A Dartmouth College associate professor of Japanese literature and culture, Sachi Schmidt-Hori, became a narrative consultant for Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadow, a game that launched in March. Her role involved researching historical customs and reviewing scripts, not creating characters. However, when a trailer was released in May 2024 featuring a character named Yasuke, a Black African samurai, gamers criticized his inclusion as ‘wokeness run amok’. This led to Schmidt-Hori being targeted online with harassment, including fake reviews of her work and personal attacks. Despite Ubisoft’s advice to ignore the harassment, Schmidt-Hori chose to respond by engaging with critics, drawing inspiration from the late civil rights leader John Lewis. She invited critics to discuss their grievances, which led to some apologizing and a renewed understanding of the importance of diversity in media.
The backlash against Yasuke’s inclusion in the game sparked a broader conversation about race, representation, and the responsibilities of creators in video games. Critics argued that Schmidt-Hori was trying to erase Asian men from historical narratives, even though her role was limited to research rather than character creation. This misunderstanding highlighted the contentious nature of diversity and inclusion efforts in the gaming industry. Schmidt-Hori’s decision to engage with critics, rather than retaliate, became a model for constructive dialogue in the face of online harassment. Her approach, inspired by John Lewis’s philosophy of ‘good trouble,’ emphasized the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs while fostering understanding and reconciliation.
Some critics, including an influential Reddit user, initially dismissed Schmidt-Hori’s efforts, but many eventually expressed regret for their harsh words. Anik Talukder, a 28-year-old south Asian man from the UK, apologized multiple times after accepting Schmidt-Hori’s invitation to discuss his Reddit post. Their conversation led to a deeper reflection on Asian representation in Western media and the impact of such portrayals on communities. This case illustrates how personal interactions and the willingness to engage can transform hostile situations into opportunities for growth and healing. As the debate over diversity in media continues, Schmidt-Hori’s story serves as a reminder of the power of empathy and dialogue in addressing contentious issues.