Sachi Schmidt-Hori, an associate professor at Dartmouth College, faced online harassment after working as a narrative consultant on the latest Assassin's Creed game. The game's inclusion of Yasuke, a Black African samurai, sparked backlash among some gamers, who targeted Schmidt-Hori with abusive messages and false accusations. Rather than ignoring the harassment, Schmidt-Hori chose to confront it with kindness, reaching out to critics and engaging them in meaningful conversations. Some individuals, including a Reddit user, apologized after speaking with her and understanding the impact of their actions. Ubisoft, the game's developer, acknowledged the controversy but emphasized the fictional nature of their games and condemned any form of harassment against their collaborators.

Sachi Schmidt-Hori encountered harassment from gamers due to her consultancy role in the Assassin's Creed game, particularly over the inclusion of a Black African samurai character, Yasuke, which some criticized as excessive 'wokeness'.

Facing a barrage of online abuse, including profanity and personal attacks, Schmidt-Hori decided to address her harassers directly, asking them about their motivations and inviting them for face-to-face discussions.

Despite the negative attention, Schmidt-Hori's approach of engaging with critics led to some individuals retracting their statements and apologizing, recognizing the harmful impact of their actions.

Ubisoft, the company behind Assassin's Creed, stated that their games are fictional and artistic liberties are taken, while also expressing appreciation for Schmidt-Hori's handling of the situation.

The situation highlights the issue of online harassment, particularly in gaming communities, where anonymity and aggressive content can foster toxic interactions, but Schmidt-Hori's response shows the potential for positive change through personal engagement.