Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba and National Diet members slam Ubisoft over Assassin’s Creed Shadows cultural disrespect
- Thread starter The Chairman
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Heimdall_Xtreme
Hermen Hulst Fanclub's #1 Member
I was shocked to see this wasn't the horrible hot take thread because this one actually offended me
I give you a hug
Kronark
Member
The government did declare the rules of what is and isn't allowed... You have freedom of speech, you have the right to express yourself. There are limits around this for safety, defamation, and harassment to protect others but you're free to genuinely express your thoughts / opinions. You don't have the right to assault or batter people though.
The problem with insults is they usually depend on the recipient. What is or isn't an insult can vary greatly. Offence is taken, not given. You don't have the right to not be offended by things because that's unworkable. If you think you have the right to never be offended it sounds like the definition of a snowflake...
"Don't put yourself or your values above others" is hilarious considering that you're advocating that violence is justified against people who dare to brush up against your fragile ego. If your only reaction to words is your fists, it sounds like you're the problem. If you don't like what someone has to say, don't associate with them.
Last Hearth
Member
No one is demanding censorship, people are just voting with their wallet.
kruis
Exposing the sinister cartel of retailers who allow companies to pay for advertising space.
"Unauthorized use of real-world locations is unacceptable" .... is that even possible? How can Japan even prevent the use of these locations in videogames? You can't copyright or trademark centuries old buildings, shrines, houses, etc.
phant0m
Member
As has nearly every gaming-related controversy in the last 5 years.
This is all so monumentally stupid.
Represent.
Represent(ative) of bad opinions
I literally cant believe this shit.
Felessan
Member
In many places it's not allowed to harass other people "core values" including race, religion and political views under pretext of "freedom of speech". Quite a few countries have blasphemy laws forbidding insulting religion.
You have a problem of reading. I didn't advocate anything, I just stated reality what will happens if someone would not be able to abuse particular law situation in his favor - i.e. either someone is protected or unprotected simultaneously from both verbal and physical abuse. It's not strictly about one-on-one violence, issue can be pushed to authorities that might take actions against you, with the same result.
I saw quite a few instances when not following a rule of place can get people into trouble. And I not advocating it, or even approve (I disapprove both sides in such situation), but it's a matter of fact that getting into trouble is exactly idiot fault for thinking that he is so shiny wonderful so it's others problems if they found his behavior inappropriate in given circumstances, especially if it's one against society of people situation.
phant0m
Member
Pretty sure you can't copyright public places. Also, did RGG get "authorization" from the US Federal (or state) Gov't to use Hawaii and Honolulu as "real-world locations"? As for respecting cultures, they got the OK for you to spend 1/3 of the game beating the shit out of the indigenous people?
I didn't see any complaints about the destruction and wanton violence present in Ghost of Tsushima (though I don't recall if you can 'break' a shrine or not)
Way to show your ass, Japan.
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Grizzled Ghost
Member
I would think you can, if the building is located on private land and not visible from a public area. I don't know if that's the case here though, and I certainly don't know the law in Japan.
For instance, Westminster Abbey is ostensibly open to the public, but certain areas of it, like the Shrine of St. Edward restrict photography.
Also, believe it or not, The Eiffel Tower was protected from photography under copyright until the 90s, and still is when the nighttime lightshow is operating.
Killer8
Member
Give me a break.
There is "voting with your wallet", which is an act of indifference, and then there is a jubilant chorus of Twitterfags cheering on the issue reaching the highest level of Japanese government. Why are they so pleased with what amounts to the Japanese equivalent of Jack Thompson, Leland Yee and Hillary Clinton stepping in to moral panic about a videogame?
What do the 'anti-woke' actually want to achieve at the end of the day? A strongly worded letter sent to Ubi HQ? Because it's pretty apparent from all the handwringing threads we've had about "muh shrines" that certain people want something done about this just to get at Ubisoft. They wouldn't be making this much noise if they didn't. If Japan banned the game then it would just be a cause for celebration for these people, as they've long since careered into the abyss of "no bad tactics, only bad targets" and "you get what you fuckin deserve" mentalities.
