No censhorship in TW2

[Corylea.723]

God knows every corner of this planet has more stupidity than is required. You know, too many f*ckwits... too few bullets.

Well, that's the thing about the Internet. On any forum you look at, you can find incredibly stupid people, incredibly mean-spirited people, people who seem like a total waste of protoplasm.But there's the flip side! On almost any forum, you can find someone who's helpful. Total strangers -- people who don't even live on the same CONTINENT that you do -- will drop everything to help you. They do it with a smile, and they do it for free, because helping people feels good. It's easy to look at all the whining and complaining and nastiness and conclude that the human race is a failed experiment ... but there's that other side.Think about Flash, for example. He's made how many mods for The Witcher? Flash Mod, Full Combat Rebalance, Difficulty Potions Mod, I don't know what all. It's not like he gets paid for any of this -- he makes them for the joy of making them and shares them with thousands of people he doesn't even know.And it's not just the big, important mods that have his name all over them. He at least gets glory for those. Somebody came to the Djinni section of the forum a few months back and said that s/he had a disabled friend who wanted to play The Witcher but who wasn't physically able to keep up with the combat, and was there any sort of god mode available? Flash made her one. I'm sure it didn't take him that long, because he's got mad skills, but still -- he made a special mod for a single person, just so that this person he didn't know and would never meet could enjoy The Witcher. He didn't get paid for that, and since most people don't read the Djinni section of the forum, he didn't get a lot of fan feedback for doing it. He just did something nice, because he's a good man.He's the best example, but he's not the only one. Petra Silie and Seeker have been keeping order here for all of the three years that I've been here. Countless numbers of people have posted answers to newbies' questions. Some people download the saved games of people that are stuck, play them past the Kickimore Queen, and upload them again. Lots of people have contributed to the Witcher Wiki. Huge numbers of people have helped people they don't know and will never meet, just to be nice.Yeah, the creeps are out there. They are. But look around you, because goodness is all around you, too.

 

[jbscotchman]

Yes!!

 

[Devils4dvocate]

God knows every corner of this planet has more stupidity than is required. You know, too many f*ckwits... too few bullets.

Well, that's the thing about the Internet. On any forum you look at, you can find incredibly stupid people, incredibly mean-spirited people, people who seem like a total waste of protoplasm.But there's the flip side! On almost any forum, you can find someone who's helpful. Total strangers -- people who don't even live on the same CONTINENT that you do -- will drop everything to help you. They do it with a smile, and they do it for free, because helping people feels good. It's easy to look at all the whining and complaining and nastiness and conclude that the human race is a failed experiment ... but there's that other side.Think about Flash, for example. He's made how many mods for The Witcher? Flash Mod, Full Combat Rebalance, Difficulty Potions Mod, I don't know what all. It's not like he gets paid for any of this -- he makes them for the joy of making them and shares them with thousands of people he doesn't even know.And it's not just the big, important mods that have his name all over them. He at least gets glory for those. Somebody came to the Djinni section of the forum a few months back and said that s/he had a disabled friend who wanted to play The Witcher but who wasn't physically able to keep up with the combat, and was there any sort of god mode available? Flash made her one. I'm sure it didn't take him that long, because he's got mad skills, but still -- he made a special mod for a single person, just so that this person he didn't know and would never meet could enjoy The Witcher. He didn't get paid for that, and since most people don't read the Djinni section of the forum, he didn't get a lot of fan feedback for doing it. He just did something nice, because he's a good man.He's the best example, but he's not the only one. Petra Silie and Seeker have been keeping order here for all of the three years that I've been here. Countless numbers of people have posted answers to newbies' questions. Some people download the saved games of people that are stuck, play them past the Kickimore Queen, and upload them again. Lots of people have contributed to the Witcher Wiki. Huge numbers of people have helped people they don't know and will never meet, just to be nice.Yeah, the creeps are out there. They are. But look around you, because goodness is all around you, too.

And one more time, you get a derivative, harsh, somewhere venemous and cynical thread and turns into a positive, deep, clean and moving one.My respects, madam.

 

[complistic]

So happy to hear this.

 

[thestrand.218]

Awesome. Excellent news.And just in the interest of providing some information regarding US censorship, there isn't really any. The ESRB, and MPAA for that matter, are industry run monopolies that provide self-regulation in order to undercut any claim the government might have to exercise censorship. Censorship of film really only existed in the US from I believe the late '30s until the '60s. The US government doesn't actively censor games in the way that say Germany prohibits the appearance of Nazi iconography in games set during WWII.What is controversial about these organizations are the ratings they award to games and movies. MA or AO ratings from the ESRB mean that minors can't purchase the games and that certain stores that maintain a "family friendly" image might refuse to stock them, which can negatively affect sales. Often these organizations are accused of being more accepting of violence than sexuality when they apply these ratings, which does reflect a quirk of some parts of American society I suppose. The US film industry is a lot more susceptible to trying to avoid R or NC-17 ratings because they have a demonstrable effect on their bottom line.Anyway, the point is, if CDProjekt is comfortable with an MA or AO rating from the ESRB, they're free to do so. The only time the US government gets involved is when some jerk congressman or congresswoman decides to try to score some political points with conservatives. Even then the controversy is likely to improve sales for the game, not hurt them.

