Ubisoft has made headlines recently by deciding to remove the voice acting of French-Japanese YouTuber Louis-San from the upcoming video game, Assassin's Creed Shadows. This decision follows significant backlash generated through social media after the preview of the game was released, showcasing Louis-San's performance as the character Tokubei.
Louis-San, who has garnered over 1.47 million subscribers for his YouTube channel centered around Japanese culture, was initially excited to lend his voice to the character, which was intended to be minor. Despite his popularity, the performance was met with disdain from the community, leading to comments such as, "C’est quoi ce doublage de m*** ? On a des comédiens super talentueux en France et vous préférez prendre Louis-San ?" This scathing critique echoed across numerous social media platforms, highlighting discontent over Ubisoft’s choice.
The controversy erupted after the gameplay preview released on February 1, 2025, and it quickly became clear to Ubisoft they had made missteps. Comments from users derided Louis-San's performance with phrases like, "Louis-San peut être la pire performance de doublage jamais vue dans un jeu vidéo," and criticism was rampant. The backlash was so severe it compelled Ubisoft to reconsider the inclusion of his voice altogether.
Louis-San responded to the uproar on February 2, 2025, posting a YouTube video where he examined his performance with self-deprecatory humor. "C’est tellement mauvais, c’est pas bon. Mais vous êtes d’accord avec moi que c’est une prestation légendaire ? Je suis dans le top 3 des pires doublages de jeux vidéo," he quipped, accepting the criticism with grace. He candidly acknowledged the poor quality of his work, indicating he was only following directorial instructions to overact, which he later understood did not translate well on-screen.
At the root of the issue, Louis-San highlighted he was not provided visual materials to align his performance—an approach which, as he pointed out, is detrimental for any dubbing actor. Louis-San expressed hesitance even before accepting the opportunity; the decision came with no monetary compensation, as he was merely seeking new experiences.
With the growing unrest culminating from the backlash, Ubisoft decided to remove Louis-San's voice from the game entirely. This significant change was made as the game’s release date was already under scrutiny, now set for March 20, 2025, following earlier schedule adjustments. Ubisoft has turned to professional voice actors to redo the character's lines, ensuring their upcoming release will likely avoid repeating this loud misstep.
It’s notable to mention how this incident reflects broader industry practices. While hiring YouTube personalities can stimulate interest and create buzz, it may also lead to backlash when such figures aren’t experienced voice actors. The choice of leveraging star power without substantial backing could lead to detrimental consequences, as witnessed here.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Louis-San maintained his ability to find humor within the disaster, explaining how he initially viewed the role as being inconsequential, but now makes light of the situation. He even joked about potentially covering the costs to have his performance entirely stripped from the game. "Vous ne pourrez jamais jouer à la version Louis-San de Assassin’s Creed Shadows," he stated with acceptance of the decision.
Louis-San's experience serves as a lesson for the industry moving forward: the importance of professionalism and suitable casting should remain at the forefront, maintaining integrity and quality for the interactive storytelling audience. This regrettable incident not only affects the franchise’s reputation but also brings attention to the notable talent pool readily available.
Ubisoft has since committed to ensuring the game meets fan expectations, transitioning from significant errors to displaying professionalism when it matters the most— before the game launches.
This whole episode has generated discussions, memes, and various social media responses. Still, fans and Louis-San alike look forward to the completion of Assassin's Creed Shadows with eyes on the future, hoping the final product lives up to the franchise's storied history.