User blog comment:Master Sima Yi/Assassinews 02-03-'12 — Leaked AC3 info!/@comment-4519956-20120302170650/@comment-1153722-20120302170945

The article explicitly states that they do not want it to feel like the Patriot, that is exactly why they chose to have a character who is both Native American and British; he isn't patriotic since he is of neither faction. He fights for justice and righteousness, which in the case of the game is fighting against the Brits' oppression and for the Americans' freedom.