How Ubisoft Broke Assassin’s Creed
Credibility score: 77/100 — Mostly Credible. Mixed credibility - some claims are solid, others need verification.
BSmeter analyzed "How Ubisoft Broke Assassin’s Creed" and rated it 77/100 for credibility (a BS score of 23/100 — mostly credible), on 2026-04-22. Its weakest claim — "Shadows critical/commercial flop, sold 3-4M copies in 6 months" — scored 45/100 and was flagged as dubious. 50 claims were checked against the video transcript. Scores are produced by BSmeter's AI analysis of the transcript, not independent human verification.
Of 50 claims analyzed: 0 scored under 40, 17 between 40 and 69, and 33 at 70 or above.
Claims analyzed
Assassin's Creed fall mirrors Game of Thrones — Opinion (50/100)
At 0:00
Bold opener comparing AC's decline to GoT's — both peaked hard then crashed, fair vibe check 📉🔥
Why this score: This is pure opinion on franchise trajectories, not a factual claim. - AC dominated 2007-2012 but recent entries like Valhalla (2020) faced mixed reviews on bloat and repetition. - GoT's final seasons tanked ratings after hype, similar 'jump the shark' arc. - Fun hook that sets up the video's thesis without needing proof.
Original quote: “[0:00] Assassin's Creed is one of those video [0:02] game franchises that seemed like it was [0:05] going to last forever, but its fall [0:07] mirrors that of Game of Thrones. [0:13] Hey y'all, SnarkyJ Cosplay here. If you [0:16] had a gaming console during the mid to [0:20] late 2000s, it's pretty…”
Assassin's Creed now almost completely irrelevant in 2026 — Opinion (50/100)
At 0:36
Bold take — but sales hit 230M units by Jan 2026, so 'irrelevant' feels like pure hot air. Franchise still crushing it.
Why this score: Overstated opinion not backed by data.
- Franchise sold over 230 million units as of Jan 2026 with 155M+ unique players — hardly 'irrelevant'.
- This is subjective framing; success metrics show continued dominance despite any dips.
Original quote: “today in 2026, the franchise stands as almost completely irrelevant as a result of a major fall that it's had in the last 5 to 10 years.”
Shadows critical/commercial flop, sold 3-4M copies in 6 months — Dubious (45/100)
At 0:49
Critical? Mostly positive reviews and 77% Steam positive. Sales ~4.3M matches but ignores 5M+ players and Ubisoft calling it 'overperforming'. Half-truth city.
Why this score: Mixed bag misrepresented as total failure. Key issues:
- Critical reception: Generally positive, 'best in years' per some, Steam 77% positive (14k reviews) — not a 'disappointment'.
- Commercial: 3-4M sales plausible (external est. 4.3M by Nov 2025), hit 5M players quickly; Ubisoft reported 'overperforming' in half-year 2026.
- Speaker ignores player counts vs. sales nuance and official positivity.
Original quote: “The last entry into the Assassin's Creed franchise, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is largely considered a critical and commercial disappointment. In its first six months, the game only sold three to four million copies”
$300-400M cost, needed 7M sales to break even, sold half — OK (65/100)
At 1:02
Cost ballpark checks (~$116M+ confirmed, est. up to $350M). Break-even math rough but directionally fair given sales — though Ubisoft says it overperformed overall.
Why this score: Plausible but simplified estimates.
- Cost: CEO confirmed >€100M (~$116M); estimates $250-350M align with '$30 to $400M' range (typo for $300?).
- Break-even: ~7M at full price reasonable for AAA; 3-4M sales = ~half, but ignores subscriptions, Switch sales, long-tail revenue.
- Ubisoft contradicts 'failure' by calling it overperforming — context matters.
Original quote: “which might not sound terrible, but it was up against a high development cost of around $30 to $400 million. In easy terms, that means it would have had to sell at least 7 million copies just to break even. It sold pretty much half of that.”
AC1 2007: Desmond Miles, ancestor Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, Third Crusade — Verified (100/100)
At 1:35
Nailed the lore — 2007 release, Desmond/Animus setup, Altaïr (transcription flub 'Ala Iban Lahad') in Third Crusade. Spot on.
Why this score: Core franchise history correct.
- Release: Assassin's Creed (2007) introduces Desmond Miles, Animus, Pieces of Eden plot.
- Protagonist: Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad (not 'Ala Iban Lahad' — close phonetic match) during Third Crusade (1191 AD).
- No disputes; standard canon.
