Crafting Authenticity: Ubisoft's Dedication to Feudal Japan in Assassin's Creed Shadows

In the realm of video game development, meticulous attention to detail often marks the distinction between a good title and an extraordinary experience. Ubisoft’s commitment to crafting an immersive entry into the Assassin's Creed series, titled Shadows, underscores this notion. With a longer development cycle than its predecessor, Valhalla, the studio aims to portray feudal Japan with the utmost precision.

Ubisoft has announced that the extended timeline for Assassin's Creed Shadows, which spans four years, surpasses the three years spent on Valhalla. Lead producer Karl Onnée articulated that achieving an accurate representation of Japan required the extra time to refine their approach. While a faster production could be feasible, it wouldn't yield the same level of quality. The balance of time and financial resources is crucial, but the iterative process benefits immensely from a lengthier timeframe, allowing the team to absorb feedback and enhance their creation effectively.

Another driving factor behind the prolonged development of Assassin's Creed Shadows is the developers' aspiration for authenticity. Ubisoft has faced scrutiny in portraying Japanese culture, leading to recent acknowledgments of past missteps in promotion. Onnée emphasized the team's dedication to authenticity as a source of pride, highlighting that constructing a historically accurate environment is a time-consuming venture. Accurately replicating elements like architecture requires extensive research so that details are fitting for the era.

On-site visits to Japan provided invaluable insights, revealing stark contrasts between preconceived notions and reality. The team discovered that the natural landscapes, particularly the forests, differed significantly from what they had previously created based on other settings. Such disparities often elude researchers, emphasizing the importance of firsthand experience in understanding cultural nuances and environmental specifics.

The attention to detail extends to the dimensions of structures and cultural artifacts, ensuring that each element resonates with the history it represents. Proper representation is paramount, especially when dealing with the rich tapestry of Japanese heritage. Curiously, the conversation surrounding Assassin's Creed Shadows has even reached governmental levels, with officials gently reminding stakeholders that historical fiction falls outside their purview.