Sony Confirms Cancellation of Rise of the Ronin Launch in South Korea

In a recent statement to GamesIndustry.biz, Sony confirmed that Team Ninja's upcoming game, Rise of the Ronin, will not be available in South Korea. A spokesperson stated, 'Rise of the Ronin for PlayStation 5 was never officially announced for release in Korea. We can confirm that the title will not be sold or published in South Korea in any form, whether physical or digital.' This development follows reports that the game had been removed from Korea's PlayStation Store and almost all promotional videos had been taken down from Sony's PlayStation YouTube channel for Korea. Although Sony did not provide an official reason for the cancellation, it is believed to be connected to comments made by the game's director, Fumuhiko Yasuda, regarding 19th-century scholar Shōin Yoshida, a figure who played a significant role in Japan's history and its relationship with Korea. Yoshida's inclusion in Rise of the Ronin has sparked criticism in Korea due to his involvement in the Meiji Restoration and the subsequent occupation of Korea by Japan. In a behind-the-scenes video, Yasuda compared Yoshida to the Ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, highlighting his emphasis on the importance of taking action. Rise of the Ronin is scheduled for release on March 22, 2024, and was a key title featured in PlayStation's recent State of Play.