Assassin’s Creed Shadows has encountered a range of criticisms during its development phase, with reactions varying widely across the gaming community.
Some critiques have stemmed from legitimate concerns, such as Japanese players questioning potential historical inaccuracies. In contrast, other criticisms have appeared reactionary—such as labeling the game as “woke” simply due to the inclusion of two non-white protagonists: Yasuke, a Black man, and Naoe, a Japanese woman.
As the game is launched and streamers begin to create content, negative voices are also emerging, targeting both the title and the creators discussing it. A notable incident occurred during FightinCowboy’s livestream, where he played the introductory segments of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on YouTube.
FightinCowboy Addresses Trolls Criticizing Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Within just 13 minutes of his AC Shadows stream, FightinCowboy paused gameplay to respond to disparaging comments regarding Yasuke’s representation as a Black character in a game set in Japan.
“If you’ve come here to engage in bizarre racial conversations about a historical figure who genuinely existed in Japan, I’m just going to block you,” FightinCowboy stated. “Your opinion holds no value to me. When I was younger, if there was a game I wasn’t interested in, I simply didn’t play it; I didn’t resort to whining on the internet like a spoiled child.”
He emphasized that he would ban or time-out viewers flooding the chat with these remarks to refocus on the gameplay.
“I’m here to enjoy a game, not to entertain your complaints about a Black man who was part of history. If this disturbs you, that’s not my concern; perhaps you should consult a therapist about it.”
Indeed, Yasuke was a historical figure—a Black man brought to feudal Japan in the late 1500s. Although Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes some artistic liberties, like depicting him as a fully-fledged samurai, his actual presence in Japan is well-documented.
Aside from the debate surrounding his role as a samurai, there has been little backlash from long-standing fans regarding Yasuke’s inclusion in the game.
Backlash Continues, Yet Assassin’s Creed Shadows Performs Exceptionally Well
Unfortunately, FightinCowboy’s experience is unlikely to be isolated. Critics frequently target games and content creators, with race-based hostility being a trend many toxic gaming communities either support or implicitly encourage.
It will be interesting to see how other streamers cope with the same negative behavior while continuing to create content around the game. Nevertheless, in spite of the adversity, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is achieving remarkable sales, even in Japan, where initial skepticism about its performance was prevalent.
The game has quickly risen to become a best-seller on Steam and has garnered positive reviews, revealing that this vocal minority attempting to malign it over its protagonists and setting has little sway over the broader gaming audience—most of whom, as FightinCowboy highlighted, are simply looking to play games and have fun.
FAQ
What is the historical significance of Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Yasuke is a notable historical figure, a Black man who served as a samurai in feudal Japan during the late 1500s, lending historical depth to the game’s narrative.
Are players concerned about historical inaccuracies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Yes, some players, particularly from Japan, have expressed concerns over potential historical inaccuracies, raising questions about the portrayal of historical figures within the game.
Why do some players label Assassin’s Creed Shadows as ‘woke’?
Some players have labeled the game as ‘woke’ due to the inclusion of diverse protagonists who are not white males, which has sparked debates in certain segments of the gaming community.
How has the reception of Assassin’s Creed Shadows been among players?
The game has received a generally positive reception, achieving high sales across platforms while managing to attract criticism mainly from a minority of vocal players.