During an official government conference, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addressed concerns regarding Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows, set in Feudal Japan. The discussion was prompted by a question from politician Hiroyuki Kada, who raised issues about the game's depiction of real-world locations, particularly shrines, and the potential impact on real-life behavior.
Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the importance of respecting cultural and religious sites, stating that defacing a shrine is an insult to the nation. He mentioned the need for discussions with various ministries to address these issues legally. However, his comments focused more on hypothetical real-life actions rather than directly criticizing the game.
The controversy surrounding Assassin's Creed Shadows stems from multiple issues. Ubisoft has previously apologized for inaccuracies in the game's depiction of Feudal Japan, clarifying that the game is a work of historical fiction. They also acknowledged the unauthorized use of a flag from a Japanese historical re-enactment group in promotional materials and issued an apology. Additionally, a collectible statue featuring a one-legged Torii gate, which has significant cultural meaning, was removed from sale after backlash.
In response to these concerns, Ubisoft has planned a day-one patch for Assassin's Creed Shadows, set to launch on March 20. This patch will make certain items in shrines indestructible, reduce depictions of violence in sacred spaces, and remove blood effects when attacking unarmed NPCs. While this patch has been reported in Japan, Ubisoft's western operations have yet to confirm these changes.
The game's release comes at a critical time for Ubisoft, following delays and the commercial underperformance of Star Wars Outlaws. Amidst recent layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations, Assassin's Creed Shadows faces significant pressure to succeed globally.
IGN's review of Assassin's Creed Shadows gave it an 8/10, praising the game for refining the open-world style that the series has developed over the past decade.
For those interested in the broader context of the Assassin's Creed series, a complete timeline is available, showcasing the evolution of the franchise through various historical settings.
Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, responded to a question about Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
The Complete Assassin's Creed Timeline
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