[Editorial] Elder Scrolls Online: What the Mature Rating Means for ESO

SBFord

"Mature Rating" is the Entertainment Software Rating Board designation of M (age 17+), and the official rating given by the ESRB to The Elder Scrolls Online. The game was just over 60 days from launch when they were struck with this news. In a post by Zenimax, they said, “While we disagree with the ESRB’s determination, we do not plan to challenge the rating, and we are unwilling to change the game’s content to achieve a different rating.” 

Read more of Ryan Getchell's Elder Scrolls Online: What the Mature Rating Means for ESO.

Nanfoodle

Ya I was a little upset the game went M Rated. To many games are going that direction, even series that used to be T rated have switched to M rated content on their new games. Seems like Family gaming is falling to the way side. 

Rockniss

You could do kill cams in mmorp g's if would take work and a lot of people would complain, but imagine in the heat of battle, the entire battle comes to a pause and the kill cam cuts to one emperor putting a kb on another emperor. Doesn't that make you want to que the music? Aloe Blacc - "The Man"

nerovipus32

Originally posted by Nanfoodle
Ya I was a little upset the game went M Rated. To many games are going that direction, even series that used to be T rated have switched to M rated content on their new games. Seems like Family gaming is falling to the way side. 

What did you expect the games story is about a demon who harvests peoples souls. The storyline is definitely a mature one.

evilastro

It's the price you pay for realistic violence. I doubt Wildstar will attract a M rating due to its cartoon style, despite essentially having the same themes.  

Nanfoodle

Originally posted by nerovipus32

Originally posted by Nanfoodle
Ya I was a little upset the game went M Rated. To many games are going that direction, even series that used to be T rated have switched to M rated content on their new games. Seems like Family gaming is falling to the way side. 

What did you expect the games story is about a demon who harvests peoples souls. The storyline is definitely a mature one.

 

Up till Skyrim, all of TES games kept it T rated. 

Jorl

Most companies are heading to the M/18+ due to what's been happening in America recently and in other parts of the world, companies and it's employees need to cover their backs, we've seen what's happened with the DC comics and Batman and Call of duty. It's down to the parents if they think its suitable for their children to play these games and rightly so. Companies are not at fault, the parents are and unfortunately some parents don't take responsibility and neither do the teens.

Jorl

Originally posted by Nanfoodle

Originally posted by nerovipus32

Originally posted by Nanfoodle
Ya I was a little upset the game went M Rated. To many games are going that direction, even series that used to be T rated have switched to M rated content on their new games. Seems like Family gaming is falling to the way side. 

What did you expect the games story is about a demon who harvests peoples souls. The storyline is definitely a mature one.

 

Up till Skyrim, all of TES games kept it T rated. 

With MMOs its different, there are certain rules and regulations that must be followed.

Nanfoodle

Originally posted by Jorl
Most companies are heading to the M/18+ due to what's been happening in America recently and in other parts of the world, companies and it's employees need to cover their backs, we've seen what's happened with the DC comics and Batman and Call of duty. It's down to the parents if they think its suitable for their children to play these games and rightly so. Companies are not at fault, the parents are and unfortunately some parents don't take responsibility and neither do the teens.

 

Its also the fact that M rating makes it cool and sells more. This is one area where voting with money is doing harm. As there is less options for games that are not M rated lazy parents will let their kids play them to get the parent time they want. Then their are parent that think seeing M rated content does not change the child so they let them play and watch anything.

Nanfoodle

Originally posted by Jorl

Originally posted by Nanfoodle

Originally posted by nerovipus32

Originally posted by Nanfoodle
Ya I was a little upset the game went M Rated. To many games are going that direction, even series that used to be T rated have switched to M rated content on their new games. Seems like Family gaming is falling to the way side. 

What did you expect the games story is about a demon who harvests peoples souls. The storyline is definitely a mature one.

 

Up till Skyrim, all of TES games kept it T rated. 

With MMOs its different, there are certain rules and regulations that must be followed.

 

Most MMOs are rated for kids, M rated MMOs are very few. So I am not sure what you are talking about. The same standards is used to judge what rating is used on MMOs and any other video game. It does not change.

Rusque

Life should be M rated and all kids should be banned.

