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[KyoZz]

Sony isn't allowing video games to depict dismemberment of human characters.​

Sony is censoring violent depictions in video games according to a recent report from GameSpark Japan (via ResetEra user ILikeFeet).
The degree of violence in video games has been a controversial aspect for quite a while now. It is often debated that games should have lower degrees of violence to make them accessible to a larger audience. Despite that, a number of developers have depicted some mature and dark tones in games.

Sony is asking developers to remove violent depictions in video games. This comes from the Japanese development studio Cyberconnect2’s President and CEO Hiroshi Matsuyama who states that Sony compelled the developers to make changes in the Naruto Ultimate series. One of the characters in the game, Minato Namikaze, was missing an arm in the original story. However, in the final game, his arm was present to comply with Sony’s policies.

He further mentions that the reason for that was that loss of limbs in characters that have a human appearance was not allowed by Sony Interactive Entertainment and not prohibited by CERO as such. CERO is the organization responsible for video game ratings in Japan. In the story, Minato is not technically a human considering that he was resurrected. However, considering that the character had a human appearance, it wasn’t allowed.

Quite notable of all is the fact that SIE has allowed such depictions in certain games. Matsuyama mentions that Dragon Ball Z Kakarot has a sequence in which Nappa’s arm was dismembered. Surprisingly, this wasn’t omitted from the game because there is a difference in impressions between the two games. What this difference isn’t mentioned, but it’s likely the fact that the Naruto series has a more realistic tone. Whether this policy is specific to Japanese video games isn’t clear.

Sony’s stance on this matter is quite surprising, considering the fact that some of its games have set a benchmark for mature tones in video games. For instance, The Last of Us 2 had several such brutal and gory moments which despite receiving some criticism was widely acclaimed as well. With Sony itself taking such bold directions in video games itself, it’ll be interesting to see what Sony’s justification for such a stance is.

Sony Reportedly Censoring Violent Depictions in Games

Sony isn't allowing video games to depict dismemberment of human characters.

www.dualshockers.com

 

[Cert.in.Death]

On the one hand, I advocate for free artistic expression. On the other is my enjoyment for pissing off Naruto fans.

This is an impossible situation.

 

[Captain Toad]

I don’t buy such a stance. So, Mortal Kombat just won't be on PlayStation? I don't believe that at all.

 

[Stuart360]

This kind of stuff sucks, but the title is missleading. Its only a Naruto game, which is a kids game anyway.

 

[TGO]

Yet you have Ghost of Tushima

 

[MayauMiao]

On the one hand, I advocate for free artistic expression. On the other is my enjoyment for pissing off Naruto fans.

This is an impossible situation.

I'm no Naruto fan but the censorship alrrady pisses me off.

 

[beepboopbopflop]

I don't really believe Sony can get far with this, look at their most recent 1st party games. You'd have to censor the entire projects LOL

 

[HellforLeather]

Is this source reliable?

Seems like a strange about face considering they just released a game with probably the most uncomfortably realistic depictions of violence of all time in TLOU2

 

[Barakov]

'Whether this policy is specific to Japanese video games isn’t clear.' Seems like they have issue with anime games with a "realistic tone". Sony continues to be consistent with how inconsistent they are.

 

[sol_bad]

Aren't dismemberments always censored in Japan? Seems like it is a Cero thing to me. Maybe Sony advised them rather than forced them, advised them because Cero wouldn't allow it for a wider audience.
I don't know how the Cero board works but some ratings boards have issues with camera angles and what not, like the stupid American MPAA.

 

[Sub_Level]

Sounds like a regional thing, perhaps related to foreign ratings board.

Back on PS3 some games had violence censored specifically for Japanese market. Such as Ninja Gaiden Sigma and the Last of Us.

 

[Abriael_GN]

Makes very little sense, and I believe there has to be some inaccurate information floating around here.

Human dismembering in games (that's what they're talking about here) is prohibited by legislation in Japan, not by Sony or by CERO, as far as I know. That's why Resident Evil and Gears of War games are censored in the country.

 

[KyoZz]

This kind of stuff sucks, but the title is missleading. Its only a Naruto game, which is a kids game anyway.

Yeah I would like to change it to be more true if it's possible.
Mod of War

 

[Soodanim]

If only there was some sort of system in place where you could allow games with things kids might not be ready to see. You know, like how adults have free reign but as you get lower there could be more restrictions so that games are age appropriate. You could even number them based on the minimum ages they’re targeted at to make it easy for everyone, and make the adult one red as a warning sign for parents.

Someone should form some sort of governing body.

 

[Clear]

Prohibited by CERO isn't to say that CERO won't bump up the rating if there's such content in it.
Its such a specifically cultural issue in Japan I find it doubtful that US-led Sony would be doing it for no reason.

 

[geordiemp]

 

[MiguelItUp]

My kneejerk reaction was, "OMG WTF?!"

But then I immediately remembered TLOU2, GOT, MK11, etc.

We're fine, we're fine.

 

[ButchCat]

Must be a Japanese thing.

 

[Lupin3]

Yeah, it's a japanese thing. Gears of War wasn't much fun over there.

 

[Yoboman]

Prohibited by CERO isn't to say that CERO won't bump up the rating if there's such content in it.
Its such a specifically cultural issue in Japan I find it doubtful that US-led Sony would be doing it for no reason.

Is this even US Sony? Sony is constantly publishing violent games from its western studios, there have been no cases I can think of Western third party games given this style of treatment

Meanwhile it’s Sony’s Japan studios first party content that has been almost entirely kid friendly for the last few gens

Feels more like Sony in Japan are leveraging what tiny responsibility they have left for dumb decisions like this

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

Are the kanjis for "dismemberment" the same for "naked lady parts" perhaps?
That'd explain everything.

