ESRB changes rating for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion from Teen to Mature

[Trippy]

From their PR PDF:

http://www.esrb.org/about/news/downloads/oblivion_release_5.3.06.pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Eliot Mizrachi
917.522.3235
emizrachi@esrb.org

May 3, 2006

ESRB CHANGES RATING FOR THE ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION FROM TEEN TO MATURE

Bethesda Softworks to Undertake Immediate Corrective Actions

NEW YORK – The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) announced today that it has officially changed the rating assigned to the game The Elder Scrolls® IV: Oblivion™ from T (Teen 13+) to M (Mature 17+) due to the presence of content that was not fully disclosed when the game was originally submitted to ESRB for rating. Bethesda Softworks, the developer and co-publisher of the game, will be taking immediate actions to correct the rating information on all unsold inventory, future shipments and marketing materials.

“This proactive move to change the rating once again confirms that ESRB’s first priority is to ensure that consumers have reliable, accurate information with which to make educated decisions about the games they or their children play,” said ESRB president Patricia Vance.

The pertinent content causing the change in the ESRB rating involves more detailed depictions of blood and gore than were considered in the original rating of the game (the game already carried a Blood and Gore content descriptor), as well as the presence in the PC version of the game of a locked-out art file that, if accessed by using an apparently unauthorized third party tool, allows the user to play the game with topless versions of female characters. The locked-out topless skin was found by ESRB to exist in a fully rendered form on the game disc, but is not accessible in the Xbox 360™ version of the game.

Upon confirmation of the presence of the previously undisclosed content through its post-release monitoring and play-testing activities, the ESRB expeditiously conducted an internal investigation and review of the original rating assigned to Oblivion. This process involved ESRB raters evaluating the original video materials submitted to the ESRB by Bethesda Softworks along with the newly disclosed content, resulting in the assignment of an M (Mature) rating. This discrepancy indicated that the intensity of the depictions were more consistent with a Mature rated game than one rated Teen.

Among the corrective actions that Bethesda Softworks will be promptly undertaking are:
* Immediate notification to all retailers of the change in rating, along with a request to adhere to their respective store policies not to sell the newly rated M (Mature) game to those under the age of 17, and explaining how to address consumer concerns;
* Issuance of stickers with the new rating information to all retailers and distributors to affix on the packaging of all existing unsold inventory;
* Display of the newly assigned M (Mature) rating in all future product shipments and marketing materials;
* Creation and posting of a downloadable patch that will modify the art archive, rendering the topless skin inaccessible on the PC version of the game.

“Consumers, especially parents, depend on the ESRB ratings each day, and our actions in this instance serve to demonstrate how immensely we value their trust,” continued Ms. Vance.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was initially assigned a rating of T (Teen) with content descriptors for Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Language and Use of Alcohol. The game now carries an ESRB rating of M (Mature), and the existing PC version has an additional content descriptor for Nudity. In the near future, Bethesda Softworks intends to release a modified version of the PC game with the topless skin removed, which will not carry the Nudity content descriptor on the package.

About Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a non-profit, self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). ESRB independently assigns ratings, enforces advertising guidelines, and helps ensure responsible online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry.

[Trippy]

And here's Bethesda Softworks response:

Bethesda Softworks Response to the ESRB Rating Change for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Bethesda Softworks Response to the ESRB Rating Change for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

May 3, 2006 (Rockville, MD) – The ESRB has revoked their Teen rating for The Elder Scrolls® IV: Oblivion™ for the PC and the Xbox 360 and has assigned the game a new rating of Mature. The ESRB reports that this is due to content in the game that was not fully disclosed when rating the game initially. Bethesda, not its co-publisher, developed the game, handled the ratings application before the ESRB, and stands behind it.

Bethesda will promptly implement the ratings change that the ESRB has ordered for Oblivion. We will not contest the ESRB’s decision to re-rate the game as Mature, nor will we change the game’s content to keep a Teen rating. We believe that this critically acclaimed game is not typical of Mature rated titles, and does not present the central themes of violence that are common to those products.

Bethesda will work with its co-publisher to place new “M” rating stickers on Oblivion packaging now at retail and in warehouses, and will reflect the change in rating on newly manufactured product. No product recall is being directed.

