Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has been awarded a CERO Z rating by Japan's game rating organization, leading to significant content changes in the Japanese version of the game. Dive into the details of how this affects AC Shadows in Japan and globally.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Receives CERO Z Game Rating In Japan
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Japanese Version Removes Dismemberment And Decapitation
Ubisoft Japan took to Twitter (X) to announce that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been rated CERO Z by Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO). This rating introduces notable differences between the game's content in Japan and its overseas counterparts (North America/Europe).
In the Japanese version, scenes of dismemberment and decapitation have been entirely removed, and depictions of wounds and severed body parts have been altered. Additionally, some changes have been made to the Japanese audio in the overseas version, though specifics on these alterations remain undisclosed.
Conversely, the overseas version of AC Shadows includes an option to toggle the visibility of dismemberment and decapitation, allowing players to customize their experience.
Assassin’s Creed Rated CERO Z In Japan, Only Suitable For 18+ Ages
A CERO Z rating indicates that the game is suitable only for audiences aged 18 and above, prohibiting its sale or distribution to those under 18. CERO evaluates games based on four categories: sex-related content, violence, anti-social acts, and language and ideology expression.
Games that do not comply with CERO’s content guidelines are not rated, requiring developers to make necessary modifications. While the statement highlights excessive violence, it does not detail other elements of AC Shadows that contributed to the CERO Z rating.
This is not the first time the Assassin’s Creed series has encountered such issues; previous titles like AC Valhalla and AC Origins also received CERO Z ratings due to their violent themes.
CERO's stringent stance on gore and dismemberment has long been a challenge for game releases in Japan. Some companies have opted not to release their games in Japan rather than comply with CERO’s requirements. For instance, The Callisto Protocol canceled its Japan release in 2022 after failing to secure a CERO rating, as the required changes were deemed too significant by developer Striking Distance and publisher Krafton. Similarly, EA Motive's Dead Space Remake in 2023 also did not receive a CERO rating, with EA Japan’s General Manager Shaun Noguchi voicing his frustrations, especially in light of Stellar Blade receiving a rating despite its violent content.
Changes In Yasuke's Description In Game Store Pages
AC Shadows also features a change in the description of Yasuke, one of its main protagonists. On the Steam and PS store pages, when viewed in Japanese, the term "samurai" (侍) used to describe Yasuke has been replaced with "騎当千" or "Ikki tousen," meaning "a warrior who can face a thousand enemies." This adjustment follows backlash in 2024 regarding Ubisoft's portrayal of Yasuke as "the black samurai," a sensitive topic in Japanese history and culture.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot addressed this issue, emphasizing that the company aims to create entertainment for a broad audience without pushing any specific agenda. The use of historical figures in Assassin’s Creed games, such as the Pope or Queen Victoria, is a recurring theme for the developers.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is slated for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For more information, visit our Assassin’s Creed Shadows page.
