IGN has confirmed that Ubisoft has quietly prepared a day-one patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which introduces several significant changes, particularly to temples and shrines. Ubisoft shared the patch notes exclusively with IGN, which were not part of 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 is to tables and racks in temples and shrines, which are now indestructible in the Feudal Japan-set game. Ubisoft confirmed to IGN that this day-one patch applies to all players globally, though it seems particularly tailored to address concerns raised in Japan.
On March 19, during an official government conference, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responded to a query about Assassin’s Creed Shadows raised by Hiroyuki Kada, a member of Japan's House of Councillors and a candidate for re-election this summer. Kada expressed concerns, stating:
“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's response highlighted the need for legal discussions with various ministries, emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural and religious sites:
“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 "defaced" in pre-release gameplay videos of Assassin's Creed Shadows is Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, within Kada’s constituency. Kada confirmed that Ubisoft did not seek permission from the shrine to feature it in the game.
Masaki Ogushi, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, mentioned 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 would likely be legally permissible.
Despite the responses from both ministers, no definitive action appears forthcoming, especially as Ubisoft has proactively addressed these concerns with the day-one patch. As of IGN's tests, the patch is not yet live in-game.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows faces significant global pressure to succeed for Ubisoft, following delays and the commercial disappointment of last year’s Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has encountered several challenges, including 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, praising it as, “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.”
