Reports indicate that Ubisoft has cancelled an anticipated Assassin’s Creed game set during and after the American Civil War. According to a recent article by Game File, the project was shelved last year, and details about it are now emerging. This title would have marked a significant entry in the franchise, occurring as late as the 1870s, during the Reconstruction era in the United States.
The game was expected to feature a black male protagonist, a former slave from the southern states, who would return to confront the injustices of his past. Notably, the storyline included references to the Ku Klux Klan, suggesting a deep engagement with the historical context of that period. However, sources familiar with the project claim that concerns over its potential for controversy led Ubisoft management to ultimately decide against its release.
Current political tensions in the United States are reported to have played a role in this decision. The backlash surrounding another character, Yasuke, who is a black protagonist from the Assassin’s Creed series, may have influenced the publisher’s apprehensions regarding public reception. Insiders have expressed frustration over the cancellation, suggesting that Ubisoft’s leadership capitulated to fears of negative reactions.
This cancellation is notable as it is one of the first confirmations of a project that had largely been kept under wraps. Previous rumors indicated that Ubisoft has multiple Assassin’s Creed titles in various stages of development, including a remake of the popular game Black Flag.
As more details continue to emerge about the landscape of new titles within the franchise, the gaming community is left to ponder the implications of this decision. Would an Assassin’s Creed game set in the post-Civil War era have resonated with players? The cancellation raises questions about the balance between creative storytelling and potential societal backlash in the gaming industry.
