As anticipation builds for the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, troubling reports have emerged suggesting that Ubisoft has advised developers to avoid posting about the game on social media, following a surge of online harassment targeting the team.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Ubisoft implemented these precautions after a wave of backlash erupted online—largely centered on the game’s inclusion of Yasuke, a real-life African samurai, as one of the game’s main playable characters.
🧨 Backlash Sparks Harassment Campaign
The controversy surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows stems from its historical setting: Feudal Japan, and the decision to feature two protagonists—Yasuke, a samurai of African origin, and Naoe, a female shinobi. While many fans have celebrated the fresh representation and historical exploration, some corners of the internet have pushed back with claims that the game is being “woke” or historically inaccurate.
Unfortunately, this discourse has escalated beyond criticism, with targeted online harassment campaigns reportedly being aimed at Ubisoft developers and community managers.
🛑 Ubisoft Responds with Internal Safety Measures
In response to the rising tension, Ubisoft has reportedly:
- Advised devs to avoid posting about the game on personal or public channels
- Implemented an internal anti-harassment plan to monitor and respond to threats
- Designated teams to support affected employees, particularly those being targeted in harassment campaigns
An anonymous employee told Kotaku that these steps are part of an effort to protect the wellbeing of team members and reduce exposure to coordinated online attacks.
🗣️ The Larger Industry Problem
This isn’t the first time a high-profile game has sparked toxic discourse. The gaming industry has repeatedly dealt with harassment campaigns, particularly around issues of diversity, representation, and historical authenticity.
Critics have compared the current backlash to the GamerGate movement, where online mobs targeted developers and critics under the guise of “ethics in gaming.” The situation around Assassin’s Creed Shadows echoes many of those same patterns.
🧭 About Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Set in 16th-century Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces players to a dual-protagonist system, where they can switch between the stealth-focused Naoe and the combat-oriented Yasuke. The game is expected to release on March 20, 2025, and will blend Ubisoft’s signature open-world style with feudal-era Japanese architecture, combat, and narrative depth.