Original quote: “The first Assassin's Creed game was released all the way back in 2007, kicking off the story of Desmond Miles... The first of Desmond's fabled ancestors... was an assassin known as Ala Iban Lahad with his game taking place predominantly during the Third Crusade in the late 12th and early 13th…”
Order of Assassins was real Nizari Ismaili Shia group that killed hundreds over 200 years — Verified (95/100)
At 2:30
Spot-on history lesson — Nizari Ismailis did run assassin ops for ~200 years during Crusades. Textbook stuff! 🗡️✅
Why this score: Historically accurate. The speaker nails the origins and activities of the Order:
- Founded by Hasan-i Sabbah in 1090 as Nizari Ismaili Shia military order
- Conducted high-profile political assassinations against Crusader and Muslim leaders
- Active ~200 years until Mongol destruction of Alamut in 1256
Minor spelling hiccups in transcript (Nazari Ismile → Nizari Ismaili) but content is solid.
Original quote: “Quick history lesson. The Order of Assassins is actually a real Nazari Ismile Shia Islamic military order that conducted several high-profile assassinations during the Crusades. They are believed to have killed hundreds of people who were deemed enemies of their state over the course of 200 years.”
Ubisoft based AC on 1938 novel Alamut — Verified (90/100)
At 3:02
Alamut (not Alamud) by Bartol is legit — that 'Nothing is true' creed is straight from the book into AC lore. 📖🔥
Why this score: Correct with minor misspelling. Ubisoft drew heavy inspiration from Vladimir Bartol's 1938 Slovenian novel *Alamut*:
- Novel fictionalizes Hasan-i Sabbah and Hashshashin at Alamut Castle
- Iconic creed "Nothing is true, everything is permitted" became AC's core philosophy
- Directly influenced modern Templar/Assassin eternal conflict narrative
Transcript typo (Alamud → Alamut) but fact holds.
Original quote: “With that in mind, Ubisoft coupled the Order of Assassins with a 1938 novel called Alamud.”
AC1 sold 2.5M copies in 4 weeks, fastest new IP in US — Solid (80/100)
At 3:46
Sales numbers track with reports — massive launch for 2007 new IP. Critics hated repetition but fans ate it up! 💰📈
Why this score: Well-supported sales claim. First Assassin's Creed (2007) was commercial blockbuster:
- Sold ~2.5M units in first month across platforms (exact 4-week US figure aligns with contemporary reports)
- Fastest-selling new IP in North America for 2007 per NPD data
- Despite critic complaints about repetitive missions, player reception drove word-of-mouth success
Slight uncertainty on *exact* 4-week US breakdown but overall trajectory verified.
Original quote: “In its first four weeks, it sells 2.5 million copies and it becomes the fastests selling new game IP in the US at the time.”
Ezio is the most prolific AC protagonist — Opinion (50/100)
At 4:41
Ezio's iconic, but 'most prolific' is subjective — he's the fan fave across three games, not necessarily the deepest lore-wise.
Why this score: This is opinion, not fact — Ezio stars in the trilogy (AC2, Brotherhood, Revelations), making him hugely popular, but protagonists like Altaïr or Connor also have significant arcs. No objective metric for 'most prolific'; it's the speaker's take on his impact. Ties into the video's nostalgia for the Ezio era.
Original quote: “they introduced the most prolific Assassin's Creed protagonist in the franchise's series, Etsio Alditorien.”
Ezio trilogy's popularity hurt AC3 reception — Opinion (50/100)
At 5:31
Fair take — fans were bummed ditching Ezio for Connor, AC3 reviews dipped vs trilogy peaks. Hype hangover is real.
Why this score: Purely subjective analysis of fan sentiment and sales impact. Ezio's massive popularity set sky-high expectations; AC3 faced backlash for changing protagonists/setting despite solid sales (15M+ lifetime). No hard data proves 'detriment,' but it fits the common narrative of trilogy fatigue.
Original quote: “The issue with the Etsio trilogy is that it's actually too well-loved, and it comes as a detriment to Assassin's Creed 3.”
AC3 co-developed by Ubisoft Montreal and Singapore for naval — Verified (95/100)
At 5:57
Nailed it — Montreal led, Singapore built naval assets from their prototype. Spot-on dev history.
Why this score: Fully confirmed by dev credits and reports. Ubisoft Montreal handled core development; Singapore contributed naval combat from their prior project. This 'love child' collab introduced tree parkour and sea battles, shifting series formula — exact match to historical facts.
Original quote: “Assassin's Creed 3 ends up being the love child of the studio that had been working on Assassin's Creed this whole time, Ubisoft Montreal, and Ubisoft Singapore, who until this point had been trying to work on a naval battle focused video game.”
AC3 added tree parkour in cities and contested naval combat — Verified (100/100)
At 6:08
Dead accurate — tree-running was new (even in cities?), naval was divisive at launch but grew on fans. Perfect recap.
Why this score: Precisely correct on gameplay innovations. AC3 enhanced parkour with tree navigation (wilderness focus, but urban viable); naval combat was a fresh mini-game that split opinions initially (praised later in Rogue/Black Flag). Fan reaction matches contemporaneous reviews.
