Assassin's Creed Shadows: Japan's CERO Rating Leads to Content Changes

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has received a CERO Z rating in Japan, resulting in content alterations for the Japanese release. This rating, reserved for 18+ audiences, necessitates changes to comply with the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization's (CERO) guidelines.

Content Differences Between Japanese and International Releases:

The Japanese version will omit dismemberment and decapitation, modifying depictions of wounds and severed body parts. While some Japanese audio changes are confirmed, specifics remain undisclosed. Conversely, the international release (North America/Europe) will offer players an option to toggle these violent elements within the game's settings.

CERO's Strict Standards and Past Controversies:

CERO's stringent approach to graphic violence is well-documented. Many Assassin's Creed titles, including Valhalla and Origins, have previously received CERO Z ratings. This reflects CERO's consistent criticism of excessive gore and dismemberment, leading to past instances where games were either heavily altered or entirely withheld from the Japanese market. Notable examples include The Callisto Protocol and the Dead Space Remake, both of which faced similar challenges and ultimately did not receive Japanese releases.

Changes to Yasuke's In-Game Description:

Further alterations involve Yasuke's portrayal. In Japanese language versions of the Steam and PlayStation store listings, the term "samurai" (侍) has been replaced with "騎当千" (Ikki tousen), meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This follows past criticism regarding the use of "black samurai" in promotional materials, a historically sensitive term. Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, has previously stated the company prioritizes entertainment for a broad audience, and avoids pushing specific agendas.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For more details, visit our Assassin's Creed Shadows page.