Brorim

Great .. PG13 is an insult to adults

nerovipus32

Originally posted by Nanfoodle

Originally posted by Jorl

Originally posted by Nanfoodle

Originally posted by nerovipus32

Originally posted by Nanfoodle
Ya I was a little upset the game went M Rated. To many games are going that direction, even series that used to be T rated have switched to M rated content on their new games. Seems like Family gaming is falling to the way side. 

What did you expect the games story is about a demon who harvests peoples souls. The storyline is definitely a mature one.

 

Up till Skyrim, all of TES games kept it T rated. 

With MMOs its different, there are certain rules and regulations that must be followed.

 

Most MMOs are rated for kids, M rated MMOs are very few. So I am not sure what you are talking about. The same standards is used to judge what rating is used on MMOs and any other video game. It does not change.

Yes because kids pay for these games with their own credit cards right? kids shouldn't be playing in online games fullstop. It's an adult environment.

Tsumoro

Originally posted by Nanfoodle
Ya I was a little upset the game went M Rated. To many games are going that direction, even series that used to be T rated have switched to M rated content on their new games. Seems like Family gaming is falling to the way side. 

The problem isn't the game itself, its more the ratings board. Having played ESO (Beta) I honestly can't see anything that would deem this to be an 'M' rating. There is a little blood in the game, but nothing drastic enough to be considered above a T rating if I am honest. 

So, fair play to the devs who don't wish to diminish their creative vision for the game. However now with the Mature rating I would hope for some more mature story lines to be added in the future. 

I don't just want my Online 'Role playing' experience to be combat-centric, I love cloak and dagger and political intrigue. I shall see where they take this.

Balkin31

I'm fine with it, probably because I'm an adult...

sketocafe

dammit. you just had to mention a book written in an age after the one in which this game is set, didn't you?  I'm sorry if I hope they don't include that book in any bedrooms.

Garbrac

Originally posted by sketocafe
dammit. you just had to mention a book written in an age after the one in which this game is set, didn't you?  I'm sorry if I hope they don't include that book in any bedrooms.

They could always introduce a prequel to the book. The Straight Forward Mer Who Is No One's Maid.

Jakdstripper

....hopefully it means boobs

i'm ok with boobs and no kiddies. 

sludgebeard

Originally posted by Nanfoodle

Originally posted by nerovipus32

Originally posted by Nanfoodle
Ya I was a little upset the game went M Rated. To many games are going that direction, even series that used to be T rated have switched to M rated content on their new games. Seems like Family gaming is falling to the way side. 

What did you expect the games story is about a demon who harvests peoples souls. The storyline is definitely a mature one.

 

Up till Skyrim, all of TES games kept it T rated. 

Trust me if Morrowind had been born a few years later an didnt have such campy looking, plastic action figure graphics, im sure it would have been rated M.

The other big deal "Skooma and Moon-Sugar", remember Morrowind introduced these narcotic items which at the time were thought to be nothing more than a advanced health potion. 

Now there is lore in Skyrim related to argonian dock workers getting hoped up on Skooma, losing their jobs, and resorting to banditry and violence. 

 

Im sorry but the point im trying to make here is Skyrim and the Elder Scrolls series, have always been "Mature", whether in context or theme alone. An M rating for ESO doesnt make it any better or any worse, its the context and maturity of the content that will determine if its a real ES game.

DamonVile

When has an M rating ever stopped kids from playing any game ?

Why should I care if kids " shouldn't" be playing. If anything that's a selling feature to me.

fenrisblue

an M rating never stopped parents from buying the games for kids in the past, this is not going to stop them now

Naevius

Games should be un-rated, as books are.

AstroCat

I'm very happy ESO got the "M" rating, really opens it open for creative expression without any ridiculous restrictions.

Thelric

A few brothels added where you can recruit mercenaries should cement the M rating.

docminus2

Not that it matters when it comes to "safety" - kids just watch it on youtube.

If children or young teens really are to be "protected" then there shouldn't be "Let's play... " or similar easily accessible. Youtube's "protection" is a joke.

Sure, not that I am a psychologist in terms of judging "watching" versus "doing".... But if you want to rate the one, maybe you should rate the other as well, what's the point otherwise?

Just saying...

IDontThinkSoNo

The only people I have yet to encounter that view ratings as relevant are the same people that follow the teachings of their antiquated religions.  Generally inconsequential creatures, honestly.