Ubisoft Assures Japan: Assassin's Creed Shadows Day-One Patch to Protect Temples and Shrines

IGN has confirmed that Ubisoft has quietly prepared a day-one patch for Assassin's Creed Shadows that introduces significant changes, notably to temples and shrines. Ubisoft shared the patch notes with IGN, emphasizing that these updates were not part of any public announcement.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Day-One Patch Notes:

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 headline change involves tables and racks in temples and shrines, which are now indestructible in the game set in Feudal Japan. Ubisoft clarified to IGN that the day-one patch applies to all players, not just those in Japan. However, the specific change to temple and shrine objects appears to be a direct response to the controversy surrounding the game in Japan.

On March 19, during an official government conference, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addressed concerns about Assassin's Creed Shadows, prompted by a question from Hiroyuki Kada, a Japanese politician and member of the House of Councillors. Kada, campaigning for re-election, expressed concerns about the potential real-world implications of the game's mechanics:

"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 in pre-release Assassin's Creed Shadows gameplay videos is Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, which falls within Kada’s constituency. Kada mentioned having consulted with shrine representatives, who confirmed that Ubisoft did not seek their permission to feature the shrine and use its name in the game.

Masaki Ogushi, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, indicated that government agencies would collaborate on the issue "if the shrine seeks consultation." However, under Japan's Constitution, Ubisoft would likely be protected legally in using the shrine in a work of artistic expression.

The responses from both ministers were vague and seem unlikely to lead to concrete action, especially since Ubisoft appears to have proactively addressed these concerns with the day-one patch. The patch is not yet live in-game, according to IGN's tests.

Regardless of its performance in Japan, there is significant pressure on Assassin's Creed Shadows to succeed globally for Ubisoft, following delays and the disappointing sales of last year's Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has faced numerous challenges, including 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."