Debunking the Myth of Assassin’s Creed Unity’s Role in Notre-Dame Cathedral Restoration
This summer, the story resurfaced that Ubisoft’s models of Notre-Dame cathedral, from the game Assassin’s Creed Unity, played a part in the restoration of the real cathedral after the 2019 fire.
The Initial Spread of Misinformation
Despite debunking attempts, the rumor persists with videos gaining traction on platforms like TikTok.
Clarifying the Facts
The original claim suggested that Ubisoft’s 3D models could assist in rebuilding Notre-Dame, but the company has explicitly stated that their work was purely artistic and not intended for restoration efforts.
A blog post on ArtStation further fueled the misconception, lacking credible sources to support the claims.
Insight from Ubisoft Developers
Senior level artist Caroline Miousse revealed the process behind creating the Notre-Dame cathedral in the game, citing blueprints, photos, books, and internet resources as references.
Miousse clarified that alterations were made for gameplay purposes and to abide by copyright laws.
The Expert Perspective
Contrary to the misconception, experts like Cédric Gachaud, CEO of Life3D, emphasize the precision required in real restoration work compared to the artistic liberties taken in video game design.
Historians involved in the restoration project echo the sentiment that game models do not align with the technical requirements of actual restoration efforts.
The Real Restoration Work
Actual restoration efforts involve a large multidisciplinary team working with precise data obtained through advanced scanning techniques, unlike the creative liberties taken in game development.
Stories perpetuating the idea that a video game could directly assist in the restoration of a historic monument undermine the real expertise and effort put forth by dedicated professionals.