Rewrite this title for a blog post. Remove any site names from it The title is: After the controversy, a Japanese dev defends him

After the controversy, a Japanese developer defends Assassin's Creed Shadows and its narrative choices. Here's what we can learn on the subject.

Veteran Japanese developer Yoshiki Okamoto (Devil May Cry 2) has spoken out to defend Assassin's Creed Shadows amidst the controversy surrounding its protagonists. Okamoto, who spent over a decade at Capcom, stressed that AC Shadows is a work of fiction. What can we learn from the controversy?

Assassin's Creed Shadows controversy unjustified, says Okamoto

In a video posted on his personal channel and translated by Automaton, Okamoto expressed his support for the game's dual protagonist system. He mentioned that he wanted to create a similar game with his Genji team at the time. Regarding criticisms surrounding the depiction of Yasuke, a historical figure, Okamoto stated that while divergences from actual history exist, they are irrelevant as the game is primarily fantasy/fiction.

Okamoto said: “ It's a game, it's a fantasy, not reality. ” He added that details such as the inversion of Oda Nobunaga's family crest in the game do not affect the enjoyment of the game. In his opinion, the priority is the gaming experience offered by the game, rather than strict historical fidelity.

Recently, a petition calling for the cancellation of Assassin's Creed Shadows appeared online, allegedly initiated by Japanese people. However, investigations revealed that it was created by someone in Germany and largely signed by Western players.

As a reminder, the controversy began after the game's trailer was released in May 2024. Some fans criticized Ubisoft's choice to feature Yasuke instead of a Japanese protagonist. These critics point out that Ubisoft never offered an East Asian male hero and consider that the depiction of Yasuke as a samurai is historically inaccurate. Since he would have been nothing more than a servant of Nobunaga Oda. The debate took a political turn. Some accuse the game of “woke” or “pandering” by including a black character in feudal Japan. Others defend this choice. Believing that the presence of Yasuke offers a unique perspective and highlights a lesser-known story.