By Dexerto | Created at 2025-03-20 16:24:17 | Updated at 2025-04-05 06:34:13
2 weeks ago
Ubisoft has released a day-one patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows that removes acts of vandalism from religious sites, following concerns outlined by the Japanese government. The patch was made without any public announcement.
Reported by IGN, Ubisoft confirmed to the publication that it has released a patch that prevents players from destroying tables and racks within temples/shrines.
This patch comes a day after the Japanese government raised concerns about “unacceptable” graffiti and vandalism of religious sites.
Before the patch, players could break furniture and decorative items within shrines and actively slash at unarmed civilians. Japanese politician and Liberal Democratic Party member, Hiroyuki Kada raised the issue with the Japanese Prime Minister stating that he feared “that [by] allowing players to attack and destroy real-world locations in the game without permission could encourage similar behavior in real life.”
Ubisoft quietly releases patch to prevent shrine damage
Kada also expressed concerns over shrine officials and residents who lived in and around such religious sites. “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.”
Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba replied that “it is absolutely unacceptable to graffiti a shrine. It is nothing but an insult to the country.”
Wake up, Ubisoft “defender,” and hear our voice! What kind of Assassin’s Creed game destroys an actual religious site? Japanese culture is consumed but receives no respect. Here is a perfect example. pic.twitter.com/UsfWMgy53n
— Shohei Kondo (@shoheikondo) January 31, 2025
However, as highlighted by Kanada lecturer Jeffrey J. Hall, Ishiba’s comments didn’t indicate that any action would be taken by the government. Either way, Ubisoft has addressed these issues despite telling IGN that the day-one patch is for all players and not Japan-specific.
The full patch notes and change list can be found below:
- 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).
- Players no longer get 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).
Be sure to check out our Assassin’s Creed Shadows review and the best Naoe build to get a head start in your adventure.
