International Censorship Extends With Diablo III

Blizzard's game library might not be the first collection that you think of when it comes to video games that need to be censored for content, but it turns out that the international censorship applied to World of Warcraft will be extended to Diablo III. A Wired.com interview with Diablo III lead designer Jay Wilson shed some light on the subject, ironically titled "Why Designer of Gory Diablo III Lets His Daughter Play." Wilson says Blizzard will have to change the more violent aspects of the game, including all the blood, if the company hopes to release the long-awaited RPG in German and Australian game markets.

When it comes to China, the game might not even get a chance, according to an answer Wilson gave to Wired.com in the interview:

We could have a lot of trouble with China, yes, but it would be our goal to go there. We haven’t decided what regions we’re going into, obviously. It certainly would be our goal to go there, but we will struggle to go to China.

He says the Diablo III team received a "lengthy list" of requirements that would have to be met for the game to be released in China; but if it turns out that the development team would have to "redo so much of the game that it’s not viable anymore," they won't even bother, according to the interview.

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Australia
# Aug 25 2009 at 6:27 PM Rating: Decent
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267 posts
In Australia we have a single misguided senator to thank for that. The current laws don't allow an R rating for games. Therefore any game deemed inappropriate for children is either banned outright or modified rather than being restricted to adults. These laws can only change if all senators agree and a single stuborn senator is blocking it. His misguided efforts to 'protect' children mean that Games that should get an R rating are often scraping through with a lower rating and being played by kids. Additionally games that people would normally buy legally are being pirated by people wanting to play games they feel they should be able to play as adults. It's a ridiculous situation but one we're currently stuck with.
Australia
# Aug 26 2009 at 4:32 AM Rating: Decent
If he's like our Senators, he's old...so he doesn't have to many years left in him.

Always did amuse me that people (ie PARENTS) never want to take responsibility to teach the kids common sense.

And, seriously, if the video game is going to make a kid violent chances are it's not the game; it's the kid (ohnoes! did I just say your precious wittle darling can do wrong?!?). Bet money they'll get violent in any emotionally-demanding situation (sports, relationships, etc).
Australia
# Aug 26 2009 at 6:06 AM Rating: Good
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1,104 posts
Fortunately and Unfortunately, Dyner is right. Not as big of a problem here in the States but people still moan about games, Grand Theft Auto ring a bell. Right now games are going through the dark ages of their time where the general population need something to point their finger at and say it is the fault of "x" (games right now) and that is why my kid is the way he is or did what he did. Until we can evolve past that and realize it is the duty of the parent(s) and mentors to teach kids from right and wrong and make sure they know games are, well, just games, then it will remain how it is.

Kids and young adults hear more awful things from friends in school or on the street or even PG-13 movies. But hey, if countries and government want to think that a made-up Barbarian with special powers that have never existed in our reality, ever(the special powers part), is going to mess someone up... than more power to them and shows just how much intellect they actually have.

I guess the first Mario should be banned as well being even though there is no blood or weapons, Mario does jump on things head, kick stuff, throw fire balls at stuff and could allow kids to think it is ok to kick people and jump on them and throw something that is lit on fire at someone. Boy, the common sense of world is pathetic and it isn't even laughable it is so sad.
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