Japan's PM Addresses Assassin's Creed Shadows Controversy

During an official government conference, Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, addressed concerns about Ubisoft's game, Assassin's Creed Shadows, which is set in Feudal Japan. The discussion arose from a question posed by Hiroyuki Kada, a Japanese politician and member of the House of Councillors, who expressed worries about the game's potential to encourage real-world vandalism, particularly at shrines.

Kada highlighted the issue of "over tourism" and the perceived rise in vandalism in Japan, linking it to the game's depiction of shrine defacement. He argued that if players can destroy real-world locations within the game, it might inspire similar actions in reality. The shrine in question, Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, is within Kada's constituency, and he noted that Ubisoft did not seek permission to feature it in the game.

In response, Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the importance of respecting cultural and religious sites, stating that defacing a shrine is an insult to the nation. He suggested that the matter should be discussed with relevant ministries to determine a legal approach. However, Ishiba's comments focused on hypothetical real-life actions rather than critiquing the game itself.

Ubisoft has faced multiple controversies in the lead-up to the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows. The company issued apologies for inaccuracies in the game's depiction of Feudal Japan, stating that the game is meant to be historical fiction rather than a factual representation. Ubisoft also apologized for using a flag from a Japanese historical re-enactment group without permission and for a collectible statue featuring a one-legged Torii gate, which was considered offensive by some.

In response to these concerns, Ubisoft has planned a day-one patch for Assassin's Creed Shadows, set to be released on March 20. This patch will make certain elements in shrines indestructible, reduce non-essential depictions of bloodshed in shrines and temples, and remove blood effects when attacking unarmed NPCs. While this patch has been announced in Japan, Ubisoft's western operation has yet to confirm it.

The game's launch is critical for Ubisoft, following delays and the commercial failure of Star Wars Outlaws. Amidst a backdrop of high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations, Assassin's Creed Shadows is under significant pressure to succeed globally.

IGN's review of Assassin's Creed Shadows gave it an 8/10, praising the game for refining its open-world mechanics and delivering one of the best iterations in the series to date.

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