Ubisoft Confirms Day-One Patch for Assassin's Creed Shadows Amid Japan Concerns

IGN has confirmed that Ubisoft has quietly prepared a day-one patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows that introduces several significant changes, particularly affecting temples and shrines. Ubisoft shared the patch notes with IGN, which were not included in any public announcement prior to this.

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 most notable change is the indestructibility of tables and racks in temples and shrines within the game set in Feudal Japan. Ubisoft clarified to IGN that this patch applies to all players globally and is not Japan-specific, though it seems to directly address the controversy the game has faced in Japan.

On March 19, during an official government conference, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responded to a question about Assassin’s Creed Shadows raised by Japanese politician Hiroyuki Kada, a member of the House of Councillors. Kada, who is set to campaign for re-election this summer, expressed concerns that the game might encourage disrespectful behavior towards real-world locations, stating:

“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 emphasized the importance of legal discussions with relevant ministries and 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, within Kada’s constituency. Kada confirmed that he had consulted with shrine representatives, who noted that Ubisoft did not seek permission to feature the shrine or use its name in the game.

Masaki Ogushi, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, mentioned that government agencies are prepared to collaborate on this issue should the shrine seek consultation. However, under the Constitution of Japan, Ubisoft's use of the shrine in a work of artistic expression is likely to be legally permissible.

Responses from both ministers were somewhat vague and do not seem likely to prompt immediate action, especially since Ubisoft has already addressed these concerns with the day-one patch. However, the patch has not yet gone live in the game, according to IGN’s tests.

Assassin's Creed Shadows faces significant pressure to perform well globally for Ubisoft, following delays and the sales disappointment of last year’s Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has experienced several 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.”