In light of the public comments that are being made about this matter, and to respond to questions we are being asked, we are releasing this statement to be on record about the circumstances giving rise to Oblivion’s change in rating.

Bethesda Softworks made what it believes was a full, accurate, and comprehensive submission on Oblivion to the ESRB months before the game’s release. Bethesda used the ESRB’s application forms and believes it adhered closely to their requirements. Nothing was hidden from the ratings agency. No effort was made by Bethesda to lobby or influence the agency for any particular rating.

The ESRB has concluded that the game deserves a rating of Mature because: 1) partial nudity in the PC version of the game can be created by modders; and 2) the game contains excessive blood and gore that go beyond a Teen rating. The facts are as follows:

There is no nudity in Oblivion without a third party modification. In the PC version of the game only – this doesn’t apply to the Xbox 360 version – some modders have used a third party tool to hack into and modify an art archive file to make it possible to create a mesh for a partially nude (topless) female that they add into the game. Bethesda didn’t create a game with nudity and does not intend that nudity appear in Oblivion. 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.

With regard to violence, Bethesda advised the ESRB during the ratings process that violence and blood effects were “frequent” in the game – checking the box on the form that is the maximum warning. We further advised that the game contained occasional torture, vulgar acts, and gore. We gave accurate answers and descriptions about the type and frequency of violence that appears in the game. We submitted a 60-page document listing the explicit language, acts, and scenes in the game. Oblivion packaging already contains warnings for “Violence” and “Blood and Gore.”

We value the role of the ESRB and believe the rating agency plays a valuable role in regulating our industry. As always, we will continue work in good faith to comply fully with the ESRB’s standards and policies.

We remain enormously proud of Oblivion and the standard of excellence in game development it represents. Oblivion is one of the highest rated games of all time and one of the most popular games available on the Xbox 360 and the PC. We greatly appreciate the understanding and support of our fans.

[MrHat]

Anyone else get the feeling that big publishers should house a few programmers that can hack into your art files and make nude models?

You know, for the sabotage?

[Sairon]

Anyone else get the feeling that big publishers should house a few programmers that can hack into your art files and make nude models?

You know, for the sabotage?

Or this might just be a PR trick. After GTA being in pretty much exactly the same situation I don't see how they would knowingly add topless models to their release version otherwise.

[schild]

I think Barbie Dolls shouldn't be sold to people under 18.

[Signe]

Sheesh, this is the second subject I've posted in places where people don't want them.     Sorry about that.

Anyway... I don't understand why nipples make the ratings people  go loopy.  What's wrong with nipples?   And what about MMOs?  I've seen naked mods in DAoC, WoW and The Sims Online... why don't those games get slapped with a 17+ rating?  The Sims Online even has naked men so you can have (gasp) SEX.  Oh, and I'm sure they didn't REALLY care about the violence or gore... that was just a smokescreen.  It's the boobies that pissed them off.  It's always the boobies.  It's because men have  crap boobies, except for some really fat blokes.  Jealousy.

I have emailed them and told them they are dumbasses.  They won't care but I feel better.  I'll feel LOTS better once my tired old breasts are decriminalised in games and in life.

[Yegolev]

Free the New Jersey Two!

[Trippy]

Sheesh, this is the second subject I've posted in places where people don't want them.     Sorry about that.

It's no biggie, I just wanted to put the ESRB PR and Bethesda's reply in the same place. I was going to link back to the discussion in the Oblivion thread but it's hard to link to the end of an ongoing conversation since the "end" keeps moving.

[Signe]

If you forgive me, I'll forgive you.

[Trippy]

If you forgive me, I'll forgive you.

I forgive you :-D

[Fabricated]

It unnerves me that they're making efforts to reduce hacking of their art.

WTF. You may as well say, "We're not going to release model exporters so you can actually add your own content."

[Merusk]

That's actually the next step I expect.   With the ESRB putting the responsibility for modders back on the publisher, we'll be seeing less modding support in the future.   Hell, WoW has a nude patch, I wonder how long until someone tells the ESRB about THAT one and they get it re-rated.

