Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been receiving a lot of praise for its unique approach to gameplay, especially when it comes to interactions with animals. In this latest installment of the popular franchise set in feudal Japan, players are unable to harm or kill any creatures they encounter. Instead, they can pet the animals and even draw pictures of them. This departure from the usual violent encounters in open-world games has left many players wondering why Ubisoft made this decision for Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Why Did Ubisoft Choose to Make Assassin’s Creed Shadows Animal-Friendly?
When asked about the reasoning behind this design choice, creative director Jonathan Dumont explained that there were several factors at play. Firstly, the historical setting of feudal Japan didn’t have many large, aggressive animals that would pose a challenge to players. As a result, the team decided to focus on creating a more peaceful and contemplative experience with the wildlife in the game. This decision also ties into the overall theme of balance in the journey of the main characters, Naoe and Yasuke.
Creating a Zen-Like Experience in Nature
One of the key goals of Ubisoft was to incorporate world activities that offer a zen-like experience for players, providing moments of spiritual reflection in the midst of the game’s action-packed adventure. The addition of the ability to interact with animals by petting them and adding them to the player’s hideout was a way to enhance this experience. Dumont revealed that the idea of allowing players to have animal companions in their base came about early in the development process and was met with enthusiasm from the team. This led to some team members even creating elaborate petting zoos and animal shelters within the game.
