Ubisoft cancels Tokyo Game Show plans two days before event

With Assassin's Creed Shadows being set in Japan, Ubisoft had big plans for its appearance at the Tokyo Game Show this month, hoping to win over Japanese gamers. However, just days before the event, the publisher has abruptly pulled out.

Ubisoft will no longer be showcasing its games at the Tokyo Game Show, which kicks off on the 26th of September – just two days away. Ubisoft Japan says that this decision was made due to “various circumstances”, which no doubt includes the backlash from some fans around the inclusion of Yasuke, a black samurai who's position in Japanese history is highly debated.

TOKYO GAME SHOW 2024公式配信へのユービーアイソフトの出展に関するお知らせ pic.twitter.com/qNYC7MUF93

— Ubisoft Japan (@UBISOFT_JAPAN) September 24, 2024

While Ubisoft's TGS broadcast will no longer be taking place, Ubisoft's ongoing giveaway campaign will continue, giving fans a chance to win prizes.

Ubisoft attempted to address the controversy around Assassin's Creed Shadows with a statement several months ago, but all this appeared to do was spark further backlash. At this stage, Ubisoft's strategy seems to be staying quiet and allowing the game to release as planned in October.

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KitGuru Says: Assassin's Creed has always had historical settings, but it has also always taken creative liberties, especially with characters. Nobody was complaining about George Washington's portrayal in Assassin's Creed 3 for instance, so I have a hard time really understanding the complaints around Shadows introducing Yasuke, a character that has been found in other forms of entertainment media well before this game ever existed. 

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