Breaking Down Barriers: Assassin’s Creed Producer Reveals the Heart Behind Shadowbringers’ Diverse Storyline

“Assassin’s Creed Shadows” has been criticized by the outside world, from the choice of the protagonist to the lack of respect for Japanese culture and history, to the delay and cancellation of the season pass. Amid controversy, Ubisoft senior management has a vague position Marc, vice president of series and executive producer, -Alexis Côté denies personal attacks on developers, rumors of delays and says that the company is “busy with modern problems”.

At the recent British Academy of Film and Arts (BAFTA) Master Lecture, Côté spoke about the 17-year history of the “Assassin’s Creed” series and the importance of “Assassin’s Creed: Shadowbringers” in discussing the changing cultural landscape, Côté It comes pointed out that current social media profoundly influences people’s opinions on how games work, which presents an unpredictable challenge for developers.

credit: BAFTA

“We shouldn’t shy away from these conversations, but we should see them as an opportunity.” Kurt said “Assassin’s Creed” has continued to explore the details of human history since his previous works. The direction of the story is inherently different for the story means embracing humanity. The richness of perspective.

For example, “Assassin’s Creed: Shadowbringers” focuses on fictional characters such as the Japanese assassin Nao, as well as historical figures such as the African-American samurai Yasuke “Although the appearance of a black samurai in feudal Japan has caused doubts and even controversy , as the fictional character’s Nao is also amplified due to her gender.

“But just as it is a fact that Yasuke existed in Japanese history, it is also a fact that women took up arms to resist social expectations during war. Although the stories of Nao and Yasuke are fictional stories, they reflect the collision of different worlds, cultures and characters.” Cotter said this is the kind of storytelling “Assassin’s Creed” wants to tell, “a story that reflects the complexity and interconnectedness of our world’s history.”

🎟️ Masterclass: 17 years of Assassin’s Creed

Delve into the history of games through a keynote covering the practical aspects of game development at international studios and a panel featuring voice actors past and present.

Tickets and more information 👉 pic.twitter.com/s0Buln8Thq

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During the discussion, Kurt repeatedly emphasized that “Assassin’s Creed” is not a new attempt to use historical themes to develop content, “From Altaïr (the first Assassin’s Creed) to Aveline (Assassin’s Creed 3: Freedom Mission) to Ratonhaké:ton ( Assassin’s Creed) Creed 3), the team introduced protagonists of different races, ethnicities and gender identities.”

“History is inherently diverse, as are the Assassin’s Creed franchise and the stories we tell. So, to be clear, our commitment to inclusivity is based on respecting historical facts and respecting diverse perspectives, rather than to be influenced by modern question driven.”

The executive producer looked beyond the specific controversies of Assassin’s Creed: Shadowbringers and across the entire artistic spectrum, stating that “legitimate criticism” still has value but must be distinguished from “bias-motivated attacks.”

“In addition to these values rooted in the series, we are also committed to treating legitimate criticism as an integral part of the creative process. The community pushes us to grow, improve and deliver better games. However, the challenge today is to distinguish giving real feedback and attacks partial.

“The current climate is very difficult for our creative team,” Cote said. The team encountered lies, conflicting opinions and personal attacks online. “When the work they’ve poured their heart and soul into is transformed into a symbol of division, not only is it frustrating, it can be devastating.

“What keeps me going is the resilience born of faith that I see every day on our team, and I am so proud of the Shadowbringers team for staying true to their creative vision and core values of Assassin’s Creed.”

We work in the dark to serve the light… ✨

We loved celebrating Assassin’s Creed on Friday with our masterclass which featured a keynote from Ubisoft’s Marc-Alexis Côté and a panel with artists Abubakar Salim, Alix Wilton Regan, Melissanthi Mahut, and Victoria Atkin. pic.twitter.com/WzvjmA7LaZ

— BAFTA Games (@BAFTAGames) November 4, 2024

At the end of the conference, Kurt’s conclusion was even more firm: “When fear suppresses the team’s voice and self-censorship in the face of threats, we contribute little by little until freedom and creativity wither,” he said this situation comes true and invites everyone to stay true to their values for the creators. “Our silence cannot be complicit in (abusive attacks).”

Cotter pointed out that “Assassin’s Creed” has continued to include universal themes such as “fighting tyranny, protecting knowledge and identity” since its release. At the beginning, he emphasized that this work is a work of fiction created by a team with different background beliefs.

“From the beginning, Ubisoft has embraced this diversity, making Assassin’s Creed more than just a game, but a meaningful, thought-exploring platform, wrapped in an unforgettable gaming experience. This blend of creativity, variety, immersion and fun continues to define the series’ connection with players around the world.”

Cotter concluded with a reflection on the limits of creative freedom. He emphasized that as societies with cultural differences become increasingly divided, this kind of freedom becomes increasingly valuable. “The stories we tell, the characters we create, and the game worlds we build are often undermined by those who seek to use them, by those who suppress creativity, fuel fear, and incite hatred.”

I think we are facing what Fareed Zakaria (editor in chief of Time Magazine) calls the age of revolution. The real conflict in this era is not between the left and the right, but between a compliant society and an open society.

Throughout history, open societies have always won in the end.

While civilization may have years of setbacks and even decades of decline, it is “openness” that continues to push humanity forward…

The answer to fighting hate is to continue creating experiences that celebrate the diversity of our world and capture the magic of our collective imagination. After all, creativity is more powerful than fear.

Question and answer session,Foreign media Eurogamer When asked about the postponement of “Assassin’s Creed: Shadowbringers,” Kurt responded by mentioning the “variable quality” of the “Assassin’s Creed” series over the years and saying he would “change that perception,” not just for this series, but for for the future. This critical moment saves the entire Ubisoft company.

“Players have the right to pick and choose only the best (games). Naturally they want to pursue excellence,” Kurt admitted. Ubisoft’s games have been criticized for unstable quality in recent years, and the voices of the gaming community are really helping them. “become better”.

Cote used “Assassin’s Creed: Unity” as an example. As the first “Assassin’s Creed” for PS4 and Xbox One, “Union” was promoted as “the beginning of the next generation” before its release developed graphical problems and complex lines, destroying players’ first impression and trust in Ubisoft .

“This low point affected everyone on the team, but it also served as a wake-up call and reminded the team how important it is to solidify the quality and integrity of the player experience from day one. This lesson still stands with us today.” After much thought and analysis, Kurt recommended to top management to postpone the release of “Assassin’s Creed: Shadowbringers”.

Kurt is optimistic that “Shadowmaker” will become one of the best works in the glorious history of the “Assassin’s Creed” series. Game tests and feedback from the team clearly show that the work has great potential, “But I feel that the team needs more time to ensure that it (the experience) fully meets the high expectations of the players, we only have one chance to (successfully) release this game and it must exceed the expectations of the players.

With the delay, Assassin’s Creed: Shadowbringers can “refine every detail and set a new standard for the series.” Kurt hopes that this standard will lead Ubisoft to continue making progress for many years, so he is committed to providing a game worthy of this.” players’ time on the first day of release and focused gaming experience.

“Assassin’s Creed: Shadowbringers” will be available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on February 14, 2025.