Ubisoft Is Sorry About Raised Fist Imagery in Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad
Ubisoft has officially apologized for some black lives matter imagery used in promotion and gameplay. Primarily, this imagery focuses on a raised fist used by the game’s antagonist organization, which is also used by the BLM movement. The raised fist imagery will be removed in a title update on September 1st for Android, and “as soon as possible” on iOS. The raised fist imagery has been used for the civil rights movement since the 1960’s, most prominently featured at the 1968 Summer Olympics. Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad is available for free on iOS and Android right now.
“Imagery that appeared in the opening video sequence of Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad featuring a ‘raised fist’ was insensitive and harmful in both its inclusion and how it was portrayed,” said an official statement from Ubisoft. “We have listened to and appreciate the players and the broader community who have pointed it out and we apologize. This ‘raised fist’ imagery will be removed in the next title update this Tuesday, September 1st on Android and as soon as possible on iOS.”
In Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad the raised fist symbol appears in relation to the anarchist group UMBRA, a group that exploits civil unrest to generate chaos and undermine world governments. UMBRA typically accompanies the symbol with catchphrases such as “bring the system down.” Ubisoft has another upcoming Ubisoft Forward fast approaching and it’s likely that they’ll have more to unveil regarding both their console titles and their mobile games.
Are you surprised that Ubisoft used the raised fist imagery prominently featured in the Black Lives Matter movement for the antagonist of Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad? Let us know in the comments below!