Yves Guillemot Explains Ubisoft's Apolitical Approach To Making Politically Engaged Games

Set in Washington D.C., Tom Clancy's The Division 2 takes place seven months after a deadly virus was released in New York and the nation has become a shell of its former glory, struggling on the devastated streets of the proud nation's capital where the remaining survivors cling to hope and struggle to rebuild. The recently released Far Cry 5 welcomed us to Hope County, Montana, home to a fanatical cult known as The Project at Eden’s Gate that is threatening the community's freedom. 

According to Ubisoft, their games are apolitical and none of them feature clear political statements. In an interview with The Guardian, CEO Yves Guillemot confirmed that is more or less by design and won't change anytime soon. "Our goal in all the games we create, is to make people think," Guillemot said. "We want to put them in front of questions that they don't always ask themselves automatically."

"We want players to listen to different opinions and to have their own opinions. Our goal is to give all the tools to the player in order for them to think about the subjects, to be able to see things from far enough away," Guillemot added. "That's what we want to do. We don't want to say, 'Do that, think like this ... ' our goal is to make sure, after playing, you're more aware," the CEO concluded. 

It's clear that Ubisoft will tackle with "political" topics in the future but won't try to say anything substantial on that matter, just like in Far Cry 5 which had an opportunity to make a thematic point about religion, the United States or the current state of the nation’s politics. The Division 2 will remain apolitical too, as taking up arms against a corrupt government is apparently not a political statement.

Washington D.C. is on the brink of collapse. Lawlessness and instability threaten our society, and rumors of a coup in the capitol are only amplifying the chaos. All active Division agents are desperately needed to save the city before it's too late. You are a member of the Division, an elite group of civilian agents charged with being the last line of defense. With DC at risk, it's time to gear up and use your unique skills to take on this new threat.