Assassin’s Creed Shadows Day-One Patch Addresses Shrine Controversy and Gameplay Issues

Ubisoft has quietly rolled out a day-one patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, bringing a host of fixes and adjustments to the game, including a major change that makes tables and racks in temples and shrines indestructible. This move appears to be a direct response to concerns raised in Japan about the portrayal of sacred locations in the highly anticipated Feudal Japan-set entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise.

Day-One Patch Notes: Key Fixes and Improvements

The update introduces several gameplay refinements and bug fixes, including:

Indestructible Shrine Objects: Tables and racks in temples and shrines can no longer be broken, though players can still move them. Generic objects like drums and bowls remain destructible.

Reduced Unintended Blood Spill: Citizens without weapons no longer bleed when attacked, addressing concerns over excessive bloodshed in temples and shrines.

Gameplay and Navigation Fixes:

• Resolved an issue where players could get stuck inside movable objects after dodging forward in kofuns.
• Fixed 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.

Visual and Environmental Enhancements:

• Lighting adjustments for caves, kofun, and architectural entrances/exits.
• Fixes for cloth clipping on Yasuke’s outfits (while riding) and Naoe’s outfits (while crouching).

Japanese Government Weighs In

The changes come amid growing concern in Japan regarding the depiction of historical and religious landmarks in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Japanese politician Hiroyuki Kada raised the issue during a government conference, questioning the impact of allowing players to attack and destroy real-world locations in the game. He warned that such portrayals might encourage disrespectful behavior in real life and called for measures to ensure cultural sensitivity.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addressed the matter, emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural and religious heritage. He noted that while artistic freedom must be preserved, Japan’s government will discuss potential legal frameworks with relevant ministries to prevent acts that could be seen as demeaning to local traditions.

Ubisoft’s Response and the Road Ahead

While Ubisoft has stated that the day-one patch is a general update for all players and not Japan-specific, the timing suggests a clear effort to address these concerns proactively. The controversy centers on the Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, which was featured in pre-release footage without explicit permission from shrine officials. Although Ubisoft is likely legally protected under Japan’s constitution regarding artistic expression, the move to modify in-game destructibility signals an effort to ease tensions.

Despite the controversy, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is expected to be a major release for Ubisoft, especially after the mixed commercial performance of Star Wars Outlaws. The game has received positive early reviews, with IGN awarding it an 8/10, praising its refined open-world mechanics and immersive setting. Whether the adjustments in this patch will help smooth relations in Japan remains to be seen, but they indicate Ubisoft’s willingness to make changes to maintain the franchise’s global appeal.