Assassin's Creed Shadows: Japan Censorship and Content Differences

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has received a CERO Z rating in Japan, resulting in significant content alterations for the Japanese release compared to international versions. This rating, reserved for games suitable only for players aged 18 and above, necessitates changes to comply with Japan's strict video game content guidelines.

Content Modifications:

The Japanese version will entirely remove dismemberment and decapitation sequences. Depictions of wounds and severed body parts have also been modified. Additionally, unspecified changes to the Japanese audio dub have been implemented. International versions will offer players the option to toggle dismemberment and decapitation settings.

CERO Z Rating and Implications:

The CERO Z rating reflects Japan's stringent standards regarding violence, sex, anti-social behavior, and language. This isn't unprecedented for the Assassin's Creed franchise; previous installments like Valhalla and Origins also received this rating. The lack of a CERO rating led to the cancellation of The Callisto Protocol's Japanese release in 2022 and the Dead Space Remake in 2023, highlighting the challenges developers face in navigating these guidelines.

Yasuke's Description Altered:

Further adjustments involve the description of Yasuke, a key protagonist. The term "samurai" (侍) used in the Steam and PlayStation Store listings has been replaced with "騎当千" (Ikki tousen), meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This follows criticism in 2024 regarding the use of "black samurai" in promotional materials. Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, previously stated the company's focus on broad audience appeal and avoidance of specific agendas.

Release Date:

Assassin's Creed Shadows is slated for release on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The differing content between the Japanese and international releases underscores the complexities of navigating regional content regulations in the video game industry.