Ubisoft’s upcoming game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, features two main characters: Naoe, a shinobi, and Yasuke, a samurai. Early concepts attempted to merge these two playstyles into one character, but Ubisoft ultimately opted for a dual protagonist approach.

• “When you say ‘Let’s make an Assassin’s Creed in Japan,’ the first reflex is ‘We need a ninja,’ right?” - Jonathan Dumont, Creative Director at Ubisoft.

This decision was influenced by the desire to authentically represent both archetypes rather than diluting their significance. The game aims to cater to fans of both stealthy gameplay and combat-focused experiences.

Dumont elaborated, “The early games were a bit more stealthy and parkour-ish, and people love that. And then from Origins on, people really like to fight,” highlighting the balance Shadows intends to achieve.

Scheduled for release on March 20, Assassin’s Creed Shadows seeks to blend these elements into what Ubisoft describes as the ultimate Assassin’s Creed experience.