During a recent interview, Ubisoft producer Marc-Alexis Côté addressed the controversy surrounding the inclusion of Yasuke, the Black samurai co-lead and historical figure, in the upcoming game Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The game encountered criticism from some who cited historical inaccuracies and opposed the inclusion of a Black protagonist in a feudal Japan setting. The debate intensified after Twitter owner Elon Musk criticized the game’s diversity elements, calling it a “woke mind virus diversity product” and claiming “DEI kills art.”
Côté responded to Musk’s tweet, stating that it provoked a strong emotional reaction. Despite his initial impulse to respond on Twitter, he opted for a mindful approach, using a mindfulness app to process his emotions. Côté expressed disappointment with Musk’s remarks, stating, “It’s sad, he’s just feeding hatred.”
Highlighting that engaging with such criticism, especially from high-profile figures like Musk, would not effectively communicate Ubisoft’s perspective, Côté reiterated that Yasuke’s inclusion aligns with the franchise’s tradition of blending historical figures into its fictional retelling of significant historical events. He explained that Yasuke’s “super-mysterious” history provided a rich narrative opportunity consistent with the series’ approach to storytelling.
Côté urged players to experience the game firsthand before forming opinions, asserting that what Elon Musk says is not representative of the game being developed. He noted that the game’s opening sequence robustly justifies Yasuke’s presence. He expressed confidence in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, describing it as potentially the best installment in the series, and encouraged players to approach the game with an open mind and appreciate it for its artistic and narrative merits.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on November 15.