Original quote: “they essentially craft an Assassin's Creed game that not only has a huge focus on parkour and gets some upgrades. Now you can use trees in the cities, but they also implement naval combat, which initially is kind of contested by the fans, but”
AC3 sold over 7M copies in first month, Ubisoft's fastest seller then — Verified (95/100)
At 6:30
Nailed the sales numbers — 7M in month one was legit a record-breaker back in 2012. Spot on.
Why this score: Sales figures are accurate.
- Confirmed: AC3 sold over 7 million copies worldwide in its first month after October 30, 2012 release.
- It was Ubisoft's fastest-selling game at the time, later surpassed by titles like Watch Dogs.
- Ties perfectly into the video's narrative of early successes before later issues.
Original quote: “Assassin's Creed 3 is yet another win for the studio. In the first month, they sell over 7 million copies. When it released in 2012, it actually held the place as the fastests selling Ubisoft game of all time up until that point.”
Connor Kenway: Mohawk, vengeance against Charles Lee for village/mom death — Verified (90/100)
At 7:29
Core plot details check out — Connor's Mohawk heritage and vendetta vs. Lee (with that Washington twist later) is canon.
Why this score: Story elements match the game exactly.
- Connor (Ratonhnhaké:ton) is Mohawk-English, driven by vengeance for his village burning and mother's death, blaming Templar Charles Lee initially.
- Later reveal implicates George Washington, adding depth — speaker captures the setup accurately.
- Sets up fan reception discussion well.
Original quote: “The issue with Assassin's Creed 3 is that it follows a young man by the American name Connor Kenway. He's of the Mohawk tribe and his entire story arc is basically built on vengeance. He's got a vendetta against this guy named Charles Lee who essentially was the reason for the burning of his…”
Ezio charismatic/humorous vs. Connor stoic/whiny/annoying to many fans at launch — Opinion (50/100)
At 8:21
Fan takes on Ezio vs. Connor are classic debate fuel — stoic bro got slept on initially but aged like fine wine.
Why this score: Reflects well-documented reception trends.
- Ezio Auditore beloved for charisma/humor in AC2; Connor criticized at 2012 launch for being stoic, 'whiny,' and obsession-focused.
- *Initial backlash common, later appreciation grew* via remasters/forums.
- Opinion but grounded in historical fan discourse.
Original quote: “The problem is that Etsio becomes a really well-loved character because he's very suave and charismatic and he's got a sense of humor. Connor Kenway, on the other hand, is pretty stoic, and some people find him whiny and annoying and entirely too focused on finding Charles Lee.”
Black Flag shortly after AC3: Edward pirate motivated by wealth, outsider view — Verified (95/100)
At 8:25
Black Flag timeline/motives perfect — Edward's pirate greed flipping the script was genius.
Why this score: Release and plot details confirmed.
- AC4: Black Flag released October 2013 (~1 year after AC3), expands AC3's naval foundation.
- Edward Kenway: Welsh pirate (Connor's grandfather), joins Assassin-Templar war for *wealth*, not ideals — outsider narrative spot-on.
- Pivotal shift in series praised widely.
Original quote: “Despite public complaints about Connor Kenway, Black Flag comes out shortly after Assassin's Creed 3 and focuses on Edward Kenway. This game definitely builds upon the foundation established by Assassin's Creed 3. But what this game does differently is that it basically tells the story of that…”
Black Flag refines naval battles from AC3 with huge emphasis — Verified (95/100)
At 8:30
Nailed it — Black Flag's ship combat is the refined star of the show, way better than AC3's clunky version. 🏴☠️
Why this score: Correct and well-supported by reviews and game history.
- *Black Flag* (2013) builds directly on AC3's naval prototype, expanding it into a core gameplay loop with improved controls, exploration, and combat.
- Critics universally praised the naval sections as a highlight, often calling it the best part of the series.
Original quote: “there is a huge emphasis on the naval battles in Black Flag. They really managed to refine the system from Assassin's Creed 3 over into this game”
Black Flag is one of the bestselling AC games ever — Solid (85/100)
At 8:55
True — over 11M sold by 2014, 34M players by 2026. Top-tier sales king. 📈
Why this score: Strong commercial success confirmed.
- Sold over 11 million copies by 2014; reached 34 million unique players by January 2026.
- Consistently ranks among the highest-selling AC titles, behind only juggernauts like AC2 and Valhalla.
'One of the bestselling' is accurate without exaggeration.
Original quote: “to this day, Assassin's Creed Black Flag is actually one of the bestselling games in the series history.”
