Many will remember when Assassin’s Creed Shadows first launched earlier this year and the ensuing wave of controversy and backlash that followed, particularly regarding one of the two main character’s, Yasuke. While not all players took issue with AC Shadows portrayal of Yasuke, it appears there was enough of an outcry to influence future Assassin’s Creed projects.
In particular, according to Game File, Ubisoft cancelled an ambitious and controversial new Assassin’s Creed game set during the American Civil War due to backlash specifically related to Yasuke’s portrayal in AC Shadows, among other concerns.
Assassin’s Creed Civil War Project Cancelled Over Ubisoft Concerns
The AC Civil War Premise Was Too Controversial For The Current Political Climate
According to sources at Game File, there was an ambitious and exciting new Assassin’s Creed project in the works at Ubisoft set during the American Civil War, specifically the Reconstruction period between the 1860s and 70s. The game’s protagonist was reportedly supposed to be “a Black man who had been formerly enslaved in the South and moved west to start a new life.”
Apparently, the premise was that the main character would be trained by the Brotherhood and return to the South “to fight for justice” against Confederate resistance forces and even the Ku Klux Klan.
There are two cited reasons for the Civil War game’s cancellation, the first being online backlash related to Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and the second being concerns over the current “political climate in the United States.” It’s worth noting these details are coming from anonymous sources inside Ubisoft and the company has not commented on the supposedly cancelled project.
Our Take: Assassin’s Creed Civil War Game Never Stood A Chance
This Idea Is A Literal Minefield For Ubisoft
While there is an interesting concept and opportunity there in the cancelled Assassin’s Creed Civil War project, it’s really not a huge shocker that the project was axed. Backlash over Yasuke isn’t a great reason to cancel an entire project, but the secondary reason given regarding the current state of politics in United States would be too much of a risk for Ubisoft in the grand scheme of things.
The American Civil War is a hot topic that would be a literal minefield for controversy for multiple reasons, and there was likely too much concern over how the company would be deal with the guaranteed backlash from various groups of players.
It’s unfortunate that we won’t ever see exactly what the Assassin’s Creed Civil War project would look like, as it had the potential to touch on some important historical issues. However, based on Ubisoft’s decision to scrap the project entirely, it doesn’t seem like the risk was worth it.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
7/10
- Released
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March 20, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
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Ubisoft Quebec
- Engine
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AnvilNext