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ESRB Demands Cleavage Censorship on Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth Cover

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ESRB Demands Cleavage Censorship on Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth Cover

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is a metroidvania-style game released for PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS4, and PS5, and it’s a good game—I played it through Game Pass on PC in 2022.

The physical version of the game had apparently sold out, and a reprint was done. However, something strange happened: the ESRB, the organization that assigns age ratings for games in the United States, requested that the character Pirotess’s cleavage be censored.

ESRB Demands Cleavage Censorship on Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth Cover

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth was originally released in 2020, and this was its cover art when the game came out:

ESRB Demands Cleavage Censorship on Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth Cover

However, the ESRB required the developer to censor the cleavage to allow the game to be re-released. Here’s what the new cover looks like:

ESRB Demands Cleavage Censorship on Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth Cover

As you can see, the ESRB rated the game “Teen,” meaning it’s recommended for ages 13 and up. This censorship sparked outrage on the internet, with reactions like:

  • “No thanks, I’m not supporting bad censorship decisions.”
  • “It’s a game rated for teens; I don’t understand why the ESRB forced them to censor cleavage.”
  • “Why? Why the censorship?”
  • “Censorship doesn’t belong in entertainment.”
  • “Maybe it’s time to shut down the ESRB.”
  • “Censorship.”
  • “I’m going to print my own cover.”
  • “I’d love to hear directly why this was necessary. I bought the original cover art version, so I’m grateful, but doesn’t this make much sense? I’m not upset about the images—they’re beautiful. It’s just highly unnecessary. I kind of hope my spicier version becomes a collector’s item… not that I want this kind of thing, but it’s interesting.”
  • “I just wish the damn ESRB would die; they’re pointless.”
  • “Who gets offended by fake boobs? Honestly.”

The reasons why the ESRB requested the cover be censored are certainly strange. Let’s see if someone from the organization explains to fans why this censorship was “necessary.”

Meanwhile, you can buy Lodoss novels here.

via Voce Sabia Anime