Ubisoft confirms Assassin's Creed Shadows patch amid controversy

IGN confirms Ubisoft has prepared an unannounced day-one patch for Assassin's Creed Shadows addressing multiple gameplay elements, including controversial shrine mechanics.

Key Day-One Patch Notes

The stealth update brings several important fixes:

• Fixed players getting stuck in movable objects after dodging in kofuns
• Corrected procedural weapons disappearing during inventory transactions
• Improved boundary collision detection while prone
• Enhanced horse pathfinding and maneuverability
• Adjusted lighting for cave interiors and architectural transitions
• Resolved cloth clipping issues on main characters' outfits
• Removed bleeding effects from unarmed civilian NPCs in sacred spaces
• Made temple/shrine furnishings indestructible (except generic world objects)

The most notable change involves shrine objects becoming immune to destruction. While Ubisoft states this is a global update, the timing suggests responsiveness to recent Japanese concerns.

Political Backdrop in Japan

The controversy emerged when Japanese politician Hiroyuki Kada raised concerns during a government session about the game's depiction of real shrines, specifically Itatehyozu Shrine in his constituency. Kada stated shrine officials hadn't authorized its inclusion.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responded by emphasizing cultural respect, drawing parallels to Japanese forces studying Islamic customs during overseas deployments. While calling for inter-ministerial discussion, no concrete action plan was established.

Legal and Cultural Context

Though government responses remained non-committal, Ubisoft's proactive patch demonstrates sensitivity to cultural representation. The changes likely mitigate potential legal concerns while preserving artistic freedom under Japanese constitutional protections.

Broader Implications

This situation unfolds as Ubisoft faces significant pressure following recent commercial disappointments. With Star Wars Outlaws' underperformance and broader corporate challenges, Assassin's Creed Shadows carries exceptional weight for the publisher.

IGN's review praised the title's refined open-world systems with an 8/10 score. The patch, while not yet live during testing, demonstrates Ubisoft's commitment to polishing the experience amid heightened scrutiny.