor at Nihon University: “Despite the opposition of the Jesuits, black slaves were popular among Japanese feudal lords.” https://t.co/4oLu3TOSiE— Yoshida Koichiro (@yoshidakoichiro) July 18, 2024
Community Response and Ongoing Discussions
The introduction of Yasuke as a central figure in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows has provoked a mix of excitement and criticism within the gaming community. While some players are eager to immerse themselves in the narrative, others express concern over historical misrepresentation:
Voices from Social Media
The dialogue on platforms like Twitter indicates a divide in perception. Many users shared their disappointment regarding both Professor Lockley’s statements and Ubisoft’s handling of historical context:
There is a question on Asakuri about editing the Yasuke wiki, but a guy named “Tom Tottori” used to edit the Japanese Yasuke wiki around 2015, and that guy was some university professor who wrote an outrageous book about Yasuke.?
If this is true, then that means that Yasuke’s wiki was written by him and he fabricated and spread it himself, right? Isn’t that bad?https://t.co/jkheYK1K0V pic.twitter.com/yTC7WpZ1IA— jk _ no30111 (@jkno30111) July 12, 2024
Navigating the Future of Assassin’s Creed
With the game’s launch approaching, Ubisoft aims to reassure the gaming community that Assassin’s Creed: Shadows will balance authenticity with creative storytelling. Through ongoing discussions and careful narrative crafting, Ubisoft hopes to address criticisms while engaging players in a compelling, enriched experience.
Implications for Future Games
The unfolding controversy surrounding this game may set a precedent for how historical narratives are approached in future titles. As developers increasingly blend fiction with real history, the responsibility lies in ensuring respectful representation while delivering an engaging gameplay experience.
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Discover the details surrounding Ubisoft’s apology to the Japanese community over Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. Explore the controversies regarding Yasuke’s portrayal and the creative liberties taken with historical narratives.
