Dartmouth Professor Faces Backlash Over Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Sachi Schmidt-Hori, an associate professor of Japanese literature and culture at Dartmouth College, became the target of online harassment following her role as a narrative consultant for Ubisoft’s latest video game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Despite never playing the game herself, Schmidt-Hori found herself at the center of controversy after a promotional trailer was released in May 2024.
The game, set in 16th century Japan, features Naoe, a Japanese female assassin, and Yasuke, a Black African samurai. While Yasuke’s inclusion was historically accurate, it sparked outrage among some gamers who labeled it as an example of “wokeness.” Critics directed their ire at Schmidt-Hori, accusing her of distorting history and attacking her academic work.
Historical Context Meets Online Harassment
Yasuke, a real historical figure, served as a samurai under the Japanese warlord Oda Nobunaga. Despite this, detractors claimed his inclusion in the game was unnecessary and politically motivated. Many of Schmidt-Hori’s critics flooded online forums, posted false reviews of her academic research, and even targeted her family with personal insults.
Much of the backlash stemmed from Schmidt-Hori’s academic focus on gender and sexuality in historical contexts. Some critics accused her of erasing Asian male representation in favor of promoting diversity. Schmidt-Hori, however, clarified that her role was limited to researching historical customs and reviewing scripts, not character creation.
Responding to Hate with Kindness
Rather than retreating, Schmidt-Hori chose to confront the harassment with empathy and dialogue. Inspired by civil rights leader John Lewis’s philosophy of causing “good trouble,” she reached out to her critics directly. She invited them to discuss their grievances via email or Zoom, often asking why they were angry and encouraging them to see her as a human being rather than a target.
One of her critics, Anik Talukder, a 28-year-old from the UK, initially posted a screenshot of Schmidt-Hori’s professional biography and book description on Reddit. Though he didn’t directly attack her, his post fueled negative responses. When Schmidt-Hori contacted him, they had a thoughtful conversation about Asian representation in Western media. Talukder later apologized and acknowledged that he had unfairly made her a target.
Ubisoft Defends Creative Choices
Ubisoft, the developer of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, issued a statement defending its creative decisions and condemning the harassment Schmidt-Hori faced. The company emphasized that while its games are based on historical settings, they remain works of fiction with artistic liberties. Ubisoft also praised Schmidt-Hori’s efforts to address the controversy constructively.
“We do not condone harassment or bullying in any form,” Ubisoft stated. “We commend and appreciate Sachi Schmidt-Hori for addressing these topics directly and are grateful for her approach and expertise.”
Expert Opinions on Tackling Online Hate
Kate Mays, an assistant professor of public communication at the University of Vermont, described Schmidt-Hori’s approach as groundbreaking. Mays noted that online platforms often enable anonymous users to post hateful content without facing consequences. Schmidt-Hori’s strategy disrupted this cycle by forcing her critics to engage with her as an individual.
“The intervention that she did was pretty brilliant in terms of stopping that toxic train in its tracks,” Mays said. “She’s breaking the spell of that online disinhibition and forcing people to address her as a human.”
Schmidt-Hori’s actions have sparked broader discussions about how to handle online harassment. While most victims retreat to protect themselves, her decision to confront hate with kindness offers a new perspective on combating toxicity in digital spaces.
As online harassment continues to be a pervasive issue, Schmidt-Hori’s experience highlights the importance of empathy and dialogue in fostering understanding and reducing hostility. Her story serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, kindness can be a powerful tool for change.
Source: Associated Press