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"Why Ubisoft's Top Mind is Steering Clear of Naysayers on Star Wars Outlaws"

"Bad faith" discourse "not worth engaging with", Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws creative director says (Via: eurogamer.net)

Image via: eurogamer.net - "Bad faith" discourse "not worth engaging with", Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws creative director says

Ubisoft Addresses Criticism and Controversy in Recent Games

Ubisoft's handling of fan concerns highlights ongoing tensions around game content and character representation.


Apology for "Assassin's Creed Shadows"

Ubisoft recently issued an apology for "some elements" in the promotional materials of Assassin's Creed Shadows that "caused concern" among fans. The apology was seen as a response to backlash over the inclusion of historical figure Yasuke as a Black samurai, along with the game's dual protagonist setup.


Fan Reactions

The main Assassin's Creed Reddit community described the ongoing debate as "tedious" and accused Ubisoft's statement of exacerbating the issue. Moderators of the subreddit noted that the apology did little to quell the dissatisfaction among fans.


Response to "Star Wars Outlaws" Criticism

In contrast, Ubisoft's creative director Julian Gerighty addressed online criticism of Star Wars Outlaws, specifically regarding the aesthetic appearance of its main character, Kay Vess. He dismissed "bad-faith" debates as not worth engaging with.


Direct Approach

Gerighty's straightforward response aimed to mitigate the negativity surrounding the game's character design discussions, reinforcing a stance that values genuine feedback over divisive discourse.


For more details, check out the original article.



Ubisoft’s Recent Controversies: Debating Creative Decisions in Gaming

Ubisoft has certainly found itself in the spotlight over the past week, and not necessarily for the reasons it might have hoped. The company’s recent apology related to Assassin's Creed Shadows and the subsequent backlash surrounding Star Wars Outlaws has sparked a lot of conversations about creative choices and community reactions in the gaming world.


Assassin's Creed Shadows' Promotional Missteps

Last week's vaguely-worded apology from Ubisoft raised many eyebrows. The apology, which aimed to address "some elements" of Assassin's Creed Shadows' promotional materials that had "caused concern," seemed to have only added fuel to the fire. 🧐 Fans jumped to the conclusion that the statement was about the inclusion of Yasuke, a historical figure and Black samurai, and the game's dual protagonist approach.


Moderators on the main Assassin's Creed subreddit even labeled the ongoing debate a "tedious discussion," arguing that Ubisoft’s statement had "exacerbated" the issue. I get it; fans are passionate, but sometimes the drama seems blown out of proportion.


Why Yasuke's Inclusion Matters

Let’s pause for a sec and talk about why Yasuke's inclusion is so incendiary. The historical Yasuke is a fascinating figure, and bringing diverse stories to a franchise as grand as Assassin's Creed is refreshing. Representation in games matters – it brings new perspectives, enriches the narrative, and makes the gaming world feel more inclusive.


Star Wars Outlaws: Aesthetic Criticism

Switching gears to Star Wars Outlaws, we see a different facet of community feedback. Julian Gerighty, the creative director, addressed criticism around the main character Kay Vess’s aesthetic, bluntly stating that "bad-faith" debates are "not worth engaging with." 🎤 Drop!


I can’t help but feel that Gerighty's response might have been the smart move. Seriously, not every critique needs a press release. The endless cycle of defending creative choices against bad-faith arguments can be exhausting, and sometimes, silence speaks volumes.


Standing by Creative Choices

Here’s a thought: sometimes game developers should firmly stand by their decisions. It fosters authenticity and shows confidence in their vision. If fans sense wobbliness, the trolls come out to play.


Engaging with Fans

Though, it's a balancing act. Developers should definitely listen to constructive feedback – after all, fans are the heartbeat of any successful franchise. But distinguishing between genuine, passionate critique and noise? That’s an art.


The Future of Fan-Developer Relationships

Moving forward, I think we’ll see more developers establishing clear boundaries between community engagement and maintaining their creative integrity. With social media amplifying every voice, it's crucial to filter out the static and focus on meaningful conversations.


Conclusion

Ubisoft's recent experiences highlight the complexities of modern game development. Balancing creative vision with fan expectations is no easy task, but it's one worth mastering. A thicker skin for developers and a more thoughtful approach from fans will only benefit the gaming community as a whole.



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