yeah, and I think there's a difference between a game rated M-For-Mature and a game Sony's trying to sell to kids. But who knows. I'm definitely opposed to any publisher rejecting a game on these subjective grounds.
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The Binding of Isaac 3DS REJECTED [Up: Now looking into Sony Platforms]
- Thread starter weeaboo
- Start date
yeah, and I think there's a difference between a game rated M-For-Mature and a game Sony's trying to sell to kids. But who knows. I'm definitely opposed to any publisher rejecting a game on these subjective grounds.
Hey-o.
Well, I had been interested in picking up BoI but hadn't gotten around to it before I heard it might come to 3DS. Figured I'd hold off. This thread convinced me to pick it up on Steam. Neat game. Not shocked that it is running into retail resistance.
ThatObviousUser
ὠαἴÏÏιÏÏÎ¿Ï Ïαá¿Ï εἶ
...Fatal Frame 4? Fatal Frame 2r? Pandora's Tower...?
Lest we not forget, Nintendo published a little game in 2002 that had some pretty strong religious themes and imagery to go along with the ol' ultra-violence:
ThatObviousUser
ὠαἴÏÏιÏÏÎ¿Ï Ïαá¿Ï εἶ
Lest we not forget, Nintendo published a little game in 2002 that had some pretty strong religious themes and imagery to go along with the ol' ultra-violence:
Right yeah, forgot about that.
Spectacular Dr Dawg
Member
Yes it is. I've put about 30 hours into it and I can't wait for the DLC.
I think it's hilarious that some people refuse to play because it's "disgusting". It really isn't that bad. If anything they should make the DLC even more "disgusting".
airmangataosenai
Member
I can't believe people are seriously citing BMX XXX as an example of Sony's current approval policy. That game is a few months shy of 10 years old now, Sony has since approved and even developed games with similarly objectionable content, and they've gone through several corporate reshufflings since then too. A lot changes in 10 years, or did people just forget how long ago that was?
The same goes for the 2D thing. Yes when the PSP originally came out in 04/05 they thought that way but since then plenty of 2D (Non-fighting games) retail games have released, notably Half-Minute Heroes, Prinnies, and Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman!
The same goes for the 2D thing. Yes when the PSP originally came out in 04/05 they thought that way but since then plenty of 2D (Non-fighting games) retail games have released, notably Half-Minute Heroes, Prinnies, and Holy Invasion of Privacy, Badman!
themadcowtipper
Smells faintly of rancid stilton.
It as silly as some saying Nintendo is kiddy, dosen't allow mature games.
NervousXtian
Thought Emoji Movie was good. Take that as you will.
They obviously did this for publicity, because there was zero chance Nintendo would have approved this game.
petethepanda
Member
Sex and violence is one thing, but overt religious fuckedupness is another. If Sony put it out they'd have five seconds before Fox News gets people reaching for their torches and pitchforks.
Of course, in a perfect world Sony wouldn't actually give a shit. If they release this and go "yeah whatever freedom of speech bro" then they'll be pretty much awesome.
Of course, in a perfect world Sony wouldn't actually give a shit. If they release this and go "yeah whatever freedom of speech bro" then they'll be pretty much awesome.
themadcowtipper
Smells faintly of rancid stilton.
Same with Sony, but it does get people talking about the game
I actually was a little weirded out by the themes of the game when I started playing it, but it growed on me, and ended up being pretty entertained by all the wrongness to the point of finding it very funny, and now I just can't get enough of it
Also, I've never been so interested in getting DLC for any game as much as this one, definitely day one for me, and being just 3 bucks helps a lot
Cow Mengde
Banned
Hi.
Nintendo made this game.
Contains:
Genocide
Child sacrifice
Incest
Rape (a Nintendo character born of rape)
Religion
Games can contain anything, it just depends on the depiction. Bayonetta ends with you murdering God, no one cares. Flow basically has cannibalism. Lots of games have killing.
The games which have been rated AO are depraved in their content, not just taboo, that doesn't get anything banned.
