“This should not be controversial.”

Ubisoft has usually explored a number of the most turbulent moments in human historical past by means of its Assassin’s Creed sequence. However, a brand new report from Game File revealed that one among its most bold concepts was quietly canceled final 12 months.

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The recreation, set in the course of the Reconstruction period, starred a previously enslaved Black man. The determination, in line with a number of insiders, was not resulting from inventive challenges or lack of imaginative and prescient, however concern.

The proposed recreation would have taken place after the Civil War, when the United States was struggling to rebuild. Gamers would have performed a freedman who moved west to start out a brand new life earlier than the Assassins recruited him. Eventually, he would return to the South to battle for justice, crossing paths with the newly shaped Ku Klux Klan.

Ubisoft’s determination and the political local weather

It seems that the venture had solely reached the idea stage. However, Game File reported that Ubisoft management had authorised it earlier than shutting it down in July 2024, in line with nameless sources within the firm.

The firm allegedly made the decision after racist backlash towards Yasuke, the Black samurai protagonist in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. Executives reportedly anxious that releasing one other recreation centered on a Black character could be “too political in a country too unstable.”

According to 1 supply, Ubisoft’s management had grown more and more cautious. “I was terribly disappointed but not surprised by leadership,” one of many sources advised Game File. “They are making more and more decisions to maintain the political ‘status quo’ and take no stand, no risk, even creative.”

At the identical time, Ubisoft was struggling financially with underperforming video games, corresponding to Skull & Bones. Consequently, executives have been mentioned to be cautious of taking dangers on initiatives that may entice controversy.

Additionally, Game File famous that the cancellation got here simply days after the tried assassination of then-former President Donald Trump on July 13, 2024. Insiders claimed that the broader “unstable” political environment within the U.S. performed a big function within the determination.

Gamers reacted with disbelief and frustration

When the information surfaced, many gamers expressed disappointment on-line. On Reddit, u/mythmonster2 summarized the report and wrote, “This SUCKS this could have been such a cool premise.” 

Others famous that the sport might have explored distinctive historic themes. As u/Noirsam mentioned, “Also Sinners was the sleepers hit of 2025. And you can bet there is some game developer that is going to try capitalize on that.”

However, as u/KF-Sigurd famous, “Very different setting, group, and time period. Sinners takes place in 1932, just on the tail end of prohibition era, when the 2nd KKK movement was already disgraced after their Grand Wizard was caught in a scandal. […] This is 1870s, with the first KKK movement. Very different vibes.”

“They were an actual terrorist organization/movement/vigilante group that killed hundreds to try and intimidate Southern republic governments and black people from establishing a foothold.”

Over on X, reactions have been even sharper. @LordBalvin wrote, “They cancelled the coolest f**king video game ever because our current ‘political climate’ would cause backlash for a game about killing.. racist terrorists.”

“The KKK and slavery were bad” shouldn’t be controversial☠️” wrote @vidsthatgohard.

Meanwhile, @Ceadreams requested bluntly, “‘We cancelled the game where you kill Klan members to avoid backlash.’ From who?”

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