In the wake of recent leaks showing gameplay footage of Assassin's Creed Shadows weeks before its March 20 release date, Ubisoft finds itself once again at the center of controversy.
The leaked copies have sparked renewed discussion about a game that has already faced significant criticism on multiple fronts. From historical inaccuracies to cultural insensitivity, unauthorized use of sacred sites, and questionable design choices, Assassin's Creed Shadows has become one of the most contentious titles in the franchise's history.
The Recent Leak
Physical copies of Assassin's Creed Shadows began circulating online recently, giving players early access to the game. Ubisoft quickly acknowledged the authenticity of the leaked footage while urging fans not to share spoilers. The company emphasized that the leaked material doesn't represent the final quality of the game, but the damage was already done. This leak comes at a particularly critical time for Ubisoft, adding another layer of challenges to an already troubled release.
The Yasuke Controversy
At the heart of many controversies surrounding Assassin's Creed Shadows is the portrayal of Yasuke, one of the game's two playable protagonists. Described by Ubisoft as a "legendary samurai," Yasuke was a real historical figure of African descent who served under the daimyo Oda Nobunaga during Japan's tumultuous Sengoku period.
However, historical records about Yasuke are remarkably sparse and come primarily from contemporary Japanese and European sources, such as the Shinchō Kōki (a chronicle of Oda Nobunaga), letters from Jesuit missionaries like Luís Fróis, and the diary of Matsudaira Ietada.
These documents confirm that Yasuke entered the service of Oda Nobunaga in 1581. Nobunaga, intrigued by Yasuke’s appearance—described as tall (around 6 feet) and with dark skin—gave him a stipend, a residence, and a sword, which some historians interpret as indicators of samurai status, though this is debated.
The records show Yasuke served Nobunaga until the warlord’s betrayal and death at the Honnō-ji Incident in 1582, orchestrated by Akechi Mitsuhide. Yasuke fought alongside Nobunaga’s forces and, after Nobunaga’s death, briefly served his son Oda Nobutada, who was also killed. Afterward, Yasuke was captured but spared by Mitsuhide, possibly due to his foreign status, and returned to the Jesuits. Beyond this, no definitive historical records track his fate, leaving his later life a mystery.
The contemporary understanding of Yasuke as a "legendary samurai" can largely be traced to the 2019 publication of "Yasuke: The True Story of the Legendary African Samurai" by Thomas Lockley and Geoffrey Girard. Lockley, an associate professor at Nihon University, presented certain details as "definitive" in this English-language publication, despite labeling the same information as "speculative" in earlier Japanese editions.
Critics have pointed out that Lockley's portrayal of Yasuke as a legendary hero contains contradictions, such as simultaneously claiming he was both a respected samurai and "a Black man brought by missionaries as a bodyguard [who] was made a slave by the Japanese." These contradictions, along with other historically questionable assertions, have nevertheless been widely accepted internationally as historical facts.
The controversy deepened when Lockley appeared on Ubisoft's podcast "Echoes of History," suggesting his interpretations directly influenced the game's development.
The question of whether Yasuke was actually a samurai is complicated by the evolving definition of the term during different historical periods. During the Sengoku period, the term "samurai" lacked a precise definition, making categorical determinations difficult.
Historically, the status of samurai was tied to relationships with the shogunate. By the Edo period (starting 1603), the title was reserved for high-ranking bushi directly serving the shogun, though it later expanded to encompass all warriors.
Given that Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a prominent historical figure, required approximately ten years of military service under Nobunaga to be recognized as a bushi, it seems improbable that Yasuke—who served under Nobunaga for less than two years—would have achieved similar recognition.
Itatehyouzu Shrine Incident
Another major controversy involves the game's depiction of Itatehyouzu Shrine, a functioning Shinto shrine, in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. According to reporting by The Sankei Shimbun, pre-release footage showed gameplay where players could control Yasuke as he enters the shrine and destroys its altar with a sword.
The real-life Itatehyouzu Shrine, also known as Harima-no-Kuni Sohsha, has a history spanning over 1,400 years. When questioned by reporters, a shrine representative confirmed that Ubisoft never sought permission to include their sacred site in the game, stating emphatically, "If they had asked, we would have refused." The representative expressed displeasure at the portrayal and indicated they would "take appropriate action," potentially seeking to have their property removed from the game.
The gameplay footage showing destruction within the shrine prompted strong social media reactions, with comments characterizing the depiction as showing "deep disrespect for Japanese culture," being "offensive to Shinto," and demonstrating "highly insensitive" behavior.
Todai-ji Temple Controversy
Similarly, the game uses Tōdai-ji, a historic Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and elements associated with it.
