CD Projekt Red on Cyberpunk 2077: "We're OK" to hit R18+ Aussie rating

Stevivor -- "With the launch of the much-anticipated Cyberpunk 2077 a mere six months away, we sat down with Studio Head of CD Projekt Red Krakow, John Mamais, to ask if the developer was worried about a refusal of classification from the Australian Classification Board."

[carcarias]

It's funny, I was brought up to believe Australia was this no nonsense, rugged and somewhat tough country where no one had time for fragile sensibilities or the easily offended but look how much fuss they make about video games.

What happened to Crocodile Dundee? ;)

[BABI-PANGPANG]

You know, those "I agree" comments are really not my style but man.. I agree.

[warriorcase]

It's a government branch mate. Much like Americas ESRB, I'm pretty positive they don't play games at all and just rate thing based on a glance or a write up.
The inconsistency between mediums make no sense at all. For example, I heard Joker was rated R in America but here it was rated MA15. Movies that depict all sorts of drugs, violence, rape or whatever else are all good but when it comes to games they tend to mark it up way more.

All that said, for the past decade any type of banning doesn't really work with digital marketplaces now. I remember when they banned/censored Left4Dead 2 here so on release day we just went online and bought it from overseas and played it same day. The entire rating system is broken and doesn't even work.

[Smokehouse]

The esrb isn’t a government branch though. It’s just an organization made by the Game industry. There is a big difference when the government runs it and it shows.

[warriorcase]

@Smokehouse
Yeah mate I know they are self regulated. I was making the comparison in that they seem to judge and rate based off a video briefing and a write up and never actually play the games themselves.

[Umb]

Australia a few decades ago perhaps but now it's a pandering state, over-sensitive snowflakes that think the general population is too stupid or naive to have logical thinking. I live the worst part of this woke country. 'The Peoples Republic of VICTORIA!'

[Smokehouse]

They are just being nice. Nobody is worried about Australia, they aren’t even top 10 in terms of gaming revenues.

[conanlifts]

It is still a Billion dollar industry in Australia so I am sure they care, just not as much as they would with other countries.

[Smokehouse]

I doubt its a billion unless you include hardware and even then I doubt it. Yeah every dollar counts but the point is that nobody is worried about their classification board. It’s just not worth bending over backwards for.

[conanlifts]

In 2017 Australia ranked 14 with a total expenditure of 1.34 billion on video games. I assume this includes hardware as you say. But there is not a huge gap between the countries in 9-14th place for spending.

[Smokehouse]

Makes sense for total spending I guess. The point still stands though. Why would you change your game to please the 14th largest spender at the risk of alienating your main vein? It’s dumb business and It’s kind of a dumb question to ask. Of course they aren’t going to say “screw the Australian classification board” but the answer is obvious. It’s not like China spending 40 million on a bad month (no hardware or services). That kind of money can get companies to do dumb shit and it does. Nobody gives a flying crap about Australia’s censor board, that’s all I’m saying.

[conanlifts]

"Nobody gives a flying crap about Australia’s censor board, that’s all I’m saying"

True. Most Australians agree with this sentiment. What usually happens is they modify the game in Australia. There have been a few cases with small and stupid changes. The changes are usually minimal and cost little. But they are stupid nonetheless.

[AK91]

If it doesn't come to Australia I'm just gonna use my US Psn to get the game.

[Averyashimself]

It's kind of pathetic that they're that sensitive to the point where you're forced to do that in certain situations.

[AK91]

I completely agree But I’m just glad I have the option to do this regardless of our Sensitive region.

[The_Sage]

Governments requiring censorship is wrong. A recommended age rating is fine. I would even be okay with ID required for purchase, but asking a studio or writer to change content is just not okay. If we tolerate this will burning books be next?

[King_Noctis]

CDPR is one of the few devs out there who truly care about their mature audience. I respect them and fully support all their games.

[--bienio--]

First person view sex😂😂🤮 🤮

[blackblades]

What happen to the concerns of censoring that people were up and arms about period?

[DaniMacYo]

Yep I’m from Australia they are very Anal about Video games but allow all sorts of disturbing stuff on tv and film.