Japan PM Clarifies Stance on Assassin's Creed Shadows

Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, addressed concerns about Ubisoft's game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, during a recent government conference. Contrary to some reports, Ishiba's comments were not a direct attack on the game or its developer, but rather a response to a broader issue raised by Japanese politician Hiroyuki Kada.

Kada, a member of the House of Councillors, expressed worries that the game's depiction of attacking and destroying real-world locations could inspire similar actions in reality. He linked this concern to the issue of "over tourism" and vandalism in Japan, suggesting that the game might exacerbate these problems. Ishiba responded by emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural and religious sites, stating that defacing a shrine would be an insult to the nation. However, his comments were focused on hypothetical real-life actions rather than the game itself.

Ubisoft has faced criticism over Assassin's Creed Shadows for its portrayal of Feudal Japan and the use of certain cultural elements without permission. The company has issued multiple apologies for inaccuracies in the game and its marketing, clarifying that the game is a work of historical fiction rather than a factual representation. Additionally, Ubisoft acknowledged the concerns raised by the Japanese community regarding promotional materials and committed to working with external consultants and historians to address these issues.

A specific point of contention was the use of a flag from a Japanese historical re-enactment group in the game's artwork without permission, for which Ubisoft apologized. Furthermore, a collectible figure maker, PureArts, withdrew an Assassin’s Creed Shadows statue from sale due to its depiction of a one-legged Torii gate, which some found offensive given its association with the Sannō Shrine in Nagasaki, near the atomic bomb's hypocenter.

Amidst this controversy, Ubisoft announced a day-one patch for Assassin's Creed Shadows that will make certain in-game elements, such as tables and shelving in shrines, indestructible and reduce depictions of bloodshed in sacred spaces. This patch aims to address sensitivities within the Japanese community and shows Ubisoft's proactive approach to these concerns.

The game's launch is crucial for Ubisoft, following delays and the commercial disappointment of Star Wars Outlaws. With the pressure to succeed globally, Assassin's Creed Shadows has received positive reviews, with IGN giving it an 8/10, praising its refined open-world gameplay.

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