Ubisoft Confirms Day-One Patch for Assassin's Creed Shadows Amid Japan Concerns

IGN has confirmed that Ubisoft has discreetly prepared a day-one patch for Assassin's Creed Shadows that introduces several crucial updates, including modifications to temples and shrines.

Ubisoft shared the patch notes with IGN, which were not part of any public disclosure.

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 highlight of this patch is the change to tables and racks in temples and shrines, now made indestructible in the game set in Feudal Japan. Ubisoft clarified to IGN that this day-one patch applies to all players globally, not just those in Japan. However, the specific change to shrine objects seems to be a direct response to the controversy surrounding the game in Japan.

On March 19, during an official government conference, Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addressed concerns about *Assassin's Creed Shadows* raised by Japanese politician Hiroyuki Kada, a member of the House of Councillors. Kada, who is set to campaign for re-election this summer, expressed his 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.”

In response, Prime Minister Ishiba said:

“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 gameplay videos of Assassin's Creed Shadows is the Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, which falls within Kada’s constituency. Kada confirmed that he had discussed the issue with shrine representatives, who noted that Ubisoft did not seek their permission to feature the shrine and use its name in the game.

Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Masaki Ogushi, responded that government agencies would collaborate to address the matter “if the shrine seeks consultation.” However, under Japan's Constitution, Ubisoft is likely protected in using the shrine as part of a work of artistic expression.

The responses from the ministers were somewhat vague and unlikely to prompt specific action, especially since Ubisoft has already taken steps to address these concerns through the day-one patch.

As of IGN’s tests, the patch has not yet gone live in-game.

Despite the situation in Japan, Assassin's Creed Shadows faces significant global pressure to succeed for Ubisoft, following delays and the commercial underperformance of last year’s Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has also experienced 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.”