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

Murderer’s Creed franchise boss Marc-Alexis Coté has addressed the internet backlash that has revolved around the main characters of Murderer’s Creed Shadows, the subsequent impact it has had on the game’s workforce, and the attempts of malicious religious commentators to disrupt and dissuade resourceful groups from telling stories that include diverse and inclusive characters.

Speaking tonight in London, at a tournament organized by the BAFTA and attended by Eurogamer, Coté announced a staunch defense of his team’s work on Shadows, which has been the subject of so many complaints at the moment, especially for the inclusion of The Boring samurai Yasuke as one of the game’s two protagonists. Coté has addressed the topic in the past, especially when X owner and billionaire Elon Musk used to comment negatively on the topic, but never in such a passionate way, with such quality, in such a space. .

Discussing the “changing cultural landscape,” Coté described the tide of “debates about representation and inclusion in the media” as a back-and-forth and once unexpected issue. “These conversations can influence how our games are perceived, but instead of shying away from those conversations, we should see them as an opportunity,” he defined.

“Assassin’s Creed has always sought to explore 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, highlights figures, both fictional like Naoe, a Japanese warrior, and historical, like Yasuke, the African-born samurai. While the inclusion of a black samurai in feudal Japan has raised questions and even controversy, Naoe, as a fictional character. , has also faced scrutiny for her gender.

“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 in times of conflict,” Coté said. “So the tales of Naoe and Yasuke are works of ancient fantasy, they replicate the success of various worlds, cultures and roles, and their inclusion is exactly the type of narrative that Murderer’s Creed seeks to inform, one that shows the complexity and interconnectedness of our shared historical past.

“We have consistently featured protagonists of diverse racial, ethnic and gender identities.”

“And this is not new territory for the franchise,” he said. “From Altair to Aveline from Grandpré to Ratonhnhaké:ton [the protagonists of Assassin’s Creed 1, Liberation and Assassin’s Creed 3 respectively]we have consistently featured protagonists of diverse 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 authenticity and respect for diverse perspectives, not driven by modern agendas.”

Coté’s sound seemed particularly different from Ubisoft’s extreme and unclear statement of “polarized comments” by corporate chief Yves Guillemot, who drew attention in September when he told investors that Ubisoft was “an entertainment-first company.” , who creates games”. for the widest possible audience, and our goal is not to push any specific agenda.” Guillemot’s comments followed an equally unclear general apology from Ubisoft for “some elements of our promotional material.” [that] have caused concern within the Japanese community,” which further said that “while Yasuke is depicted as a samurai in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, we recognize that this is a topic of debate and discussion.” Guillemot had in the past condemned the “malicious attacks and online personals “aimed at the Shadows development group following the dissemination of the sport.

“Alongside these deeply held franchise values ​​is our commitment to recognizing and listening to legitimate criticism as an essential part of the creative process,” Coté mentioned tonight. “Our crowd is helping us develop, evolve and deliver better games. Today, we all face the added challenge of distinguishing between authentic comments and attacks driven by bigotry.

“The current climate is tough on our creative teams,” he admitted. “They face lies, partial truths and personal attacks online. When the painting they pour their hearts into becomes a symbol of section, it’s not just discouraging, it can be horrendous. What keeps me going is resilience Born from the conviction I see in our groups every time, I’m particularly pleased with the Shadows group for staying true to their clever eye and the core tenets of Murderer’s Creed.

“Our creative teams face lies, half-truths and personal attacks online.”

“By casting Naoe and Yasuke as protagonists, we are expanding the narrative landscape, offering new points of view that challenge the established norms found in many works of fiction, while staying true to the story that shaped them. At the end of the day , Assassin’s Creed is not just a franchise, it is a platform for entertainment, dialogue, discovery and understanding Our commitment is not just about reflecting on the past, but ensuring that the stories we tell continue to unite, inspire and inspire. challenging the players, regardless of what their background, and we will continue to uphold these values ​​because they are fundamental to the heart of the franchise and, I think, to the future of storytelling itself. Ultimately, we believe that diversity and. “The richness of the human experience is what matters. It helps Assassin’s Creed resonate with gamers around the world, and we are committed to standing on that foundation.”

Coté noted that Murderer’s Creed has presented common themes “such as resistance to tyranny and the preservation of knowledge and identity” since its inception, and that it has always presented an empty message that recognizes the game as a piece of fantasy created by a diverse group both in its origins and in its ideology. “From the beginning, Ubisoft has embraced this diversity,” said Coté. “Assassin’s Creed is more than just a game. It can be a platform for meaningful exploration and reflection wrapped in the excitement of unforgettable gameplay, and it is that fusion of creativity, diversity, immersion and fun that continues to define the franchise and connect it” . with players from all over the world.

Coté closed with a broader reflection of the repression of creative freedoms with increasing frequency, as cultural differences become increasingly divisive.

“There is a lot at stake today,” Coté said. “The stories we tell, the characters we build and the sporting worlds we develop are instrumentalized by those who seek to silence creativity, stoke fear and incite hatred. I believe we are faced with what Tom Phillips Fareed Zakaria calls for a “Month of Revolution,” an era in which the real struggle is not between left and right, but between societies that agree and those that see themselves in the world. Throughout history, the perceptible societies that experienced all along ultimately prevailed. Although there are also setbacks over years and even many years, it is openness that has regularly moved humanity forward.

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

“This reflects the selfless bravery of our Assassin’s Creed protagonists,” he said. “They fought for self-governance, wisdom, and the right to chart their own paths, just as we, as creators, fight to tell fearsome stories in an increasingly divided world. As the authors of ‘How Democracies Die’ say Put so powerfully, democracies collapse when a large crowd decides to remain peaceful, I believe the same goes for our ingenious self-government when we allow fear to hinder our voices when we self-censor in the face of blackmail, we surrender our energy, piece by piece. piece, until self-governance and creativity wither. We cannot allow that to happen. It is time for us, as creators, to stand firm in our values ​​through telling stories that encourage, that challenge, and that support. to the crowd, our silence cannot become an accomplice.

“To our players, those who have supported us, supported us, and celebrated our work over the years with enthusiasm and constructive feedback, this stance is for you,” Coté 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, to tell stories that matter. This journey is as much yours as it is ours, and I thank you for being here. with us every step of the way. I am an optimist and a dreamer. I believe that the answer to hate is to continue creating experiences that celebrate the richness of our world and capture the magic of our collective imagination, because in the end, creativity is more. stronger than fear and together we are creating the future of entertainment.

Eurogamer previously sat down unwell with Murderer’s Creed Shadows art director Thierry Dansereau to talk about the game’s adaptation of Japanese culture, the pressures of social media, and Ubisoft’s questionable apology. “Of course we’re making creative decisions,” Dansereau told me. “It’s a video game.”