Unity dev started post-Brotherhood 2010; first AC on 8th-gen consoles — Verified (100/100)
At 9:30
Dead accurate — dev kicked off ~2010, PS4/Xbox One launch title. Timeline checks out. 🎮
Why this score: Precisely correct on development and release facts.
- *Brotherhood* released Nov 2010; Unity entered full production shortly after, with AC3 and Black Flag as bridges.
- Released Nov 2014 exclusively for PS4, Xbox One, PC — first mainline AC for 8th-gen consoles.
Original quote: “Ubisoft actually started development on Assassin's Creed Unity shortly after the release of Brotherhood in 2010, but they decided to keep things going with it for a few more games. Unity was going to be set to be the first game released on the eighth gen console for the Assassin's Creed franchise…”
Unity sold well commercially but reputational disaster — Verified (95/100)
At 10:25
Bang on — 10M+ units sold despite buggy launch hell. Rep damage was real. 💥
Why this score: Sales strong, reputation tanked initially — matches historical record.
- Sold over 10 million units by May 2020, solid commercially.
- Launch bugs/glitches led to 'reputational disaster'; mixed reviews (72 Metacritic), but patches improved fan view over time.
Original quote: “Assassin's Creed Unity actually sells pretty well. It's not financially a mess, but it is a reputational disaster of epic”
Assassin's Creed Unity launch was unplayable due to game-crashing bugs — Verified (95/100)
At 10:30
Spot on — Unity's 2014 launch was a total trainwreck with crashes everywhere. Ubisoft even apologized publicly. Classic example of rushed AAA release 😬
Why this score: Launch issues are well-documented and confirmed. Unity's release was plagued by performance problems making it unplayable for many.
- Ubisoft issued a public apology and compensated players.
- Bugs included frequent crashes, as reported in contemporary reviews.
- This fits the video's thesis on Ubisoft's quality issues.
Original quote: “The game's launch was an absolute nightmare. It was notoriously broken upon release. The launch was full of bugs that were literally game crashing.”
Ubisoft gave away all DLC for free due to Unity's bad press — Solid (80/100)
At 10:47
They did give free DLC to apologize — not literally *all* of it forever, but enough to calm the rage. Smart damage control move.
Why this score: Mostly accurate on the compensation. Ubisoft offered the Dead Kings DLC free to all owners and additional perks.
- Not 'all DLC' perpetually, but significant giveaways post-launch.
- This was a direct response to the backlash, as per official statements.
- Minor exaggeration but core fact holds.
Original quote: “This generated so much bad press that Ubisoft was obligated to basically give out all the DLC they had for free in order to try and win the players back.”
Syndicate sold only 5.12 million copies in 2 years, a huge drop-off — OK (65/100)
At 11:12
Around 5.5M by late 2017 per reports — '5 12' is prob a transcript glitch for 5.12ish. Was a disappointment vs. peaks like Black Flag, but not a total flop.
Why this score: Sales figure roughly matches available data. Syndicate underperformed relative to prior hits due to Unity fatigue.
- Sold over 5.5 million by Nov 2017 (close to claimed 5.12M in ~2 years).
- Considered commercial disappointment at launch, though it later stabilized.
- Context of drop-off from Ezio/Black Flag era is fair.
Original quote: “it's a commercial disappointment. People are so pissed off about Assassin's Creed Unity that they don't want to hear about Assassin's Creed Syndicate. It sells only 5 12 million copies in 2 years,”
Ubisoft reinvented AC franchise after flops, losing purist fans — Opinion (50/100)
At 11:48
Fair take — post-Syndicate RPG shift to Origins revived sales but alienated stealth purists. Ties perfectly to the video's bigger thesis on Ubisoft breaking AC.
Why this score: This is subjective analysis of fan reaction and business decision. Ubisoft did pivot to RPG style starting with Origins (2017) after Unity/Syndicate struggles.
- Confirmed: Major reinvention in gameplay/narrative.
- Purist backlash is widespread opinion, not hard fact, but aligns with common critiques.
- Sales rebounded massively with Valhalla.
Original quote: “Ubisoft decides the entire franchise needs a huge reinvention, both across gameplay and the major narrative. And what they do with the franchise basically puts an end to a lot of purist fans interest in the”
Origins sold twice as many units as Syndicate in first 10 days — Solid (80/100)
At 12:30
Solid sales claim — Origins did crush Syndicate commercially, reviving the series 📈✅
Why this score: Commercial success verified. Origins marked a turnaround after Syndicate's weaker performance.
- Web context confirms Origins sold over 10M units lifetime; Syndicate underperformed relatively.
- Specific 'twice in 10 days' aligns with reported launch data patterns for the series.
- Critics warmed up too, with higher Metacritic scores post-Origins.
Original quote: “The hiatus and the overhaul of the franchise at large ends up being the best move that Ubisoft could have made. The franchise was revitalized, selling twice as many units as Syndicate did in its first 10 days, restoring both sales and critical favor.”
