Games Director Declares: Censorship Hindrance

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered faces censorship in Japan, sparking outrage from creators Suda51 and Shinji Mikami.

CERO's Censorship Draws Fire

The Japanese game rating board, CERO, is again under scrutiny following the censored release of Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered. Suda51 and Shinji Mikami, the game's creative minds, voiced their strong disapproval in a recent GameSpark interview.

The developers revealed the remaster required two separate versions—one for the Japanese market, subject to CERO's restrictions, and another uncensored version. Suda51 highlighted the significant increase in development time and workload this created. Mikami, known for his work on mature titles like Resident Evil, criticized CERO's disconnect from modern gamers, arguing that preventing players from experiencing the full game is illogical.

CERO's rating system, with its CERO D (17+) and CERO Z (18+) classifications, has been questioned for its inconsistencies. Mikami's original Resident Evil, and its 2015 remake, both featured graphic content and received a CERO Z rating, highlighting the apparent inconsistencies in CERO's approach. Suda51 questioned the rationale behind the restrictions, wondering who they actually benefit.

This isn't the first time CERO has faced criticism. In April, EA Japan's Shaun Noguchi voiced similar concerns, citing the disparity between Stellar Blade's CERO D rating and the rejection of Dead Space. The ongoing debate highlights the challenges developers face when navigating regional censorship regulations.