Ubisoft took trips to Japan with expert guides for Assassin's Creed Shadows and spent 'a lot of time' researching on top of that — 'We're making video games, but for Assassin's Creed we try to be credible'

March 23, 2026 - 15:25

The upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows is being built on a foundation of deep cultural research and firsthand experience. The development team at Ubisoft undertook extensive research trips to Japan, accompanied by expert guides, to authentically capture the essence of the game's late Sengoku period setting.

Creative Director Jonathan Dumont emphasized the studio's commitment to credibility within the franchise's historical fiction. "We're making video games, but for Assassin's Creed we try to be credible," he stated. This philosophy translated into a meticulous process that went far beyond simple location scouting. The team spent "a lot of time" in dedicated research, examining thousands of pictures and videos to reconstruct the era's architecture, landscapes, and social atmosphere.

The goal is to move beyond stereotypical depictions and present a living, breathing world. By studying historical documents, consulting with specialists, and walking the actual terrain, the developers aim to infuse every environment and narrative detail with a sense of authenticity. This painstaking approach is intended to ground the dual protagonists—the shinobi Naoe and the samurai Yasuke—in a world that feels both epic and genuinely immersive for players when the game releases later this year.