Ubisoft Under Fire as Assassin's Creed Shadows Sparks Controversy

The studio is considering forming a new subsidiary to attract investment, primarily focused on licensing major franchises like Assassin's Creed. Bloomberg reports the company intends to offer stakes in this new venture and has initiated discussions with potential investors - including Tencent along with various international and French investment funds. The projected valuation of this entity could surpass Ubisoft's current $1.8 billion market capitalization.

The proposal remains under active consideration, with no formal commitments made. Ubisoft might ultimately reject this strategy depending on the commercial performance of Assassin's Creed Shadows, for which the company has significant expectations. Current pre-order numbers reportedly meet Ubisoft's projections.

Controversy Erupts in Japan

These developments coincide with growing backlash in Japan regarding the game's depiction of religious sites. Takeshi Nagase, a council member from Kobe City and Hyogo Prefectural Assembly, has publicly condemned Ubisoft's treatment of sacred spaces. He specifically objects to gameplay scenarios where protagonists assault temple monks or damage religious structures with projectiles. Nagase also criticizes the portrayal of Himeji's historic Engyō-ji temple, noting disrespectful details like "Yasuke entering with footwear and shattering sacred artifacts."