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 makes several significant changes, including modifications to temples and shrines. Ubisoft provided IGN with the patch notes for this update, which were not included in 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 in this patch focuses on tables and racks in temples and shrines, making them indestructible in the game set in Feudal Japan. Ubisoft confirmed to IGN that the day-one patch is for all players, not just those in Japan. However, this specific change seems 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 responded to concerns about Assassin’s Creed Shadows raised by Hiroyuki Kada, a Japanese politician and member of the House of Councillors. Kada, who is campaigning for re-election this summer, expressed his 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.”

Prime Minister Ishiba responded by emphasizing the need for legal discussions with various ministries and highlighted the importance of respecting cultural and religious sensitivities:

“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.”

The Complete Assassin's Creed Timeline

25 Images

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 feature the shrine in the game.

Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masaki Ogushi mentioned that government agencies would work together if the shrine seeks consultation. However, under the Constitution of Japan, Ubisoft would likely be legally clear to use the shrine in a work of artistic expression. The responses from both ministers were vague and are unlikely to lead to specific actions, especially since Ubisoft has addressed these concerns with the day-one patch.

The patch does not appear to be live in-game yet, based on IGN’s tests.

Despite the controversies in Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows faces significant pressure to succeed 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 Assassin’s Creed Shadows review awarded the game 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.”