Assassin’s Creed Shadows Receives CERO Z Game Rating In Japan
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Japanese Version Removes Dismemberment And Decapitation
Ubisoft Japan took to Twitter (X) to announce that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been awarded a CERO Z rating by Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO). This decision introduces notable differences between the Japanese and overseas (North America/Europe) versions of the game.
In the Japanese version, scenes featuring dismemberment and decapitation have been entirely removed. Additionally, the depiction of wounds and severed body parts has been altered. There are also unspecified changes to the Japanese audio tracks in the overseas versions.
For players outside Japan, AC Shadows offers an options menu where they can toggle the graphic depictions of dismemberment and decapitation on or off.
Assassin’s Creed Rated CERO Z In Japan, Only Suitable For 18+ Ages
A CERO Z rating indicates that the game is strictly for audiences aged 18 and above, prohibiting sales or distribution to anyone younger. CERO evaluates games based on four criteria: sex-related content, violence, anti-social behavior, and language and ideological expressions.
Games failing to meet CERO’s content standards will not receive a rating, prompting developers to make necessary modifications. While excessive violence is cited, the specific elements in AC Shadows leading to the CERO Z rating remain undisclosed.
This isn't the first time the Assassin’s Creed series has encountered such issues; previous titles like AC Valhalla and AC Origins also received CERO Z ratings due to their violent themes.
CERO’s stance against gore and dismemberment has long posed challenges for game releases in Japan. Some companies, like Striking Distance and Krafton with The Callisto Protocol in 2022, opted out of the Japanese market rather than comply with CERO’s demands, citing the changes would compromise the intended player experience.
Similarly, EA Motive's Dead Space Remake in 2023 faced a similar fate, not receiving a CERO rating. EA Japan’s General Manager, Shaun Noguchi, voiced his frustrations, especially when comparing it to Stellar Blade, which, despite its violent content, managed to secure a rating.
Changes In Yasuke's Description In Game Store Pages
The description of Yasuke, one of the main protagonists in AC Shadows, has also been revised on the Steam and PS store pages in Japanese. The term "samurai" (侍) used to describe Yasuke was changed to "騎当千" or "Ikki tousen," translating to "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This adjustment follows Ubisoft's 2024 backlash over Yasuke being referred to as "the black samurai," a sensitive topic in Japanese history and culture.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot addressed the controversy, stating, "I want to reaffirm that we are an entertainment-first company, creating games for the broadest possible audience, and our goal is not to push any specific agenda." The inclusion of historical figures in Assassin’s Creed narratives, such as the Pope or Queen Victoria, is a familiar practice for Ubisoft.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is slated for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For more details, visit our Assassin’s Creed Shadows page.
