Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This game’s got more drama than a telenovela, and I’m here to break it all down for you.
So, Ubisoft finally gave fans what they’ve been begging for – an Assassin’s Creed game set in feudal Japan. Sounds like a dream come true, right?
Well, hold onto your katanas, because this reveal opened up a whole can of ninja stars.
The moment Ubisoft dropped that first story trailer, showing off the game’s dual protagonists – Yasuke, a Black samurai, and Naoe, a female Japanese shinobi – the internet exploded faster than a Naruto run.
Some folks were thrilled, others… not so much.
Here’s the deal: Assassin’s Creed Shadows has become a battleground for debates about historical accuracy, representation, and the fine line between creative freedom and cultural respect. The inclusion of Yasuke, based on a real African samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga, has sparked both praise for highlighting a lesser-known historical figure and criticism from those who see it as pandering to diversity initiatives.
Let’s break this down piece by piece, shall we?
The Yasuke Situation: History vs. Hollywood
Yasuke wasn’t just some character Ubisoft pulled out of thin air. This guy was real, and his story is wilder than any video game plot. An African man in 16th century Japan, serving as a samurai under one of the most powerful warlords in Japanese history? That’s the kind of stuff Hollywood dreams are made of.
But here’s where things get sticky. While historians agree Yasuke existed, his exact role and status are about as clear as mud. Some argue he was a full-fledged samurai, others say he was more of a bodyguard or curiosity in Nobunaga’s court.
Yu Hirayama, a Japanese historian, says Yasuke checks all the samurai boxes. Nobunaga gave him a stipend, a house, and a sword – basically the feudal Japan equivalent of a 401k, company car, and business card. But not everyone’s buying it.
Critics argue that making Yasuke a main character in a game about feudal Japan is like casting Scarlett Johansson as the Major in Ghost in the Shell. Oh wait, that actually happened. And we all remember how well that went over.
This whole debacle has turned into a bizarre dance of representation vs. appropriation.
On one side, you’ve got folks thrilled to see a Black character taking center stage in a major game. It’s not every day you see that kind of representation, especially in a historical setting.
But flip the coin, and you’ve got people, especially some Western folks of East Asian descent, feeling like they’ve been elbowed out of their own narrative. They’re asking, “In a game set in Japan, why isn’t the male lead Japanese?”
It’s like that awkward moment at a party when someone brings a vegan dish to a barbecue. Sure, it’s inclusive, but is it what everyone came for?
And then there’s the dreaded W-word. “Woke.” It’s been thrown around more times in this controversy than a frisbee at a college quad.
Some critics are convinced Ubisoft’s just trying to tick diversity boxes, accusing the company of sacrificing historical accuracy on the altar of political correctness. They’re acting like Ubisoft just announced that Hello Kitty is the new antagonist in the next Call of Duty.
But let’s be real for a second. Assassin’s Creed has always played fast and loose with history. We’re talking about a series where you can parkour across ancient Egypt and fight mythical creatures. Historical accuracy left the building a long time ago, folks.
Now, here’s where things get really tricky. Ubisoft, a Western company, is trying to tell a story set in feudal Japan. That’s like me, a guy who once burned microwave popcorn, trying to make sushi. There’s a lot that can go wrong.
Some people are worried Ubisoft might fumble the cultural ball. And when a member of Japan’s House of Councilors starts raising eyebrows, you know it’s serious business.
But Ubisoft’s not taking this lying down. They’ve been shouting from the rooftops about all the research they’ve done, the historians they’ve consulted, and their collaboration with their Japanese team. It’s like they’re trying to prove they didn’t just watch “The Last Samurai” and call it a day.
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any weirder, enter the One Piece controversy. At a convention, Ubisoft displayed a sword for Yasuke that looked suspiciously like Zoro’s sword from One Piece. Cue the plagiarism accusations.
It’s like Ubisoft accidentally wore the same outfit as the popular kid to school. Embarrassing? Yes. End of the world? Probably not. But it sure didn’t help their case.
