Capcom: Resident Evil Censorship "Sucks"

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, Suda51 and Shinji Mikami, have openly voiced their frustration over the censorship imposed on the Japanese console version.

CERO Faces Backlash from Game Developers

In an interview with GameSpark, Suda51 and Shinji Mikami criticized CERO's restrictive policies, questioning the rationale behind the censorship of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered. Suda51 highlighted the significant challenges of creating two separate versions – a censored version for Japan and an uncensored version for other regions – significantly impacting development time and resources.

Mikami, renowned for his work on mature titles like Resident Evil, expressed concern that CERO's decisions are disconnected from the preferences of modern gamers. He argued that preventing players from experiencing the game's intended content, especially for those seeking "edgy" experiences, is counterproductive.

CERO's rating system, including the CERO D (17+) and CERO Z (18+) classifications, has been a source of ongoing debate. Mikami's own Resident Evil series, known for its graphic horror, serves as a prime example of a game rated Z by CERO. Suda51 questioned the effectiveness and target audience of these restrictions, suggesting they don't align with the desires of the gaming community.

This isn't the first time CERO's practices have drawn criticism. In April, EA Japan's Shaun Noguchi highlighted inconsistencies, citing the approval of Stellar Blade with a CERO D rating while rejecting Dead Space. The ongoing debate underscores the tension between content regulation and artistic expression in the Japanese video game industry.