The upcoming release of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered has reignited criticism of Japan's CERO age rating system. Suda51 and Shinji Mikami, the game's creators, have voiced their strong disapproval of the censorship imposed on the remastered version for its Japanese console release.

Industry Figures Condemn Censorship

In an interview with GameSpark, Suda51 and Shinji Mikami openly criticized CERO's restrictions. Suda51 highlighted the significant development challenges caused by needing to create two versions of the game – a censored version for Japan and an uncensored version for other regions. This doubled their workload and extended development time.

Mikami, renowned for his work on mature-rated titles like Resident Evil, expressed concern that CERO's decisions are out of sync with modern gaming audiences. He argued that preventing players from experiencing the game's full content is unreasonable, especially considering the demand for mature titles.

CERO's Rating System Under Scrutiny

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

Suda51 questioned the effectiveness and target audience of these restrictions, wondering if they truly serve the interests of gamers. He emphasized the frustration of creating multiple versions due to regional limitations, while questioning the purpose and intended beneficiaries of the censorship.

This isn't the first instance of CERO facing backlash. Earlier this year, EA Japan's Shaun Noguchi also criticized CERO's inconsistent application of ratings, citing the approval of Stellar Blade with a CERO D rating while rejecting Dead Space. The ongoing controversy underscores the need for a more transparent and gamer-centric approach to video game content regulation in Japan.