Callisto Protocol banned in Japan!

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/callisto-protocol-cancelled-in-japan-after-developer-decides-against-cuts/

The Callisto Protocol has been cancelled in Japan, after its developer determined it would not be able to get a rating for the game without cuts.

“We have decided to discontinue the Japanese version of The Calisto Protocol,” the game’s official social media account stated on Wednesday.

“We have determined that the game cannot pass the CERO rating in its current state and that changing the content will not provide the experience that players expect. We would appreciate your understanding in Japan.”

The account concluded by stating that it would provide refunds to those who had pre-ordered the title.

Video games are rarely banned in Japan, but many titles have been edited for excessive violence, such as the Gears of War, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto and Dead Island series.

Tokyo-based analyst Dr. Serkan Toto explained on Twitter that Japan’s game censorship has gotten a lot worse since local rating agency CERO was established in 2002.

“Games censored for nudity and violence in Japan include Last Of Us, Cyberpunk, Uncharted 1, Witcher 3, GTA V etc,” he wrote. “Needless to say, censorship also affects home-made games, i.e. Resident Evil – when compared to the Western release.

“It is also important to understand that sometimes, Japanese games get 2 releases, one cut and one ‘gory’ version. The gory version typically sells better. The problem is that the gory version, which usually carries CERO’s strictest ‘Z’ rating for ages 18+, is ALSO censored when compared with the Western release.

“In other words, avoid the Japanese version of such games at all costs – they are always censored.”

Thoughts, SW? I‘m surprised that Japan would consider a game too violent lol. Japan is like home to some of the most violent/gruesome games out there. Does this also make you more excited for the game? Lol.

I've known Japan to be more known for their very sexualized games, not violent. But it must have been a big let down finding this news. I'm sure they can still get it from the US though.

Oh well. Sucks to be them🤷‍♂️

They need to stop pixelating genitalia, really detrimental to their JAV vids.

Japan has no gamers left. Its mostly casuals with their phones and Switches. Not much is lost.

As long as they don’t censor Bayonetta nude mode I’m happy.

Well that’s certainly interesting. Doesn’t make me more excited to play it but I am curious as to seeing what it could possibly be that they might have wanted edited in it.

I will never understand the logic behind Japanese censorship.

So I will just assume this is more of a business decision as part of some hidden agenda than anything.

@hardwenzen: Japan is the birth place of your favorite franchise of all time. How dare you disrespect! Repent!

Fromsoft are not gamers, they're the creators, the lords. Its the filthy manga readers that don't play anything but casual little games on a Nintendo system that i am referring to.

Sucks for Japanese gamers, but glad that the developers stood up for their vision and did not give in.

When has CERO become the unofficial Japanese censorship board that tells publishers what content can be shown or not shown in games released to the Japanese market?

@hardwenzen: PS5 is not selling much in Japan, because Japanese gamers don’t like massive bulky machines the size of pregnant cows, they prefer compact and portable devices. That is why Switch is dominating sales numbers over there, in both hardware and software. If Sony were to release a Switch-like handheld hybrid console, things might change for their benefit.

They prefer systems that sacrifice everything for portability. Who needs frames or visuals that aren't from 2007 when you can play some 2D side scroller in a bus? Nobody.

That really sucks for the Japanese gamers who have to deal with the garbage CERO ratings there. Hopefully there is another way for them to play the game.

Video game violence is not OK, but selling hentai at their groceries is OK.

I find it funny how in the US extreme violence is ok but sexuality is something scandalous, and in japan they are pretty open to sexuality albeit weirdly censored but violence is a no no.

I do not find it strange at all. It is just differences in culture. What is not offensive in one culture may be offensive in other.

Japanese "horror games" tend to be pretty boring for most part like silent hill or fatal frame. Focuses more on psychological horror than gory body horror in western made games. Not surprised it got banned.

Even RE games no matter how they try to sell the horror it ends up an action game halfway through.

One thing I totally forgot to mention this that PS5 is region-free, so basically anyone wanted to play Callisto Protocol can just import it to Japan. Same for Germany & Australia.

I am guessing something more culturally taboo, like maybe at the end of the game the hero sets off a nuclear bomb to blow up the moon prison... oh that would be a big no-no there in Japan.

Really? I mean, its 2022, an adult should understand that a video game is nothing but fiction.

I wonder why. I know Japan is very against depicting humans in some situations. That's why they go "this porn is ok, because it's a tentacle, not a penis". But if mutated human bodies are the reason why this game is not ok, then why is stuff like Akira ok? Hmm..

I heard it's dismemberment, so this and Dead Space will get banned.

Well, I don't see anything wrong with each culture having different standards for excessive violence. I also think that trying to scare people with excessive gore is often the most uncreative and boring way to do so. So I hope that creators of horror games don't take the easy way out and scare people with their stories, art direction, music, game design, etc.

I always felt Japan had cultural differences but didn't think videogames came into it. Calisto doesn't look all that unnecessary violent.

After traveling to many countries during my time in the Navy, I've actually found that most countries outside of the US usually want violence censored and are more liberal with nudity and sexual content.

Personally, I think it makes sense since nudity and sex are a part of life.

That said, I understand what the game is going for but I think you can make a game scary without the gorey mutilation.

Look how they changed the Resident Evil series in Japan, it's definitely doable without "ruining" the game

:P

Meanwhile, Japan still makes some of the goriest anime... sure, makes sense.

Given Japan was fine with Fallout on the condition the references to Nagasaki and Hiroshima was cut, it was nuke central. Also given 4 puts the player on the nuclear frontlines too (and in America, by China)...

They'll get the game from another region.

Could be. My guess though is it's decapitation