Summary
Ubisoftneeds to getAssassin’s Creed Shadowsright. That’s one of the main reasons behindthe game’s recent delay to next February, as the publisher announced that it was the reception toStar Wars Outlaws(andmost likely the lackluster sales) that convinced it to give Assassin’s Creed Shadows a couple more months to cook.
That’s the official reason for the delay anyway, but it was fairly clear from the outset that Ubisoft wasn’t painting the whole picture with that statement. We don’t know exactly what goes on behind the closed doors at Ubisoft, buta new report from Insider Gaming’s Tom Hendersonsuggests that the team developing Assassin’s Creed Shadows have been dealing with a number of problems for a while.
According to Henderson, the reason for Assassin’s Creed Shadows' delay isn’t down to just one factor. Strict development timelines, polishing up bugs, and concerns about the game’s historical and cultural accuracy from its Japanese audience all played a part in the delay.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Delay Was To Address Historical Accuracy, It’s Claimed
A lot of the fury around Assassin’s Creed Shadows and its historical accuracyhas been due to Yasuke, the game’s black samurai protagonist. Being a historical figure with fairly little info out there about him (he was a samurai by the way), it’s been easy for wild claims to make the rounds across social media. Unfortunately for those that don’t like him, Ubisoft reportedly doesn’t plan on removing him.
However, Henderson does claim that his sources have told him that “some of Yasuke’s story and how he’s portrayed in the game” is being altered, as well as other aspects of the game’s historical setting. According to these sources, Ubisoft had been working on concerns of this nature before the game’s announcement, and its reveal “accelerated” that work.
Of course, there are also legitimate concerns to be had about the game’s historical accuracy. Ubisoft has got into hot water on a number of occasions for not paying proper attention to history, havingaccidentally stolen a re-enactment group’s flagandZoro from One Piece’s swordto use in official artwork and events respectively.
You could call these simple mistakes and move on, but Henderson also notes that Ubisoft reportedly cut a lot of corners when it came to asset approval, and that historical experts were brought on board much later than usual, despite the size of the project. Whether Ubisoft can address these issues thoroughly enough to satisfy fans before its new February release date, we’ll have to wait and see.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
