Resident Evil Director Thinks Game Censorship Sucks

The upcoming October release of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered has reignited criticism of Japan's CERO age rating system, with the game's creators expressing deep frustration over 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, have openly criticized Japan's CERO rating board for the censorship applied to the remastered version. In an interview with GameSpark, they voiced their concerns about the board's restrictive policies and questioned the rationale behind them.

Suda51, renowned for his work on titles like Killer7 and No More Heroes, confirmed the necessity of creating two separate versions of the game – a censored version for Japan and an uncensored version for other regions. He highlighted the significant increase in development time and workload this entailed.

Mikami, celebrated for his contributions to mature titles such as Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and God Hand, expressed disappointment with CERO's disconnect from the modern gaming landscape. He argued that non-gamers dictating censorship prevents players from fully experiencing games, particularly those with mature themes.

CERO's rating system, including categories like CERO D (17+) and CERO Z (18+), has been a subject of ongoing debate. The original Resident Evil, directed by Mikami, set a benchmark for graphic horror, a tradition continued in the 2015 remake, which received a CERO Z rating.

Suda51 questioned the effectiveness and target audience of the censorship, suggesting that the restrictions don't align with the desires of the players themselves. He emphasized the burden placed on developers to navigate these regional restrictions.

This isn't the first time CERO's rating 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 incident further underscores the ongoing debate surrounding CERO's policies and their impact on the gaming industry.