Ubisoft’s Assassin's Creed Shadows Promises Rewards And Fixes

Ubisoft has recently rolled out new incentives and fixes for its much-anticipated title, Assassin's Creed Shadows, which has stirred conversation and controversy ahead of and following its launch.

From March 18 to March 25, Ubisoft is offering players the chance to snag three exclusive items: the Spirit Headband, the Spirit Kosode, and the Oath Tanto. Described as Naoe-exclusive items, these rewards can only be obtained through Twitch Drops, a method that requires players to actively interact with streams rather than simply clicking a button.

To achieve this, players must link their Ubisoft account to their Twitch profile and engage with streamers featured in the "Drops Enabled" category for a total of four hours. While many players expressed a mix of frustration and willingness to earn these rewards, comments in the community have shown varying opinions on the Twitch Drops system. One user on the forum r/AssassinsCreedShadows noted, "Well, they're giving out a whole cool costume. I didn't want to, but it looks like I'll have to watch." Conversely, another user remarked, "I hate the whole idea about drops,” indicating a split in player opinions over the gamified engagement method.

For those wary of spoiling their gameplay experience, some players have figured out a workaround: simply opening a stream, muting it, and minimizing the window while leaving it running ensures they still earn rewards without actively engaging with the content.

Meanwhile, the game's day-one patch, which released quietly in conjunction with the title's debut, has drawn attention for addressing critical gameplay issues, particularly those concerning cultural sensitivities in Japan. Ubisoft provided detailed patch notes to IGN, confirming numerous fixes ranging from improvements in horse navigation to the critical measure of rendering citizens without weapons unable to bleed when attacked in shrines and temples, minimizing the potential for controversy over graphic content.

The patch notes revealed several significant changes, including players no longer getting stuck in movable objects after dodging forward and enhanced lighting adjustments for various environments. Most notably, tables and racks located in temples and shrines were made indestructible, a response considered vital given the public concern about the game’s portrayal of Japanese culture.

On March 19, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responded to queries about the game's depiction of real-world locations during an official government meeting. Notably, Hiroyuki Kada, a member of the House of Councillors, raised concerns about gameplay elements allowing the destruction of culturally significant sites like the Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, without authorization.

Kada expressed his fears regarding the game potentially inspiring real-life behaviors detrimental to respecting local cultures; he stated, "I fear that allowing players to attack and destroy real-world locations in the game without permission could encourage similar behavior in real life." Ishiba echoed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of respecting cultural and religious sentiments, stating, "Defacing a shrine is out of the question - it is an insult to the nation itself.”

The Itatehyozu Shrine was notably shown in pre-release gameplay footage, which did not include prior permission from shrine representatives. Ishiba acknowledged the need for legal discussions on how to manage such representations in video games. He noted that while the game's construction falls within the scope of artistic expression protected by Japan's Constitution, the government is determined to ensure that respect for cultural sites is a priority.

As players continue to engage with Assassin's Creed Shadows, it's undoubtable that the ongoing dialogue about video games and cultural representation, as well as Ubisoft's attempts to rectify potential oversights, will play a significant role in shaping the game's reception. To date, IGN’s review of the title has rated it 8 out of 10, celebrating its refinements to the open-world gameplay while acknowledging the pressures on Ubisoft to deliver a successful title following several high-profile failures.

Overall, the coming days will be critical for Ubisoft as it navigates community expectations, player interactions through Twitch, and potential scrutiny from cultural figures in Japan. With ongoing updates and patches designed to address concerns, the game's performance may determine Ubisoft's footing in a competitive gaming landscape.