Assassin's Creed Shadows: Japan's CERO Z Rating Leads to Content Changes
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. This rating, reserved for games suitable only for players 18 and older, necessitates changes to meet Japan's stringent video game content guidelines.
Content Differences Between Japanese and International Versions:
The Japanese version will omit dismemberment and decapitation scenes entirely. Depictions of wounds and severed body parts have also been modified. While specific changes to the Japanese audio dub haven't been detailed, alterations are confirmed. Conversely, the international release (North America/Europe) will offer players the option to toggle dismemberment and decapitation via the in-game settings.
CERO Z Rating and its Implications:
The CERO Z rating reflects Japan's strict standards regarding violence, sex, anti-social behavior, and language/ideology. Games failing to adhere to these guidelines may not receive a rating, effectively barring their release in Japan. This isn't unprecedented for the Assassin's Creed franchise; previous installments like Valhalla and Origins also received CERO Z ratings. The Callisto Protocol and the Dead Space Remake, faced with similar issues, ultimately forwent a Japanese release due to the extensive alterations demanded by CERO.
Changes to Yasuke's In-Game Description:
The Japanese versions of the Steam and PlayStation store listings have altered Yasuke's description. The term "samurai" (侍) has been replaced with "騎当千" (Ikki tousen), meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This follows controversy surrounding the previous "black samurai" descriptor, a sensitive topic within Japanese historical and cultural contexts. Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, previously stated the company's focus on broad audience entertainment, not promoting specific agendas.
Assassin's Creed Shadows launches March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
