Assassin’s Creed Shadows Faces Cultural Controversy and High Stakes Ahead of Launch

Ubisoft’s latest installment, set in feudal Japan, faces scrutiny over cultural representation while carrying high expectations to stabilize the struggling company.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows, releasing March 20, has sparked debate over its depiction of feudal Japan, including historical inaccuracies and criticisms of its protagonists.
Despite calls for a boycott in Japan, the game has become a pre-release bestseller on platforms like Amazon Japan and Rakuten, signaling strong consumer interest.
Ubisoft has incorporated extensive research and collaboration with Japanese specialists to address cultural authenticity, including fieldwork in iconic locations like Kyoto and Osaka.
The game’s success is seen as critical for Ubisoft, which has faced declining revenues, underperforming titles, and a 77% drop in stock value since 2020.
Shadows introduces two playable characters, Yasuke, a Black samurai, and Naoe, a female shinobi, in a narrative blending historical references with modern cultural influences.