Ubisoft has quietly released a day-one patch for Assassin's Creed Shadows addressing several key issues, including concerns regarding the depiction of temples and shrines. IGN obtained the patch notes, which were not publicly announced by Ubisoft.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Day-One Patch Notes
This update includes various improvements and fixes:
- Resolved an issue where players could get stuck inside movable objects after dodging and interacting with them in kofuns.
- Fixed a bug causing procedural weapons to be incorrectly removed when selling items.
- Implemented adjustments to prevent players from going out of bounds while proning against objects.
- Improved horse navigation, reducing turning and path-blocking issues.
- Adjusted lighting in caves, kofuns, and architectural entrances/exits.
- Fixed cloth clipping issues on Yasuke's outfits (while riding) and Naoe's outfits (while crouching).
- Citizens without weapons no longer bleed when attacked, minimizing unintended blood splatter in temples and shrines.
- Tables and racks in temples and shrines are now indestructible. (Note: Some smaller objects like drums or bowls remain breakable as they are generic world objects. Tables remain dynamic and can be moved/pushed.)
The key change involves making tables and racks in temples and shrines indestructible. While Ubisoft stated the patch applies to all players, not just those in Japan, this specific alteration seems directly related to recent controversy.
On March 19th, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addressed concerns about Assassin's Creed Shadows during a government conference. Responding to a question from Hiroyuki Kada, a Japanese politician, Ishiba acknowledged the concerns regarding the potential for in-game actions to influence real-world behavior. Kada highlighted worries from shrine officials and residents about the depiction of shrine desecration. Ishiba stated the government would discuss legal implications with relevant ministries, emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural and religious sensitivities.The shrine depicted in pre-release footage is Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, within Kada’s constituency. Kada confirmed that Ubisoft did not seek permission to use the shrine's likeness or name. While government responses were somewhat vague, suggesting potential collaboration if the shrine sought consultation, Ubisoft's proactive patch likely mitigates legal concerns. The patch, however, does not appear live yet based on IGN's testing.
Despite potential challenges in the Japanese market, Assassin's Creed Shadows faces significant pressure for global success following delays and the underperformance of Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has recently experienced several high-profile setbacks including layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations.
IGN's review of Assassin's Creed Shadows awarded an 8/10, praising its refined open-world gameplay.
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