The Assassin's Creed game set in the post-Civil War era was canceled due to concerns over its political content and potential backlash, according to a report. The game, which was in development at Ubisoft Quebec, would have featured a formerly enslaved Black man recruited by the Brotherhood of Assassins. However, the project was scrapped due to fears of online backlash and concerns over the political climate in the United States. The cancellation occurred around the time of the first assassination attempt against the sitting US president, and the timing was particularly sensitive given the ongoing political tensions in the country. The game's protagonist, a Black samurai, was based on a real-life African slave brought to Japan by Jesuit missionaries, and the project faced criticism from some fans and conservative critics who labeled it as 'woke'. Despite the backlash, the game, Assassin's Creed Shadows, surpassed five million players by July 2025, just three months after its release. The cancellation raises questions about the balance between artistic expression and political sensitivity in the gaming industry, and invites discussion about the role of games in reflecting and shaping societal issues.
