Fact check: Ubisoft claimed to have hired Japanese cultural advisors to help ensure that they were respectful of Japanese culture in Assassin's Creed Shadows. I'm assuming those advisors were either ignored or incompetent as Ubisoft was forced to release a day one patch to address the controversy related to the destruction of a well known Japanese shrine that prompted even the Prime Minister of Japan to address the game.

1. Summary of the results

The situation is more nuanced than the original statement suggests. While Ubisoft did indeed hire cultural advisors and experts ^[1], and created extensive cultural documentation featuring 125 entries about 16th-century Japanese history ^[2], they made a significant oversight by including the Harima Province Sosha Itatehyozu Shrine without permission ^[3]. The Prime Minister's involvement was less direct than suggested - they expressed concerns about potential copycat behavior rather than directly condemning the game ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

• Ubisoft demonstrated significant effort in cultural consultation:

The team physically traveled to Japan and worked with specialists ^[1]

They collaborated with historians, museums, and cultural experts ^[2]

They employed experts from both Osaka and Tokyo studios ^[5]

The controversy had specific elements not mentioned in the original statement:

The shrine officials were never contacted for permission and stated they would have refused if asked ^[6]

Ubisoft was proactive in addressing concerns, releasing a day-one patch that made shrine items indestructible and reduced blood depictions ^[7]

There were multiple apologies and acknowledgments of cultural sensitivity issues ^[4]

**3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement**

The statement suggests the cultural advisors were "either ignored or incompetent," but evidence shows their input was actively incorporated:

Creative director Jonathan Dumont emphasized the need to "be humble" and work with specialists ^[1]

The extensive Cultural Discovery feature demonstrates significant cultural research ^[2]

• The characterization of the Prime Minister's involvement is overstated:

The response was actually vague and unlikely to result in concrete action ^[4]

The concern was more about potential real-world implications than the game itself ^[4]

• The statement implies complete cultural insensitivity, while the reality shows a mix of genuine effort and specific oversights:

While the shrine usage was inappropriate ^[3], Ubisoft demonstrated willingness to correct issues through patches and apologies ^[7]

The controversy appears to be more about specific elements rather than wholesale disregard for cultural sensitivity