The latest decision regarding the release date for Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows has ignited a fresh wave of debate and controversy among gamers.
The game, which had been postponed twice previously, is now planned for release on March 20, 2025 – a date that coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Tokyo subway sarin attack, one of Japan’s most devastating modern terrorist incidents. This choice has sparked doubts among many about Ubisoft’s authenticity and consideration in light of the game’s claimed focus on Japanese history. It’s a notable oversight in an already contentious development phase that has been marred by allegations of disrespect and historical inconsistencies.
A Tragic Anniversary and a Questionable Decision
On March 20, 1995, a deadly sarin gas attack occurred on the Tokyo subway system, orchestrated by the Aum Shinrikyo cult. This tragic event led to the loss of 13 lives, caused severe injuries to more than 50 individuals, and temporarily affected vision for close to a thousand people.
That day, there occurred five synchronized assaults. In these attacks, the assailants deployed sarin, a harmful chemical used in warfare, onto three separate lines of the Tokyo Metro during peak hours. The targeted trains were all transiting through Kasumigaseki and Nagatachō, which are areas housing the National Diet, or the Japanese parliament, in Tokyo.
This day holds a solemn significance in Japan’s past, serving as a tribute to the suffering and fortitude shown by its people who endured the tragedy.
In light of Ubisoft’s assertion that they’ve delved deeply into Japanese culture and history for their game, Shadows, where you assume the role of a big black character wreaking havoc on countless Japanese individuals via hacking, slashing, and bludgeoning, releasing the game on this particular anniversary raises eyebrows as either appallingly uninformed or flagrantly disrespectful. The timing is particularly troubling for critics who have already levied accusations of insensitivity towards Japan in their portrayal of the game’s setting.
Historical Inaccuracies and Cultural Insensitivity
Since it was announced, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has stirred up quite a bit of debate. The choice by Ubisoft to make Yasuke, a purportedly real Black samurai, the main character, breaks away from the franchise’s usual pattern of introducing fictional characters alongside historical figures.
Critics have strongly objected to Yasuke being the first historically accurate character in the game series. Instead, fans had anticipated a traditional Japanese male protagonist – perhaps a samurai or ninja – reflecting Japan’s rich historical heritage. Some people argue that Ubisoft’s decision to feature Yasuke is seen as prioritizing contemporary Western cultural trends over the authenticity of Eastern culture.
Furthermore, concerns about historical authenticity have arisen, like the incorporation of Chinese-style architecture into a game depicting feudal Japan. Such oversights seem to have deepened the divide between fans, as they feel the series has deviated from its original charm – offering an engaging and historically accurate experience.
I’ve found myself deeply troubled by a recent decision made by Ubisoft, as they seemingly overlooked cultural sensitivities in their marketing for their game. Specifically, they positioned Yasuke and Narue, the game’s Japanese female protagonist, in a way that was disrespectful to the symbolism of a one-legged Torii gate. For many Japanese people, this symbol is deeply meaningful due to its association with the devastated city of Nagasaki after the Atomic bomb was detonated there in 1945. This portrayal seems to have been insensitive and I hope for a more thoughtful approach in future marketing endeavors.
《拡散希望》
日本ヘイト企業、犯罪企業で有名なUbisoftの「アサシンクリードシャドウズ」フィギュア長崎原爆で破壊された
「片足鳥居」をモチーフにしたと思われる破壊された鳥居をフィギュアで発売。僕は「片足の鳥居」をアメリカによる長崎原爆で破壊されたもの以外知らない。
— shin (@r230614_shin) September 23, 2024
In September, the statue was damaged by user r230614_shin, who posted online: “Help spread the news, the figurines of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, produced by Ubisoft (a company known for hate and criminal activities in Japan), have released a model of a destroyed Torii gate. This model is suspected to be based on the ‘One-Legged Torii’ gate that was damaged during the Nagasaki atomic bombing.
He stated, “I’ve only encountered a ‘Single-Legged Torii’ on one occasion – that being the one which was devastated by the American atomic explosion in Nagasaki.
The company’s claim of prioritizing research and authenticity seems questionable given that they chose March 20 as the launch date, a day with notable significance in Japanese history which could imply a lack of cultural sensitivity or, worse, deliberate disregard.
A Tenuous Future for Ubisoft
The financial future of Ubisoft hangs in the balance with the release of ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’. This gaming giant has experienced a substantial drop in value, from $12.17 billion in January 2021 to $1.78 billion by early 2025. Given that ‘Assassin’s Creed‘ is Ubisoft’s flagship series, the success of ‘Shadows’ is crucial for the company’s continued existence. However, persistent delays, inaccuracies in historical portrayals, and cultural insensitivity could potentially undermine ‘Shadows’ ability to live up to the expectations of both fans and critics.
Ubicoft’s efforts to present Shadows as a heartfelt tribute to Japan may miss the mark, with a series of blunders accumulating to undermine player confidence. Whether this game can overcome its escalating list of disputes will be seen in the coming months, but for now, the insensitive choice of its launch date contributes to the belief that Ubicoft’s regard for history is superficial at best.
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2025-01-10 16:55