Well, it’s not just The First Descendant that has run into unauthorized use (Nexon’s looter-shooter has lifted a few icons from Destiny 2, as we reported yesterday), but also the new Assassin’s Creed.

Ubisoft has apologized for illegally using the flag of a historical re-enactment group in one of the concept art for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. According to Siliconera, the flag in question is associated with the Sekigahara Teppo-tai. This is an infantry re-enactment group that does not neglect historical authenticity. (The Japanese will not let the denigration of their culture go unchallenged: we also wrote earlier that they have started a petition to cancel the game!)

Ubisoft’s Japanese Twitter read: “Notice regarding Assassin’s Creed: Shadows: We have been informed that the flag of the Sekigahara Battlefield Hospitality Union “Sekigahara Rifle Corps” has been used without permission in two previously released concept art pieces.

The group was given the opportunity to apologize and accepted. Aside from being included in the Collector’s Edition art book, the art in question will not be used or distributed in any other way. We sincerely apologize for this matter.”

『アサシン クリード シャドウズ』に関するお知らせ
公開済であるコンセプトアート2点に、関ケ原古戦場おもてなし連合「関ケ原鉄砲隊」の旗が無断で使用されているとのご指摘を受けております。
団体様には謝罪の機会を頂戴し、受け入れていただきました。…

— Ubisoft Japan (@UBISOFT_JAPAN) July 8, 2024

The project, formerly known as Assassin’s Creed Codename Red, was announced in May by the French publisher, which then presented a 13-minute gameplay video of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set in 16th-century Japan and featuring two protagonists, during Ubisoft Forward. (We also wrote in more detail about how you can usually only experience a significant portion of the story with one of them). Developed by Ubisoft Québec (they were also involved in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and have a creative director in that post), the game marks the beginning of the third phase of the franchise, according to a statement from the French publisher. Since its launch in 2007, more than 200 million copies of Assassin’s Creed installments have been sold.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be released on November 15th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC, Mac and Amazon Luna.

Source: VGC, Siliconera