Japanese Petition to Cancel Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gains Momentum

In the wake of Ubisoft’s controversial video game Assassin’s Creed Shadows, a petition on Change.org is calling for the cancellation of the game. The petition, which has garnered attention, was initiated by a group of concerned Japanese fans who are demanding the game’s release be halted.

The petition, titled “We Demand the Cancellation of Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” outlines several reasons for the call to action. The primary concerns revolve around the game’s portrayal of historical events that transpired during the Sengoku period and characters such as Yasuke, which the petitioners argue are inaccurate and potentially harmful. They also cite concerns about the game’s impact on cultural and social perceptions.

The translated text of the petition states,

“Recently, the lack of historical accuracy and cultural respect has been a serious issue regarding the upcoming game “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” by game developer Ubisoft. The game is based on Japanese samurai and ignores the fact that samurai were a higher class of warrior class and should have been “gokenin” or servants of nobles. In fact, the first European to hold the title of samurai, William Adams (Miura Anjin), served Tokugawa Ieyasu as a 250 koku hatamoto. In this history, Ubisoft continues to misunderstand the nature and role of samurai. This is a serious insult to Japanese culture and history, and may also be linked to Asian racism. We call on Ubisoft to immediately cancel the release of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” and show sincere research and respect for Japanese history and culture. We need your signature. Sign this petition to let Ubisoft know the importance of cultural respect and historical accuracy.”

As of the time this article being posted, the petition has amassed over 16,000 signatures, with many supporters expressing their dissatisfaction with the game’s content. Comments from signatories highlight a mix of frustration and disappointment.

One signatory wrote,

“If it were fiction, I could forgive it. But I absolutely cannot forgive the blatant lies of “being faithful to historical fact” and “Yasuke was a great black samurai.” If we leave it as it is and people believe it to be historical fact, it will lead to the idea that the Japanese were “hiding” the fact that black people were such great samurai, and it will lead to the idea that “Japanese people discriminate against black people.”

Criticism over Yasuke, one of two main characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, revolves around the game developer claiming that the character was a real samurai without substantive proof. Gamers, both Japanese and non-Japanese, who have pointed out that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is racist and an example of cultural appropriation, have been declared racist by video game news outlets and especially Ubisoft which have argued that Yasuke was a real samurai.

In an interview, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot addressed the backlash and criticism against the development team, “One thing I am concerned about right now is the malicious and personal online attacks that have been directed at some of our team members and partners. I want to make it clear that we, at Ubisoft, condemn these hateful acts in the strongest possible terms, and I encourage the rest of the industry and players to denounce them, too.”

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is slated for a November 2024 release, with anticipation building among fans of the long-running franchise. The game promises to deliver an immersive experience set in a new historical period, featuring innovative gameplay mechanics and a compelling narrative.

The Assassin’s Creed series, known for its blend of historical fiction and action-adventure gameplay, has often been praised for its attention to detail and expansive worlds. However, it has also faced criticism for its interpretation of historical events and figures.

This petition, which was launched June 19th, adds to a growing trend of fan activism within the gaming community, where gamers are increasingly vocal about their expectations and concerns regarding game content and development practices. 

Ubisoft has yet to respond to the petition.

Update: The petition has reached 93, 200 signatures as of 07/21/2024.

Author’s Note: Support this site by donating via Paypal or even checking out our merchandise on RedBubble where you can find designs that cater to writers and readers. Money donated and raised goes into paying for this website and equipment.