IGN has confirmed that Ubisoft has quietly prepared a day-one patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows that makes several significant changes, particularly to temples and shrines. Ubisoft shared the patch notes with IGN, which were not previously announced to the public.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Day-One Patch Notes:
---------------------------------------------This update introduces various improvements and fixes, including:
- Players can no longer get stuck inside movable objects after dodging forward and interacting with them in kofuns.
- Fix for procedural weapons being incorrectly removed 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 found throughout the game world. Note that tables remain dynamic objects, allowing players to move or push them.
The most notable change is the indestructibility of tables and racks in temples and shrines within the Feudal Japan setting of the game. Ubisoft clarified to IGN that this day-one patch applies globally and isn't specific to Japan, although the change seems to address recent controversy in the country.
On March 19, during an official government conference, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responded to concerns 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 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, emphasizing the need for legal discussions with multiple ministries and stating:
“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 as being “defaced” in pre-release gameplay videos of Assassin's Creed Shadows is Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, located within Kada’s constituency. Kada confirmed he had consulted with shrine representatives, who stated that Ubisoft did not seek their permission to include the shrine in the game.
Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Masaki Ogushi, mentioned that government agencies would collaborate if the shrine seeks consultation. However, under Japan's Constitution, Ubisoft's use of the shrine in a work of artistic expression appears to be legally permissible.
The responses from both ministers were somewhat vague and do not seem likely to lead to specific actions, especially since Ubisoft has already addressed these concerns with the day-one patch. As of IGN’s tests, the patch has not yet gone live in-game.
Despite the controversies, there is significant pressure on Assassin's Creed Shadows to succeed globally for Ubisoft, following delays and the underperformance of last year’s Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has faced several challenges, 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.”
