Microsoft Clarifies Position on Full Nudity in Conan Exiles for Xbox One

Microsoft sends in a statement clarifying its position on the exposed genitals in Conan Exiles in view of the upcoming Xbox One version.

[darthv72]

Ahh so that guy who said it wasn't going to happen, pinned it on MS when in fact it is up to the ESRB.

[Abriael]

Well, to be precise, it isn't up to the ESRB.

Both Microsoft and Sony COULD let games rated Adult Only on their platforms. It's not illegal and the ESRB has no actual legal value.

It's their decision not to. So yes, the ESRB will decide what to rate the game, but Microsoft is the one opting not to include AO games on Xbox One. Same as Sony.

[darthv72]

If the ESRB gives it an AO rating then both Sony and MS wont have it but if they give it an M rating then they should be fine with it... right? So the decision to go with the game, as it is or to censor it, hinders on the rating by the ESRB (from the way it sounds).

[IndominusRex]

I remeber watching a cutscene in outlast where it showed the males genitals. And that game came out on the xbox one/ps4

[RedPill86]

What's sad is that A console games used to be a thing. Now they don't exist. People want to smother entertainment be it violent or crude. Never understood why. Don't like it? Don't buy. Simple. A rated games have gone the way if the dinosaur.

[meka2611]

Totally agree with you, companies hate AO even though it's not illegal. I think it's because people see that rating and just think it's a porn game. Plus if it gets adults only for nudity; then that's pretty bad and the ESRB needs remade. I could understand if there was sex, but nudity is something you can see in almost all rated R movies.

[TheCommentator]

Is the rating AO on the PC? If not, then there's a double standard emerging.

[rainslacker]

That makes no sense, as there are Mature rated games which do have full frontal nudity. Two examples I came up with in the other article were Heavy Rain and The Order.

So, is it just a matter of how much nudity is included? Kind of how in movies, a certain number of sexy scenes can keep it PG-13, even with some brief nudity, but get more than a certain amount and it becomes rated R?

It makes more sense that the console makers don't include AO games. Most retailers won't stock those games either.

[tyasia0]

It's not up to the ESRB. Microsoft is shifting the blame incorrectly.

The ESRB has no control over what games are allowed on the consoles. They only create ratings which aren't even enforceable. Stores voluntarily do age certification. It's not legally required.

[freshslicepizza]

they have control of the rating they give it and if its adult only then microsoft will likely not allow it, same with sony and nintendo.

[Cy]

Screw the ESRB. It's an utterly unnecessary organization.

[Bathyj]

I wouldnt say unnecessary. We need classifications so people know what they're buying. But the they should be classifying, never censoring.

I dont know how it works, do they ever say, no you cant have that? That shouldnt happen, they should say, yes you can have that, but we'll give you a R rating, its up to you if you want to tone it down.

And we need to get over this idea that its ok for PC but consoles cant handle it. We're all adults here, (mostly) and if we're not they you should be prohibited by the rating, but if it got a certain rating on PC it should get the same on console.

[OMGitzThatGuy]

You can put what ever you want thats legal in your game but if the ESRB rates it an Adult game then you can only release on PC so devs make the choice to either keep the hardcore shit in and be limited to PC only or add some blur and reach a wider audience. ESRB only reviews what you give them, they have no right to change anything.

[RedPill86]

Knowing what you're buying is as easy as looking it up. ESRB is literally useless. If parents are too lazy to look up what their kids play, they have no business telling me what content I'm allowed to have across my systems. The ESRB is a restrictive turd that's replacing the jobs of the parents.

[rainslacker]

ESRB doesn't censor. They classify, and added details to the classification last gen so people know why it was rated a certain way.

The censorship is from the publishers/devs because the console makers don't allow AO games on their system, and if they did, retailers wouldn't carry them because they don't want to deal with the pissy uptight protestant brigade.

ESRB guidelines for what makes a game a certain rating are pretty concise. But some things are open to interpretation....namely violent content. I'm not sure if the guidelines are available to public view, but all developers have access to them through various outlets.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

It's not unnecessary. Some people need to be informed of what content is included in the labeled games, not least of which parents or other adults who aren't in the loop. I think what's more archaic is the stigma around sex and nudity, especially in America. Cussing, drug use, full blown murder is ok on TV shows, movies and games, but flash a titty and all hell breaks loose. PC as a platform has everything covered, but apparently nobody owning a console is allowed access to the same offerings, because of the platforms owners, not the ESRB.

