{"id":24436,"date":"2024-02-08T07:21:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T07:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lavraromiraealagoa.pt\/?p=24436"},"modified":"2026-02-20T04:35:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T04:35:54","slug":"how-assassins-creed-shadows-strengthened-ubisofts-process-of-bringing-history-to-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lavraromiraealagoa.pt\/en\/how-assassins-creed-shadows-strengthened-ubisofts-process-of-bringing-history-to-life\/","title":{"rendered":"How Assassin\u2019s Creed Shadows Strengthened Ubisoft\u2019s Process of Bringing History to Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jonathan Dumont of Ubisoft Quebec explains how deep historical research into feudal Japan made Assassin\u2019s Creed Shadows<\/em> a more authentic and emotionally resonant game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Assassin\u2019s Creed<\/em> series has long been praised for its stealth-action gameplay and memorable protagonists. But for many fans, the real triumph of the franchise lies in how it brings rich historical settings to life through open-world exploration. Nearly 20 years after the series\u2019 debut, Ubisoft is finally taking players to feudal Japan<\/strong> in Assassin\u2019s Creed Shadows<\/em> \u2014 a long-requested setting now riding a renewed wave of interest thanks to the success of FX\u2019s Sh\u014dgun<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though historical Japan has been explored in games like Ghost of Tsushima<\/em> and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice<\/em>, seeing it through Assassin\u2019s Creed<\/em>\u2019s unique lens is especially compelling. The franchise blends political intrigue, speculative fiction, and action in ways that uncover lesser-known aspects of culture and history \u2014 all while staying true to its roots in stealth, player freedom, and immersive world design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While samurai and ninja may feel like a natural evolution for the series, Ubisoft Quebec emphasized that adapting Japan required a process of cultural humility and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why Assassin\u2019s Creed<\/em> Finally Went to Japan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After experimenting with multiple protagonists in games like Syndicate<\/em>, Odyssey<\/em>, and Valhalla<\/em>, Shadows<\/em> introduces two distinct playable characters: Yasuke<\/strong>, the legendary African samurai, and Naoe<\/strong>, a ninja driven by memory and revenge. Set during the turbulent Sengoku period<\/strong>, the narrative weaves in historical figures like Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, along with the transformative arrival of Western influences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creative director Jonathan Dumont<\/strong> explains that the delay in choosing Japan wasn\u2019t due to lack of interest, but rather a combination of timing, team readiness<\/strong>, and technical challenges<\/strong> in portraying feudal Japan\u2019s evolving architecture and natural diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThis was a defining moment in Japanese history,\u201d said Dumont. \u201cThe country became a cultural melting pot, and everything changed quickly over those 30 years of unification. Cities formed around castles, samurai shifted from rural to urban roles, trade expanded due to war, and merchants began rising in social status. It was a perfect fit for Assassin\u2019s Creed<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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The Importance of Yasuke \u2014 and Backlash Rooted in Prejudice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yasuke is the first Assassin\u2019s Creed<\/em> protagonist based on a real historical figure. Introduced in the prologue as a man enslaved and brought to Japan by Jesuits, he\u2019s met with curiosity and skepticism by locals. Over time, he earns Nobunaga\u2019s trust, trains as a samurai, and begins a journey of honor and transformation alongside Naoe. transforma\u00e7\u00e3o ao lado de Naoe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Despite his historical roots \u2014 and appearances in games like Nioh<\/em> and Samurai Warriors<\/em> \u2014 Yasuke\u2019s inclusion drew backlash online. Critics ignored the historical record and overlooked how well his story fits within Assassin\u2019s Creed<\/em>\u2019s ethos: highlighting underrepresented figures and challenging traditional narratives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the developers, Yasuke represents a vital bridge between a global audience and Japanese culture \u2014 a foreigner learning and adapting, much like many players themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Development Team That Became \u201cStudents of History\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dumont praised actor Tongayi Chirisa for bringing the right mindset to Yasuke\u2019s role: open, respectful, and eager to learn. That same spirit shaped the development team\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cMaking a game like this is like going back to school,\u201d Dumont said. \u201cYou have to study, confront what you think you know with real cultural insights, and stay humble. Representing another culture demands sensitivity \u2014 that\u2019s why we worked with experts, traveled to Japan, and did the research.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In addition to Yasuke, players also control Naoe, who embodies classic Assassin\u2019s Creed<\/em> traits like stealth, agility, and introspection. Side missions include meditation rituals and a village-building mode, reminiscent of Animal Crossing<\/em>, where players can form alliances and foster community \u2014 reinforcing the game\u2019s central theme of unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A New Perspective on Japan \u2014 and on Game Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Working on Shadows<\/em> transformed how the team views Japan\u2019s relationship with nature, architecture, and spirituality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAt first, we didn\u2019t fully grasp that connection to the natural world,\u201d Dumont admitted. \u201cBut after visiting temples and forests, we saw how everything is in harmony. That shifted our focus and gave the experience more depth.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Unlike Valhalla<\/em>, which emphasized vast open-world exploration, Shadows<\/em> opts for a more compact, detail-rich map that prioritizes environmental storytelling and community-building. The game\u2019s themes \u2014 unity, transformation, and empathy \u2014 are expressed not just through its characters but through its design philosophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though it retains classic elements \u2014 intense combat, parkour, and assassination \u2014 Assassin\u2019s Creed Shadows<\/em> pushes the franchise forward. Backed by extensive historical research and cultural respect, it offers a sensitive, visually striking, and meaningful experience. A new chapter for the series \u2014 and a powerful tribute to feudal Japan.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jonathan Dumont of Ubisoft Quebec explains how deep historical research into feudal Japan made Assassin\u2019s Creed Shadows a more authentic and emotionally resonant game. The Assassin\u2019s Creed series has long been praised for its stealth-action gameplay and memorable protagonists. But for many fans, the real triumph of the franchise lies in how it brings rich […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":24031,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cultura-criativa"],"blocksy_meta":{"disable_subscribe_form":"yes","styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":6}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lavraromiraealagoa.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24436","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lavraromiraealagoa.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lavraromiraealagoa.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lavraromiraealagoa.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24436"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lavraromiraealagoa.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24436\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24437,"href":"https:\/\/lavraromiraealagoa.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24436\/revisions\/24437"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lavraromiraealagoa.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24031"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lavraromiraealagoa.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24436"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lavraromiraealagoa.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24436"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lavraromiraealagoa.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24436"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}