Ubisoft, the developer of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, recently acknowledged and apologized for featuring the logo of a historical re-enactment group without permission in its promotional artwork for the game set in feudal Japan.
Fans noticed the inclusion of the Sekigahara Teppo-tai infantryman reenactment group’s flag in concept art on Ubisoft’s website and brought it to the group’s attention. The cannon chief of the re-enactment group expressed surprise and uncertainty on social media after contacting Ubisoft about the issue last month. Ubisoft responded by removing the offending artwork from its online platforms.
In a statement, Ubisoft Japan confirmed that the Sekigahara Teppo-tai logo appeared in two instances of concept art, with one of them being included in the game’s artbook for its Collector’s Edition.
Ubisoft assured that the artwork in question would not be further distributed beyond the Collector’s Edition artbook and expressed deep apologies for the oversight. There is no indication that the logo will feature in the actual game upon its release in November.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows, revealed recently to enthusiastic anticipation, marks Ubisoft’s long-awaited foray into a Japan-themed installment of the popular franchise. Despite positive reactions and strong pre-order numbers, the game’s developers have faced criticism and online harassment, fueled in part by controversy surrounding the depiction of its Black samurai character, Yasuke, based on a historical figure from the era.
Ubisoft’s apology and corrective action regarding the unauthorized use of the Sekigahara Teppo-tai logo underscore its commitment to rectifying mistakes and maintaining respectful relationships with historical groups and communities impacted by its creative endeavors.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in balancing historical representation in gaming with sensitivity and accuracy, particularly in culturally significant contexts like feudal Japan.