IGN has confirmed that Ubisoft has quietly prepared a day-one patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows that introduces several significant changes, particularly affecting temples and shrines.
Ubisoft shared the patch notes with IGN, which were not part of any public announcement.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Day-One Patch Notes:
This update includes various improvements and fixes:
- Players can no longer get stuck inside movable objects after dodging forward and interacting with them in kofuns.
- Fixed an issue where procedural weapons were incorrectly removed when selling items.
- Adjustments to prevent players from going out of bounds when proning against objects.
- Improved horse navigation to reduce 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 items found throughout the world. Note that tables remain dynamic objects, allowing players to move or push them.
A key change highlighted is the indestructibility of tables and racks in temples and shrines. Ubisoft confirmed to IGN that this day-one patch is for all players globally, though the change appears to address specific concerns raised in Japan.
On March 19, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addressed concerns about Assassin’s Creed Shadows during an official government conference.The question was posed by Hiroyuki Kada, a Japanese politician and member of the House of Councillors, who is campaigning for re-election this summer. Kada 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 in pre-release gameplay videos of Assassin's Creed Shadows is Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, which falls within Kada’s constituency. Kada confirmed that he had consulted with shrine representatives, who stated that Ubisoft did not seek their permission to feature the shrine and use its name in the game.
Masaki Ogushi, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, mentioned that government agencies would collaborate to address the issue “if the shrine seeks consultation.” However, under Japan's Constitution, Ubisoft's use of the shrine in a work of artistic expression is likely 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 proactively addressed these concerns with the day-one patch.
The patch is not yet live in-game, according to IGN’s tests.
Despite the game's potential performance in Japan, there is significant pressure on Assassin's Creed Shadows to succeed globally for Ubisoft, following delays and the commercial disappointment of last year’s Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has faced several 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.”