 

[bitbydeath]

Doubt

 

[Virt McPolygon]

This is coming from CyberConnect 2? So will the Demon Slayer game not have dismemberment, which was pretty prominent in the anime?

 

[geordiemp]

So its nothing, Sony Japan want no body parts cut off ina kids game in Japan.

Nothing to see here, move along.

 

[Kurimao]

As a PS player since PS1 days, I really hope Sony fail big time this generation. They are turning into d!cks.

 

[Ar¢tos]

It was a 2016 game... The DBZ game is 2020, so in the 4 years between they seem to have relaxed the rules.
If it was the opposite then it would be weird.

 

[sublimit]

Yes because obviously Sony doesn't want the next Witcher game to be on Playstation lol

 

[V4skunk]

You get your arm chopped off in Sekiro though.

 

[DoubleJTripleDistilled]

Isn't this similar to what Nintendo did in the 90s allowing SEGA to gain a massive foothold into the market?

 

[rubenburgt]

And this right here is exactly why I don't want to own a PlayStation 5. I already had a taste of censorship with the PS3 in Europe and I don't want to play more censored games on a PS5.

 

[Kuranghi]

Yet you have Ghost of Tushima

Next they will censor the arse chopping!

 

[devilNprada]

Are the kanjis for "dismemberment" the same for "naked lady parts" perhaps?
That'd explain everything.

Shhhhh! ubisoft snuck some boobs in Valhallla...

Spoiler

When you meet Rollo in the whorehouse

Edit: Hey do we have a thread for video game boobs?

 

[rubhen925]

yes let's censor violent depictions, yet allow slaughters to happens in The Last of Us 2, and insane levels of gore and violence.... hmmm. As usual this is gonna be a backlash and also depict sony in a bad way

 

[mr.dilya]

Good

 

[kyliethicc]

I'm not worried about Sony games lacking gore or visceral violence.

I can shoot, stab, bludgeon, and burn people to death in almost disturbing realism on my PS4.

Here's an example (not me):

 

[SLB1904]

yes let's censor violent depictions, yet allow slaughters to happens in The Last of Us 2, and insane levels of gore and violence.... hmmm. As usual this is gonna be a backlash and also depict sony in a bad way

Roll eyes.

 

[RCU005]

I don’t buy such a stance. So, Mortal Kombat just won't be on PlayStation? I don't believe that at all.

Even their own games like God of War and The Last of Us to name a few. If this is Japan only, then it's a very weird stance.

 

[Hawking Radiation]

I'm not worried about Sony games lacking gore or visceral violence.

I can shoot, stab, bludgeon, and burn people to death in almost disturbing realism on my PS4.

Here's an example (not me):

His fucking arm got blown off :O

I'm going to fire this game up tonight

 

[MeatSafeMurderer]

Sony continues to be consistent with how inconsistent they are.

It's a classic case of "Rules for thee but not for me".

 

[Iced Arcade]

His fucking arm got blown off :O

I'm going to fire this game up tonight

Yeah that just made me want to play it again for sure.

 

[Aranea]

Japanese culture is way different compared to the west. Sexual content is more accepted while violence not so much. This isn't new though. Pretty much all of the Resident Evil games over there are censored by law and the main reason why many Japanese players import the west version.

 

[LazyParrot]

Japanese culture is way different compared to the west. Sexual content is more accepted while violence not so much.

*Compared to North America.

 

[Bryank75]

As a PS player since PS1 days, I really hope Sony fail big time this generation. They are turning into d!cks.

It's nothing to do with Sony... they have loads of games with extreme violence. It is Japanese legislation.

 

[LazyParrot]

It's nothing to do with Sony... they have loads of games with extreme violence. It is Japanese legislation.

Doesn't the article say the exact opposite?

"He further mentions that the reason for that was that loss of limbs in characters that have a human appearance was not allowed by Sony Interactive Entertainment and not prohibited by CERO as such. CERO is the organization responsible for video game ratings in Japan."

 

[SlimySnake]

Nonsense. TLOU2 has a lot of dismemberment. GoT too.

 

[Abriael_GN]

Doesn't the article say the exact opposite?

"He further mentions that the reason for that was that loss of limbs in characters that have a human appearance was not allowed by Sony Interactive Entertainment and not prohibited by CERO as such. CERO is the organization responsible for video game ratings in Japan."

That doesn't mean it's accurate. Developers are human and can get things wrong.

Again, cut limbs in interactivee media are prohibited by Japanese *law*

 

[assurdum]

Nonsense. TLOU2 has a lot of dismemberment. GoT too.

One can think it's just about Japanese companies. But then I remind RE7. Oooookay.

 

[Bryank75]

Doesn't the article say the exact opposite?

"He further mentions that the reason for that was that loss of limbs in characters that have a human appearance was not allowed by Sony Interactive Entertainment and not prohibited by CERO as such. CERO is the organization responsible for video game ratings in Japan."

As Abriael says above... just because CERO doesn't prohibit it, doesn't mean it isn't banned.

There's been a lot of these 'anti-Sony' articles lately... pushing these ideas that Sony is somehow against Japan and Japanese culture based on very dubious information.

 

[Mercenary09]

You people falling for this clickbait headline are pathetic. No wonder so many staff members are leaving Dualshockers when they post shit like this. It's about a Naruto game in Japan not that Sony is going to be removing all violence in games worldwide.

 

[Alx]

That's weird, Minato seems to be Naruto's father who isn't missing an arm. Am I missing something ? Maybe he lost it just before he died ?