Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered's October release has reignited criticism of Japan's CERO age rating system. The game's creators have voiced their frustration over the censorship imposed on the Japanese console version.
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: Hella Remastered, have publicly criticized Japan's CERO rating board for the censorship applied to the game's Japanese console release. In an interview with GameSpark, they questioned the rationale behind the restrictions.
Suda51, known for Killer7 and No More Heroes, confirmed the necessity of creating two versions of the game – a censored version for Japan and an uncensored one for other regions. He highlighted the significant increase in workload and development time this entailed.
Mikami, renowned for his work on Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and God Hand, expressed disappointment, suggesting CERO is disconnected from modern gamers. He argued that preventing players from experiencing the game's intended content is counterintuitive, especially given the existence of a player base that actively seeks out mature titles.
CERO's rating system, including the CERO D (17+) and CERO Z (18+) classifications, has been a subject of debate. Mikami's original Resident Evil, a pioneering title in the horror genre, featured graphic content. Its 2015 remake, retaining its signature gore, received a CERO Z rating.
Suda51 questioned the effectiveness and target audience of the censorship. He emphasized the lack of consideration for the players' perspectives and preferences, suggesting the restrictions may not align with the desires of the gaming community.
This isn't the first instance of CERO facing 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 latest controversy further underscores the ongoing debate surrounding CERO's rating practices and their impact on the gaming industry.
