Key Takeaways
1. Ubisoft made unexpected changes to Far Cry 4 regarding nudity, despite the game being released in 2014.
2. The alterations were specifically aimed at the Japanese version of the game, and original files have been restored in the global Steam release.
3. Changes included modifying character appearances, such as a non-playable character being dressed and the main character wearing a loincloth.
4. Ubisoft is facing financial challenges, and there are speculations about Tencent’s influence on censorship due to their investment in the company.
5. Similar censorship actions were observed in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, indicating a broader trend in Ubisoft’s approach to content representation.
After a recent update for Far Cry 4, players found some unexpected adjustments. Ubisoft didn’t provide any patch notes, but users on Steam noticed numerous file changes. Soon, Reddit users discovered that these alterations focused on nudity. What’s puzzling is that Far Cry 4 has been out since 2014. After some backlash, Ubisoft clarified that these changes were aimed specifically at the Japanese version of the game. The original files have now been restored in the global Steam release.
Game Overview
Far Cry 4 is a shooter featuring open-world gameplay, set in Kyrat, a fictional nation in the Himalayas. The cultural norms in Kyrat are more relaxed regarding nudity, which is partly why it holds a Mature rating from the ESRB. The game performed well in sales, so it seems odd that Ubisoft would remove suggestive content now. Initially, the publisher didn’t address the situation, leading fans to guess the reasons behind it.
Specific Changes
One notable instance of the censorship occurred with a non-playable character in the Shanath Arena. Before the update, players could see a topless woman, but after the patch, she was dressed in a bra. Additionally, the main character, Ajay Ghale, was altered to wear a loincloth covering his private parts. As this news spread, players began sharing before-and-after images on Reddit and various online forums.
Financial Context
Despite the success of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft has faced significant financial challenges. Following a series of underwhelming game releases, the French company established a subsidiary for franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. Tencent, a prominent investor in China’s gaming sector, plays a crucial role in this subsidiary. Because Chinese publishers often censor nudity, some players of Far Cry 4 speculated that Tencent’s marketing strategies were influencing these changes. Nevertheless, it seems that Ubisoft is currently more focused on how the game is received in Japan.
Further Censorship
Interestingly, Ubisoft also implemented recent censorship in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. In response to complaints about the portrayal of a Japanese shrine, players can no longer damage that structure.
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