I suppose it's fairly respectable that the Japanese government did not overreach here. This was more about the humiliation theater of publicly spanking Ubisoft on the bottom. They didn't commit to much more as they recognized doing so would be directly infringing on Ubisoft's freedom of expression. However, the end result has still been one of self-censorship anyway, because Ubisoft are removing the shrine destruction and NPC violence via a patch:
Last Hearth
Member
Give me a break.
There is "voting with your wallet", which is an act of indifference, and then there is a jubilant chorus of Twitterfags cheering on the issue reaching the highest level of Japanese government. Why are they so pleased with what amounts to the Japanese equivalent of Jack Thompson, Leland Yee and Hillary Clinton stepping in to moral panic about a videogame?
What do the 'anti-woke' actually want to achieve at the end of the day? A strongly worded letter sent to Ubi HQ? Because it's pretty apparent from all the handwringing threads we've had about "muh shrines" that certain people want something done about this just to get at Ubisoft. They wouldn't be making this much noise if they didn't. If Japan banned the game then it would just be a cause for celebration for these people, as they've long since careered into the abyss of "no bad tactics, only bad targets" and "you get what you fuckin deserve" mentalities.
I suppose it's fairly respectable that the Japanese government did not overreach here. This was more about the humiliation theater of publicly spanking Ubisoft on the bottom. They didn't commit to much more as they recognized doing so would be directly infringing on Ubisoft's freedom of expression. However, the end result has still been one of self-censorship anyway, because Ubisoft are removing the shrine destruction and NPC violence via a patch:
Whatever they’re trying to achieve, the game has not been censored, no civil authority has banned the game or its contents. Criticism is not censorship.
I suppose they are trying to influence people to not buy the game, which they have every right to do. Just as you have every right to influence people to buy it.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Grifters using incorrect translations of the Japanese PM quotes.
I'm shocked. Shocked. Not really.
The Chairman
Wanna edit this into the OP ?
I'm shocked. Shocked. Not really.
The Chairman
Wanna edit this into the OP ?
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The Chairman
Member
Grifters using incorrect translations of the Japanese PM quotes.
I'm shocked. Shocked. Not really.
Oh a screenshot provided by some gaijin living in japan saying that he is a japan expert lmao
How about this real japanese dude? is he also a grifter and posting incorrect translations
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Oh a screenshot provided by some gaijin living in japan saying that he is a japan expert lmao
How about this real japanese dude? is he also a grifter and posting incorrect translations
Yeah man, this guy looks totally on the level and impartial
The Chairman
Member
Yeah man, this guy looks totally on the level and impartial
So you are ignoring the actual video with translations and just talking about the japanese dude now lol
How about you provide a real source instead of a screenshot ok apple
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
So you are ignoring the actual video with translations and just talking about the japanese dude now lol
How about you provide a real source instead of a screenshot ok apple
Not sure what a Trump Zelensky thing has to do with this?
Anyway, if this makes you feel better, the same context is corroborated by IGN Japan.
The Prime Minister of Japan Responded to a Question About Assassin’s Creed Shadows Today — Here’s What’s Actually Going On - IGN
Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, responded to a question about Assassin’s Creed Shadows today during an official government conference meeting. While some reports have indicated that Prime Minister Ishiba hit out at Ubisoft’s Feudal Japan-set game and its maker Ubisoft over concerns...
The Chairman
Member
IGN article by a dude called Wesley lol whats next? a source from resetera member lmaoNot sure what a Trump Zelensky thing has to do with this?
Anyway, if this makes you feel better, the same context is corroborated by IGN Japan.
The Prime Minister of Japan Responded to a Question About Assassin’s Creed Shadows Today — Here’s What’s Actually Going On - IGN
Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, responded to a question about Assassin’s Creed Shadows today during an official government conference meeting. While some reports have indicated that Prime Minister Ishiba hit out at Ubisoft’s Feudal Japan-set game and its maker Ubisoft over concerns...www.ign.com
Post a source directly from someone who understands Japanese like i did or don't waste my time.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Lmao, they got the translation from IGN Japan, two sources saying the same thing versus your YouTube guy with a clear agenda.
