Ubisoft has reportedly shelved a planned Assassin’s Creed installment that would have centered on a former slave combating the Ku Klux Klan during the Reconstruction era in post-Civil War America. The decision is said to stem from concerns over the current volatile political atmosphere in the United States.
Journalist Stephen Totilo’s Game File revealed that the cancelled title was set between 1865 and 1877, a period marked by intense social and political upheaval following the Civil War. The game’s unnamed lead character was to be recruited by the Assassin Brotherhood to confront the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, intertwining the series’ signature historical narrative with one of the most contentious chapters in American history.
Insiders familiar with the project disclosed that Ubisoft’s Paris leadership halted development last year, fearing potential backlash and political controversy. One source summarized the rationale as, “Too politically charged in a nation currently too divided.” Another developer expressed frustration, stating, “It was deeply disappointing but not unexpected. The leadership is increasingly opting to preserve the political status quo, avoiding risks-even creative ones.”
This cancellation follows the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which featured Yasuke, a Black samurai inspired by a real historical figure, as one of its protagonists. Despite facing pre-launch criticism focused on Yasuke’s race and alleged historical inaccuracies, the game achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success.
Within Ubisoft, some believe the controversy surrounding Shadows made executives wary of approving another title with politically sensitive themes. Concerns reportedly grew that a game centered on racial violence and the Ku Klux Klan might ignite significant backlash amid today’s polarized social climate.
Ubisoft has consistently maintained that its games are “not political,” even as franchises like Tom Clancy’s The Division and Far Cry explore themes of war, revolution, religion, and societal control. The company has faced repeated criticism for steering clear of explicit political commentary despite the politically charged settings of its games.
The Assassin’s Creed series has a history of addressing issues of slavery and racial injustice. For example, Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation featured Aveline de Grandpré, a mixed-race female assassin fighting oppression in 18th-century Louisiana, while Assassin’s Creed: Freedom Cry followed Adéwalé, a former slave turned assassin battling the Caribbean slave trade.
The decision to cancel the Reconstruction-era project signals a more cautious approach from Ubisoft as it navigates financial challenges and increasing pressure to avoid controversy.
Industry experts highlight the irony that Assassin’s Creed Shadows succeeded despite-or perhaps because of-its daring creative choices. This episode underscores a common argument among developers: that vocal online outrage often represents a small, loud minority rather than the wider gaming community.
As one analyst told GameCentral, “It’s unfortunate to see a major publisher retreat from impactful storytelling due to fears of backlash that seldom result in tangible consequences.”
Ubisoft has yet to issue an official statement regarding the reported cancellation.
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