Marc-Alexis Coté has stated that while constructive criticism is welcome, attacks on the development team are unacceptable.
Ubisoft is navigating one of the most challenging phases in its history. Once Europe’s most coveted and valuable gaming company, it now faces multiple controversies, disappointing sales, and delays, including for the latest Assassin’s Creed. While the company strives to improve its situation, Assassin’s Creed franchise lead Marc-Alexis Coté recently addressed the criticism surrounding the diverse characters featured in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Speaking at a BAFTA event in London, Coté passionately defended the importance of inclusive storytelling in the franchise, as reported by Eurogamer UK. He emphasized that Assassin’s Creed has always sought to depict the full scope of human history, naturally embracing diversity. According to Coté, “staying true to history means embracing the richness of human perspectives”, noting that characters like Yasuke existed in real history, while others, like Naoe, although fictional, reflect the historical presence of female warriors in Japan.
Coté also referenced the challenges facing the gaming industry in a “shifting cultural landscape”, where inclusion and representation spark ongoing debate. Despite the backlash, Ubisoft’s leadership reaffirmed the franchise’s dedication to historical accuracy and diversity, seeing it as a core part of the Assassin’s Creed legacy. Coté noted that these characters, though fictionalized, capture the cultural richness the franchise strives to reflect.
Not Everyone Agrees with Coté’s Stance on Diversity
This statement contrasts with Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot’s more neutral stance; he recently stated that the company doesn’t aim to “push specific agendas” in response to criticism over Yasuke’s inclusion. Coté, however, insists that negative comments affect not only the development team but also threaten the creative freedom that is crucial for the studio. “We’ve received malicious and personal attacks on social media”, Coté added.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has also faced additional controversies, with a game figure featuring an “insensitive” design recently being pulled from stores.
To Coté, however, diversity within Assassin’s Creed is not just a narrative choice but an opportunity to offer players a celebration of human experience’s diversity. “At the end of the day, Assassin’s Creed is not just a franchise, it’s a platform for dialogue and understanding”, he concluded. Ubisoft remains committed to expanding its storytelling horizons with complex, culturally enriched narratives that resonate with players worldwide, advocating for creativity over fear and prejudice.
Source: 3djuegos
