Assassin's Creed Shadows' lead developer assures players that focusing on a single protagonist won't significantly impact their experience. The game features two playable characters: Naoe, a female shinobi, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai, a choice that has generated pre-release discussion.

Concerns arose that prioritizing one character might lead to missing crucial plot points or gameplay. Creative director Jonathan Dumont addressed these concerns, describing his own balanced approach: "I switch between characters—perhaps 3-5 hours with one, then 2-3 with the other."

However, Dumont clarified that players won't be significantly disadvantaged by favoring one character. While each protagonist has unique introductory sequences and personal storylines, the game's narrative adapts to the player's choice. He encourages players to play as their preferred character: "You won't miss much. It depends on your play style. See how the game adapts to your character choice. Each has unique introductions and quests, but the core experience remains flexible."