Bethesda
Softworks Response to the ESRB Rating Change for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
has word that Bethsoft is cooperating fully with the ESRB to reflect the new "M"
rating for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (
story), though they
also want to make it clear that they were not even sipping hot cocoa when
applying for the game's rating, much less drinking hot coffee:
Bethesda
Softworks made what it believes was a full, accurate, and comprehensive
submission on Oblivion to the ESRB months before the game’s release. Bethesda
used the ESRB’s application forms and believes it adhered closely to their
requirements. Nothing was hidden from the ratings agency. No effort was made by
Bethesda to lobby or influence the agency for any particular rating.
The ESRB has concluded that the game deserves a rating of Mature because: 1)
partial nudity in the PC version of the game can be created by modders; and 2)
the game contains excessive blood and gore that go beyond a Teen rating. The
facts are as follows:
There is no nudity in Oblivion without a third party modification. In the PC
version of the game only – this doesn’t apply to the Xbox 360 version – some
modders have used a third party tool to hack into and modify an art archive file
to make it possible to create a mesh for a partially nude (topless) female that
they add into the game. Bethesda didn’t create a game with nudity and does not
intend that nudity appear in Oblivion. There is no nude female character in a
section of the game that can be “unlocked.” Bethesda can not control tampering
with Oblivion by third parties. Bethesda is taking steps to ensure that modders
can not continue to hack into Oblivion’s art archives to create partially nude
figures.
With regard to violence, Bethesda advised the ESRB during the ratings process
that violence and blood effects were “frequent” in the game – checking the box
on the form that is the maximum warning. We further advised that the game
contained occasional torture, vulgar acts, and gore. We gave accurate answers
and descriptions about the type and frequency of violence that appears in the
game. We submitted a 60-page document listing the explicit language, acts, and
scenes in the game. Oblivion packaging already contains warnings for “Violence”
and “Blood and Gore.”
We value the role of the ESRB and believe the rating agency plays a valuable
role in regulating our industry. As always, we will continue work in good faith
to comply fully with the ESRB’s standards and policies.