I know which one I'd trust more
Fake
Member
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows shrine destruction prompts response from Japanese government
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that he would like to discuss 'legal measures' when asked about the depictions of shrines and other locations in games like Assassin's Creed: Shadows.
nichegamer.com
We can also thanks to tiktokers.
ChorizoPicozo
Member
TheDarkPhantom
Member
Is this the first time in history a leader of a nation (and not just any nation but one of the most significant in both cultural and economic terms) has directly gone after a specific game? Fascinating stuff. As someone who has lived in Japan for over 15 years now (and has Japanese family) I personally don't care about destroying in-game property, that isn't unique to the series and no entry should be exempt from it (though it is true tourism has gotten out of control and there has been a lot of buffoonery from foreigners visiting here...)
However, it was clear from the very beginning Ubi was pushing that DEI agenda and everything revealed in the past couple of days only reinforces that. I've loved AC ever since Altair skulked through the Holy Lands. Origins is my favourite AC game, the protagonist is black (specifically Berber), he is a fantastic character who *belongs* in that world.
So while I'd usually applaud a dev for "trying something different" the fact is the fan base waited YEARS for an AC game in Japan and it would have been so easy to deliver. Instead we got a blatant push of the mind virus, those unwilling to see it have already been brainwashed past the point of saving, it is what it is. I'll pick up the game on deep sale, I know I'll have a good time, just won't reward Ubi with a day 1 purchase as I usually would.
However, it was clear from the very beginning Ubi was pushing that DEI agenda and everything revealed in the past couple of days only reinforces that. I've loved AC ever since Altair skulked through the Holy Lands. Origins is my favourite AC game, the protagonist is black (specifically Berber), he is a fantastic character who *belongs* in that world.
So while I'd usually applaud a dev for "trying something different" the fact is the fan base waited YEARS for an AC game in Japan and it would have been so easy to deliver. Instead we got a blatant push of the mind virus, those unwilling to see it have already been brainwashed past the point of saving, it is what it is. I'll pick up the game on deep sale, I know I'll have a good time, just won't reward Ubi with a day 1 purchase as I usually would.
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The Chairman
Member
Lmao, they got the translation from IGN Japan, two sources saying the same thing versus your YouTube guy with a clear agenda.
I know which one I'd trust more
Two western guys with a clear agenda saying they have japanese friends versus a real japanese guy.
Yup, it's clear which one to trust about japanese information, Jeffrey and Wesley over SHOHEI KONDO of course lmao
RafterXL
Member
Lmao, they got the translation from IGN Japan, two sources saying the same thing versus your YouTube guy with a clear agenda.
I know which one I'd trust more
You shouldn't. The last time IGN used a translator, they fucking lied about what was actually said and used it to personally attack the Wu Kong developers. Maybe they are right this time, maybe not, but the idea you would trust them more is ridiculous. Like those clowns don't have an agenda...lol.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
The first guy isn't saying he has Japanese friends. He's from there
Sure, it's possible, but it's two different sources saying very similar things. So I'm generally leaning more towards that.
The Chairman
Member
Believing retards on twitter lolThe first guy isn't saying he has Japanese friends. He's from there
Infamous Video Game Leaker Admits To Pretending To Be A Japanese Woman For Clout
A hyper-passionate fan base. A notoriously secretive industry. And social media algorithms that encourage people to follow their worst impulses for 15 minutes of fame. It’s a volatile cocktail, and one that might explain why an infamous leaker who went by the name Midori lied about being a...
But you are right, i will edit more sources into the OP, Shohei's video of course
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Believing retards on twitter lol
Infamous Video Game Leaker Admits To Pretending To Be A Japanese Woman For Clout
A hyper-passionate fan base. A notoriously secretive industry. And social media algorithms that encourage people to follow their worst impulses for 15 minutes of fame. It’s a volatile cocktail, and one that might explain why an infamous leaker who went by the name Midori lied about being a...www.yahoo.com
But you are right, i will edit more sources into the OP, Shohei's video of course
lmao, not sure what that link has anything to do with it, but alright.