 

[Devils4dvocate]

Awesome. Excellent news.And just in the interest of providing some information regarding US censorship, there isn't really any. The ESRB, and MPAA for that matter, are industry run monopolies that provide self-regulation in order to undercut any claim the government might have to exercise censorship. Censorship of film really only existed in the US from I believe the late '30s until the '60s. The US government doesn't actively censor games in the way that say Germany prohibits the appearance of Nazi iconography in games set during WWII.What is controversial about these organizations are the ratings they award to games and movies. MA or AO ratings from the ESRB mean that minors can't purchase the games and that certain stores that maintain a "family friendly" image might refuse to stock them, which can negatively affect sales. Often these organizations are accused of being more accepting of violence than sexuality when they apply these ratings, which does reflect a quirk of some parts of American society I suppose. The US film industry is a lot more susceptible to trying to avoid R or NC-17 ratings because they have a demonstrable effect on their bottom line.Anyway, the point is, if CDProjekt is comfortable with an MA or AO rating from the ESRB, they're free to do so. The only time the US government gets involved is when some jerk congressman or congresswoman decides to try to score some political points with conservatives. Even then the controversy is likely to improve sales for the game, not hurt them.

Thanks for the info. It make easier to undertand all the "game behind the curtains" in the rating of enterteiment products in USA for the people at the other side of the ocean.

 

[complistic]

Anyway, the point is, if CDProjekt is comfortable with an MA or AO rating from the ESRB, they're free to do so. The only time the US government gets involved is when some jerk congressman or congresswoman decides to try to score some political points with conservatives. Even then the controversy is likely to improve sales for the game, not hurt them.

Just so you know the ESRB has already given it an M rating, with like 8 disclaimers.

 

[Garrison72]

Fantastic news. And we get the language packs as well. Made my day.

 

[flea.]

I'm so glad they didn't censor it, I just pre-ordered the collectors ed

 

[Irx]

I wonder why esrb rating does not mention gambling - what about dice minigame? =)

 

[GuyNwah]

I wonder why esrb rating does not mention gambling - what about dice minigame? =)

Probably because simulated gambling is one of the criteria for a "T" rating, not an "M". ESRB's list of "content descriptors" for a game isn't exhaustive; it focuses on the most significant only. The "M" rating was published with six content descriptors; that's a lot. "'Blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content and use of drugs.' Yup, that's our Geralt." [The Escapist, 14 April]

 

[AkiA]

http://www.rpgcodex.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=1610043#1610043 What's this?

A quick update since I asked about this particular scene. One of my sources have gotten back to me - this scene will be modified in the North American versions. I've a video demoing the modified scene, but cannot deliver until the day before release.

 

[Devils4dvocate]

http://www.rpgcodex.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=1610043#1610043 What's this?

A quick update since I asked about this particular scene. One of my sources have gotten back to me - this scene will be modified in the North American versions. I've a video demoing the modified scene, but cannot deliver until the day before release.

Ops, that info doesn't match too well with the Spring Conference...

 

[mippoh]

Ops, that info doesn't match too well with the Spring Conference...

Unless they removed it completely..

 

[username_2067552]

That's good to hear, although for me it doesn't matter since it wouldn't be censored in either of the countries I live in. I'm glad that the people who had to play the censored version of TW1 won't have the same problem in TW2.I hope it won't cause the game to be banned in some places though, but if GTA can manage with all the explicit content it has, I can't imagine TW2 having any problems. It was interesting to read how the rating system works in USA. I still don't understand why games having a AO rating will be banned from certain stores. The biggest electronics store where i live has porn movies on the same shelf as the other movies, yet it still has a lot of families coming by. And games with a high age rating usually sells a lot which will bring in more money to those stores.

 

[freakie1one]

That's good to hear, although for me it doesn't matter since it wouldn't be censored in either of the countries I live in. I'm glad that the people who had to play the censored version of TW1 won't have the same problem in TW2.I hope it won't cause the game to be banned in some places though, but if GTA can manage with all the explicit content it has, I can't imagine TW2 having any problems. It was interesting to read how the rating system works in USA. I still don't understand why games having a AO rating will be banned from certain stores. The biggest electronics store where i live has porn movies on the same shelf as the other movies, yet it still has a lot of families coming by. And games with a high age rating usually sells a lot which will bring in more money to those stores.

Well, I live in the USA and I know why it happens; even if it makes little sense. The USA has always had a somewhat high social moral standard. Even on our money is printed "In God We Trust". Some areas in the USA are much more strict than others (this also applies to different stores; some are much more strict than others). In other words, many areas in the USA have a high concentration of prudes These prudes usually abide by double standards as well. Like people have pointed out, these prudes usually can't stand seeing a naked body but are ok with seeing violence. Does it make sense? Nope! With as many different cultures and what not that live in the USA you're bound to see double standards.

 

[mippoh]

Isnt it Walmart and the big stores that got a no AO policy? Makes it impossible to sell the game at retail

 

[freakie1one]

Isnt it Walmart and the big stores that got a no AO policy? Makes it impossible to sell the game at retail

Yes, I believe Walmart does have that policy. But not all big stores have the same policy. There are many that will sell AO games. It's just developers avoid the AO rating because why would they willingly restrict their sales to only certain stores? I'm sure their goal is to reach as wide an audience as possible.

 

[tommy5761]

It was Wal-Mart where i got my copy of W1 and yes to your question . It seems Wal-mart would not carry the witcher until it was censored for nudity......??? Yep freakie is right in that there are double standards all across the US some parts moreso than others .Which makes no sense as you can swear like a sailor , cut heads and limbs off , blow people up in every imaginable way , drink booze like a fish in water and that`s all acceptable but show a breast or pubic area and the world is coming to an end .

 

[fchopin]

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