Silent Patch Released for Assassin’s Creed Shadows Amidst Japanese Government Concerns

Ubisoft has taken swift action by releasing a day-one patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which addresses specific concerns regarding the depiction of religious sites in the game. This patch modifies gameplay elements to eliminate acts of vandalism, particularly in temples and shrines, and was implemented without prior public notice.

According to a report by IGN, Ubisoft confirmed that the update prohibits players from destructing tables and racks located within these sacred spaces. This decision came in response to concerns voiced by the Japanese government regarding the portrayal of cultural and religious sites in gaming.

Response to Government Concerns

The patch follows a warning issued by officials, noting the “unacceptable”graffiti and damaging actions towards cultural landmarks depicted in the game. Before the patch, players were able to destroy furnishings and even attack unarmed civilians within these locations. Japanese politician Hiroyuki Kada formally brought this issue to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, highlighting fears that allowing such in-game destruction could normalize similar behaviors in real life.

Kada emphasized the apprehension expressed by shrine officials and local residents, stating, “Of course, freedom of expression must be respected, but acts that demean local cultures should be avoided.” In alignment with these concerns, Prime Minister Ishiba commented, “It is absolutely unacceptable to graffiti a shrine. It is nothing but an insult to the country.”This dialogue has sparked important conversations regarding the cultural responsibilities of game developers.

Wake up, Ubisoft “defender, ” and hear our voice! What kind of Assassin’s Creed game destroys an actual religious site? Japanese culture is consumed but receives no respect. Here is a perfect example.pic.twitter.com/UsfWMgy53n

— Shohei Kondo (@shoheikondo) January 31, 2025

Despite the concerns raised, academic experts such as Jeffrey J. Hall, a lecturer at Kanada, noted that Ishiba’s statements did not suggest that immediate government action would be enforced. Nonetheless, Ubisoft has proactively taken steps to remedy these issues, maintaining that the day-one patch applies to all players, not just those in Japan.

Details of the Day-One Patch

The update includes several notable fixes and enhancements aimed at improving the gaming experience. The detailed patch notes are as follows:

Unarmed citizens no longer bleed when attacked, minimizing bloodshed in temples and shrines.
Tables and racks in temples and shrines are now indestructible, ensuring the preservation of these cultural elements (some generic items like drums or bowls remain destructible).
Players will no longer become trapped in movable objects after dodging and interacting with them in kofuns.
Fixed an issue where procedural weapons were incorrectly removed when selling items.
Adjusted gameplay to prevent players from going out of bounds when proning against objects.
Improved horse navigation to ease turning and eliminate path blockage issues.
Made lighting adjustments for caves, kofuns, and the entrances/exits of architectural structures.
Fixed issues with clothing clipping on Yasuke’s outfits while riding and Naoe’s outfits while crouching.

For further details, you can explore the full patch notes and change list.

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