The games which have been rated AO are depraved in their content, not just taboo, that doesn't get anything banned.
KirbYuuYuu
Member
It's probably because BoI isn't mocking a fake religion set up only for that game, it's actually mocking a real religion directly. You know, that and think of the kids and vaginas shooting out blood.
Sony was responsible for LittleBigPlanet because it was the publisher. Would they have done the same thing if LittleBigPlanet was an EA game? In essence, that is the question for The Binding of Isaac.
charlequin
Banned
Except for the slot machines in the game
I was concerned that I would say that and someone would have a counterexample.
This is the same problem with the R rating for films, really. It's an intentional choice by both rating bodies in order to preserve AO/NC-17 as a "dump rating" they can apply to individual games/movies and thereby prevent them from being sold in most places.
What? Salo is in the Criterion Collection!
I'm not sure why it's a "defense," exactly. One of the things that makes the renaissance of PC independent development appealing to gaming adults is that adult-oriented content can prosper there without any gatekeepers. As long as ESRB ratings are required this is going to be a downside of console/handheld systems in general.
No, this is some kind of seriously widespread false info. Team Meat signed with Microsoft because they were more enthusiastic about SMB and acted to make an offer first; they had no ill-will towards Sony above and beyond simply not choosing to wait for a counteroffer from them that one time.
perfectchaos007
Member
It was too much of a PR risk for Nintendo to allow this game on their console. It wouldn't be as much of one for Sony. It seems like the public lets Sony and Microsoft get away with more because the implied age demographic each company represents.
I'd be curious to hear if something like this has ever happened; I know Direct 2 Drive carried the AO versions of Indigo Prophecy and Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude, but there's no pornographic content in them. I strongly suspect that the likes of Water Closet would not be welcome.
It might have been that nintendo simply felt this game would be rated AO. I'm more curious to see what it gets rated at this point.
Okay, after this thread I decided to take the plunge and buy the game on Steam.
Jesus Christ it's dark. No wonder Nintendo doesn't want to touch this game with a bargepole. It doesn't matter how cartoony you present it, you're still crying and pissing over shit and Satanism and naked children all locked up in the basement by a Bible-thumping Christian. Also, one of the powerups is based on a racist internet meme.
Jesus Christ it's dark. No wonder Nintendo doesn't want to touch this game with a bargepole. It doesn't matter how cartoony you present it, you're still crying and pissing over shit and Satanism and naked children all locked up in the basement by a Bible-thumping Christian. Also, one of the powerups is based on a racist internet meme.
Exactly my thoughs when I first played it
...but just keep playing...
You'll be doing pixel (fan)art in MS paint for this game in no time
KillerMan91
Member
I have never unterstood why Amercan retailers fear AO rating so much. In Europe it has been used for ages and still AO rated games are breaking the sale records (CoD).
This is Amurrica. Most AO games seems to have overt sexual themes or sexual violence, and we're all a bunch of prudes that love sex all day all the time but only when no one is watching...
ThatObviousUser
ὠαἴÏÏιÏÏÎ¿Ï Ïαá¿Ï εἶ
Not... quite the same.
Man if Sony allowed then to release the game both for the PS3 and the Vita in the same package it would be amazing!
Sony needs all the software it can get, and even if you don't like it's setting there's no denying that Isaac is a good game from a gameplay standpoint. Even if the game attracts all kinds of media attention over it's themes if it's released on Vita, I still think the media would benefit Sony, put Vita in peoples mouth, garner attention.
They don't even need retailers and shelf space on this one, just release a digital version. Do a collector's edition physical copy and and sell it with a large premium on TM website.
Sony needs all the software it can get, and even if you don't like it's setting there's no denying that Isaac is a good game from a gameplay standpoint. Even if the game attracts all kinds of media attention over it's themes if it's released on Vita, I still think the media would benefit Sony, put Vita in peoples mouth, garner attention.
They don't even need retailers and shelf space on this one, just release a digital version. Do a collector's edition physical copy and and sell it with a large premium on TM website.
Ratings are different in Europe. Call of Duty in "America" and is rated M (Mature).