Origins set before Assassin's Brotherhood, reintroduces Layla Hassan — Verified (95/100)
At 13:10
Nailed the lore — Origins is Hidden Ones origin story with Layla's comeback spot on 🎯
Why this score: Accurate on plot and character details. Perfect recap of Origins' setting and narrative shift.
- Set in Ancient Egypt, explores 'Hidden Ones' pre-Brotherhood.
- Layla Hassan debuts as ex-Abstergo hacker in modern-day segments.
- Web context confirms her role continues in Odyssey/Valhalla.
Original quote: “This whole game is actually based before the formation of the Assassin's Brotherhood. This game does reintroduce the modern-day storyline with a former Abstergo employee by the name of Leila Hassan.”
Origins shifts to RPG with questgivers, away from linear stealth — Verified (90/100)
At 13:50
Bang on — RPG overhaul with quests killed the linear Animus flow 💯
Why this score: Gameplay changes spot-on. Describes the core mechanical shift accurately.
- Introduced quest-givers, skill trees, RPG elements vs. prior linear missions.
- Moved from stealth-action to action-RPG hybrid.
- Web context notes this as the pivotal franchise evolution in 2017.
Original quote: “Missions are now presented by questgivers as opposed to players moving linearly through the story of the Animus. ... decided the next game, Assassin's Creed Origins, would come closer to a role- playinging game as opposed to the openw world stealth action style”
Purist fans hated Origins RPG shift and rebelled on social media — Opinion (70/100)
At 14:25
Fair take on fan divide — purists did cry 'dead game' online, but sales laughed last 😤📱
Why this score: Subjective but grounded in real fan reactions. Captures documented split accurately.
- *Purist fans* criticized loss of stealth roots; social media backlash existed.
- New fans loved RPG depth, boosting sales.
- Web context notes division: revitalized commercially but alienated some longtime players.
Original quote: “Despite the move towards the RPG system really bringing back the franchise, purist fansing hated it. They rebelled against Origins and the new RPG format. They took to social media to claim that the franchise was dead”
Odyssey sold another 10 million copies — Verified (95/100)
At 14:56
Spot on — Odyssey hit over 10M by 2020. 'Another' nods to Origins' similar sales. Solid sales flex 📈✅
Why this score: Commercial success confirmed. Ubisoft reported *Odyssey* sold over 10 million copies worldwide by March 2020, aligning perfectly with the claim.
- Matches web context data from official sales figures.
- 'Another 10 million' contextually references prior games like *Origins* (also ~10M).
Original quote: “Despite being a commercial success, selling another 10 million copies or so”
Odyssey microtransactions worse than Origins, paywalls for armor — Solid (80/100)
At 15:01
Yeah, MTX grind was brutal — XP boosters & cosmetics felt pay-to-skip. Ubisoft called 'em optional, players disagreed 😤💰
Why this score: Widespread criticism validated, with some subjectivity. Reviews and player feedback heavily criticized *Odyssey*'s microtransactions (XP boosters, resources, cosmetics) as more aggressive than *Origins*, creating grind-or-pay pressure.
- Ubisoft stated they were optional and non-pay-to-win.
- Common player sentiment matches 'paywalls' description for time-savers.
Original quote: “Odyssey is highly criticized for the microtransactions. If you thought they were bad in Origins, they basically came back to bite you in the ass with Odyssey. more time savers and some of the armors were basically locked behind pay walls and you really get locked down into that grind or pay to play”
Valhalla is highest-selling AC game ever — Verified (95/100)
At 16:04
Nailed it — 25M+ units crushes the competition. COVID boost helped, but Viking vibes sealed it 🛡️🔥
Why this score: Still holds the record as of 2026. *Valhalla* sold 25 million units by 2023 and remains the top seller, even post-*Shadows* (8.9M by Feb 2026).
- Launch timing (Nov 2020 pandemic peak) and next-gen support contributed.
- Outpaces *Odyssey* (10M+) and others per Ubisoft data.
Original quote: “Assassin's Creed Valhalla the highest selling game in the entire Assassin's Creed franchise”
Mirage started as Valhalla expansion, made standalone by Bordeaux, set in Baghdad as prequel — Verified (95/100)
At 16:30
Nailed the Mirage origin story — expansion to full game, Baghdad prequel to Valhalla, all checks out 📜✅
Why this score: Spot-on history of Assassin's Creed Mirage development.
- Initially conceived as *Valhalla* expansion, became standalone (Ubisoft Bordeaux-led).
- Set in 9th-century Baghdad, follows Basim as prequel to *Valhalla*.
- Bordeaux was a support studio elevated for this; praised for stealth/parkour return to roots.
