Ubisoft Assures Japan: Assassin's Creed Shadows Patch to Protect Sacred Spaces

IGN has confirmed that Ubisoft has quietly prepared a day-one patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows that introduces several significant changes, including modifications to temples and shrines. Ubisoft shared the patch notes with IGN, which were not previously announced to the public.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows day-one patch notes:
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This update brings various improvements and fixes, including:

• Players no longer getting stuck inside movable objects after dodging forward and interacting with them in kofuns
• Fix for procedural weapons being removed incorrectly when selling items
• Adjustments to prevent players from going out of bounds when proning against objects
• Improved horse navigation, reducing issues with turning and blocked paths
• Lighting adjustments for cave, kofun, and architectural entrances/exits
• Fixes for cloth clipping on Yasuke’s outfits (while riding) and Naoe’s outfits (while crouching)
• Citizens without weapons no longer bleed when attacked, reducing unintended blood spill in temples/shrines
• Tables and racks in temples/shrines are now indestructible (Some objects like drums or bowls can still be broken as they are generic ones present everywhere in the world) (Tables are still dynamic objects, so players can still move/push them)

The key change highlighted here is the indestructibility of tables and racks in temples and shrines within the Feudal Japan setting of the game. Ubisoft clarified to IGN that this patch is intended for all players worldwide, not just those in Japan. However, this specific change seems to directly address the controversy surrounding the game in Japan.

On March 19, during an official government conference meeting, Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, addressed a question about Assassin’s Creed Shadows posed by Japanese politician and member of the House of Councillors, Hiroyuki Kada. Kada, who is campaigning for re-election this summer, expressed concerns:

“I fear that allowing players to attack and destroy real-world locations in the game without permission could encourage similar behavior in real life. Shrine officials and local residents are also worried about this. Of course, freedom of expression must be respected, but acts that demean local cultures should be avoided.”

In response, Prime Minister Ishiba stated:

“How to address this legally is something we need to discuss with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Defacing a shrine is out of the question - it is an insult to the nation itself. When the Self-Defense Forces were deployed to Samawah, Iraq, we ensured they studied Islamic customs beforehand. Respecting the culture and religion of a country is fundamental, and we must make it clear that we will not simply accept acts that disregard them.”

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The shrine depicted as being “defaced” in pre-release gameplay videos of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, which falls within Kada’s constituency. Kada confirmed that he had consulted with shrine representatives, who stated that Ubisoft did not seek their permission to depict the shrine or use its name in the game.

Masaki Ogushi, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, mentioned that government agencies are ready to collaborate if the shrine seeks consultation. However, under Japan's Constitution, Ubisoft's use of the shrine in a work of artistic expression is likely permissible.

The responses from both ministers were somewhat ambiguous and do not suggest immediate action, especially since Ubisoft has already addressed these concerns with the day-one patch. However, the patch is not yet live in-game, according to IGN’s tests.

Regardless of its performance in Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows faces significant global pressure to succeed for Ubisoft following several delays and the commercial underperformance of last year’s Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has experienced a series of high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations leading up to the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

IGN's review of Assassin’s Creed Shadows awarded it an 8/10, stating, “By sharpening the edges of its existing systems, Assassin’s Creed Shadows creates one of the best versions of the open-world style it’s been honing for the last decade.”