For several months now, Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” has been at the center of controversy, but recently, this dispute has grown into accusations of censorship. Japanese YouTuber Shohei Kondo has reportedly had his review of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” removed from YouTube a total of 12 times, with the platform citing “hate speech” as justification for these removals.
I’m sharing this video, which was mistakenly taken down due to a misunderstanding that it promotes ‘hate speech.’ Rest assured, I was expressing the complete opposite! This video is titled “Japanese Reacts on Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gameplay,” and I encourage you all to download and spread the word. Let’s enjoy this exciting gaming experience together!
— Shohei Kondo (@shoheikondo) January 26, 2025
As of this writing the video has been re-uploaded again and is active on YouTube.
As a passionate moviegoer and admirer of Japanese culture, I’d like to highlight that Kondo’s video is completely devoid of any hate speech. Instead, it offers an in-depth analysis of Ubisoft’s representation of Japan in their games. The video points out several inaccuracies and questionable choices in the portrayal of flora, NPC designs, and even the protagonist’s clothing. These criticisms, whether they stem from Ubisoft’s direct decisions or not, have been perceived as an effort to stifle valid criticism from a Japanese content creator who is standing up for his culture against what appears to be a French company’s misrepresentation.
In the video, Kondo points out several significant mistakes in Ubisoft’s portrayal of feudal Japan in their production. He criticizes a variety of aspects, including unnatural vegetation and underdeveloped Japanese non-player characters (NPCs). These NPCs are often shown barefoot and tattered, in stark contrast to Yasuke, the Black samurai lead character, who is seen confidently walking through the city streets adorned in luxurious golden armor.
Instead of being critical or offensive, Kondo’s assessment stemmed from cultural respect and useful suggestions, which made her criticism all the more disconcerting.
The act of censorship ignited anger within the gaming community, prompting other YouTubers to stand up for Kondo.
The censorship provoked fury in the gaming community, causing other YouTubers to come to Kondo’s aid.
Content producer Hypnotic stated: “YouTuber and content maker Shohei Kondo had his videos on Assassin’s Creed Shadows removed by YouTube due to hate speech. It seems they are attempting to muffle authentic Japanese voices expressing criticism towards Ubisoft, even when it’s delivered in a constructive manner like Shohei did. This is astonishing behavior. I have no doubt they will continue to target more Japanese and non-Japanese content creators in the future.
Content producer Shohei Kondo has had his Assassin’s Creed: Shadow-themed videos taken down by YouTube due to the inclusion of hateful language.
They’re making efforts to silence genuine Japanese voices who criticize Ubisoft, especially when the criticism is offered in a positive and constructive manner, as demonstrated by Shohei.
— Hypnotic (@RealHypnotic1) January 26, 2025
The criticism towards Ubisoft continues, with Kondo adding his own remarks about the visuals and play mechanics, aspects that have sparked debate in past Ubisoft titles.
Recently, it was evident that the company struggled with accepting constructive feedback as shown when their official Assassin’s Creed X account reacted to YouTuber NikTek, who highlighted graphic issues within the game.
Note to self: make ‘Work In Progress’ appear larger ✍
— Assassin’s Creed (@assassinscreed) January 24, 2025
Instead of dealing with the critique head-on, Ubisoft chose to respond flippantly by stating, “Reminder to self: Make ‘Work in Progress’ more prominent.” This offhand comment highlights an ongoing defensive behavior that has only served to widen the gap between the company and its players.
The removal of Kondo’s video marks another challenging step in the problematic launch process for “Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Ubisoft’s choice to focus the game on Yasuke, a purportedly historical Black samurai, represented a notable shift away from the franchise’s usual approach of featuring fictional protagonists interacting with real historical figures. Instead, some fans had anticipated a character more in line with traditional Japanese roles like a samurai or ninja. Critics argue that Ubisoft’s decision to cast Yasuke appears to prioritize contemporary Western ideologies over accuracy when portraying Eastern culture in a game meant to represent it.
Amidst the ongoing dispute, concerns about historical inconsistencies have arisen, particularly regarding the depiction of Chinese-style architecture in a game that’s supposed to take place during feudal Japan. Ubisoft has been under fire for its representation of Japan, with critics claiming the company shows an unacceptable level of indifference and disregard towards Japanese culture.
The problems surrounding this game launch have been worsened by multiple postponements. Originally planned for a November 2024 debut, it was then moved to February 2025, and most recently rescheduled for March 20, 2025. This new release date has caused additional anger, as it falls on the anniversary of the Tokyo subway sarin attack, one of Japan’s deadliest modern domestic tragedies. Some people view this timing as either thoughtless or disrespectful.
As a connoisseur of cinematic masterpieces, I find it disheartening when actions don’t align with words, especially in the case of Ubisoft, a company that prides itself on respecting Japanese history. Their silence towards Shohei Kondo, a fellow creator voicing concerns over cultural misrepresentations within their own work, is alarming and sets a dangerous precedent. Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue to rectify these valid criticisms, Ubisoft seems to be stifling dissent, thereby distancing themselves from both the Japanese audience and the global gaming community. This approach is not only unproductive but also risks damaging their reputation in the long run.
With growing debates, Assassin’s Creed Shadows could serve as a warning story illustrating the perils of cultural indifference and corporate stubbornness.
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2025-01-27 22:55