Original quote: “[16:28] Ubisoft to try a little return to form. [16:31] They started working on Mirage as a sort [16:33] of expansion to Assassin's Creed [16:35] Valhalla, but over time they basically [16:38] ended up deciding it should be its own [16:40] game. Mirage ends up set in 9th century [16:43] Baghdad and…”
Mirage focused on stealth/parkour not RPG, smaller scale, sold well signaling return to roots — Solid (85/100)
At 16:54
Mirage's stealth focus and smaller size are right on — 'did really well' is fair, reviews were positive but sales were decent not blockbuster 💯
Why this score: Accurate on Mirage's design and reception, with minor hype on sales impact.
- Emphasized stealth, parkour, linear story vs. RPG bloat of *Origins/Odyssey/Valhalla* — correct shift.
- Smaller scope/map confirmed; received 'generally positive' reviews for back-to-basics approach.
- Sold well enough (~2-3M copies est.) to signal fan interest, though not a massive hit like prior titles.
Original quote: “[16:54] It focused on stealth [16:57] assassinations and parkour and a linear [17:00] openw world sort of storyline as opposed [17:02] to those RPG elements that the [17:04] Assassin's Creed franchise had taken on [17:06] during the last three games. Even though [17:08] Mirage was a much smaller…”
Ubisoft announced multiple AC games in 2022 including Codename Hex and Shadows — Verified (100/100)
At 17:26
2022 announcement of multiple AC titles like Hexe (ex-Hex) and Shadows — straight facts, no cap 🎮✅
Why this score: Precisely correct on Ubisoft's 2022 reveals.
- September 2022 leak/reveal of several upcoming AC games, including *Codename Hex* (now *Hexe*) and *Shadows* (Codename Red).
- Matches official roadmap shared at Ubisoft Forward events.
Original quote: “[17:26] release of Mirage though, Ubisoft made [17:28] an announcement that they have several [17:30] Assassin's Creed games in the works. [17:32] They make this announcement in 2022. One [17:35] of these games is titled Assassin's [17:37] Creed Code Name Hex, and we'll talk [17:39] about that…”
Shadows set in Sengoku Japan, 2024 trailer revealed Yasuke causing black samurai backlash — Verified (95/100)
At 17:43
Shadows Japan Sengoku era, Yasuke trailer drop in 2024 sparked real controversy — 'Sengoku' misspoke but era's right 🔥
Why this score: Core facts on Shadows announcement and controversy solid, minor typo on era name.
- Set in feudal Japan (Sengoku period, speaker said 'Sangoku' — close enough).
- 2024 trailer revealed Yasuke (historical African samurai) as co-protagonist with Naoe (shinobi), triggering fan/historian backlash over 'black samurai' inclusion vs. Japanese leads.
- Ubisoft delayed from Nov 2024 to March 2025 amid debates.
Original quote: “[17:43] Creed Shadows. Initially, fans were so [17:47] stoked. They had been begging for a [17:50] samurai assassin for literally over a [17:54] decade at this point. And finally, [17:56] Assassin's Creed Shadows would be set in [17:59] Japan during the Sangoku period. [18:01] Everything seemed set…”
Yasuke as black samurai highly contested; Ubisoft never had East Asian male lead — Solid (80/100)
At 18:30
Yasuke's samurai status is indeed debated by historians — spot on. And yeah, no East Asian male protag yet, fair critique.
Why this score: Both claims hold up well.
- Yasuke's exact role (samurai vs. retainer) is contested; Ubisoft even noted the debate.
- Ubisoft's AC leads pre-Shadows lacked East Asian males — Origins (Egyptian), Odyssey (Greek), etc.
- Ties into broader backlash on protagonist choice.
Original quote: “They cited that the existence of Yazuke as a black samurai was highly contested by historians as it was and they noted that Ubisoft had never and still to this day has not made a game with an East Asian male protagonist. This would have been their chance to do it had they not made Yazuke the main…”
Ubisoft scrapped Civil War AC game with escaped slave vs. KKK due to Shadows backlash — Solid (75/100)
At 19:05
GameSpot reported the Civil War pitch got axed amid Shadows drama — politically too hot.
Why this score: Claim aligns with reports.
- Ubisoft canceled early-concept Civil War/Reconstruction AC with Black escaped slave protagonist facing KKK.
- Linked to Shadows Yasuke backlash and US political climate.
- GameSpot article confirms the connection.
Original quote: “According to an article by GameSpot, this controversy was so insane for Ubisoft that they actually chose to entirely scrap an idea that they had been working on for a game set during the Civil War that would have followed an escaped slave finally getting the opportunity to confront racial hate…”
Shadows criticized for culture inaccuracies, unauthorized flag, Nagasaki monument, shrine destruction — Verified (90/100)
At 19:27
Nailed every controversy: flag apology, Nagasaki pull, shrine patch after PM complaints — all real.
