Proof that the ESRB is stupid

[Bloodycaleb112]

So I just saw a scene from Outlast the whristleblower DLC. I know this was released last year but what blows me off is that this scene shows someone getting castrated graphically yet still retains a M rated from the ESRB. Just another reason how incompetent they are. https://youtu.be/X9m4p5-y7yw

[Razziano]

First game to get AO rating?

[Bloodycaleb112]

Originally posted by Razziano:

First game to get AO rating?

Nah, Hatred so far is the first game being sold through steam with an AO rating but I'm showing the hypocrisy of how ESRB give there ratings out.

[Kelimaagikko]

Rating systems have been incompetent ever since they popped up.. Violence and murder is okay (but not this kind of violence and murder mind you!) but little boob flash here or there and everyone loses their minds.

[cheater2000]

The MPAA and ESRB PUNISH indie people and reward big name companies.

[Green Circle Goblin]

1: The player character is not doing the castrating, nor is it at the player's discretion.

2: You don't actually SEE anything. Just some stabbing and blood.

3: No matter how much DC calls Not Important "The Antagonist" it doesn't change the fact that he's the protagonist of the game. While in Outlast, the evil stabby man is quite obviously an enemy.

4: Supernatural elements always helps get a pass. DC tried hard to make the world of Hatred easily recognizable as everyday suburban life.

No matter all these things though, I'm VERY glad that Hatred is rated AO. It's already on its way to being a huge success in sales numbers, and the first AO game to get on Steam, the largest gaming platform ever.

This event has a huge chance to make other developers realize...

WE ARE ADULTS, AND WE ARE NOT AFRAID.

[Bloodycaleb112]

Originally posted by Rayneworks:

1: The player character is not doing the castrating, nor is it at the player's discretion.

2: You don't actually SEE anything. Just some stabbing and blood.

3: No matter how much DC calls Not Important "The Antagonist" it doesn't change the fact that he's the protagonist of the game. While in Outlast, the evil stabby man is quite obviously an enemy.

4: Supernatural elements always helps get a pass. DC tried hard to make the world of Hatred easily recognizable as everyday suburban life.

No matter all these things though, I'm VERY glad that Hatred is rated AO. It's already on its way to being a huge success in sales numbers, and the first AO game to get on Steam, the largest gaming platform ever.

This event has a huge chance to make other developers realize...

WE ARE ADULTS, AND WE ARE NOT AFRAID.

I see your point but I'm just throwing this out there. I just get confused when games like Manhunt 2 gets AO when it first came out but this remains M rated. I know that's off topic from Hatred but it's something I want to kind of address.

[cowbell]

Originally posted by Ritari Mallashovi:

Rating systems have been incompetent ever since they popped up.. Violence and murder is okay (but not this kind of violence and murder mind you!) but little boob flash here or there and everyone loses their minds.

The boob thing is not even an issue anymore since dozens of games have come out with bare titties over the years.

[Kelimaagikko]

Originally posted by cowbell:

Originally posted by Ritari Mallashovi:

Rating systems have been incompetent ever since they popped up.. Violence and murder is okay (but not this kind of violence and murder mind you!) but little boob flash here or there and everyone loses their minds.

The boob thing is not even an issue anymore since dozens of games have come out with bare titties over the years.

Not so much anymore but it was a thing not so long ago.

[WastingSanity]

Originally posted by Bloodycaleb112:

So I just saw a scene from Outlast the whristleblower DLC. I know this was released last year but what blows me off is that this scene shows someone getting castrated graphically yet still retains a M rated from the ESRB. Just another reason how incompetent they are. https://youtu.be/X9m4p5-y7yw

In the video the only thing you see is the guy killed with a table saw and sliced from collar bone to hip bone. The "graphic castration" is well hidden as the villain blocks the cameras angle. One thing that you have to keep in mind, this is one part of the game. This isn't the whole game. In Hatred you are running around killing civilians and you use executions to heal yourself. Not bandages, health kits, energy drinks, drugs, but you execute anyone in order to heal yourself.

Also in the video it is not the player committing the act but an NPC. The player is a witness to the events that take place. In Hatred, it is the player doing the harm and creating violence against society where the only real purpose is to kill. If, like GTA, the option was there but that was not the entire goal of the game then I would imagine that the ESRB would have given it a mature rating.

The Dev said the following earlier today.

Originally posted by helepolis1980:

There is no such thing as tortures in Hatred, just quick elimination and execution that last few secs. We got the AO prolly because of context and lack of violence justification.

Originally posted by helepolis1980:

Imagine that you use executions in the combat as healing, and you have 5 cops shooting at you at the same moment. Long execution will not work with combat mechanics, that's not the point of gameplay we planned.

I hope this helps.

[Green Circle Goblin]

Originally posted by Bloodycaleb112:

I see your point but I'm just throwing this out there. I just get confused when games like Manhunt 2 gets AO when it first came out but this remains M rated. I know that's off topic from Hatred but it's something I want to kind of address.

Again, because in Manhunt, YOU are the one brutally torturing people. In Outlast, buncha psychopaths are doing various terrible things, but the player character is sort of just along for the ride.

It's a fine line, but not hard to see when you know what to look for.

[Famix]

Originally posted by Razziano:

First game to get AO rating?

Nope, the first was actually Thrill Kill for PS1

[Demonsaeri]

I don't get why it's such a big deal that it go AO rating.

[Mic Robo]

imho, the only reason this is an AO game is because of the psychology associated with it - the victims are killed without rhyme or reason, all the while begging for their lives. the protagonist's monologue and one-liners don't help, either. if it were purely for the violence, there'd be a hell of a lot more AO games. also, i wonder if the neo-nazi accusations had any effect on the rating, as well, due to the negative bias it may have created (which is quite unfair, if so).

[Syndicake ☠]

ESRB have not rated hatred yet. To make it clear ESRB has not given any adult only ratings to any games in the past month. Check for yourself on their website esrb.org

[Bloodycaleb112]

Originally posted by Rayneworks:

Originally posted by Bloodycaleb112:

I see your point but I'm just throwing this out there. I just get confused when games like Manhunt 2 gets AO when it first came out but this remains M rated. I know that's off topic from Hatred but it's something I want to kind of address.

Again, because in Manhunt, YOU are the one brutally torturing people. In Outlast, buncha psychopaths are doing various terrible things, but the player character is sort of just along for the ride.

It's a fine line, but not hard to see when you know what to look for.

Don't want to sound stupid but from what I understand there:

Witnessing deranged lunatics committing acts of maim and torture to there victims = M rated

But if you're playing as them = AO rated

Is that what you mean?