Tokyo, Japan – An executive from Electronic Arts Japan recently expressed dissatisfaction with the Japanese video game ratings board for its decision to allow the release of the upcoming action game Stellar Blade without censorship, while EA’s own game Dead Space faced a ban in the country.
The general manager of EA Japan, Shaun Noguchi, took to social media platform X/Twitter to question the actions of the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO) for supposedly banning Dead Space due to graphic content that he claimed was also present in Stellar Blade.
Noguchi raised concerns in a post translated by Automaton, stating, “What’s going on CERO? The Stellar Blade demo was action-packed and enjoyable. Yet, CERO, you denied our Dead Space a rating for showing severed body parts and internal organs, while Stellar Blade, which displays similar content, received a CERO D rating. This is difficult for me to accept.”
A CERO D rating permits individuals aged 17 and older to purchase the game, making it the second strictest rating in Japan, after the Z rating intended for those 18 and older. Dead Space did not receive a rating from CERO, rendering it unavailable for sale in Japan through official channels.
Noguchi’s remarks came in response to an announcement from the Stellar Blade X/Twitter account, confirming that all versions of the game, including the Japanese version, would be uncensored. Noguchi clarified that his criticism was aimed at CERO and not Stellar Blade itself, even recommending the game to others.
Stellar Blade, a sci-fi action and adventure game, is set to launch exclusively on PlayStation 5 on April 26, drawing inspiration from sources such as Alita: Battle Angel, 80s and 90s science fiction, and a taxi driver strike, as shared by director Kim Hyung Tae.
Despite remaining cautious about the depth of exploration in the game, IGN expressed excitement about the action in Stellar Blade, describing it as a captivating experience that merges elements from Sekiro and Nier: Automata.
Ryan Dinsdale, a freelance reporter for IGN, provided insights and coverage on the game, showcasing his enthusiasm for discussing all things related to The Witcher.