Ubisoft issues an apology for the promotional materials of Assassin's Creed Shadows, citing they "have caused concern"

Ubisoft has responded to concerns that emerged among the Japanese audience regarding promotional content for Assassin's Creed Shadows.

In a statement, Ubisoft said, "For this, we sincerely apologise," emphasizing that all shown game footage is still in development and will continue to evolve. source

The exact promotional materials referenced were not specified, but PCGamesN reported on a petition from Japan, demanding the game's cancellation, which has amassed over 94,000 signatures.

The petition criticized Ubisoft for "misunderstanding the true nature and role of samurai," calling it an affront to Japanese culture and history, and linked these misrepresentations to racial insensitivity towards Asians.

Addressing these concerns, Ubisoft reiterated its commitment to "authenticity," while reminding players that Assassin’s Creed games are fictional works.

In their clarification, Ubisoft stated that their goal is not to provide factual depictions of history but to inspire curiosity and encourage exploration of the historical periods they feature.

The company also touched on the game’s protagonist, Yasuke, inspired by an actual Black samurai from the Sengoku era, acknowledging that his portrayal as a samurai remains a topic open to debate and discussion.

Ubisoft explained that the Assassin's Creed series has always mixed creative freedom with historical elements to create captivating narratives, and Yasuke’s portrayal is a reflection of this approach.

Recently, Ubisoft also apologized for the unauthorized use of a flag belonging to a historical reenactment group in the concept art for Assassin's Creed Shadows.