10 Times Video Games STOLE From Fans
3. Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Borrowed Symbol, Big Apology
When you’re drawing inspiration from history, it’s one thing to evoke a period - it’s another when you borrow a symbol without asking.
That’s what happened with Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Ubisoft used the Sekigahara Teppo-tai reenactment group's flag, a real, historically significant banner, in two concept art pieces, without permission. The group only found out once leaked images surfaced, and they were understandably upset at the unauthorized use of their symbol.
Ubisoft Japan responded with an apology. The flag would be removed from all promotional materials and digital formats, though it would remain in the collector’s edition art book - a lingering oversight that rubbed many the wrong way.
This wasn’t just a few quiet tweets - it sparked enough outrage that even Japanese lawmakers weighed in. Criticism mounted over cultural insensitivity and the importance of respecting historical symbols.
It’s a rare timeshift: a major studio not just accused of borrowing, but caught red-handed, forced to apologize and revise. It’s a solid reminder that when you “borrow” from history - or real communities - a proper ask is the best foot forward.