Summary
Assassin’s Creed Shadowscontinues to be met with controversy, with the majority of that controversy revolving around its apparent less-than-historical take on feudal Japan and its samurai protagonist, Yasuke. In fact,Assassin’s Creed Shadowsmay very well be one of the most divisiveAssassin’s Creedtitles ever made, and it hasn’t even been released yet. Nevertheless, it continues to press on toward its November 2024 release date with every intention of providing players with what is perhaps the most fan-requestedAssassin’s Creedexperience to date.
TheAssassin’s Creedfranchise as a whole has been controversial for quite some time now, mostly on account of Ubisoft changing its iconic formula to suit more modern audiences. As the series' stealth roots have been largely ignored in its more modern installments (aside fromAssassin’s Creed Mirage), it has gone through quite an identity crisis.Assassin’s Creed Shadowsis attempting to strike a balance between traditional and modernAssassin’s Creedwith itsdual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, but even that is drowning in controversy. However, whileAssassin’s Creed Shadowsmay be the most divisiveAssassin’s Creedtitle to date, it may not be the last, as Ubisoft’s next bigAssassin’s Creedgame might be just as controversial.
Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe Has as Much Divisive Potential as Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe Is Reportedly Set During the 16th Century German Witch Trials
Just asAssassin’s Creed Shadowswas originally calledAssassin’s Creed Codename Red,Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexeis likely not the final name ofAssassin’s Creed’s next big game. That being said, there is plenty of information found within its codename and the footage released for it so far — as well as various rumors and leaks — to speculate on its setting and story. During its Ubisoft Forward event in September 2022, Ubisoft unveiled a brief teaser forAssassin’s Creed Codename Hexe, sparking rumors and speculation.
At the end of the trailer, the iconic Assassin insignia is surrounded by Old German dialect that reads in English, “We work in the dark to serve the light,” fueling rumors that it would be set in old Germany. Furthermore, the word “hexe” is a German word that means “witch,” which seems to link it to the16th-century German witch hunts— most likely those that took place between the years of 1561 and 1670. While this would be an incredibly unique direction for theAssassin’s Creedfranchise if it turns out to be true, there is cause for concern when it comes to its protagonist’s skills, especially if the protagonist is a witch.
Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe Introducing Magic Could Be Highly Controversial
IfAssassin’s Creed Codename Hexe’s protagonistis a witch, there is potential for her to rely on magic for her abilities. In fact, a fairly recent leak seems to confirm thatHexe’s protagonist will use magic of some kind, whether that be possessing cats or using fear as a manipulative tool. Unfortunately, the idea of magic making its way into anAssassin’s Creedtitle has always been a controversial topic. This is largely due to the fact thatAssassin’s Creeddoes its best to be as historically accurate as possible, although each game begins with a disclaimer that it is a work of fiction only loosely based on historical facts. Since magic isn’t real, this would complicate things forAssassin’s Creed Codename Hexe, being based on a real event in history.
It’s possible theAssassin’s Creedfan base could overlook the use ofmagic in anAssassin’s Creedtitle, but it’s unlikely. If the controversy surroundingAssassin’s Creed Shadowshas proven anything, it’s that the gaming community can be quite unforgiving at times, especially when it comes to games that claim to be based on historical events. In light of that,Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexemay need to avoid including any form of “real” magic if possible.
