Gamers call for boycott over Assassin’s Creed Shadows cultural misrepresentation

Ubisoft’s about to get sliced and diced online, and it’s not because of their next game’s graphics. This time, it’s all about their choice for the main character in their upcoming Assassin’s Creed title, “Shadows” – Yasuke.

History Buffs Up in Arms

Some gamers are freaking out that Yasuke, while a real historical figure, feels like a random pick for a game set in Japan’s crazy Sengoku period (Warring States era). They argue it throws off the whole cultural vibe and historical accuracy of the game.

Another big complaint is that Ubisoft might be prioritizing “wokeness” over making a good game. Gamers are worried that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are being shoved down their throats instead of focusing on authentic representation. This is especially true for those who feel like Asians are getting ignored in favor of more obvious forms of diversity, even though they’re a minority group themselves.

Frustration and Boycotts

Gamers are throwing shade at Ubisoft by comparing this new game to titles like “Ghost of Tsushima,” which got major props for nailing cultural authenticity. They feel like Ubisoft dropped the ball on this one. This whole comparison highlights a bigger expectation: gamers want developers to respect and accurately represent the cultures they explore in their games.

Courtesy of LearningTheLaw (via X)

With all this drama, some gamers are even calling for a boycott of Ubisoft and companies like them. There are accusations of caring more about being politically correct than making good games that feel real. The whole situation has also spawned sarcastic jokes and memes – a sign of some deeper frustration with how things are going in the entertainment industry.

“Racially Insensitive”

“Hey #gamedev. When I say in our meetings that representation matters, well… see for yourself. Everyone wants to see a positive version of themselves on screen. Everyone. There’s more than enough games out there with white men as the only playable characters. Let’s do better.” – a 2018 post from one of the Senior Writers of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows

Critics argue this statement is misplaced. The game is set in feudal Japan, so a historically accurate protagonist would naturally be Japanese, not white or from any other ethnicity. They see focusing on “white men” as irrelevant and racially insensitive.

One Reddit user, AzurePrior, summed it up this way: “But they’re Asian, not white… I swear to these people White and Asian are the same when they are not.” This reflects a frustration among some gamers who feel the emphasis on diversity is being misapplied.

The writer’s comment was likely intended to highlight the need for more diverse characters in gaming, a long-standing issue. However, the execution and context went wrong, leading to accusations of racial insensitivity and misunderstanding.