Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba recently raised concerns about how video games, like Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, portray sacred sites such as shrines. In a discussion at the House of Councilors Budget Committee, the topic of the game’s depiction of environmental destruction and harm to Japanese civilians was addressed.
Kada Hiroyuki, a lawmaker, highlighted that the creators, Ubisoft, allegedly did not seek permission from shrine authorities before including these religious landmarks in their game. He mentioned that obtaining prior consent might have opened doors for collaboration with relevant Japanese ministries and departments.
There is also an increasing worry that the virtual destruction seen in such games could influence real-world behavior, contributing to a rise in what’s called “tourist pollution.” This troubling trend sees visitors defacing sacred sites with graffiti and carvings, showing little regard for cultural respect.
In response, a day-one patch for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows has been released to limit the actions that can be performed at shrines and similar cultural locations within the game. This adjustment comes as part of the series’ tradition of bringing history to life through digital storytelling, where past depictions of sites like cathedrals have been made without significant issues.
Fans eagerly await the launch of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, scheduled for March 20th, with releases planned for Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Amazon Luna. This release promises to deliver the iconic historical immersion the franchise is renowned for, hopefully with a balanced nod to cultural sensitivities.
