- Ubisoft states that Yasuke and Naoe can romantically attract different types of people.
- A similar option was present in the last two Assassin’s Creed RPGs.
- The team is also consulting with an LGBTQ+ activist for the project, so it seems both the protagonists will be part of the group.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been called out for being woke and a misrepresentation of Japanese culture. It seems Ubisoft’s first venture into Japan is off to a rocky start, and another interesting detail could add further tension to the situation.
Ubisoft’s official description for Assassin’s Creed Shadows hints at LGBTQ+ elements for the main characters.
Why it matters: This inclusion could further upset Japanese audiences who were hoping to play Ubisoft’s latest Assassin’s Creed entry.
On the official website, Ubisoft says Naoe and Yasuke will engage in different relationships throughout the game. It points out specifically that they will romantically attract different types of people, hinting that both protagonists are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
As further proof of this, the publisher is consulting with Dartmouth Associate Professor Sachi Schmidt-Hori, who is an LGBTQ+ activist. According to her biography, the professor is interested in studying the representation of gender, sexuality, and more in pre-seventeenth-century Japanese narratives.
While neither of these facts confirm that Yasuke and Naoe belong to the LGBTQ+, it seems the likelihood of Ubisoft going in this direction is quite high. It is also important to note that this would not be a first for the publisher.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Odyssey both allowed same-gender relationships, so the publisher appears to be continuing the trend this year.
Considering the controversy surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows, such inclusions might work against Ubisoft’s ambitions. However, reports claim initial pre-orders are currently quite strong.
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is mostly a mystery for now, it seems apparent that Ubisoft’s take on the Japanese era might not be for everyone. The publisher has always taken more than a few liberties for each time period, and it seems this year’s releases will be no different.
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[News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
