I Talked with an Ubisoft Insider About the AC Shadows Backlash!

Summary

The video highlights a deep interview about the controversy surrounding the game *Assassin's Creed Shadows*, focusing on cultural inaccuracies and Ubisoft's handling of the situation. The developer shares personal insights, explaining how cultural oversights, such as the destructible shrine mirror and the portrayal of Japanese culture, led to backlash. Internal responses to the criticism reveal discomfort within the Ubisoft team, with a broader discussion about the company's declining quality, political messaging, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) strategies. The speaker expresses concerns over Ubisoft's direction and hopes for change to prevent similar issues in the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ubisoft's handling of cultural accuracy in *Assassin's Creed Shadows* has been widely criticized, particularly for insensitivity towards Japanese culture.
• 😀 Destructive props, like the sacred mirror in Japanese shrines, were included in the game without considering their cultural significance, leading to backlash.
• 😀 The developer interviewed believes Ubisoft ignored the importance of certain Japanese cultural elements, like the Sakura trees and the portrayal of sacred objects.
• 😀 Ubisoft internally communicated a vague reassurance after the backlash, claiming the issues represented a small minority of voices, but no concrete changes were acknowledged.
• 😀 The failure to address cultural issues thoroughly before the release of *Assassin's Creed Shadows* led to feelings of regret and discomfort among some Ubisoft employees.
• 😀 Ubisoft's handling of violence in the game for different regions, including the censorship of beheadings and dismemberment in Japan, was seen as a last-minute decision that reflected poor planning.
• 😀 The game’s depiction of historical accuracy, especially regarding Yuk's storyline, was seen as problematic, with re-recorded lines and altered cinematics to address backlash.
• 😀 The developer feels Ubisoft's response to the cultural criticism was inadequate, with changes made secretly without admitting the errors or taking full responsibility.
• 😀 Internal conversations at Ubisoft around the game's controversy reveal discomfort among employees who are afraid of being accused of racism or misinterpreting cultural issues.
• 😀 A significant reason for public distrust in Ubisoft is a decline in game quality and motivation among employees, resulting in less experienced developers taking over key roles.
• 😀 The interview suggests that Ubisoft’s focus on profitability and repetition of game formulas has led to burnout and a lack of creative freedom among its staff.

Q & A

What was the core issue with the destructible shrine in the game?

The main issue with the destructible shrine was that the mirror, a key religious object in the shrine, was made breakable. This was a mistake because it required extra work to make it destructible, and religiously significant objects like this should not be treated lightly. Additionally, there was a failure to address this mistake after the backlash.

Why did the developers make the shrine destructible in the first place?

The developers considered destructible objects to be cool and an interesting feature, but they failed to consider the cultural and religious significance of the shrine's mirror. Destructible objects are typically reserved for items in the player's path, but this was an inappropriate decision due to the shrine's cultural context.

How did Ubisoft handle the backlash surrounding the game's depiction of Japanese culture?

Ubisoft's internal communication attempted to downplay the backlash, stating that the complaints were from a small vocal minority. They advised employees not to comment on the issue, and while they acknowledged some inaccuracies, they were vague about the specific mistakes made.

What specific cultural issues did Ubisoft fail to address in the game?

Some key issues included the unrealistic size of Sakura trees, the inaccuracy of the depiction of tatami mats, and the portrayal of the main character Yuk's background. These elements were seen as disrespectful by some members of the Japanese community, who felt the game showed a lack of research and consideration.

What was the internal attitude towards the controversy among Ubisoft employees?

Many Ubisoft employees felt uncomfortable discussing the controversy, fearing accusations of racism or being criticized in an increasingly politically charged environment. There was a general reluctance to openly express personal opinions about the game’s portrayal of Japanese culture.

What is the significance of the character Yuk's portrayal as a samurai in the game?

The controversy around Yuk's portrayal stemmed from historical inaccuracies regarding his status as a samurai. Some Japanese historians argued that it was impossible for Yuk to be considered a samurai at that time, which led to confusion and dissatisfaction among players familiar with Japanese history.

How did Ubisoft respond to the criticism about historical accuracy in the game?

Ubisoft responded by claiming that they had received feedback about the inaccuracies and were working to improve them. However, they were criticized for not taking responsibility for the errors or providing clear explanations about the changes made, such as altering Yuk’s storyline and re-recording some audio lines.

What was Ubisoft's response to the issue of violence in the game, especially in the Japanese version?

Ubisoft censored aspects of the game in Japan, specifically removing beheadings and limb amputation. This late-stage censorship highlighted the company's failure to anticipate cultural sensitivities and follow proper game rating processes, which led to further criticism.

Why does the narrator believe the game should fail?

The narrator feels that for Ubisoft to recognize the severity of the mistakes, the game needs to fail commercially. This would force the company's leadership to acknowledge the errors and make necessary changes in the way they handle cultural depictions and historical accuracy in future games.

What are the reasons behind Ubisoft's perceived decline in quality and employee motivation?

Ubisoft is experiencing a decline in quality due to a high turnover rate, with senior developers leaving and being replaced by less experienced staff. The company's focus on profitability and repetitive projects has caused many developers to lose motivation, leading to burnout and a decrease in creativity.