I thought maybe you were coming to this discussion from a genuine place of interest instead of the usual twitter level nonsense.
My bad. Carry on.
Northeastmonk
Gold Member
Oh no, not Jade’s game 
The Chairman
Member
The link talks about a western dude having a big following on twitter because he lied about being this beautiful japanese woman that love videogames, he even tried to tweet in broken english for that extra japanese authenticity until someone who knows him exposed that he is a middle age fat dude living in the the west lol
my point is to not believe retards on twitter
Anyway, i accept your surrender, carry on
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Strategize
Member
Oh a screenshot provided by some gaijin living in japan saying that he is a japan expert lmao
How about this real japanese dude? is he also a grifter and posting incorrect translations
Yes.
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HerjansEagleFeeder
Gold Member
Can't believe how stupid these "iTs JuSt a ViDeOgAmE bRo" comments are. The Japanese government if commenting on it, lol. Nobody cares about your snowflakey national ideologies on a global scale when very different human cultures have to somehow live together peacefully. Except of course if you think the whole whole world has to live according to your particular moral standards.
Zathalus
Member
So you would not trust a Professor at a Japanese University and a IGN article (that actually have staff members who are Japanese and live in Japan), but you will trust a random Japanese YouTuber who’s agenda videos are extremely blatant?Believing retards on twitter lol
Infamous Video Game Leaker Admits To Pretending To Be A Japanese Woman For Clout
A hyper-passionate fan base. A notoriously secretive industry. And social media algorithms that encourage people to follow their worst impulses for 15 minutes of fame. It’s a volatile cocktail, and one that might explain why an infamous leaker who went by the name Midori lied about being a...
But you are right, i will edit more sources into the OP, Shohei's video of course
As least try and pretend you don’t give a shit about the actual truth.
stickkidsam
Member
Everyone should be able to make whatever they want, whether it tips the sacred cow or not.
Just don’t preach about how evil that is to do while you tip someone else’s. Then ya just look like a hypocritical bunch of assholes sniffing their own farts. And nobody wants to buy that shit unless you’re an E-Girl with a jar.
Just don’t preach about how evil that is to do while you tip someone else’s. Then ya just look like a hypocritical bunch of assholes sniffing their own farts. And nobody wants to buy that shit unless you’re an E-Girl with a jar.
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Cyborg
Member
I know you are joking but I honestly think that Ubisoft is considering it.
BosmerCulter
Member
Japan likes to disrespect other cultures in its anime and games, especially Christianity, so the whole nation seems to have a nervous breakdown over one game makes me laugh a lot
It just cracks me up that the fan base has been begging for a Japanese ninja themed Assassins Creed since the series first came out and they used this game and setting to do it in the most wrong way possible. This game is the truest form of monkey-paw I think we've seen in a game.
Grizzled Ghost
Member
.
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DelireMan7
Member
Another free marketing campaign for AC Shadows. That's nice I guess.
Honestly I have to caught up the AC games before playing this one but I hear about it so much that I am tempted to buy it now.
Honestly I have to caught up the AC games before playing this one but I hear about it so much that I am tempted to buy it now.
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
Watched a review video this morning, and it looks like another great hamburger game from Ubi. I’m in.
DelireMan7
Member
This is also how I describe AC games. They're like fast food : I don't eat it often and know it's not very good for me but from time to time, I like to go for it.
Roman Empire
Member
You can't make this shit without wanting to provoke someone willingly, right? Or are they that stupid?
ComputerBlue
Member
The craziest thing about it, is if they had just done it properly and really tried to deliver an experience that people actually wanted, this could have completely turned Ubisoft around, but it’s like they go out of their way to self sabotage, almost makes you think there are internal plants with that sole purpose.
This inspires me to make a thread, but I also don't want to deal with the hassle. Forza Horizon is the other series that people really want a Japanese setting for. I'd love to brainstorm the ideas on how they'd fuck up what seems like a slam dunk.