5 ways Assassin’s Creed Shadows can make a major comeback

The hype for Assassin’s Creed Shadows has fallen a lot thanks to recent events. Ever since the announcement, the game has been under a lot of scrutiny, especially by historians and Japanese cultural experts. Some Japanese players were so angered by “misrepresentations” of their culture in the game that they tried to cancel the game.

Due to so many complaints, actions, and other problems, Ubisoft was forced to pull back the release date of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, delaying it until February 2025. Meanwhile, Ubisoft has a lot to do if they want to make a comeback for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. In this article, we have shared a few ways how Ubisoft can salvage their new Assassin’s Creed game.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.

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5 ways Ubisoft can save Assassin’s Creed Shadows

1) Consult with Japanese cultural experts consistently for Assassin’s Creed Shadows

The devs need experts who know Japanese history and culture (Image via Ubisoft)

With Assassin’s Creed Shadow, a Japanese historical reenactment group was inclined to take legal action against Ubisoft. According to the reports, Ubisoft used a flag that closely resembled the Sekigahara Teppo-tai reenactment group's banner without any permission in their promotional materials. This issue showed that the development of the game needed actual Japanese historians and cultural experts.

To avoid further cultural missteps, Ubisoft should ensure that Japanese historians, cultural consultants, and experts in traditional arts and customs are brought on board to make valuable changes to the game that could help them quell the fire that they have set ablaze. This collaboration should not just be a one-time consultation, but a lesson that Ubisoft should take for their future projects.

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2) Add higher standards of historical accuracy and a historical notes feature

More historical accuracy is a must! (Image via Ubisoft)

Assassin's Creed games have always aimed to balance historical accuracy with creative storytelling, but Shadows has faced backlash for taking too many liberties. Fans are particularly concerned with the portrayal of Yasuke, the Black samurai, and other historical elements that don’t align with known history.

Ubisoft should double down on the accuracy of its historical research by bringing in reputable historians and scholars who specialize in the Sengoku Jidai period to review all assets. To satisfy history enthusiasts, Ubisoft could also include a "historical notes" feature within the game, where players can access verified information about real events, figures, and locations.

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3) Develop Yasuke's character with authenticity and nuance in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Yasuke may need more time in the writer's room (Image via Ubisoft)

The controversy around Yasuke as the protagonist has initiated a lot of historical scrutiny, but Ubisoft has an opportunity to handle this situation in a way that enriches the game's narrative. Yasuke is an intriguing figure in history, but since little is known about his personal life, Ubisoft can fill those gaps with careful storytelling, rooted in the realities of his time.

Instead of making Yasuke an all-powerful Mary Sue, Ubisoft can take inspiration from James Clavell's Shogun and mold Yasuke’s character based on the character from the book, John Blackthorne. They are a foreigner who is in a constant struggle to adapt themselves to Japanese society and earn respect. By using Yasuke's journey to explore themes like identity, belonging, and loyalty in a divided Japan, Ubisoft can create a deeply compelling narrative arc that resonates with both Japanese and international audiences.

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4) Cooperative mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows can be a game changer

The co-op can be very effective (Image via Ubisoft)

After the delay, Ubisoft has decided to introduce a cooperative mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Using this mode, players should be able to take on the roles of Yasuke and Naoe, two distinct characters who can complement each other in terms of abilities, tactics, and personalities. For example, Yasuke, as an outsider-turned-samurai, could excel in raw combat and unconventional tactics, while Naoe, who might be more embedded in the feudal system, could have stealth and diplomacy skills.

The design of co-op missions should reflect their unique strengths, requiring players to collaborate in ways that highlight their differences and mutual respect. Additionally, cooperative modes could explore different parts of Japanese history and folklore that are separate from the main game’s story.

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5) Launch a transparent and positive campaign for Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Ubisoft needs to save itself (Image via Ubisoft)

Currently, where Ubisoft is standing, they don’t have the luxury of compromising with any possibility of good publicity. If no one else does, then they have to come forward on their own to share with their audience that they are actually trying to fix things. The studio should release a series of developer diaries, blog posts, and video updates that clearly explain the changes being made to address historical accuracy concerns, cultural sensitivity, and cooperative gameplay features.

In these updates, Ubisoft should feature the historians and cultural consultants they've worked with, explaining their involvement in shaping the game’s world and narrative. This behind-the-scenes content will demonstrate that Ubisoft has taken feedback seriously and that they are working hard to ensure the game respects Japanese history and culture.