Ubisoft Confirms Day-One Patch for Assassin's Creed Shadows Amid Japan Concerns

Ubisoft has quietly rolled out a day-one patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, addressing several key gameplay elements—including notable changes to temples and shrines. While the company did not publicly announce the update, it provided exclusive patch notes to IGN, confirming the changes apply globally, not just in Japan.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Day-One Patch Notes

• Fixed an issue where players could get stuck inside movable objects after dodging and interacting with them in kofuns
• Corrected a bug causing procedural weapons to be incorrectly removed when selling items
• Adjustments made to prevent players from going out of bounds while prone near objects
• Improved horse navigation to reduce turning issues and path blockages
• Lighting enhancements for cave, kofun, and architectural entrances/exits
• Cloth clipping fixes for Yasuke’s outfits (while riding) and Naoe’s outfits (while crouching)
• Citizens without weapons no longer bleed when attacked—reducing unintended blood visuals in temples and shrines
• Tables and racks in temples and shrines are now indestructible (some generic objects like drums or bowls remain breakable)
  Note: Tables are still dynamic, so players can move or push them—but not destroy them

Why This Patch Matters

The most talked-about change is the protection of shrine and temple interiors, particularly the indestructibility of tables and racks. Though Ubisoft states this patch is global, the timing and nature of the fix strongly suggest a response to growing backlash in Japan—especially after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba commented on the game during an official government meeting on March 19.

The controversy stems from pre-release footage showing players damaging Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture—a real-world location within the constituency of politician Hiroyuki Kada, who formally raised concerns about cultural disrespect and potential real-life imitation. Shrine representatives confirmed Ubisoft had not sought permission to feature their site in the game.

While legal experts believe Ubisoft likely falls under protected artistic expression per Japan’s Constitution, the proactive patch shows the developer is listening—and acting—to maintain cultural sensitivity ahead of launch.

Patch Status & Broader Context

As of testing by IGN, the day-one patch is not yet live in-game. Its release is expected at launch across all platforms.

This update arrives at a critical moment for Ubisoft. With Assassin’s Creed Shadows positioned as a major global release following the underperformance of Star Wars Outlaws and a series of high-profile setbacks—including layoffs, studio closures, and canceled projects—the stakes have never been higher.

Early reviews reflect strong potential: IGN awarded the game an 8/10, praising how it refines the franchise’s decade-long evolution of open-world design into one of its most polished entries yet.