[Signe]

WoW has one.  DAoC has a very well knows boobie patch.  The Sims Online has a male/female everything patch so you can even have sex with each other.   By the ESRB's reckoning, they should all be 17+ rated, maybe even worse for The Sims Online.  I wonder what it'll do for business when they have to ban all those underage kiddies?  (like that's going to happen)

[schild]

If this ever happens to a game published by EA, I have a feeling someones going to be buying off the ESRB or it'll just dissolve.

In fact, I hope they try to do it to a game published by EA. Then this third party content shit will never be able to change a rating again. Arguably, the Dark Brotherhood Storyline should have gotten the game an M rating anyway.

[Sky]

When I'm elected president, it's all pot and tits, all the time.

[Signe]

Titties would suit you, you big girl you.

[Yegolev]

If this ever happens to a game published by EA, I have a feeling someones going to be buying off the ESRB or it'll just dissolve.

In fact, I hope they try to do it to a game published by EA. Then this third party content shit will never be able to change a rating again. Arguably, the Dark Brotherhood Storyline should have gotten the game an M rating anyway.

I'm with you.  I don't get it.  The ESRB is on crack.  Should have been M from the start.  Should not change based on user-supplied content.

Several mods for the original Sims were well over the line of good taste.  The one that pops into my mind right off is the one which gives nude males enormous rigid cocks.  Day or night, showering or just walking around naked, it's always up.  And huge.  It looked like a Smurf built a house on their crotch.  No way you could ever finagle less than an AO out of that.

[Signe]

I saw those cocks.  They made me giggle.  There is nothing more funny looking than an excited, naked man... even cartoon ones.

[Fabricated]

The more I re-read that the more I think the majority of the decision is based on stuff the playtesters at the ESRB didn't get to see since they most likely didn't get very far at all into the game.

All they probably saw were the regular blood decals and the splatterless combat. Heh, I bet the dark brotherhood quests WERE the reason it got its ratings changed.

[WayAbvPar]

I saw those cocks.  They made me giggle.  There is nothing more funny looking than an excited, naked man... even cartoon ones.

I don't understand...is it the begging for sex part that is so amusing?  :mrgreen:

[Yoru]

That's actually the next step I expect.   With the ESRB putting the responsibility for modders back on the publisher, we'll be seeing less modding support in the future.   Hell, WoW has a nude patch, I wonder how long until someone tells the ESRB about THAT one and they get it re-rated.

Dunno, modders went after games long before official support was offered by pretty much anyone who wasn't id Software. I remember playing around with DOS-based C&C unit and map editors back when that came out. You have to do some pretty computationally-intensive anti-tamper stuff to really prevent modding, and I don't think anyone wants it to take half a minute to load a texture.

Lack of mod support, yes, but with the number of modders and their aggregate technical proficiency increasing daily, I wouldn't expect any popular game to remain unmoddable for long.

[Tebonas]

That fear of nipples is ridiculously irrational. Do they force babies to close their eyes when they are fed? Really, I am against psychotherapy, but these people really need loads of it.

"We have a game where we open portals into hell dimensions, slaughter them off and somesuch. We also have a cold blooded killer guild" - Teen Rating

"Hey look, there is a mod that shows the female breast" - Protect the children, for gods sake. Mature rating!

[Xanthippe]

Enough bogus ratings like this and parents (like me) will completely ignore the ESRB.

What rubbish.

[Yegolev]

Enough bogus ratings like this and parents (like me) will completely ignore the ESRB.

What rubbish.

Ratings are for idjits, let's face it.  I am not going to let my son play any game that I have not checked out myself.  Same for movies and whatnot.  Relying on some other entity to act as parent to your child is being lazy.  That said, ratings are important since people are largely stupid and brainwashed to expect someone else to completely ensure their welfare.

[Xanthippe]

I use ratings.  My kids cannot watch any R rated movie so far.  I will not consider any M rated game for them so far.

Except for Oblivion.

But see, I would not have bought it if it had an M on its box.

But now I know that I cannot trust the ESRB any longer to fairly rate games.

So I suppose they are already irrelvant for me and my buying habits.

[Broughden]

When I'm elected president, it's all pot and tits, all the time.

I would totally vote for you!