Assassin's Creed Shadows: Japan's CERO Rating Leads to Content Changes
Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has received a CERO Z rating in Japan, resulting in content alterations for the Japanese release. This rating, reserved for 18+ audiences, necessitates changes to comply with Japan's Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO) guidelines.
Key Differences Between Japanese and International Versions:
The Japanese version will omit dismemberment and decapitation, modifying depictions of wounds and severed limbs. Audio adjustments are also planned, though specifics remain undisclosed. Conversely, the international release (North America/Europe) will offer players an option to toggle these graphic elements.
CERO's Strict Standards:
CERO's rating system considers four main categories: sexual content, violence, antisocial behavior, and language/ideology. Games failing to meet these standards won't receive a rating, forcing developers to make revisions. While excessive violence is cited, the exact reasons for the Z rating aren't fully specified. This isn't unprecedented for the Assassin's Creed franchise; many titles, including Valhalla and Origins, previously received CERO Z ratings due to their violent content. CERO's history of rejecting or requiring alterations to depictions of gore and dismemberment has led to some games foregoing a Japanese release altogether, such as The Callisto Protocol in 2022 and the Dead Space Remake in 2023.
Yasuke's Description Altered:
The description of Yasuke, a key protagonist, has also been altered on Steam and PlayStation Store Japanese listings. The term "samurai" has been replaced with "Ikki tousen" ("a warrior who can face a thousand enemies"). This follows a 2024 controversy surrounding the use of "black samurai" in the game's earlier descriptions. Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, previously stated the company's focus on entertainment for a broad audience, not pushing specific agendas.
Release Date:
Assassin's Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
