Marc-Alexis Côté, executive producer of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, firmly addresses ongoing controversies regarding the game’s characters, rejecting claims of intolerance and modern agendas. During a BAFTA presentation, he emphasized the historical authenticity of diverse characters like Yasuke, a Black samurai, and Naoe, a fictional warrior. Côté advocates for inclusivity rooted in history while condemning personal attacks against creative teams, asserting that creativity should thrive despite fear and negativity.
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Marc-Alexis Côté, producteur exécutif d’Assassin’s Creed Shadows, aborde fermement les controverses autour des personnages du jeu, rejetant les accusations d’intolérance et d’agendas modernes. Lors d’une présentation BAFTA, il souligne l’authenticité historique de personnages divers comme Yasuke, un samouraï noir, et Naoe, une guerrière fictive. Côté défend une inclusivité ancrée dans l’histoire tout en condamnant les attaques personnelles contre les équipes créatives, affirmant que la créativité doit prospérer malgré la peur et la négativité.
While Ubisoft executives have typically maintained a cautious stance amidst ongoing debates surrounding the characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, series executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté has clearly articulated his stance, rejecting ‘attacks fueled by intolerance’ and the notion that the studio or the game is influenced by ‘modern agendas.’
Côté shared insights about the Assassin’s Creed franchise and the significance of Assassin’s Creed Shadows during a BAFTA discussion available to watch online on November 1, with plans to release it on YouTube soon. Addressing the ongoing controversy surrounding Shadows, Côté made it clear he was dismissive of the criticisms.
‘Being true to history involves embracing the diverse tapestry of human experiences without reservations,’ he stated towards the end of his presentation. ‘For instance, in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, we spotlight both fictional characters like Naoe, a Japanese warrior woman, and historical figures such as Yasuke, an African-born samurai. The inclusion of a Black samurai in Japan’s feudal era has raised queries and even controversy, while Naoe, as a fictional persona, has also attracted criticism pertaining to her gender.’
‘However, just as Yasuke’s existence in Japanese history is real, so are the narratives of women who challenged societal norms and fought during conflicts. Although Naoe and Yasuke’s tales are rooted in historical fiction, they showcase a meeting of varied worlds, cultures, and roles. Their inclusion perfectly embodies the stories that Assassin’s Creed aims to tell, reflecting the intricate and interconnected nature of our shared past.’
Côté emphasized that the Assassin’s Creed series draws heavily from history, which is inherently varied. ‘To clarify, our dedication to inclusivity is based on historical accuracy and respect for diverse viewpoints, not motivated by contemporary agendas,’ he pointed out.
The executive producer expanded the discussion beyond the Assassin’s Creed Shadows dialogue, underscoring that while ‘constructive criticism’ is important, it needs to be differentiated from ‘attacks motivated by intolerance.’
‘The current environment is challenging for our creative teams,’ he remarked. ‘They encounter falsehoods, half-truths, and personal assaults online. When their heartfelt work is misrepresented as a divisive symbol, it’s not just discouraging; it can be quite damaging. What drives me is the resilience born from conviction that I witness in our teams daily. I take particular pride in the Shadows team for their unwavering commitment to their creative vision and the foundational values of Assassin’s Creed.
Côté’s concluding remarks reinforced his message. ‘When we allow fear to silence us, when we refrain from expressing ourselves due to threats, we surrender our power incrementally until freedom and creativity diminish,’ he stated. ‘We must not let that occur. It is imperative that we, as creators, uphold our commitment to our principles by sharing stories that inspire, challenge, and foster connection. Our silence cannot equate to complicity.’
In closing, Côté asserted, ‘The antidote to hatred lies in perpetuating experiences that honor the richness of our world and encapsulate the magic of our collective imagination,’ because ‘ultimately, creativity triumphs over fear.’
Ubisoft recently released nine seconds of new gameplay from Assassin’s Creed Shadows during Apple’s most recent Mac presentation.
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Alors qu’Ubisoft a généralement maintenu une position prudente face aux débats en cours concernant les personnages d’Assassin’s Creed Shadows, le producteur exécutif de la série, Marc-Alexis Côté, a clairement exprimé son point de vue, rejetant les ‘attaques alimentées par l’intolérance’ et l’idée que le studio ou le jeu sont influencés par des ‘agendas modernes.’
Côté a partagé des perspectives sur la franchise Assassin’s Creed et l’importance d’Assassin’s Creed Shadows lors d’une discussion BAFTA disponible en ligne le 1er novembre, avec des projets de le publier sur YouTube prochainement. Abordant la controverse en cours entourant Shadows, Côté a clairement signifié qu’il était indifférent aux critiques.
‘Être fidèle à l’histoire implique d’embrasser la diversité des expériences humaines sans réserves,’ a-t-il déclaré vers la fin de sa présentation. ‘Par exemple, dans Assassin’s Creed Shadows, nous mettons en lumière des personnages fictifs comme Naoe, une femme guerrière japonaise, et des figures