![[Home]](/graphics/button-home.gif)
![[About Me]](/graphics/button-about_me.gif)
![[The Daleisphere]](/graphics/button-the-daleisphere.gif)
![[Video Game Law]](/graphics/button-vgl.gif)
![[iMedia Law]](/graphics/button-imedia_law.gif)
![[wishhh.com]](/graphics/button_wishhh.gif)
![[Filler Bar]](/graphics/button_filler.gif)
ESRB Re-rates Oblivion to Mature Following 3rd Party Mods
Categories: Agency/Board Actions • Game Ratings • Sexuality Cases
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has changed the rating assigned to the PC version of Bethesda Softwork’s blockbuster video game Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion from T (Teen 13+) to M (Mature 17+), following the revelation of a topless game skin contained within modded versions of the game. The un-moddable Xbox 360 version of the game has also been re-rated to M ostensibly due to “Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence”. While critical of the decision, Bethesda has chosen not to challenge the ruling.
Sources: Gamasutra | GameSpot | Next Generation | GameDaily.biz | GameIndustry.biz | 1Up.com | GameSpy | Washington Post | Reuters | San Jose Mercury News | The Inquirer | Joystiq | GamePolitics
Bethesda’s Response: Bethesda Press Release | Gamasutra | GameSpot | Next Generation | Team Xbox | GamePolitics
ESRB’s Response to Industry Criticism:GameDaily.biz
Dale’s Comment: Based on the facts as I understand them, this is regrettable. It is unclear why Bethesda should suffer as a result of third-party mods added into their game without their control. This ruling has the effect of requiring developers to make their games tamper-proof in order to avoid retroactive ratings changes based on the malicious behavior of others. This is very different from last year’s GTA Hot Coffee controversy where, despite early denials, it was later determined that Rockstar had, indeed, embedded unlockable sex scenes within the source code of the game. As far as we understand from Bethesda so far, this is not the case here. But, given the heat the ESRB took last year for its failure to quickly respond, I can somewhat understand this “shoot first, ask questions later” approach, as unfair as it may be to Bethesda.
Digg 
Del.icio.us 
0 comments
Leave a Comment