It's no secret that Assassin's Creed Shadows has been mired in controversy essentially since it was first revealed; historical inaccuracies, insensitive merch, and the exact feudal status of African samurai retainer Yasuke have all been questioned. However, a good amount of criticism levelled at Ubisoft regarding the game has been in bad faith and bad taste; Assassin's Creed franchise boss Marc-Alexis Coté has pushed back on some of the more unreasonable flack the developers have faced.
At an event organised by BAFTA and attended by Eurogamer, Coté defended his team's work, addressing the "discussions around representations and inclusivity in media" that spark such furore online. "These conversations can influence how our games are perceived, but rather than shy away from those conversations, we should see them as an opportunity", Coté said.
Noting that this "isn't new ground for the franchise," the franchise boss said: "We've consistently introduced protagonists from diverse racial, ethnic, and gender identities. History is inherently diverse, and so is Assassin's Creed and the stories we tell. So, to be clear, our commitment to inclusivity is grounded in historical authenticity and respect for diverse perspectives, not driven by modern agendas."
Coté admits that the "current climate is tough on our creative teams" and that the response from a vocal segment of the community has been disappointing. This takes a predictable toll on the devs: "They face lies, half-truths, and personal attacks online. When the work they pour their hearts into is twisted into a symbol of division, it's not just disheartening; it can be devastating... Today, the stakes are higher. The characters we create and the game worlds we build are instrumentalised by those who seek to silence creativity, stoke fear, and incite hatred."