Insider report adds context to ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ long delay

Last week, fans were surprised when Assassin’s Creed Shadows was abruptly delayed from November to February. Ubisoft cited lessons learned from Star Wars: Outlaws as a big part of the reason. But internally, developers knew it was coming and they needed it. According to a new report, there are some other interesting reasons for the schedule change, including not wanting to release a new blockbuster game in a premature state.

Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson spoke to a source familiar with the matter and cited a “rigorous development schedule, polishing, and addressing the Japanese community’s cultural and historical accuracy concerns” as factors. I did. Despite persistent rumors among those ignorant of game development that one of the game’s two main characters, the African samurai Yasuke, would be removed, Henderson shot down the idea. I did.

That said, the developers have reportedly been actively addressing concerns regarding historicity and Japanese culture since the game’s reveal and external playtesting. Inexplicably, the bringing in of historical experts was brought in much later than usual for AC titles, leading to a miscommunication between the teams, which is said to have led to corners being cut to meet asset deadlines.

Some aspects of Yasuke’s story and depiction are changed, and some architectural details are changed. This likely means removing or changing the image of Nagasaki’s Sanno Shrine’s signature one-legged torii gate, one of the few structures still standing after the 1945 atomic bombing. This was another true rookie move, and Ubisoft decided this was the image. We wanted to use it as a backdrop for some merchandise, but we’re scratching our heads as to how this and the flag thing came to fruition.