Assassin’s Creed Shadow might be the one title that sparked the most intense debates in the gaming community for months, even before Ubisoft launched their first trailer. Particularly due to its portrayal of Yasuke, the first black Japanese samurai.
Not only triggering the western community, but also in Japan, there was a petition to cancel Assassin’s Creed Shadow, and been signed for over 24k signatures.
But, when it comes to developer’s point of view, that’ll be different perspective. A veteran Capcom developer Yoshiki Okamoto, defend the creative choice.
Mixed Reactions from Japanese Gamers and Okamoto’s POV
In Japan, the introduction of Yasuke as a samurai in Assassin’s Creed Shadow has not been universally welcomed. Critics argue that it distorts historical accuracy, as Yasuke, despite his notable presence in Japanese history, was not a traditional samurai. This perspective has fueled a significant portion of the backlash, with calls for Ubisoft to halt the release of the game.
Conversely, Yoshiki Okamoto, a respected figure in the gaming industry with a storied career at Capcom, has voiced his support for Ubisoft’s decision. Okamoto, who has been instrumental in the development of iconic games like Street Fighter 2 and Resident Evil 3, emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between historical accuracy and creative freedom in gaming. In a recent video, he stated that games are meant to entertain and should prioritize fun over strict adherence to historical facts.
Historical Fiction vs. Fun: The Creative Dilemma
Okamoto’s argument centers around the notion that video games are a form of entertainment and storytelling. He likens the creative liberties taken in Assassin’s Creed Shadow to the artistic freedom used in depicting historical figures in other media. For instance, he pointed out that inaccuracies in the portrayal of Oda Nobunaga’s family crest in another game did not detract from the enjoyment or success of that title. This highlights the balance developers must strike between engaging gameplay and historical authenticity.
Interestingly, Okamoto revealed that he had conceived a similar concept back in 2005, aiming to create a game that balanced historical elements with imaginative gameplay. However, his project did not come to fruition. He now sees Assassin’s Creed Shadow as a realization of his early vision, validating the creative risks involved in blending history with fiction.
Ubisoft’s Response to Criticism
Ubisoft has been proactive in addressing the backlash. The studio has called for an end to the negative rhetoric directed at its development teams and is determined to prove its critics wrong. CEO of Ubisoft even cursing to the all people that did online personal attack to their staff.
The company’s stance underscores a commitment to its creative vision and the belief that Assassin’s Creed Shadow can offer a unique and enjoyable experience despite the historical debates it has ignited.
Arya Kamandanu