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, including alterations to temples and shrines. Ubisoft shared the patch notes exclusively with IGN, noting that these updates were not publicly announced beforehand.

The Assassin’s Creed Shadows day-one patch notes are as follows:

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, which aligns with the game's setting in Feudal Japan. Ubisoft confirmed to IGN that this patch applies globally and not just in Japan, though the timing and nature of this update suggest it may be a response to recent controversies in Japan.

On March 19, during an official government conference, Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, addressed concerns about Assassin’s Creed Shadows raised by Hiroyuki Kada, a Japanese politician and member of the House of Councillors. Kada, campaigning for re-election, expressed concerns that the game might encourage real-life vandalism of sacred sites:

“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.”

The Complete Assassin's Creed Timeline

25 Images

The shrine depicted in pre-release gameplay videos of Assassin's Creed Shadows, which sparked controversy, is the Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, within Kada’s constituency. Kada confirmed that Ubisoft did not seek permission from shrine representatives to use its name and likeness in the game.

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

While the responses from both ministers were somewhat ambiguous and unlikely to lead to immediate action, Ubisoft's proactive approach with the day-one patch appears to address these concerns. The patch is not yet live in-game, according to IGN’s tests.

Assassin's Creed Shadows faces significant global pressure to succeed for Ubisoft, following delays and the underperformance of last year’s Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has experienced several high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations leading up to this release.

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.”