2006-05-04 - ESRB Madness Options

[stargelman]

Want to hear something really silly? Ok, here it comes. The ESRB has revoked it's Teen rating for Oblivion and changed it to Mature. Why? Because someone made a mod that used a mesh that was burried somewhere in Oblivion's game files (but never used). This particular mesh is that of a female upper body. Topless. That, and because the level of violence and gore supposedly exceeds what the ESRB had expected.

What does that mean for the average gamer? Well, if you're living in the US and you're younger than 17, and your parents actually care about the ESRB rating, you might find yourself having a difficult time getting this game now. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the only consequence. From Bethesda Softwork's official reaction:

There is no nude female character in a section of the game that can be “unlocked.” Bethesda can not control tampering with Oblivion by third parties. Bethesda is taking steps to ensure that modders can not continue to hack into Oblivion’s art archives to create partially nude figures.

Now perhaps it's just me, but that last sentence sounds as if it was a good reason to worry. What exactly does that mean, prevent "hacking" into Oblivion's art files? And how is this to happen retroactively, after the game has shipped? A clarification on this issue is required, and it should come soon and from someone in charge.

BethSoft's Press Release on ESRB rating change for Oblivion

[HyPN0]

Now perhaps it's just me, but that last sentence sounds as if it was a good reason to worry. What exactly does that mean, prevent "hacking" into Oblivion's art files? And how is this to happen retroactively, after the game has shipped? A clarification on this issue is required, and it should come soon and from someone in charge.

BethSoft's Press Release on ESRB rating change for Oblivion

My thought?
I think they said that because of good publicity.I think they will do absolutly nothing.

How can it happen retroactively?
Well they can temper with the patches how they want it.Some patches could actualy disable moders to do some ''hacking'' into Oblivion art files.If something like that happens,then modders would make their own patches that wouldn't lock those files.So it's rather pointles to do so.Modding community is already angry enough that .NIF exporter isn't out,this would just spice things up.I mean they're not gonna dumb down the CS are they!?

And all that stuff about ESRB rating is simple....i'll say crap because i'm not alowed to say a stronger word.
Let's take an example:

TEEN
Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.

MATURE
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.

Note:Quotes are taken from official ESRB web site.

So let's see:Exposing 13-16 people to crime,blood,and violence is OK,but when it comes to seeing a naked breast...Now THAT'S another story!!!Yeah, like they don't know what's sex at that age.Actualy these younger generations are doing it earlyer and earlyer these days

This could reduce the Elder Scrolls gaming population a LOT,considering how many players are under 17!
I have zero respect to ESRB rating.....
Offcourse this does not apply to me because i'm 20 (so i was told),but it's simply anoying.As i said before,i just hope they won't dumb down the CS and not tie the modders hands.Otherwise,they can kiss their older fans goodbye....

This post has been edited by HyPN0: May 4 2006, 12:58 PM