The recent developments in the Assassin’s Creed series, particularly regarding the dual protagonist approach, have sparked discussion within the gaming community. Simon Lemay-Comtois, associate game director for the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows, acknowledged that this trend has proven to be polarizing among fans. Notably, the juxtaposition of the agile shinobi Naoe and the robust samurai Yasuke stands out as a significant example of this divide.
Developed by Ubisoft Quebec, the studio behind titles such as Assassin’s Creed Syndicate and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Shadows aims to differentiate itself by intentionally creating stark contrasts between its two main characters. Lemay-Comtois pointed out that earlier games like Syndicate featured dual protagonists, Evie and Jacob, whose differences were primarily cosmetic, sharing similar gameplay mechanics with only minor distinct skills. In contrast, Shadows has been crafted as “an exercise in contrast,” diverging significantly in character abilities and combat systems.
This duality is not unique to Shadows; other entries in the franchise such as Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla also offered multiple characters. However, the two protagonists in Shadows are designed to provide a more distinct gameplay experience, which has led to a split among players. Lemay-Comtois noted that fan preferences can sometimes be “strange,” with some players expressing a strong aversion to one character over the other, making for a more divisive player experience than seen in previous titles.
Looking forward, Lemay-Comtois indicated a willingness from Ubisoft to explore dual protagonists in future titles, but only if they find a compelling narrative and thematic justification. He hinted at the potential for this gameplay style to feature in future projects, including the anticipated Assassin’s Creed Hexe.
Meanwhile, Ubisoft is preparing for the release of a remake of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag, which is set to launch in spring 2026. This installment will focus solely on the character of pirate Edward Kenway, diverging from the dual protagonist format.
As for Shadows, limited details have emerged regarding ongoing support for the game post-launch. Although Ubisoft initially aimed to produce a second major expansion after the upcoming Claws of Awaji, the development timeline has shifted due to previous delays, leading to a planned reduction in the scale of next year’s add-on content.
