The upcoming October release of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered has reignited criticism of Japan's CERO age rating system. The game's creators have openly voiced their frustration over the censorship imposed on the Japanese console release.
Suda51 and Shinji Mikami Condemn Censorship in Shadows of the Damned
CERO Faces Renewed Backlash
Suda51 and Shinji Mikami, the creative minds behind Shadows of the Damned, have publicly criticized Japan's CERO rating board for its censorship of the Hella Remastered version. In an interview with GameSpark, they decried the restrictions, questioning the rationale behind the regulations.
Suda51, renowned for Killer7 and the No More Heroes series, confirmed the necessity of creating two versions of the game – a censored one for Japanese consoles. He highlighted the significant increase in workload and development time this entailed.
Mikami, celebrated for his work on mature titles like Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and God Hand, expressed disappointment with CERO's disconnect from the modern gaming landscape. He argued that non-gamers imposing censorship prevents players from experiencing the game's intended content, despite a clear audience for mature titles.
CERO's rating system, including CERO D (17+) and CERO Z (18+), has been a subject of debate. Mikami's original Resident Evil, a genre-defining horror title, featured graphic content. Its 2015 remake, retaining its signature gore, received a CERO Z rating.
Suda51 questioned the effectiveness and target audience of these restrictions, emphasizing his concern for the players' experience and perspective. He pointed out the lack of consideration for the gamers who actively seek out mature content.
This isn't CERO's first encounter with criticism. In April, EA Japan's Shaun Noguchi highlighted inconsistencies in CERO's ratings, citing the approval of Stellar Blade (CERO D) while rejecting Dead Space. This further underscores the ongoing debate surrounding CERO's rating practices and their impact on the gaming industry.
