Summary
- A petition calls for the cancellation of Assassin's Creed Shadows due to controversy over main character Yasuke, who is an African samurai.
- Critics argue the game's historical accuracy is compromised.
- Despite the petition garnering nearly 73,000 signatures, it's unlikely to cause the game's cancellation.
A petition calling for the cancellation of Assassin's Creed Shadows is blowing up online, with nearly 73,000 signatures at the time of this writing, over 3,000 of which were just signed today. Assassin's Creed Shadows has proven controversial since the game was first revealed to the public. Fans have been asking for a main series Assassin's Creed game set in feudal Japan for years, but the game's main characters have caused significant controversy.
Assassin's Creed Shadows features two playable protagonists: female shinobi Naoe and African samurai Yasuke. Some have criticized Assassin's Creed Shadows for featuring an African as one of the main characters instead of someone Japanese. While Yasuke was a real-life historical figure, there are those who have accused the game of portraying him inaccurately. Others seem to be upset about Yasuke simply because he is black. Regardless, those upset about Assassin's Creed Shadows' choice of protagonists have now created a petition demanding that the upcoming open world game be canceled.
Capcom Veteran Defends Assassin's Creed Shadows
A seasoned Capcom game designer disagrees with the negative discourse surrounding Assassin's Creed Shadows and its choice of protagonists.
The Change.org petition, organized by an individual named Shimizu Toru, criticizes Assassin's Creed Shadows' historical accuracy when it comes to its depiction of samurai. According to the petition (which The Best War Games translated using Google Translate), Assassin's Creed Shadows is a "serious insult" to Japanese culture, and it goes as far as to accuse the game of racism. The petition has been signed nearly 73,000 times so far, with new signatures added with nearly every refresh of the page.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Change.org Petition Has Been Signed Almost 73,000 Times
Even though there are a lot of people who are clearly not happy about Assassin's Creed Shadows' main characters, there is no way that this petition is going to actually cause the game to be canceled. The vast majority of video game petitions are ignored, and the same result can be expected from this one. Barring any delays, Assassin's Creed Shadows is going to be released on multiple platforms worldwide on November 15, no matter how many people sign the petition to get it canceled.
It's worth pointing out that the Assassin's Creed franchise has never been known for its historical accuracy anyway. While the developers go to great lengths to painstakingly recreate landmarks and notable areas in Assassin's Creed, the stories and characters are almost all fictional, with a few exceptions. Multiple games in the series are about people using a machine to tap into the memories of their ancestors so that they can assassinate people and pull off ridiculous parkour stunts. Beyond the sci-fi stuff, the Assassin's Creed games have also been known to feature supernatural elements at times as well, so being 100% historically accurate has never been a priority.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
- Released
- March 20, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.
• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Franchise
- Assassin's Creed
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
