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, notably affecting temples and shrines. Ubisoft shared the patch notes 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 notable change is the indestructibility of tables and racks in temples and shrines, set within the game's Feudal Japan backdrop. Ubisoft clarified to IGN that this patch applies to all players globally, though it seems to respond specifically to concerns raised in Japan about the game's portrayal of sacred spaces.

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 set to campaign for re-election, expressed his worries:

“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:

“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, Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, falls within Kada’s constituency. He confirmed that Ubisoft did not seek permission from shrine representatives to feature it in the game.

Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Masaki Ogushi, mentioned that government agencies would collaborate if the shrine sought further consultation. However, under Japan's Constitution, Ubisoft’s use of the shrine in a work of artistic expression is likely to be legally permissible.

Despite these discussions, the responses from the ministers were vague and unlikely to lead to specific actions, especially since Ubisoft has already addressed the concerns with the day-one patch. The patch has not yet been implemented in the game, according to IGN’s tests.

Regardless of its reception in Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows faces significant global pressure to succeed for Ubisoft following several delays and the poor sales performance of last year’s Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has experienced numerous 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, 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.”