[meka2611]

Nah I think the ESRB is unneccesary. It was created when mortal kombat came out because everyone cried, "won't someone think of the children." It's pitiful because if people would actually be a damn parent and research instead of trusting someone else. They need to start actually parenting and stop blaming outside things for your mess up as a parent.

[tyasia0]

Why is Microsoft shifting the blame?

It's Microsoft choice to listen to ESRB and to not allow games that the ESRB gives certain ratings too. Microsoft made the choice not to allow AO games on the console. The ESRB can't/doesn't enforce what games get onto XBone.

[freshslicepizza]

micrsooft is not shifting the balme, they want it clear what the rating will be and then decide. if esrb decides its adult only then microsoft will say they wont allow it, nothing out of the ordinary since sony and nintendo would do the same thing.

[Ogygian]

Yes, but why don't they allow AO games?

They're perfectly legal. Adults use their console. I see no problem. "Because we've always done it" is no excuse.

[rainslacker]

@spart

It's the stigma which surrounds an adult only game. There is an adult only rating in movies too, and most movie makers avoid it at all costs because it limits the release.

The reason why most avoid it isn't really because console makers don't allow it, it's because most retailers won't carry AO games.

The stigma is that the games are porn for things like this where it involves nudity. It can also include excessive violence(yeah, odd for a video game, but it is what it is). Most companies just don't want to deal with the criticism they'd get from the perception that they have porn on their system....even if it's not actually a porn game.

It's just a business decision. It sucks, but it's not really that hard to figure out. There are ways to change these policies, but it'd involve making a fuss with the companies themselves, not complaining in random forums. That rarely works.

[freshslicepizza]

rainslacker is right, you limit who u can sell to, there is also a label attached if you start allowing adult only games. On the PC it's a bit different because it's an open platform.

Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft and even Apple don't want that image of allowing adult only content.

It's strange though how nudity is such taboo but violence is not as big of a deal. Japan is different as are other regions on how they view nudity and violence.

[XXanderXX]

Can't blame any of the parties involved they are just trying to avoid the carelessness of parents, grand parents who will buy the games . Without inquiring what it really is about.

[meka2611]

Exactly, ESRB exists so parents don't have to be a parent.

[Goldby]

well in that case, from my time working at best buy, ESRB is failing.... hard

[rainslacker]

Heck, ,I'd be surprised if any parent even knew there was an AO rating. I can't think of the last AO rated non-porn game I've seen. It was for PC. I think that one game a couple years ago with excessive violent where you played a psychopath just killing people for no reason. Can't remember the name...but caused quite the stir.

[Count_Bakula]

It's the only reason the game is even being talked about. It's atrocious, looks and feels like it was made in 2004.

[OMGitzThatGuy]

Thats "early access" in a nutshell.

[PFFT]

Thats pretty lame if they censor. Hopefully they wont censor the game when it hits the PS4. I for one will be using a big breasted female and spend about 3-4 hours in first person mode looking down. lol joking joking.........or am i?? They should just slap an AO rating and be done with it.

[OMGitzThatGuy]

If they get an Adult rating then its censor or dont release on consoles.

[Ogygian]

Censorship is cancer.

[C-H-E-F]

People don't realize that Mature isn't the highest gaming rating. Adult Only is also a rating. Also, people are soooo OMG nudity, how old are you really? Most kids have sex between 14-18, soooooo I really don't see the issue in nudity being in a Mature rated game. If i'm old enough to be on trial as an adult, why they heck can't i see adult boobies? lOl. Everything is so hypocritical in the human world.

[Goldby]

beause there tweens who bitch and complain until their parents buy games for them.

and those parents who dont do their research end up freaking out when they see a large white flacid genetalia slider on screen with their son just staring at it mouth wide open

[C-H-E-F]

Seems like we have 3 ignorant parents voting on our posts lOl

[TheCommentator]

Nuts! I wanted to customize my character with an ampallang...

[meka2611]

If you play the game on pc there is actually a slider to adjust "down south."

[Liqu1d]

Blood, decapitations and other gore is fine but showing a penis? Oh no, we can't have that. Couldn't they just release nudity as a free DLC.