Navigating the Censorship Maze: Shadows of the Damned's Remastered Journey

In the world of video game development, navigating the complex web of regional regulations and ratings systems can be a daunting challenge. The upcoming remaster of the cult classic Shadows of the Damned has encountered this very issue, as its creators, Goichi Suda and Shinji Mikami, have revealed the game has once again been subject to censorship in Japan, this time on console platforms.

Unearthing the Complexities of Content Approval

Shadows of the Damned: Facing the Censor's Gaze

The original Shadows of the Damned, released in 2011, had to undergo a censorship process to appease the Japanese ratings board, CERO. Now, with the announcement of the remastered version, Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered, Suda51 has confirmed that the game has once again been subject to the same regulatory scrutiny. The remastered title will feature two distinct versions – one for consoles in Japan, which has been censored, and another for the PC market, which is not subject to the same restrictions.

The Developers' Perspective: A Challenging Endeavor

Suda51 candidly acknowledged the difficulties in navigating this dual-version development process, stating, "We had to prepare two versions of the game, which is a real challenge. In remastering the game, we had to develop two versions at the same time, which had a tremendous impact on our workload and extended the development period."

Mikami's Frustration: Questioning the Ratings Process

Shinji Mikami, Suda51's co-creator, expressed his frustration with the ratings process in Japan, stating that the CERO regulatory body does not fully comprehend the nuances of the gaming experience. "I think it's a strange situation that there are people who want to play edgy games, and there are those who don't play games who try to prevent their enjoyment by restricting those works with regulations," Mikami said.

The Unintended Consequences: Fans Seek Alternatives

Suda51 further pondered the impact of these regional restrictions, wondering who the target audience truly is. "If regional restrictions are imposed, we have no choice but to adhere to them, but I always wonder what the player thinks about it," he said. "For example, if a lot of people buy the PC version on Steam because they want to play it without restrictions, it would be a bit sad, considering it's available on a variety of platforms."

Revisiting the Dead Space Debacle

The Shadows of the Damned debacle is not an isolated incident, as Mikami recalled a similar situation with the original 2008 version of Dead Space. In that case, the game was outright banned in Japan after CERO refused to provide a rating, forcing players to resort to importing the title if they wanted to experience it.

Questioning CERO's Inconsistent Approach

The issue resurfaced with the recent Dead Space remake, which, like the original, was banned in Japan due to excessive gore. However, the ratings process for the game Stellar Blade raised eyebrows, as it received a CERO D rating, allowing for purchase by players under 17 with parental consent, despite showcasing similarly graphic content. EA Japan's general manager, Shaun Noguchi, openly criticized CERO's decision, questioning the apparent discrepancies in their evaluation process.

The Echoing Cry for Transparency and Consistency

Suda51's and Mikami's experiences, coupled with the ongoing controversies surrounding CERO's ratings decisions, highlight the need for a more transparent and consistent approach to content regulation in the Japanese gaming landscape. As the industry continues to evolve, developers and players alike will likely continue to grapple with the complexities of navigating the ever-shifting terrain of censorship and creative freedom.