Sony Confirms Rise of the Ronin Exclusion from South Korea Release
Sony has officially announced that Team Ninja’s highly anticipated game, “Rise of the Ronin,” will not be available for release in South Korea. The statement, provided to GamesIndustry.biz, clarified that the game was never slated for an official release in the Korean market in any format, be it physical or digital.
Reports surfaced indicating the cancellation of the South Korean launch for the PlayStation 5 exclusive, “Rise of the Ronin.” Ruliweb, a prominent Korean community website highlighted by Eurogamer, revealed that Sony Interactive Entertainment Korea confirmed the game’s absence from the local market, ruling out both boxed releases and availability on the PlayStation Store.
This decision by Sony follows a series of reports from Korean media outlets noting the removal of the game from the Korean PlayStation Store, along with the disappearance of promotional materials from Sony’s PlayStation YouTube channel for the Korean audience.
While Sony did not provide a specific reason for the cancellation, speculations suggest it may be linked to remarks made by the game’s director, Fumuhiko Yasuda, concerning 19th-century scholar Shōin Yoshida.
Yoshida’s involvement in the Rise of the Ronin stirred controversy due to his historical significance and contentious relationship with Korea, stemming from Japan’s actions during the Meiji Restoration era and subsequent occupation.
Yasuda’s comparison of Yoshida to Socrates in a behind-the-scenes video further fueled criticism. He expressed his intention to portray Yoshida’s teachings and life, emphasizing the importance of decisive action.
Despite the setback, “Rise of the Ronin” remains scheduled for release on March 22, 2024, and was prominently featured in PlayStation’s recent State of Play presentation.
