Game Censorship Criticized by Resident Evil Director

The upcoming release of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered has reignited the debate surrounding Japan's CERO age rating board. Acclaimed game creators Suda51 and Shinji Mikami have publicly voiced their frustration over the censorship imposed on the remastered version for its Japanese console release.

Developers Criticize CERO's Censorship of Shadows of the Damned

In an interview with GameSpark, Suda51 and Mikami expressed their disappointment with CERO's restrictions. Suda51, known for his work on Killer7 and No More Heroes, explained the challenges of creating two separate versions of the game – one uncensored, and one compliant with CERO's guidelines. This, he stated, significantly increased development time and workload.

Mikami, renowned for his work on Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and God Hand, criticized CERO's apparent disconnect from modern gaming audiences. He argued that preventing players from experiencing the game's complete vision is illogical, especially given the existence of players who actively seek out mature content.

CERO's rating system, including the CERO D (17+) and CERO Z (18+) classifications, is once again under scrutiny. The original Resident Evil, directed by Mikami, set a precedent for graphic horror and received a Z rating in its 2015 remake. This raises questions about the consistency and rationale behind CERO's decisions.

Suda51 questioned the effectiveness and target audience of these restrictions, emphasizing the lack of consideration for the players' preferences. This isn't the first time CERO has faced criticism; earlier this year, EA Japan's Shaun Noguchi highlighted inconsistencies in their ratings, citing the approval of Stellar Blade while rejecting Dead Space. The ongoing debate underscores the tension between creative freedom and regional censorship in the gaming industry.