Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows), the latest installment in Ubisoft's renowned series, has been met with significant changes in its Japanese version due to stringent content regulations. The game has received a CERO Z rating from Japan's Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), leading to notable alterations that differentiate it from its overseas counterparts.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Japanese Version Removes Dismemberment And Decapitation
Ubisoft Japan took to Twitter (now X) to announce that AC Shadows has been granted a CERO Z rating, signaling a significant shift in the game's content for Japanese audiences. In compliance with CERO's strict guidelines, the Japanese version of AC Shadows will not feature any dismemberment or decapitation. Additionally, depictions of wounds and severed body parts have been altered to meet these standards. While some changes to the Japanese audio in the overseas version have also been made, specific details regarding these alterations remain undisclosed.
In contrast, the overseas version of AC Shadows offers players the option to toggle the graphic depictions of dismemberment and decapitation via the game's options menu, allowing for a customizable experience that aligns with their preferences.
Assassin’s Creed Rated CERO Z In Japan, Only Suitable For 18+ Ages
The CERO Z rating signifies that AC Shadows is deemed suitable only for audiences aged 18 and above, prohibiting its sale or distribution to anyone younger. CERO evaluates games across four key categories: sex-related content, violence, anti-social acts, and language and ideology expression. Games that fail to meet these standards are required to undergo modifications or risk not receiving a rating at all.
This is not the first time the Assassin's Creed series has faced such scrutiny from CERO. Previous titles like AC Valhalla and AC Origins also received CERO Z ratings due to their violent themes and content. The ongoing tension between game developers and CERO's stringent policies on gore and dismemberment has led some companies, like Striking Distance with The Callisto Protocol and EA Motive with the Dead Space Remake, to forego a Japanese release altogether.
Changes In Yasuke's Description In Game Store Pages
Another significant change in AC Shadows involves the description of Yasuke, one of the game's protagonists. In the Japanese versions of the Steam and PlayStation store pages, the term "samurai" used to describe Yasuke has been replaced with "Ikki tousen," translating to "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This alteration follows backlash Ubisoft received in 2024 regarding Yasuke's portrayal as "the black samurai," a contentious issue within Japanese historical and cultural contexts.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has addressed these concerns, emphasizing the company's focus on creating entertainment for a broad audience without pushing any specific agendas. The Assassin's Creed series has a history of incorporating historical figures into its narratives, such as the Pope and Queen Victoria, making Yasuke's inclusion consistent with the series' approach.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is slated for release on March 20, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For more detailed information about the game, visit our dedicated Assassin’s Creed Shadows page.
