Shigeru Ishiba, Japan's Prime Minister, addressed concerns about Assassin's Creed Shadows during a government conference. While some reports exaggerated his response as a direct attack on Ubisoft, the reality is more nuanced. IGN Japan provided accurate translations and context.
Ubisoft previously apologized for aspects of the game and its marketing that caused offense in Japan. These included historical inaccuracies, unauthorized use of a Japanese historical re-enactment group's flag, and the inclusion of a one-legged Torii gate in a collectible statue (a design with sensitive connotations due to its association with the Nagasaki atomic bombing). Ubisoft removed the statue and emphasized the game is historical fiction, not a factual representation.
The Assassin's Creed Shadows question originated from Hiroyuki Kada, a Japanese politician. Kada voiced concerns that the game's depiction of shrine desecration might inspire real-life acts of vandalism, particularly given the recent increase in tourism and related incidents. He linked this to concerns about "over-tourism" and vandalism.
Prime Minister Ishiba's response focused on the potential for real-world copycat behavior, not the game itself. He stated that defacing shrines is unacceptable and emphasized the importance of respecting other cultures, referencing the Self-Defense Forces' cultural sensitivity training before deployment to Iraq. He suggested further discussion with relevant ministries to address the legal implications of such actions.
IGN Japan's reporting clarifies that Kada's concerns are linked to a rise in tourism-related vandalism, with the Assassin's Creed Shadows example situated within this broader context. The specific shrine depicted in the game, Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, is within Kada's constituency, and he stated that its representatives hadn't given Ubisoft permission to use it. While government responses were vague and unlikely to lead to direct action against Ubisoft, the company appears to have proactively addressed concerns with a day-one patch.
Reports from Automaton indicate this patch makes in-game shrine structures indestructible, reduces depictions of bloodshed within shrines and temples, and removes blood depictions when attacking unarmed NPCs. Ubisoft’s Western operations haven't yet confirmed this.
The game's success is crucial for Ubisoft, given previous delays, the underperformance of Star Wars Outlaws, and other recent setbacks including layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations. IGN's review gave Assassin's Creed Shadows an 8/10, praising its refined open-world gameplay.
