Overview

• 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introduces two playable characters, Yasuke, a Black samurai, and Naoe, a female shinobi, in a narrative blending historical references with modern cultural influences.