The questionable historical accuracy and potential disrespect towards Japanese culture in the game Assassin's Creed Shadows have sparked a controversy that continues to escalate.
The Japanese YouTube channel Nippon Journal recently examined the book "African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, the Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan," and the findings were quite surprising.
Thomas Lockley, the British author of the book, is a professor at Nihon University in Japan. His book was considered a primary source about Yasuke's life in Japan. Nippon Journal consulted historians and discovered that the author had been editing facts about Yasuke on Wikipedia since 2015. Lockley did this incognito to promote his own book, published in 2019. This calls into question everything presented in African Samurai.
The investigation has triggered a massive reaction in Japan. The university has dismissed Lockley and initiated an inquiry into the accuracy of his book. The scholar has not commented on the situation but has deleted his social media profiles. While the game Assassin's Creed Shadows and Ubisoft do not directly reference the book, Lockley was a participant in a discussion about the game organized by the company.
Nihon University has launched an investigation into «historian» and Nihon professor, Thomas Lockley, who has deleted his entire social media presence.
Thomas Lockley appeared on Ubisoft's podcast for Assassin's Creed Shadows, and was widely cited in the edit revisions on… pic.twitter.com/SJJGq8C4iZ
— Grummz (@Grummz) July 19, 2024
The scandal has even taken on political significance. Satoshi Hamada, a member of Japan's upper house of parliament, is considering addressing the government regarding an official investigation into the distortions present in the game.
Source: Gamedev.Dou
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