Summary
With every passing day, it seems as though Ubisoft’sAssassin’s Creedseries just can’t escape bad publicity. After the recent fallout thatAssassin’s Creed Shadowshas experienced, now,Assassin’s Creed Origins, a seven-year-oldAssassin’s Creedgame, has been review bombed due to a recent update that has led to some major performance issues. Unfortunately, the ripple effect of this event unfortunately goes far beyondAssassin’s Creed Originsitself.
What must be considered is the name and brand thatAssassin’s Creed Originscarries and the current state of the franchise’s reputation. As Ubisoft gears up to release the next installment in theAssassin’s Creedseries,Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the problems created by the recent update toAssassin’s Creed Originsand the way some players have responded are the last thing the brand needed, making any hopes of its redemption even more unrealistic.
Assassin’s Creed Origins' Review Bombing Puts More Dirt on the Brand
Assassin’s Creed and Ubisoft Haven’t Been Able to Catch a Break for Some Time Now
It’s no secret that Ubisoft has had a rough go of it lately, with its standing in the gaming industry seeing a steady decline after underperforming game releases, including titles like the recently releasedStar Wars Outlaws, failed to meet sales expectations. Its reputation among fans has also been at stake as of late, after it has faced controversy for perceived historical inaccuracies and cultural insensitivity in games likeAssassin’s Creed Shadows. Despite the issues it has faced, however, Ubisoft is currently busy behind the scenes, seemingly doing whatever it takes to earn back the trust of its fans by focusing its energy more internally rather than outwardly.
It’s no secret that Ubisoft has had a rough go of it lately, with its standing in the gaming industry seeing a steady decline after underperforming game releases, including titles like the recently releasedStar Wars Outlaws, failed to meet sales expectations.
One of Ubisoft’s most popular series,Assassin’s Creed, has received a significant portion of this criticism over the years for a number of different reasons. Firstly,Assassin’s Creed Origins, ironically, changed everythingfor the series in 2017 by opening the door for a shift from the stealth-based gameplay it was known for to a more action-oriented, open-world RPG format. While these changes were initially received somewhat positively, subsequent titles likeAssassin’s Creed OdysseyandAssassin’s Creed Valhallasaw that evolution taking root in a far more significant way, leading to further criticism.
Assassin’s Creed Shadowsis the latest title in the series to garner widespread negativity, despite the fact that it hasn’t even been released yet. For the most part, any negative opinions targetingAssassin’s Creed Shadowshave been aimed at something the franchise has long been infamous for: historical inaccuracy. Fans and critics alike have argued that certainAssassin’s Creedgames take creative liberties that compromise historical accuracy, potentially misleading players about real-world history. Now, one ofAssassin’s Creed Shadows' protagonists, Yasuke, has inspired more debates about the series' historical authenticity and its true intentions, even to the point that some fans have called for the game’s cancelation.
Assassin’s Creed Shadowshas also been heavily criticized for its portrayal of Japanese culture and history, with many pointing to inaccuracies in architectural designs and various Chinese and Japanese elements.
Assassin’s Creed Origins' Review Bombing Adds More Fuel to the Fire
Now, as if theAssassin’s Creedseries didn’t already have enough working against it,Assassin’s Creed Origins, a seven-year-old game, is getting review bombed for a recent update that is bricking the game for a lot of people and causing black screens, flashes, and freezes for many others. While this certainly doesn’t benefit the reputation of one of thebetterAssassin’s Creedtitlesout there, it simultaneously adds fuel to the fire for those who have already taken up issues with the series over the last several years. This will be especially true for any who neglect to fully research the problems the update has caused and instead simply choose to take it as a justification for their growing disdain for theAssassin’s Creedbrand.
As Ubisoft continues to be met with criticism and setbacks, theAssassin’s Creedfranchise is at a critical crossroads. While thereview bombing ofAssassin’s Creed Originsmay be the result of severe performance issues, that negativity chips away even more at confidence in the series during a time whenAssassin’s Creed Shadowsis already under intense scrutiny. If Ubisoft hopes to achieve redemption, it will need to meet these challenges with increased transparency and a renewed commitment to quality and authenticity. For a brand that is as ambitious in its storytelling as it is in its immersive worlds, now is the time for Ubisoft to prove thatAssassin’s Creedcan evolve while remaining true to its legacy.
