Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) faces content alterations for its Japanese release, receiving a CERO Z rating. This necessitates the removal of dismemberment and decapitation, along with adjustments to wound depictions. Audio modifications are also planned, though specifics remain undisclosed. The international versions will offer players the option to toggle these violent elements.
CERO Z Rating and Content Restrictions
The CERO Z rating restricts sales to individuals 18 and older, reflecting Japan's stringent content guidelines. While excessive violence is cited, the exact reasons for the Z rating remain partially unspecified. This isn't a novel situation for the Assassin's Creed franchise; previous installments like Valhalla and Origins also received CERO Z ratings. CERO's history of rejecting or demanding modifications to depictions of gore and dismemberment has led to past controversies, including the cancellation of The Callisto Protocol's Japanese release in 2022 and the lack of a CERO rating for Dead Space Remake in 2023.
Yasuke's Description Altered
The game's marketing materials have also seen changes. The term "samurai" used to describe Yasuke in the Japanese versions of Steam and PlayStation store listings has been replaced with "Ikki tousen" ("a warrior who can face a thousand enemies"). This follows 2024 backlash concerning the use of "black samurai" to describe Yasuke, a point of historical and cultural sensitivity in Japan. Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, previously stated the company's focus on broad audience appeal and avoidance of specific agendas. The use of historical figures in Assassin's Creed games, however, is a long-standing practice.
Assassin's Creed Shadows launches March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Further details can be found on the official Assassin's Creed Shadows webpage.
