### Ubisoft Cancels Ambitious Assassin's Creed Game Amid Political Tensions Ubisoft has reportedly canceled a highly anticipated Assassin's Creed game set in the post-Civil War United States, primarily due to concerns over the current political climate and backlash from previous game releases. The project, internally known as "Project Scarlet," was intended to explore themes of race and social justice through the lens of a freed slave protagonist. However, both former and current employees have indicated that the decision to scrap the game was influenced by fears of controversy and negative public reception, particularly following the backlash against the game's previous installment featuring a Black samurai, Yasuke [https://www.gamesindustry.biz/report-ubisoft-cancels-assassins-creed-game-set-in-post-civil-war-us][https://www.polygon.com/assassins-creed-civil-war-cancel-ubisoft-politics]. ### Breakdown of the Cancellation Reasons and Implications 1. **Political Climate Concerns** - The game's setting in a politically charged era raised fears among Ubisoft executives about potential backlash from audiences in a divided U.S. political landscape [https://www.dailydot.com/culture/ubisoft-reportedly-canceled-assassins-creed-game][https://www.tbsnews.net/splash/was-next-assassins-creed-cancelled-over-us-politics]. 2. **Backlash from Previous Releases** - The negative reception of the protagonist Yasuke in the Assassin's Creed Shadows game contributed to the decision, as it highlighted the sensitivity surrounding racial themes in gaming [https://www.neowin.net/news/assassins-creed-game-with-ex-slave-protagonist-reportedly-canceled-due-to-political-climate][https://www.eurogamer.net/ubisoft-reportedly-cancelled-assassins-creed-game-in-post-american-civil-war-over-political-concerns]. 3. **Internal Company Dynamics** - Reports suggest that internal discussions at Ubisoft led to the conclusion that the project was "too political" and could provoke significant controversy, prompting the cancellation [https://www.allkeyshop.com/blog/assassins-creed-game-american-civil-war-canceled-ubisoft-controversy-news-d][https://www.player.one/assassins-creed-rumor-claims-new-game-set-america-was-canceled-due-politics-161426]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Game Development Timeline** - The game was reportedly in early development stages before its cancellation in Summer 2024 [https://tech.yahoo.com/gaming/articles/ubisoft-canceled-civil-war-based-193500036.html]. - **Public Sentiment** - The backlash against the portrayal of Yasuke and the political implications of a game set in the Reconstruction era were significant factors in the decision-making process [https://www.gosugamers.net/entertainment/news/77437-ubisoft-reportedly-cancelled-an-assassin-s-creed-game-set-during-the-american-civil-war][https://in.ign.com/assassins-creed-shadows/243642/news/assassins-creed-ubisoft-reportedly-cancelled-a-new-game-in-the-franchise-set-after-the-united-states]. ### Conclusion: The Impact of Political Sensitivity on Game Development In summary, **Ubisoft's cancellation of the post-Civil War Assassin's Creed game underscores the growing influence of political sensitivity in the gaming industry**. The decision reflects a broader trend where developers must navigate complex social issues while creating content that resonates with diverse audiences. 1. **Political Climate**: The current U.S. political environment played a crucial role in the cancellation decision. 2. **Backlash from Previous Games**: Negative reactions to past portrayals of race in gaming influenced company leadership. 3. **Internal Company Decisions**: Ubisoft's executives deemed the project too controversial, leading to its abandonment. This situation highlights the challenges faced by game developers in addressing sensitive historical themes while maintaining audience engagement and avoiding backlash [https://fextralife.com/ubisoft-abandons-ambitious-assassins-creed-set-after-the-us-civil-war][https://sea.ign.com/assassins-creed-codename-red/233897/news/assassins-creed-set-during-post-civil-war-period-canceled-last-year-due-to-increasing-concerns-over].