IGN has confirmed that Ubisoft has quietly prepared a day-one patch for Assassin's Creed Shadows, introducing significant changes, particularly to temples and shrines. Ubisoft shared the patch notes with IGN, noting that these updates were not part of any public announcement.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Day-One Patch Notes:

This update includes various improvements and fixes, such as:

• Players can no longer get stuck inside movable objects after dodging forward and interacting with them in kofuns.
• Fix for procedural weapons being incorrectly removed when selling items.
• Adjustments to prevent players from going out of bounds when proning against objects.
• Improved horse navigation, reducing issues with turning and blocked paths.
• Lighting adjustments for cave, kofun, and architectural entrances/exits.
• Fixes for cloth clipping on Yasuke’s outfits (while riding) and Naoe’s outfits (while crouching).
• Citizens without weapons no longer bleed when attacked, reducing unintended blood spill in temples/shrines.
• Tables and racks in temples/shrines are now indestructible. Some objects like drums or bowls can still be broken as they are generic ones present everywhere in the world. Tables remain dynamic objects, allowing players to move or push them.

The key change is the indestructibility of tables and racks in temples and shrines. Ubisoft confirmed to IGN that this patch is for all players, not just those in Japan, though it seems to address the controversy surrounding the game in that country.

“I fear that allowing players to attack and destroy real-world locations in the game without permission could encourage similar behavior in real life. Shrine officials and local residents are also worried about this. Of course, freedom of expression must be respected, but acts that demean local cultures should be avoided.”

Prime Minister Ishiba responded:

“How to address this legally is something we need to discuss with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Defacing a shrine is out of the question - it is an insult to the nation itself. When the Self-Defense Forces were deployed to Samawah, Iraq, we ensured they studied Islamic customs beforehand. Respecting the culture and religion of a country is fundamental, and we must make it clear that we will not simply accept acts that disregard them.”

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The shrine depicted in pre-release gameplay videos of Assassin's Creed Shadows is Itatehyozu Shrine in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, within Kada’s constituency. Kada confirmed that Ubisoft did not seek permission from the shrine's representatives to use its name and image in the game.

Masaki Ogushi, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, mentioned that government agencies would collaborate if the shrine seeks consultation. However, under Japan's Constitution, Ubisoft's use of the shrine in a work of artistic expression is likely legally permissible.

The responses from both ministers were vague and unlikely to lead to specific actions, especially since Ubisoft has proactively addressed these concerns with the day-one patch. The patch is not yet live in-game, according to IGN's tests.

Despite the game's potential performance in Japan, Assassin's Creed Shadows faces significant global pressure to succeed for Ubisoft, following delays and the sales disappointment of last year’s Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft has experienced several high-profile flops, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations leading up to the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows.

IGN's review of Assassin’s Creed Shadows awarded it an 8/10, stating: “By sharpening the edges of its existing systems, Assassin’s Creed Shadows creates one of the best versions of the open-world style it’s been honing for the last decade.”