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.
ADULTS ONLY
Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
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.
ADULTS ONLY
Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
Also look at Australia and how a game like Mortal Kombat was banned, simply because there was n orating for it.
AO equals 'refused classification' here. 18+ is equivalent to the Mature rating at the ESRB.
Zoramon089
Banned
And yet you have no problem with people citing games nearly TWENTY years old as examples of Nintendo's current approval policy...
Starwolf_UK
Member
The OOT one seems interesting as the build dates on the carts show that was changed before the game even hit retail (as in launch, cartridges had a long lead-time).
Jynx from Pokemon I think would be a more interesting example given its resemblance to a racist sterotype leading to a colour change.
The bolded sums up Edmund McMillen, really.
Why bother marketing your game when you can make it as offensive as possible and have the people who are offended market it for you while you *trollface* along on twitter. Moreso if you play those people (like he claimed with Super Meat Boy; complains to PETA about it leading to Tofu Boy...).
Given people are now checking the game out as a result (either out of "why would this get rejected, better give it a go" or "Nintendon't I'll show you buy buying it!") I'd say its worked a treat. Nicely played, Edmund.
KillerMan91
Member
Well maybe it varies across the Europe then. At least here in Finland Pegi 18+ means that you can't sell game to minors. So it is essentially AO rating. I remember this because as a minor I tried to buy 18+ games...
Those 3D PixelJunk games are so awesome... oh wait.
Sir Ilpalazzo
Member
Yeah, that is exactly what the Mature rating means in the US.
It may not be their style to release such games themselves, but they don't tell third parties they can't do their own thing, even if it results in something as violent as MadWorld or as profane as House of the Dead: Overkill or a mix of both, like the No More Heroes series.
mugurumakensei
Member
AO means no store will even stock it in the U.S.
Yeah, the closer example would be Japan's Z, but even more relaxed: that's closer to how "AO" should work, though some of those conditions (minimal/no advertising, hide it away from casual browsing) makes it a de facto kiss of death still, nevermind that some thing simply aren't allowed period anyway.
KillerMan91
Member
I thought that Mature rating was just recommendation and not prohibition like Pegi 18? Well that explains things.
AceBandage
Banned
Father_Brain
Banned
What? That's completely untrue. Every single law along those lines has been struck down by courts on First Amendment grounds.
false you say?
1. walk into game stop
2. wait for a youngin to try and buy an M rated game
3. notice that they're asked to provide id
Still false. It's voluntary regulation, GameStop employees risk being fired for not following that rather than fines. The Supreme Court case was all about NOT making that (well, similar) officially law, as that's just too much pressure to risk slipping up on.
LoftyTheMetroid
Member
I agree in the sense that "censorship" (that's not really an apt description, but you know what I mean) is not going to benefit the industry moving forward. I am all for supporting mature and thoughtful explorations of adult themes through games.
However, I would not consider Isaac's aesthetics or story as being anywhere near tasteful, thought-provoking, or adult. This is not adult-oriented content, it's childish. It is controversy for the sake of controversy. And this is coming from someone who is about as non-religious as you can get, someone that would have appreciated a more insightful and thought-provoking angle to this sort of content.
That said, beyond aesthetics, I think The Binding of Isaac is actually pretty brilliant gameplay-wise. If I were in charge, I would have published it on eShop.
Sony funded this. I think BoI will be okay.
Uh yeah and then they refused to publish it in the US.
Oh, yes, something worth considering: as far as I know Steam doesn't sell AO games, otherwise we'd probably have had Manhunt 2 and the uncensored Fahrenhit there at least at some point. Maybe Binding of Isaac wouldn't get an AO afterall, and I doubt Nintendo really cares about whether it's sold on Steam or not, but it may be opening Pandora's Box by trying to get it on consoles, have it rated... and it gets hit by AO, so Steam's ALSO lost as a venue to sell it. Unless they can reject a rating and remain unrated, then nevermind!
Irrelevant if they allowed it to be published still. I think Nicalis would be taking credit for publishing BoI, not SCEA.