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 key changes, notably to the temples and shrines within the game. Ubisoft shared the patch notes exclusively with IGN, which 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 most significant change is the indestructibility of tables and racks in temples and shrines. Ubisoft confirmed to IGN that this patch is intended for all players globally, though it 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 raised by Hiroyuki Kada, a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. Kada, who is campaigning for re-election this summer, expressed worries about the potential real-world implications of allowing players to attack and destroy real-world locations within the game:

“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 gameplay videos of Assassin's Creed Shadows, Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, falls within Kada’s constituency. Kada confirmed that Ubisoft did not seek permission from the shrine to use its likeness and name in the game.

Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Masaki Ogushi, indicated that government agencies would collaborate if the shrine seeks consultation. However, under Japan’s Constitution, Ubisoft likely remains within legal bounds in using the shrine for artistic expression.

Despite the responses from the ministers, no specific actions seem likely to be taken, especially as Ubisoft has proactively addressed these concerns with the day-one patch. As of IGN's testing, the patch has not yet gone live in-game.

Assassin's Creed Shadows faces significant pressure to succeed globally for Ubisoft, following delays and the commercial disappointment of last year's Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has experienced a series of setbacks, 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, praising the game for refining its existing systems and delivering one of the best open-world experiences in the series to date.