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Despite this, Ubisoft has heavily marketed Yuk as a cultural icon, suggesting that his character is a legendary part of Japanese history. This oversimplifies and culturalizes a complex historical narrative, reminiscent of the mythmaking surrounding claims like "black Vikings" or other exaggerated histories.
The Change in Narrative and Studio Practices
According to insiders, Ubisoft altered the story of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, discarding the original narrative created for the game. A former Ubisoft employee disclosed that the initial story did not include a black protagonist and was more focused on historically grounded characters. The shift to making Yuk a central figure appears driven by broader DEI objectives, overshadowing the original cultural and historical context.