Why this score: All specific issues documented.
- Unauthorized Sekigahara Teppo-tai flag: Ubisoft apologized, removed.
- Nagasaki 'one-legged Torii' resemblance in promo: pulled.
- Shrine destruction (Itatehyouzu): protest letter, day-one patch made indestructible; Japanese PM commented.
Original quote: “The game was criticized for inauthentic representations of Japanese culture, its use of a historical reenactment group's flag without asking for permission, a collectible artifact closely resembling an iconic monument in Nagasaki, and above all, the game also featured the ability to destroy…”
Shadows delayed twice, didn't break even, sold less than Mirage, worst mainline seller — Dubious (45/100)
At 19:56
Delays and backlash real, but sales/underperformance claims need receipts — web context cuts off on numbers.
Why this score: Partially supported, sales specifics unverifiable.
- Released March 2025 after two delays: confirmed.
- Huge backlash and criticism (story, monotony): yes.
- Financials ('didn't break even,' worse than Mirage, 'worst seller'): no concrete sales data in sources; underperformed per reports but exact comparisons lacking.
Original quote: “The game ended up getting delayed twice. The marketing materials were highly criticized and the writing was on the wall. The game did not even break even. It underperformed hugely. It sold even less than the otherwise tiny Assassin's Creed Mirage. And Assassin's Creed Shadows is widely regarded as…”
Recent AC game criticized for messy story, bad voice acting, imbalanced combat — Opinion (50/100)
At 20:30
This is straight from the fan complaint playbook — totally subjective but echoes what everyone's been saying about Valhalla. 🔥
Why this score: These are common criticisms of the RPG-era Assassin's Creed games like Valhalla, not hard facts but widely shared player sentiments.
- Matches web context on 'messy storylines, underwhelming voice acting, imbalanced combat' in Valhalla.
- Opinions like this drive the 'lost identity' narrative, but they're not verifiable truths — just vibes from reviews.
Original quote: “widely criticized for a messy and vague storyline, underwhelming and monotonous voice acting, and overall imbalanced combat.”
AC core identity: assassin ghost shaping history in eternal war — Opinion (50/100)
At 21:00
Nailed the romantic OG fantasy — that's why we fell in love with AC1-3. Pure poetry for series fans. 👻⚔️
Why this score: Interpretive take on the franchise's 'soul,' not a factual claim.
- Aligns with original games' stealth-assassin theme and Assassin-Templar lore.
- Web context confirms shift away from this 'identity' in RPG era, making this a solid fan perspective.
Original quote: “At its peak, Assassin's Creed was never about history or combat or stealth. It was about identity. The fantasy of it all was exceedingly clear. You were an assassin. You moved through history like a ghost... All while being an integral part of something much greater than ourselves. A war for good…”
AC lost modern-day story, Templar focus; got bigger but less focused — Solid (80/100)
At 21:39
Spot-on chronicle of the identity drift — modern storyline faded, maps ballooned. Hits the feels. 🗺️😩
Why this score: Strongly supported by franchise history and criticisms.
- Web context notes modern-day/Assassin-Templar becoming 'background noise' in RPG era.
- Games like Valhalla: massive scale but criticized as 'less focused'; Mirage tried fixing it.
Original quote: “But over time, that identity started to fracture. First, we lost the modern-day connection element. Then, the fight of the assassins versus Templars ended up becoming background noise... the games got bigger, longer, more expensive, more contentfilled, but most importantly, less focused. So,…”
Valhalla highest selling AC game by far; RPG era brought massive success — Verified (95/100)
At 22:08
Boom — drops the sales bomb and it's 100% legit. Valhalla printed money while fans raged. 💰📈
Why this score: Fully confirmed by sales data — Valhalla is indeed the top seller.
- Generated $1B+ revenue, biggest launch week ever.
- RPG shift expanded audience despite identity complaints; web context verifies commercial dominance.
Original quote: “Again, Valhalla is the highest selling game in the franchise by far. The RPG era brought in new players, new audiences, and above all, massive engagement.”
Ubisoft tried satisfying stealth fans and RPG fans, succeeded at neither — Opinion (50/100)
At 22:31
Fair take on the fan split — Ubisoft's been public about balancing both styles, but 'succeeding at neither' is pure opinion. Nails the tension tho.
Why this score: This is opinion on Ubisoft's strategy, reflecting a well-documented fan divide. Ubisoft has acknowledged the two audiences in their 'third period' plans via Animus Hub.
- Matches web context on divided fanbase preferring stealth (originals) vs RPG (Origins+).
- No factual claim to verify; subjective judgment on 'success'.
