Imagine diving deep into a gripping story that intertwines the struggles of freedom and justice, only to find out it’s been cut from existence. That’s the shocking reality for fans of the Assassin's Creed franchise as a potentially groundbreaking game set during and after the American Civil War has reportedly been canceled by Ubisoft.

According to a revealing report from Game File, this ambitious project, which was still in its early development stages, was set to follow a formerly enslaved Black man who, after gaining his freedom, journeys west to carve out a new life. But destiny had other plans, as he would later be drawn back into the fray, joining the Assassins and returning south to confront the escalating violence of the Ku Klux Klan during the Reconstruction period.

Five current and former Ubisoft employees shared their thoughts with Game File, expressing both excitement for the story and disappointment over its abrupt cancellation. These insiders believe the decision stems from fears of potential backlash and controversy surrounding the game’s sensitive themes.

Sources revealed that Ubisoft's higher-ups at the Paris headquarters made the call to halt development last July, spurred by two significant fears. The first was the backlash from fans following the announcement of 'Assassin's Creed Shadows', which features Yasuke, a Black samurai inspired by history. The second concern? A worry that the game would be deemed “too political” given the current volatile political environment in the United States. One source summed it up: “Too political in a country too unstable.”

While cancellations like this aren’t rare in the gaming industry, the reasons behind this particular decision feel out of the ordinary. As of now, Ubisoft has remained silent on the matter, leaving fans to wonder if the game could ever be revived.

Had this Civil War-era Assassin's Creed game seen the light of day, it would have represented one of the most contemporary settings explored in this beloved franchise, weaving a tale that could resonate deeply with today’s societal issues.