Assassin’s Creed Shadows Launches November 15, Features Dual Protagonists in Feudal Japan

©ubisoft

Ubisoft Quebec's latest installment in the Assassin's Creed franchise, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is set to launch on November 15. This highly anticipated game takes players to 16th century Japan, offering a rich and immersive experience on platforms including PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Amazon Luna, Macs with Apple silicon via the Mac App Store, PC through the Ubisoft Store and the Epic Games Store, and as part of a Ubisoft+ Premium subscription.

For the first time in the series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces dual protagonists, allowing players to embody both a Japanese shinobi named Naoe and the real-life historical figure Yasuke, a samurai of African origin who served under the Japanese daimyo Oda Nobunaga. This dual perspective aims to provide a comprehensive and varied gameplay experience set against the dramatic backdrop of the late Sengoku period, known for its political upheaval, warfare, and significant social reforms.

The setting of *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is the Azuchi-Momoyama era, a time of profound change and conflict in Japan. The late 16th century saw the rise of three of Japan's most pivotal figures who brought an end to the extensive Warring States Period. This era was marked by significant social reforms, the rise of farmers and religious leagues against powerful military clans, and the beginnings of an artistic renaissance that flourished during the Edo period. The threat of Portuguese colonization, which had begun a few decades earlier, also loomed over this period.

Ubisoft Quebec has meticulously recreated this era by consulting historical documentation and working closely with historians, professors, and cultural consultants. The development team made several trips to Japan to understand the landscape and culture better, and collaborated with Ubisoft’s Tokyo and Osaka teams to ensure authenticity in the game’s world-building, from castle architecture to the nuances of tea ceremonies and tatami alignment.

©ubisoft

Including Yasuke as a playable character was a deliberate choice to bring a unique and underexplored perspective to the game. Yasuke's story is compelling and open-ended enough to allow for creative exploration within the Assassin’s Creed universe. Born in Africa, Yasuke arrived in Japan enslaved by the Portuguese and quickly distinguished himself through his size, strength, and intelligence. He eventually served under Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan's most significant historical figures.

Yasuke’s inclusion offers a fresh viewpoint on the period, as players can experience Japan through his eyes. His journey from an outsider to a respected samurai serves as a narrative vehicle to explore the era's complexities, including the looming threat of Portuguese colonization and the meritocratic society under Nobunaga. The game's narrative establishes Yasuke's historical story and then expands it, linking him to the broader Assassin’s Creed lore in ways that players will discover as they play.

A New Chapter in the Assassin’s Creed Saga

With Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft Quebec promises to fulfill the fantasies of being both a shinobi and a samurai, providing diverse gameplay experiences and overlapping perspectives on a transformative moment in Japanese history. The game’s launch on November 15 will undoubtedly add a rich new chapter to the beloved franchise, blending historical accuracy with the imaginative storytelling that Assassin’s Creed fans have come to expect.