Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows has sparked significant controversy after footage surfaced showing Yasuke, one of its playable characters, vandalizing the Itate Hyozu Shrine, a real-life religious site. This incident has led officials of the shrine to announce plans to take action against the game. The viral video depicting the character breaking the altar and destroying sacred objects within the shrine has prompted outrage from many who view it as inappropriate and disrespectful to the shrine's followers.
Officials from the Itate Hyozu Shrine expressed their discontent, stating they were not approached prior to the incorporation of their shrine within the game. According to local reports, a representative clarified, "If they had contacted us, we would have refused," underscoring the lack of consultation and the deep offense taken. This sentiment resonates with many Japanese gamers who have also rallied against the handling of cultural elements within the game.
The controversy over Assassin’s Creed Shadows is not new. Just last year, the game faced criticism for its historical accuracy and cultural representation, leading gamers to initiate petitions against the portrayal of samurai. The effort attracted over 40,000 signatures from individuals demanding more respect for historical figures and events. Shimizu Toru, the creator of the petition, highlighted the persistent issues with both cultural representation and historical fidelity within the game.
Meanwhile, Ubisoft is set to release Assassin’s Creed Shadows on March 20, 2025, after having delayed the launch twice due to concerns over quality and performance issues. Initially slated for release on November 15, 2024, the delay seems to have provided Ubisoft with the necessary time to address complaints within the gaming community.
Aside from the concerns about cultural representation, players and industry observers are questioning the tighter censorship standards imposed by Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO). Recently, the game has also been mandated to make certain modifications to its content to fit within Japan’s strict ratings system. This requires Ubisoft to strip away graphic elements like decapitations and dismemberments from the game, commonplace features in other regions.
Historically, the CERO has faced criticism for its stringent policies, which seem to regulate video games far more rigorously than other media forms like anime or films. Video games, uniquely reviewed under CERO, often suffer restrictions not mirrored across different entertainment platforms. This raises questions among gamers and creators about why Japan maintains such conservative standards for video games, even as it embraces far edgier content through other media.
The tension between cultural respect and creative freedom has divided the gaming community. Some argue it is improper for video games to allow the destruction of real-life sacred sites, advocating for greater sensitivity. Conversely, others defend creative liberties, asserting the importance of player freedom within gameplay experiences. This dichotomy traces back to the soul of many Assassin’s Creed titles, which often encompass themes of historical exploration with varying degrees of factual representation.
Contributors to the debate include notable figures from the gaming industry, who critique CERO’s stringent regulations. Renowned developer Shinji Mikami, creator of the Resident Evil franchise, emphasized the absurdity of censorship rules established by people who are largely disconnected from gaming culture. He argued for more informed decision-making within the organization.
Despite the pushback, CERO’s policies have remained largely unchanged. Many games, such as The Callisto Protocol, have seen cancellations due to failure to comply with the guidelines laid out by CERO. Others like Until Dawn underwent revisions to appease regulatory demands, leading to awkward and anticlimactic gameplay experiences.
Despite these hurdles, some titles have slipped through the regulatory net, raising eyebrows over perceived inconsistencies within CERO's enforcement. For example, the game Stellar Blade featured controversial content but managed to evade censorship. This has led industry insiders to question the criteria CERO employs and whether it is fair to developers.
Ubisoft’s latest title arrives amid mounting criticism and scrutiny, advocating for both free expression and cultural sensitivity. Players await eagerly, albeit anxiously, to see how these controversies will shape the final product of Assassin’s Creed Shadows and the future of gaming regulations within Japan.