Shrines come in all shapes and sizes, so for the Japanese, the first video looked like a shrine. I think most Japanese shimmers understand that it's a spiritial object in the Sims world and not a Shinto shrine (except for protesters who haven't played a Sims game).
The fact that it was erected in a world inspired by Japan, and worship was removed due to protests over issues related to the shrine, is the starting point for our Japanese Shimmer protests.
The stone statue (or 道祖神/Dōsojin) in the new video is more ambiguous in its religious elements, as detailed in the Wiki, but there are many different types in different regions, so it can't be described as a Buddhist Shinto religion all together. It is more animistic .
I believe the stone statue in the new video is in the snowy mountain area YUKIMATSU. It's a constantly snow-covered area and the Sims are wearing climbing clothes.
I believe the shrine in the first video is in the SENBAMACHI area with the torii markings (if the shrine is still there). The Sims are lightly dressed and the caves and terrain look different.
I don't know if there will be snow in SENBAMACHI or not. I don't think they will make a trailer for the play video with the Seasons pack in it.
With the first change they quickly replaced the first video. If this was a change from the shrine to a stone statue, they may have forgotten to replace the first video. If they did change it, this would be the second time.
But it's all speculation and we won't find out until we watch the live streaming.
We continue to need an honest announcement from EA. Before the discussion gets too extreme.
(It's very serious that some posts are being deleted. Thank you all for your consideration in this thread)
