Assassin's Creed gamers harassed a professor over a 'woke' character. She fought back with kindness

Sachi Schmidt-Hori, a Dartmouth College professor and narrative consultant for Ubisoft's 'Assassin's Creed Shadows,' faced intense online harassment following the game's trailer release. The backlash centered on the inclusion of Yasuke, a Black African samurai, which some fans labeled as excessive 'wokeness.' Despite advice to ignore the hostility, Schmidt-Hori chose to engage with her critics, turning the tide by inviting them to candid discussions. Her approach led to apologies and a shift in perception among some detractors.
Ubisoft, while declining direct interviews, released a statement supporting Schmidt-Hori and emphasizing the game's fictional nature despite historical research. The company's stance and Schmidt-Hori's proactive approach highlight ongoing debates about representation in media and the challenges faced by those advocating for diversity. Schmidt-Hori's method of confronting hate highlights a unique strategy in managing online disinhibition, offering lessons in humanizing digital interactions.
RATING
The article provides a compelling narrative of Sachi Schmidt-Hori's experience with online harassment, effectively highlighting her unique approach to addressing digital hostility. It is well-written and engaging, with a clear structure and logical flow. The story addresses timely issues related to representation in media and digital culture, making it relevant to a broad audience.
While the article is generally accurate and supported by credible sources, it could benefit from additional verification of specific claims and a broader range of perspectives. The inclusion of more voices from those involved in the controversy, as well as insights from independent experts, would enhance the balance and depth of the narrative.
Overall, the article is a valuable contribution to ongoing discussions about online harassment and representation, offering readers a thoughtful and humanizing perspective on these important issues. Its focus on a personal story may limit its broader societal impact, but it effectively encourages reflection and dialogue among readers.
RATING DETAILS
The story provides a generally accurate depiction of the events surrounding Sachi Schmidt-Hori's experience with online harassment. Key facts, such as her role as a narrative consultant for *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* and the timeline of harassment beginning in May 2024, are well-supported by multiple sources. The inclusion of Yasuke, a historical figure, as a Black samurai in the game is also a verifiable fact, aligning with historical accounts.
However, there are areas where the story could benefit from additional verification. For instance, the claim that Schmidt-Hori never played the game is not directly confirmed by external sources. The effectiveness of her strategy in engaging with harassers, such as specific instances of influencers retracting articles, lacks third-party verification. Additionally, while Ubisoft's public statement supports the narrative, the company's alleged advice to ignore harassment is not corroborated by other reports.
Overall, the story accurately captures the main events but would benefit from more corroboration of specific claims, particularly those involving personal interactions and the responses of individuals involved.
The article predominantly presents the perspective of Sachi Schmidt-Hori, providing a detailed account of her experiences and responses to online harassment. This focus is understandable given the personal nature of the story. However, the article could have been more balanced by including more perspectives from other stakeholders, such as Ubisoft representatives, gamers, or critics who opposed the game's character choices.
While Ubisoft's statement is included, it lacks depth and does not provide a comprehensive view of the company's stance on the controversy. Including more detailed responses from those who initially criticized the game or Schmidt-Hori could have enriched the narrative, offering a broader understanding of the motivations and concerns driving their actions.
The story does touch on the broader issue of online harassment and the challenges faced by public figures, but it could have explored these themes more thoroughly by incorporating insights from experts in digital communication or social media behavior.
The article is well-structured and uses clear, accessible language to convey the story of Sachi Schmidt-Hori's experience with online harassment. The narrative follows a logical progression, detailing the events leading up to the harassment, Schmidt-Hori's responses, and the broader implications of her actions.
The use of direct quotes from Schmidt-Hori and other individuals adds depth and personalizes the story, making it more engaging for readers. The inclusion of subheadings, such as "Ancient history sparks modern-day harassment" and "Turning the tables on the trolls," helps organize the content and guide readers through the narrative.
While the article is generally clear, some sections could benefit from additional context or explanation, particularly regarding the motivations of the harassers and the broader cultural debate surrounding the game's character choices. Overall, the article effectively communicates its main points and maintains a neutral tone throughout.
The primary source of information is Sachi Schmidt-Hori herself, whose firsthand account provides authenticity and depth to the story. Her position as a faculty member at Dartmouth College lends credibility to her narrative. The inclusion of a statement from Ubisoft adds a layer of official response, although it is somewhat limited in scope.
The article also references an academic perspective from Kate Mays, an assistant professor of public communication, which adds an analytical dimension to the discussion of online harassment. However, the story could have benefited from a wider range of sources, such as independent experts on video game culture or digital harassment, to provide a more comprehensive view.
Overall, the sources used are credible, but the article could enhance its reliability by incorporating a broader array of expert opinions and firsthand accounts from other individuals involved in the controversy.
The article provides a clear account of Sachi Schmidt-Hori's experiences, including specific examples of harassment and her responses. The narrative is transparent about her motivations and actions, such as her decision to engage with harassers and draw inspiration from civil rights leader John Lewis.
However, the article lacks transparency in certain areas, such as the methodology behind verifying specific claims, like the effectiveness of Schmidt-Hori's engagement strategy. The story does not explicitly disclose any potential conflicts of interest or the basis for certain claims, such as the advice purportedly given by Ubisoft to ignore harassment.
While the article effectively communicates the core narrative, it could improve transparency by providing more context on how information was obtained and verified, particularly regarding interactions with harassers and the company's internal responses.
Sources
- https://faculty.dartmouth.edu/artsandsciences/news/2025/03/how-one-professor-defused-online-hate-one-conversation-time
- https://www.sfgate.com/living/article/harassed-by-assassin-s-creed-gamers-a-20308006.php
- https://ascl.dartmouth.edu/undergraduate/about-department/ascl-statement
- https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/12/4334229775338681251/?l=greek&ctp=2
- https://www.ksat.com/business/2025/05/03/harassed-by-assassins-creed-gamers-a-professor-fought-back-with-kindness/
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