Assassin’s Creed boss discusses ‘devastating’ impact of Shadow diversity and inclusion

Assassin’s Creed franchise director Marc-Alexis Côté spoke about the online backlash that surrounded the main characters of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the subsequent impact it had on the game’s development team, and the attempts of unscrupulous commentators to disrupt and dissuade the creative teams. from telling stories with diverse and inclusive characters in general.

Speaking in London this evening at an event hosted by BAFTA and attended by Eurogamer, Côté fiercely defended his team’s work on Shadows, which has come under such high-profile criticism this year, particularly for the inclusion of Black Samurai Yasuke as one of the game’s two main characters. Côté has touched on this topic before, most notably when X owner and billionaire Elon Musk commented negatively on the topic, but never before in such a passionate manner, in such detail, and in such detail.

Discussing the current “changing cultural landscape”, Côté cited the current “discussions around representation and inclusivity in the media” as an additional and previously unforeseen challenge. “These conversations can impact how our games are perceived, but instead of shying away from these conversations, we should see them as an opportunity,” he explained.

“Assassin’s Creed has always been about exploring the full spectrum of human history, and by its very nature, that history is diverse. Staying true to history means embracing the richness of human perspectives – without compromise. For example, in Assassin’s Creed Shadows we highlight figures both fictional, such as Naoe, a Japanese female warrior, and historical, such as Yasuke, a samurai of African descent. While the inclusion of the black samurai in feudal Japan has raised questions and even controversy, Naoe, as a fictional character, has also raised questions. subjected to gender testing.

“But just as Yasuke’s presence in Japanese history is a fact, so are the stories of women who defied society’s expectations and took up arms during conflict,” Côté continued. “So while Naoe and Yasuke’s stories are works of historical fiction, they reflect the collision of different worlds, cultures and roles, and their inclusion is exactly the type of storytelling Assassin’s Creed strives to tell, one that reflects the complexity and interconnectedness of our shared history.

“We consistently represented protagonists with a variety of racial, ethnic and gender identities.”

“And this is not new ground for the franchise,” he noted. “From Altaïr to Aveline de Grandpré and Ratonnhaque:ton (the protagonists of Assassin’s Creed 1, Liberation and Assassin’s Creed 3 respectively), we have consistently represented protagonists from a variety of racial, ethnic and gender identities. History is inherently diverse, just like Assassin’s Creed and the stories we tell. To be clear, our commitment to inclusion is based on historical accuracy and respect for diverse viewpoints, not modern agendas.”

Côté’s tone was markedly different from Ubisoft’s last vague reference to “polarized comments” from company chief Yves Guillemot, who raised eyebrows in September when he told investors that Ubisoft is “an entertainment-focused company, creating games for the widest possible audience, and our the goal is not to advance any particular agenda.” Guillemot’s comments followed a similarly vague apology from Ubisoft for “certain elements in our promotional materials (that) caused concern within the Japanese community,” which also stated that “although Yasuke is depicted as a samurai in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, we recognize that this is a matter of debate and discussion.” Guillemot previously condemned the “malicious and personal online attacks” aimed at the Shadows development team following the game’s announcement.

“Along with these deeply held franchise values, we are committed to recognizing and listening to legitimate criticism as an integral part of the creative process,” Côté said tonight. “Our community helps us grow, develop and create better games. Today, however, we all face the additional challenge of distinguishing genuine feedback from attacks based on intolerance.

“The current climate is difficult for our creative teams,” he continued. “They are exposed to lies, half-truths and personal attacks online. When the work they put their hearts into turns into a symbol of division, it’s not just disappointing, it can be devastating. What fuels me is the resilience born of belief, which I see in our teams every day, and I’m especially proud of the Shadows team for staying true to their creative vision and the core principles of Assassin’s Creed.

“Our creative teams are faced with lies, half-truths and personal attacks online.”

“By casting Naoe and Yasuke as the main characters, we expand the narrative landscape, offering new perspectives that challenge the established norms found in many works of fiction, while remaining true to the stories that shaped them. At the end of the day, Assassin’s Creed is more than just a franchise, it’s a platform for entertainment, dialogue, discovery and understanding. Our commitment is not only to reflect on the past, but to ensure that the stories we tell continue to connect, inspire and challenge players, no matter what they do. their origins, and we will continue to uphold those values ​​because they are central to the core of the franchise and, I believe, to the future of storytelling itself. Ultimately, we believe that the diversity and richness of human experience is what it is. is helping Assassin’s Creed resonate with players around the world, and we are committed to standing firmly on that foundation.”

Côté noted that Assassin’s Creed includes universal themes from the very beginning, “such as resistance to tyranny and the preservation of knowledge and identity”, and that it always features an introductory message recognizing the game as a work of art created by a team that is diverse in both ways. his background and beliefs. “From the very beginning, Ubisoft embraced this diversity,” Côté said. “Assassin’s Creed is more than just a game. It can provide a platform for meaningful exploration and reflection, filled with the excitement of unforgettable gameplay, and it is this combination of creativity, variety, immersion and fun that continues to define and unite the franchise. with players all over the world.”

Côté ended with a broader reflection on the stifling of creative freedoms in general as cultural differences become increasingly contentious.

“The stakes are higher today,” Côté said. “The stories we tell, the characters we create, and the gaming worlds we build are exploited by those who seek to stifle creativity, stoke fear, and fuel hatred. I believe we are facing what (author) Fareed Zakaria calls the “Age of Revolution.” ‘, a time when the real conflict is not between left and right, but between societies that are closing themselves and those that are opening up to the world. Throughout history, it is open societies that have always ultimately prevailed. Despite setbacks over many years or even decades, it is openness that continually pushes humanity forward.

“When we self-censor in the face of threats, we give away our power until freedom and creativity disappear.”

“It reflects the selfless bravery of our main Assassin’s Creed heroes,” he continued. “They fought for freedom, knowledge and the right to forge their own path, just as we as creators fight to tell stories that matter in an increasingly divided world. As the authors of How Democracies Die so convincingly stated: Democracies fail when good people choose to remain silent. I think the same can be said about our creative freedom when we allow fear to silence our voices. When we self-censor in the face of threats, we gradually give away our power. part until freedom and creativity disappear. We can’t let this happen. It’s time for us as creators to stand firm in our commitment to our values ​​by telling stories that inspire, challenge and help bring people together. Our silence cannot become reality. partner.

“To our players – those who have supported us, encouraged us and celebrated our work over the years with enthusiasm and constructive feedback – this position is for you,” Côté concluded. “You are the heart of our journey. We create for you, and your support fuels our creativity and strengthens our resolve to continue pushing boundaries and telling stories that matter. This journey is yours as much as it is ours, and I thank you for being with us every step of the way. I am an optimist and a dreamer. I believe the answer to hate is to continue creating experiences that celebrate the richness of our world and reflect the magic of our collective imagination, because at the end of the day, creativity is stronger than fear, and together we are creating the future of entertainment.”

Previously, Eurogamer spoke with Assassin’s Creed Shadows art director Thierry Dansereau to discuss adapting the game to Japanese culture, social media pressure, and Ubisoft’s controversial apology. “Of course we make creative choices,” Dansereau told me. “It’s a video game.”