Hatred to be first Adults Only rated game to get a release

Controversial murder-em-up Hatred has become only the second game to receive the Adults Only rating by America’s Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

The AO rating will automatically exclude the game from being released on major consoles and many high street chains will also not stock stock games with this rating. Of course this won’t harm the games release on Steam, where it has already been Greenlit despite originally being pulled from the service until Valve chief boss fighter entered the debate.

Speaking on the game’s forum,  developers Destructive Creations stated…

“We would prefer to get a standard M rating, because with AO we will have problems to get to consoles in the future, but on the other hand I think you guys (our fans) would be disappointed with it… …I’m curious what PEGI will give us… …Even if this violence isn’t really that bad and this harsh language is not overused. The guy from ESRB (very nice, polite and cooperative) told me it’s all about ‘the context’ which people they’re testing gameplay video on will see.”

The only other game to receive the Adults Only rating was the unreleased Playstation title Thrill Kill. Other games such as Rockstar’s Manhunt were initially rated AO, but the developers made cuts to the game to ensure reclassification to the lesser ‘Mature’ rating.

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