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Even since its announcement,Assassin’s Creed Shadowshas been the talk of the town, and not for any good reasons. The game has faced many controversies regarding almost every aspect of the game showcased by Ubisoft. The game which promised an immersive narrative and engaging gameplay is slowly getting ripped apart by all these accusations.
The major controversies all revolve around one of the game’s main protagonists Yasuke and his origin. It looks like the situation is getting even worse, as one of the regional PR teams of the game has released some images with controversial texts. After seeing the image and message, fans are now accusing the studio of stealing from the popular anime series One Piece, further complicating Yasuke’s situation.
Assassin’s Creed ShadowsFacing Yet Another Allegation
The initial wave of criticism surroundingAssassin’s Creed Shadowsfocused mainly on the game’s historical inaccuracies regarding the protagonist Yasuke. However, as time passed by and more details about the game were released, the criticism started changing into accusations. First, the use of a flag belonging to a Japanese historical re-enactment in the game’s concept art landed Ubisoft into hot water.
Now the latest controversy stems from a replica sword that was displayed at France’s Japan Expo and allegedly used for promotional purposes. The issue arrived when fans realized that this sword was an exact replica of Zoro’s Sandai Kitetsu fromOne Piece. However, the problem was made even worse when on Twitter, Ubisoft’s France account said the sword belonged to Yasuke.
Katana et masque de Yasuke (par@PureArtsLimited❤️) ou encore artworks du jeu, notre stand Ubisoft à la@japanexpovous propose une expérience… immersive 👀🔴On vous immerge avec nous dans l’esprit du jeu jusqu’au dimanche 14 juillet ! 🥷pic.twitter.com/tzkE2BnkO6
This error is not small and goes beyond even the incorrect placement.This touches on deeper issues relatedto historical and cultural representation of the character.
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Adding more fuel to the controversy, the investigator on the website found that the symbol on the sword stand is a Buddhist-themed Kanji inscription which is completely different from Yasuke’s origin, as he was believed to be either Catholic or Muslim but certainly not Buddhist.
The mishandling of Yasuke’s representation and the sword’s origins has led many to say that the company’s marketing team needs to do rigorous research before posting about the historical and cultural elements of the game.
Ubisoft Must Show Greater Care in Historical Representation
The controversy surroundingAssassin’s Creed Shadowsand the accusations of theft from One Piece highlights the major issue in modern media: the unethical way of dealing with historical figures and cultural content. Even though Ubisoft has not responded to the matter yet, it should learn its lesson from this fallout.
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However, The currentsituation raises quite a few important questionsbut the most important would be how to respectfully and accurately portray lots of diverse cultural and historical narratives in a way that honors both their origins and significance.
In a way, now that this mishandling is clearly portrayed by one of the known gaming studios, other companies will think twice before disrupting the very delicate balance between historical accuracy and creative storytelling while also respecting cultural and religious nuances, ensuring that such representations are both accurate and ethically sound.
In the end, as the gaming industry continues to evolve further and attempt to showcase various diverse cultures present in the world, companies need to acknowledge and honor the complexities of history and cultural narratives.
Do you think Ubisoft will learn from this fallout or they will continue to go its own way? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
Shubham Chaurasia
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :1368
At FandomWire, Shubham has spent over a year diving into the evolving world of live-service, action, and open-world games. Whether it’s the democratic galaxy of Helldivers 2 or finishing enemies in titles like Assassin’s Creed or Ghost of Tsushima, Shubham brings a sharp eye and genuine enthusiasm to everything he writes.When he’s not writing, you’ll probably catch him clutching rounds in Valorant or leaping off virtual cliffs into a pile of enemies for the perfect finisher. Outside of gaming, Shubham recharges by hitting the gym or heading out on long, spontaneous bike rides, always chasing the next open road. No matter the game or the gear, he’s always committed to bringing readers timely, accurate, and engaging updates from across the gaming industry.
