Ubisoft has made a surprising move by pulling out of the Tokyo Game Show, fueling rumors of a potential delay for its highly anticipated title, ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’. The developer cited “various circumstances” for its withdrawal, but the decision comes amidst a storm of controversy surrounding the game.
Since its announcement, ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ has been heavily criticized for its price point, lack of showcased gameplay despite pre-orders being open, choppy animations, and allegations of bot purchasing. However, the most significant point of contention lies in the game’s artistic choices and their alleged misrepresentation of Japanese culture and history.
Gamers have accused Ubisoft of mischaracterizing Japanese culture through its selection of the protagonist and the company’s claims that ‘Shadows’ is loosely based on historical events. The controversy escalated further with the release of ‘Shadows’ merchandise featuring a structure that appears to be inspired by the Sanno Shrine and the One-Legged Torii Gate, a symbol of immense historical significance in Japan.
The One-Legged Torri Gate stands just 900 meters from the center of the atomic blast in Nagasaki, and miraculously survived the devastating event. Since then, it has become a poignant symbol of remembrance for the tragedy endured by the Japanese people. Ubisoft has been accused of disrespecting Japanese culture by combining its controversial artistic choices with this powerful symbol for commercial gain.
While Ubisoft has acknowledged the controversy and issued a statement to the Japanese community, asserting their efforts to create an immersive and respectful representation of Feudal Japan, they have also maintained that ‘Shadows’ is not intended to be a factual depiction of history or historical characters.
The abrupt withdrawal from the Tokyo Game Show, coupled with mounting criticism, has led to widespread speculation about potential delays for ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’. Ubisoft currently plans to release the game on November 12, 2024, but this timeline is now uncertain, further adding to the growing controversy surrounding the game.