Here, the controversy specifically stems from the inclusion of an octagonal lantern, a National Treasure from Tōdai-ji, in the game’s promotional materials and possibly its world design. This lantern, part of the temple’s iconic Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), was featured without explicit permission from temple authorities, raising concerns about unauthorized use of cultural heritage.
While temple representatives confirmed they have been in talks with Ubisoft, no details have been disclosed about any agreement.
Historically, much of Todai-ji burned down in 1567, more than a decade before Yasuke's arrival in Japan, making its inclusion another historical inaccuracy.
Torii Gate Controversy
The Torii gate controversy revolves around the depiction of a one-legged Torii gate in the game's promotional materials and merchandise.
The controversy began when Ubisoft released a collectible figure featuring the game's protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, with a one-legged Torii gate. This design closely resembled the famous one-legged Torii gate at the Sannō Shrine in Nagasaki, which stands as a memorial to the devastation caused by the atomic bomb during World War II.
Many people found this depiction insensitive, as the one-legged Torii gate is a significant symbol of the tragic event and the lives lost during the bombing. The backlash led to the removal of the figure from sale and an apology from PureArts, the company that created the collectible
The Sekigahara Teppo Corps Flag Controversy
This controversy revolves around Ubisoft’s unauthorized use of a flag belonging to the Sekigahara Teppo-tai (Sekigahara Rifle Corps), a Japanese historical reenactment group, in the game’s promotional materials.
The Sekigahara Teppo-tai is a volunteer group, formed in 2012, that performs reenactments of the Battle of Sekigahara (1600), a pivotal event in Japanese history, using matchlock rifles to educate the public about feudal Japan’s warfare.
The controversy began when Japanese gamers noticed that the group’s distinctive flag—featuring the crests of historical figures like Ishida Mitsunari and Tokugawa Ieyasu—appeared in two pieces of concept art for Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
The controversy escalated because Ubisoft hadn’t sought permission from the Sekigahara Teppo-tai. On July 8, Ubisoft Japan issued an apology, admitting the flag was used without consent in concept art and claiming they had apologized directly to the group, who accepted it. They promised to stop using the artwork in future promotions, except in the already-printed art book included with the $279.99 Collector’s Edition.
However, this resolution didn’t satisfy the Teppo-tai. On July 11, the group requested Ubisoft remove the flag from the Collector’s Edition art book as well.
Cultural Inaccuracies and Misrepresentations
Beyond the specific controversies involving historical figures and cultural properties, Assassin's Creed Shadows has been criticized for numerous smaller cultural inaccuracies that collectively suggest insufficient research into Japanese history and culture.
Architectural and Cultural Elements
Japanese critics have identified several problematic elements in the game's depiction of historical Japan:
Square-shaped tatami mats (traditionally rectangular in Japan)
Samurai sitting in the seiza position (historically inaccurate for the period)
Incorrect family crests that, in another era, could have led to severe consequences
Reversed Chinese Buddha statues, showing a lack of understanding of Buddhist traditions that place significant importance on the concept of left and right
Concept art featuring items from the 1700s to modern times, despite the game being set in the 1500s
Environmental Inconsistencies
Scenes depicting farming appear to be lifted directly from contemporary photographs of Myanmar and Thailand rather than reflecting historical Japanese agricultural practices.
Similarly, the game shows watermelons displayed along roadsides during cherry blossom season.
The Katana Incident
In a particularly embarrassing mishap at Japan Expo in Paris, Ubisoft's booth featured what was labeled as "Yasuke's sword." However, attendees quickly recognized it as the distinctive Sandai Kitetsu sword from the popular manga and anime series One Piece, wielded by the character Zoro.
A Critical Release for Ubisoft
Despite the controversies, Ubisoft remains optimistic about Assassin's Creed Shadows, believing it will be a huge commercial hit. The stakes couldn't be higher for the French publisher, as this release comes after a series of recent disappointments.
Star Wars Outlaws, Skull & Bones, XDefiant, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown all underperformed financially in the past year. These setbacks contributed to Ubisoft's shares plummeting to an all-time low in November, prompting shareholders to seek the resignation of Yves Guillemot, the CEO and the founder of Ubisoft.
With such financial pressure and mounting criticism, Assassin's Creed Shadows represents more than just another entry in the franchise—it's potentially a make-or-break moment for one of gaming's oldest publishing giants. After years of fan demands for a Japan-set Assassin's Creed game, Ubisoft is finally delivering, but the controversies surrounding the title may impact its reception.
As the March 20 release date approaches, all eyes will be on Ubisoft to see if Assassin's Creed Shadows can overcome its troubled development and controversial choices to deliver a game that satisfies both players and critics. For Ubisoft, this isn't just about the success of a single title; it's about the future direction and perhaps even survival of the company itself.
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