IGN has confirmed that Ubisoft has quietly prepared a day-one patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows that introduces several significant changes, including modifications to temples and shrines. Ubisoft shared the patch notes with IGN, which were not included in any public announcement.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Day-One Patch Notes:
---------------------------------------------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 headline change in this patch is the modification to tables and racks in temples and shrines, making them indestructible in the game set in Feudal Japan. Ubisoft confirmed to IGN that this patch is for all players, not just those in Japan, though it seems likely to be a response to the controversy surrounding the game in the country.
On March 19, during an official government conference, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responded to concerns about Assassin’s Creed Shadows raised by Hiroyuki Kada, a member of the House of Councillors of Japan. Kada, 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:
“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.”
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The shrine depicted as being "defaced" in pre-release Assassin's Creed Shadows gameplay videos is Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, located within Kada’s constituency. Kada confirmed he had consulted with representatives of the shrine, who stated that Ubisoft did not seek their permission to show the shrine or use its name in the game.
Masaki Ogushi, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, responded that government agencies would collaborate if the shrine seeks consultation. However, under the Constitution of Japan, Ubisoft would likely be legally clear to use the shrine in a work of artistic expression.
Responses from both ministers were vague and unlikely to result in specific actions, especially since Ubisoft has addressed these concerns proactively with the day-one patch.
The patch has not yet gone live in the game, according to IGN’s tests.
Regardless of its performance in Japan, there is immense pressure on Assassin's Creed Shadows to succeed globally for Ubisoft, following several delays and the commercial disappointment of last year’s Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has faced numerous challenges recently, including high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations leading up to Assassin's Creed Shadows' release.
IGN’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows review scored 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.”
