Story perspectives

Ubisoft Cancels Controversial Assassin's Creed Game Amid Backlash

10/11/2025

Summary

Story summary

Ubisoft canceled a planned Assassin's Creed game set in the Reconstruction era with a Black protagonist confronting the Ku Klux Klan, in July 2024.
The move followed backlash against Yasuke from Assassin's Creed Shadows and concerns about the politically charged climate in the United States.
The move signals Ubisoft's rising risk aversion amid controversies and financial struggles.

History

Historical Context

The Reconstruction Era, starting in 1865, aimed to integrate formerly enslaved individuals into American society. The Ku Klux Klan, founded in 1866, violently resisted these efforts, leading to widespread racial violence and intimidation, particularly in South Carolina. This historical backdrop highlights ongoing debates about representation in media, as seen in Ubisoft's cancellation of a game featuring a Black protagonist confronting this legacy.

1 of 2

Story summary

Ubisoft canceled a planned Assassin's Creed game set in the Reconstruction era with a Black protagonist confronting the Ku Klux Klan, in July 2024.
The move followed backlash against Yasuke from Assassin's Creed Shadows and concerns about the politically charged climate in the United States.
The move signals Ubisoft's rising risk aversion amid controversies and financial struggles.

1 / 2