The Non-Binary Samurai Game No One Wanted | Episode 19

Summary

The Brett Cooper Show: "The Non-Binary Samurai Game No One Wanted | Episode 19"

Release Date: April 3, 2025
Host: Brett Cooper

Introduction

In Episode 19 of The Brett Cooper Show, titled "The Non-Binary Samurai Game No One Wanted," host Brett Cooper delves into the widespread backlash against Ubisoft's latest release, Assassin's Creed Shadows. This episode explores the intersection of game quality and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the gaming industry, questioning whether these efforts enhance or detract from the gaming experience.

Assassin's Creed Shadows: A Controversial Release

Brett opens the discussion by addressing the immediate negative reception of Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft's newest installment set in Feudal Japan. Contrary to expectations, gamers have expressed dissatisfaction not only with the game's quality but also with its DEI-driven narrative choices.

"Assassin's Creed Shadows might just be the game for you. So one of the most anticipated games of the year just came out and gamers of the world simply are not happy."
— Brett Cooper [00:00]

The game introduces two protagonists: Yasuke, a black Japanese samurai, and Nae, a female shinobi. While Ubisoft intended to celebrate diversity by featuring Yasuke—a historical figure of ambiguous samurai status—the execution has sparked controversy.

Criticism of DEI Implementation

To provide a deeper insight into the backlash, Brett invites Keda, a passionate gamer and critic of the game, to share his perspective. Keda argues that Ubisoft's decision to center the game around Yasuke appears forced and primarily motivated by a desire to tick diversity boxes rather than to provide an authentic Japanese narrative.

"Yasuke is what they want to say is the first black Japanese samurai, when all actuality he was not even a samurai, he was a retainer. So he wasn't even a full-blown samurai... So why do they pick Yasuke? Because he's black."
— Keda [05:02]

Keda further critiques the game's superficial treatment of diversity, highlighting that Ubisoft deviated from their established tradition of featuring protagonists representative of the game's setting. Unlike previous entries where characters like Altair (Arab) and Ezio Auditore (Italian) embodied their respective cultures authentically, Yasuke's inclusion feels out of place.

Quality Issues Amplify the Backlash

Beyond DEI concerns, Assassin's Creed Shadows has been widely criticized for its technical shortcomings. Keda emphasizes that the game's fundamental flaws overshadow any intended diversity efforts.

"It is not a very good game. Like, there's bugs out of the... there's glitches in it where it's not working properly. You know, like textures aren't loading in properly. Facial animations, they just look so stiff."
— Keda [08:33]

The discord between the game's thematic elements and its execution—such as the use of incongruent cyberpunk music in a Feudal Japan setting—further exacerbates player frustration.

"It's set in feudal Japan. So the music that they have for a lot of these scenes does not fit at all... It sounds like cyberpunk music when you're fighting."
— Keda [09:07]

Ubisoft's DEI Strategy Under Scrutiny

Brett scrutinizes Ubisoft's internal DEI strategies, revealing how their commitment to diversity may have inadvertently compromised the game's quality. He references Ubisoft's 2022 sustainability report, highlighting the company's pledge to embed DEI principles into their creative processes.

"We will create gaming experiences that push representation forward by embedding diversity and inclusion across all of our processes..."
— Rashi Sika, Ubisoft's DEI Officer [Brett Cooper referencing transcript]

However, Brett argues that this approach led to Yasuke being treated as a token character rather than an integral part of the narrative, diminishing both the character's role and the game's authenticity.

"Yasuke is essentially an afterthought. Pointless being him when he isn't an assassin... he seems like a token."
— Brett Cooper [15:43]

The Role of Sweet Baby Inc. and Industry-Wide Implications

The conversation shifts to the influence of consulting firms like Sweet Baby Inc., which specialize in integrating DEI initiatives into game narratives. Brett criticizes their approach as overly prescriptive, prioritizing messaging over game quality.

"They are pushing DEI 247 that is the basis of their company. I wouldn't say that that is alleged, but Google AI goes on and..."
— Brett Cooper [23:00]

Keda echoes this sentiment, expressing frustration over what he perceives as an industry takeover by those more interested in political agendas than in crafting engaging games.

"These people don't care about games. They care about the messages that they can use the games for."
— Keda [24:12]

This trend reflects a broader shift within the gaming industry towards corporate-driven diversity initiatives, often at the expense of creative and authentic storytelling.

Industry Response and the Rise of Independent Developers

Despite the negative reception of Assassin's Creed Shadows, Brett highlights a silver lining: the emergence of independent developers who are distancing themselves from corporate DEI mandates to focus on authenticity and quality. He cites examples of industry veterans leaving large studios to start their own ventures, aiming to create games that prioritize genuine storytelling over mandated diversity.

"Authenticity is king. Right now, authenticity is paramount. Creators and artists and builders crave it and audiences are starving for it."
— Brett Cooper [26:01]

This movement signifies a potential shift back towards games that resonate on a personal and cultural level, fostering deeper connections with players.

Conclusion: The Future of Gaming

Brett Cooper concludes the episode by advocating for a balance between diversity and quality. He emphasizes the importance of authentic representation and storytelling, urging developers to prioritize these elements over superficial diversity checks. The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of overzealous DEI initiatives, while also highlighting hopeful trends within the industry striving for meaningful and engaging game experiences.

"I hope that these new companies start winning. And for all the gamers out there, I hope that you guys get to immerse yourself in epic stories with quality gameplay and great dialogue, driven by characters that mean something more than just being an intersectionality box that developers need to check."
— Brett Cooper [26:20]

Key Takeaways

Assassin's Creed Shadows' Failure: The game's poor reception is attributed to both subpar quality and perceived forced diversity initiatives.
Tokenism Over Authenticity: Critics argue that Ubisoft's focus on diversity resulted in Yasuke being an underdeveloped, token character rather than a fully realized protagonist.
Industry-Wide DEI Influence: Consulting firms like Sweet Baby Inc. are shaping game narratives, often at the expense of gameplay quality and authentic storytelling.
Rise of Independent Developers: In response to corporate-driven diversity mandates, many experienced developers are launching independent studios to regain creative control and prioritize authenticity.
Future of Gaming: The episode underscores the necessity for game developers to balance diversity with quality storytelling to meet the demands of an increasingly discerning gaming audience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

Brett Cooper [00:00]: "Assassin's Creed Shadows might just be the game for you. So one of the most anticipated games of the year just came out and gamers of the world simply are not happy."
Keda [05:02]: "Yasuke is what they want to say is the first black Japanese samurai, when all actuality he was not even a samurai, he was a retainer."
Keda [08:33]: "It is not a very good game. Like, there's bugs out of the... there's glitches in it where it's not working properly."
Keda [13:19]: "It's so lazy to me. I don't want to be lectured to, I don't want to be pandered to."
Brett Cooper [15:43]: "Yasuke is essentially an afterthought. Pointless being him when he isn't an assassin."
Keda [24:12]: "These people don't care about games. They care about the messages that they can use the games for."
Brett Cooper [26:20]: "I hope that these new companies start winning... driven by characters that mean something more than just being an intersectionality box that developers need to check."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions from The Brett Cooper Show regarding the challenges Ubisoft faced with Assassin's Creed Shadows, the broader implications of DEI initiatives in gaming, and the industry's potential path forward amidst these debates.