Void Interactive has made adjustments to its game, Ready or Not, in order to ensure its release on PS5 and Xbox. The changes include modifications to violence, nudity, and mistreatment of children, aiming to meet the requirements set by first-party partners. These alterations have also affected the PC version to some extent.
In an announcement on Steam, the development team mentioned that these adjustments led to the game receiving age ratings from various organizations. Despite these changes, the team assures players that the essence of the game remains intact and faithful to the original vision.
The decision to tweak the PC version was driven by the complexities of maintaining multiple versions with varying assets and mechanics. The team highlighted the challenges of ensuring consistency across different platforms to support multiplayer functionality effectively. Any disparities in assets could potentially lead to compatibility issues.
Player-induced dismemberment remains a significant aspect of the game; however, its occurrence has been restricted. The team also toned down character art involving torture and increased the level of modesty for certain characters. Additionally, adjustments were made to scenes depicting violence against children to align with certification standards.
Despite the changes, the development team assures that the alterations are subtle and mainly pertain to explicit content and nudity, with minimal impact on the PC version. Certain in-game elements related to sensitive themes have been censored specifically for the console release.
Following the announcement of these modifications, some fans expressed discontent by review-bombing the game on Steam, criticizing the perceived censorship. Ready or Not is scheduled for release on consoles in mid-July 2025.
Prior to these changes, Void Interactive faced challenges when the publisher for Ready or Not withdrew support shortly after confirming controversial content involving a school shooting mission. The game initially launched in early access but encountered setbacks related to its content, leading to a shift in publisher and temporary removal from distribution.
The alterations made to Ready or Not underscore the ongoing debate surrounding censorship, artistic freedom, and industry standards. Balancing creative vision with market requirements remains a complex issue for developers, particularly when adapting games for different platforms.
As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, discussions around content moderation, player engagement, and platform compatibility are likely to persist. Developers must navigate these challenges while striving to deliver compelling and immersive gaming experiences that resonate with diverse audiences.
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