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ESRB gives violent game its most restrictive rating.
By Peter Bright
Third person spree-killing simulator Hatred has been given an Adults only (AO) rating from ESRB, the video game ratings board in the US and Canada.
The rating was disclosed by one of the game's developers on its official forum, which expressed surprise that the title did not get the more lenient Mature (M) rating, writing "Well, I'm not quite convinced why Hatred got AO rating while it lacks any sexual content, but it's still some kind of achievement to have the second game in history getting AO rating for violence and harsh language only."
Hatred is in fact the third game to receive an AO rating for violence alone, with both Thrill Kill and Manhunt 2 also receiving that evaluation. Thrill Kill, however, had its release cancelled after Electronic Arts bought its publisher and objected to its content.
The AO rating has significant implications for the game's release. All three major console platforms have a policy of refusing to permit AO titles on their platforms. Even a PC release poses difficulties. Although the game was green-lit on Steam after being temporarily removed from the green light process, Valve, like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo, has a policy of not allowing sale of AO games on its platform. This is why Steam includes the M-rated Manhunt but not its AO-rated sequel.
The rating is similarly problematic for games that see boxed retail sales; major retailers like Walmart, Gamestop, and Target refuse to stock AO games.
The difficulty in selling AO games has prompted developers to edit their games in the past. While the PC version of Manhunt 2 retains its AO rating (and limited distribution), developers Rockstar produced an edited M-rated version to reach console markets.
Whether Hatred will see a similar edit is unclear, given that brutal violence is so core to its game play. The developer's forum post reflects on this problem with sorrow, "I would prefer to get a standard M+ rating, because with AO we will have problems to get to consoles in the future, but on the other hand I think you guys (our fans) would be disappointed with it."
By Peter Bright
Third person spree-killing simulator Hatred has been given an Adults only (AO) rating from ESRB, the video game ratings board in the US and Canada.
The rating was disclosed by one of the game's developers on its official forum, which expressed surprise that the title did not get the more lenient Mature (M) rating, writing "Well, I'm not quite convinced why Hatred got AO rating while it lacks any sexual content, but it's still some kind of achievement to have the second game in history getting AO rating for violence and harsh language only."
Hatred is in fact the third game to receive an AO rating for violence alone, with both Thrill Kill and Manhunt 2 also receiving that evaluation. Thrill Kill, however, had its release cancelled after Electronic Arts bought its publisher and objected to its content.
The AO rating has significant implications for the game's release. All three major console platforms have a policy of refusing to permit AO titles on their platforms. Even a PC release poses difficulties. Although the game was green-lit on Steam after being temporarily removed from the green light process, Valve, like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo, has a policy of not allowing sale of AO games on its platform. This is why Steam includes the M-rated Manhunt but not its AO-rated sequel.
The rating is similarly problematic for games that see boxed retail sales; major retailers like Walmart, Gamestop, and Target refuse to stock AO games.
The difficulty in selling AO games has prompted developers to edit their games in the past. While the PC version of Manhunt 2 retains its AO rating (and limited distribution), developers Rockstar produced an edited M-rated version to reach console markets.
Whether Hatred will see a similar edit is unclear, given that brutal violence is so core to its game play. The developer's forum post reflects on this problem with sorrow, "I would prefer to get a standard M+ rating, because with AO we will have problems to get to consoles in the future, but on the other hand I think you guys (our fans) would be disappointed with it."
," the company wrote in the description for its latest trailer (which you can watch above).
," the post adds.
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