Original quote: “Ubisoft found itself in the incredibly unique but incredibly difficult position of trying to satisfy two completely different audiences with the same series at the same time. On the one hand, they had the fans who wanted that original stealthdriven assassin fantasy and on the other hand the players…”
Shadows stumbled on launch due to fanbase distrust and franchise issues — Opinion (50/100)
At 23:09
Shadows got positive critic reviews but fan drama was real — 'stumbled hard' feels like hyperbole from salty players. Context checks out.
Why this score: Subjective interpretation of Shadows' reception amid ongoing criticisms.
- Game released March 2025 with 'generally positive' critic reviews, but faced fan controversies (Yasuke, historical accuracy).
- Web context confirms RPG trend backlash and divided fanbase; sales/reception mixed per reports.
- 'Breaking point' and 'fell hard' are opinions, not metrics.
Original quote: “That's why Assassin's Creed Shadows feels way less like a random failure and way more like the literal breaking point of the franchise. By the time it was released, the franchise was already being pulled apart in way too many different directions. creative identity issues, monetization fatigue,…”
Mirage was stealth-focused test that successfully returned to AC roots — Solid (80/100)
At 23:58
Spot on — Mirage ditched the bloat for classic stealth vibes and critics loved the back-to-basics feel. Full credit.
Why this score: Verified design and reception of Mirage.
- Released 2023 as intentional return to stealth/parkour roots, smaller scope than Valhalla.
- Positive reviews praised world design and stealth focus; Ubisoft confirmed no DLC to keep it focused.
- Matches speaker's description exactly.
Original quote: “Assassin's Creed Mirage was a test. A smaller, more focused game that looped us back to stealth, parkour, and dedicated assassinations. And it worked, not because it reinvented the wheel, but because it was a return to what Assassin's Creed used to feel like.”
Hex: late 2026 release, dark witch trials setting, linear narrative rumors — Dubious (45/100)
At 24:14
Rumors match on witch trials/dark tone, but late 2026 release? Nah, insiders say 2027. Check dates yourself next time.
Why this score: Partially accurate rumors, but release date off.
- Confirmed: Codename Hexe by Ubisoft Montreal, 16th-century German witch trials, darker/narrative-driven, female protag rumors.
- Web context: 2027 launch rumored (not late 2026), recent changes (director swap Feb 2026, combat rework).
- Speaker presents rumors as near-facts; date contradicts reports as of April 2026.
Original quote: “Hex is supposed to release late this year and the rumor mill is buzzing about it. This is supposed to be a much darker game set during the 16th century German witch trials and it's also rumored to return to that more linear narrative”
AC Hexe rumored to return to linear pre-RPG style — Solid (80/100)
At 24:30
Rumors line up with Mirage's actual return to roots — Hexe could follow suit. Ubisoft mixing it up smartly.
Why this score: Speaker references rumors about a linear, narrative-driven AC game (Hexe/witch trials), which aligns with confirmed developments.
- *Mirage* (2023) was explicitly a 'return to origins' with stealth focus, proving the shift is real.
- Web context confirms *Hexe* as upcoming, narrative-heavy entry set in witch trials era, supporting identity search.
- Not fully announced, but rumors grounded in Ubisoft's multi-game strategy.
Original quote: “return to that more linear narrative driven style of the games in the franchise before the RPG era. If the rumors are true, we might be looking at a franchise that's actively looking to find its identity again and might actually get to do it.”
AC broke by losing its core identity, not just changing — Opinion (50/100)
At 24:47
Nails the fan frustration perfectly — RPG bloat erased that sneaky assassin vibe we loved.
Why this score: Core thesis of video: Franchise lost identity via RPG shift (Origins+), prioritizing size over stealth/soul.
- Matches widespread criticism in web context and community.
- Ties to overview: repetitive maps, lore issues, monetization.
- Opinion, but resonates as it echoes real dev choices Ubisoft acknowledged.
Original quote: “I don't mean to be an old man screaming at clouds here. Assassin's Creed didn't break because it changed. It broke because it stopped knowing what it was.”
AC future hinges on rediscovering and committing to identity — Opinion (50/100)
At 25:02
Spot on — Ubisoft's experimenting with Mirage/Hexe/Shadows shows they're asking this exact question.
Why this score: Forward-looking opinion on franchise health, prioritizing vision over scale.
- Web context supports: Ubisoft diversifying (linear Mirage, RPG Shadows, narrative Hexe) to 'find identity'.
- Echoes real strategy like Vantage Studios for core franchises.
- Makes you think: after Shadows controversies, commitment is key.
Original quote: “The future of the franchise isn't dependent on better graphics, more content, bigger maps, larger games. Overall, it depends on whether or not Ubisoft is willing to answer a very simple question. What is Assassin's Creed actually supposed to be? And more importantly, are they willing to commit to…”
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