Ubisoft Japan Cancels Tokyo Game Show 2024 Appearance Just Days Before the Event

In an unexpected announcement, Ubisoft Japan has canceled its scheduled appearance at the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2024, just two days before the event is set to begin. The cancellation was confirmed through a post on the company's official X account, but the announcement did not provide specific reasons, citing only "various circumstances" for the sudden change of plans.

Alongside the canceled TGS showcase, Ubisoft has also reportedly scrapped the planned Assassin's Creed press previews, which were scheduled for the following week. This has sparked speculation within the gaming community about potential delays for the next installment in the franchise, Assassin's Creed Shadows. Though no official delay has been confirmed, the decision to pull both the Tokyo Game Show appearance and press previews has led some to wonder if the game is facing development challenges.

This is not the first time Assassin's Creed Shadows has encountered controversy or delays. Earlier this year, the game drew criticism from fans over the historical portrayal of its protagonist, Yasuke, an African samurai. The community expressed concerns about the accuracy of Yasuke's depiction, with some arguing that he never truly existed as a samurai. Although most historians agree on his existence, there has been some debate over his role, with some claiming he was more of a weapons carrier rather than a full-fledged samurai. Ubisoft has addressed these concerns and defended their decision to feature Yasuke as the main character, aiming to maintain a balance between creative storytelling and historical inspiration.

More recently, Ubisoft Japan faced backlash after it used a Japanese historical re-enactment group's flag in concept art for Assassin's Creed Shadows without permission. The flag, which belongs to the Sekigahara Teppo-tai group, was featured in two pieces of promotional art, sparking further controversy. Ubisoft issued an apology on X/Twitter, admitting the mistake and stating they had reached out to the group to resolve the issue.

While Ubisoft has not officially confirmed any delays, the sudden cancellation of both their TGS showcase and Assassin's Creed press previews suggests there could be ongoing development issues with Assassin's Creed Shadows. Given the current challenges faced by the gaming industry, such as delays, production slowdowns, and increased scrutiny over game quality, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ubisoft is taking extra time to ensure the game meets expectations. The absence of further details has only fueled speculation that the game might need more work before it's ready for launch.

Despite the setbacks, Ubisoft Japan has not disclosed whether the canceled events will be rescheduled or if additional updates about Assassin's Creed Shadows will be provided in the near future. Fans of both the series and TGS are left waiting for more information.