The Ubisoft Conundrum
Let’s not forget, this is all happening against the backdrop of Ubisoft’s… let’s call it “complicated” relationship with fans. We’re talking about a company that’s been churning out Assassin’s Creed games faster than I change my socks.
Some fans are more concerned about whether the game will actually be good than who the main character is. They’re looking at the $70 price tag and lack of gameplay footage like I look at my bank account after a Steam sale – with fear and trepidation.
The debate has grown so heated that even Ubisoft’s CEO has weighed in, condemning what he calls “hateful” attacks on the development team.
Let’s break down this complex situation for different types of gamers:
For the Casual Gamer:
Hey, you just want to know if the game’s gonna be fun, right?
Here’s the scoop: Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in feudal Japan (cool!) and lets you play as two characters – a Black samurai and a female ninja. Some folks are upset about the Black samurai, saying it’s not historically accurate.
But guess what?
He’s based on a real guy named Yasuke who actually existed!
The game’s not out yet, so we don’t know how good it’ll be. But if you dig samurai action and ninja stealth, it might be worth checking out. Just know there’s a lot of drama around it right now. Maybe wait for some reviews before you buy?
For the Hardcore Gamer:
Alright, let’s dig deeper. The controversy here is multi-layered:
1. Historical Accuracy: Yasuke was a real person, but his exact role in Japanese society is debated. Some historians argue he was indeed a samurai, while others dispute this. Ubisoft is taking creative liberties, as they often do in Assassin’s Creed games.
2. Representation: Some argue that featuring a Black protagonist in feudal Japan is forcing diversity. Others counter that it’s an interesting way to explore a lesser-known historical figure and set the game apart from other samurai titles.
3. Game Development: There are concerns about the lack of gameplay footage and the $70 price tag. Some worry Ubisoft is using the controversy as a shield against criticism of the actual game.
4. Creative Vision: Ubisoft has stood firm on their creative choices but also issued a statement acknowledging the debates. This has further fueled discussions about artistic freedom in game development.
As a hardcore gamer, you might want to dive into the historical research yourself and form your own opinion on Yasuke’s role. Keep an eye out for gameplay reveals to judge the mechanics and overall quality.
For the Toxic Gamer:
Listen up, you rage-fueled keyboard warriors!
You’re screaming about “historical accuracy” in a series that’s had you fistfighting the Pope and parkour-ing across ancient Egypt? Get real!
You wanna be mad?
Be mad about the $70 price tag and the lack of gameplay footage. But don’t hide your racism behind fake concerns about history. Yasuke was a real dude, and if you’d spent half as much time reading as you do spewing hate online, you’d know that.
And before you start screeching about “forced diversity,” remember that the game has TWO protagonists. One’s Japanese! But I guess you conveniently forgot about her, huh?
Here’s a wild idea: How about you wait until the game actually comes out before losing your minds?
Crazy, I know!
So, What’s the verdict?
Here’s the million-dollar question: Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows a groundbreaking step forward in representation, or a culturally insensitive misstep?
The truth is, it’s probably a bit of both, and a whole lot of other things too.
Ubisoft’s trying to walk a tightrope here. They want to tell an engaging story, represent diverse characters, respect Japanese culture, and still make a game that’s fun to play. That’s a tall order, even for a company with more money than I have PlayStation trophies.
But here’s the thing – video games, like all art, don’t exist in a vacuum. They reflect and shape our culture. The conversations sparked by Assassin’s Creed Shadows, as heated as they are, show just how important these issues are to people.
So, what do you think? Is Ubisoft brave for tackling this complex historical figure, or should they have stuck to a more traditional narrative? And will the game actually be any good?
Averagebeing’s Take: Assassin’s Creed Shadows is like a Rorschach test for the gaming community. What you see in it says as much about you as it does about the game. At the end of the day, what matters most is whether the game is fun to play.
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