by Paul Robert Scott
By now, most of you will have no doubt watched the latest, jaw-dropping trailer for Arkham Knight. (And if you haven’t, what the hell have you been doing all this time?) In just two and a half minutes we are shown glimpses of Gotham in all its glory, together with the deadly adversaries Batman will encounter as he endeavours to save his city. It all looks rather wonderful, doesn't it? Indeed it did, and all this new magnificence now appears to be wrapped up with a neat little bow that says “M for Mature”, which for some reason seems to have picked up a fair amount of media attention.
By now, most of you will have no doubt watched the latest, jaw-dropping trailer for Arkham Knight. (And if you haven’t, what the hell have you been doing all this time?) In just two and a half minutes we are shown glimpses of Gotham in all its glory, together with the deadly adversaries Batman will encounter as he endeavours to save his city. It all looks rather wonderful, doesn't it? Indeed it did, and all this new magnificence now appears to be wrapped up with a neat little bow that says “M for Mature”, which for some reason seems to have picked up a fair amount of media attention.
For those who aren't aware, the E.S.R.B. or the Entertainment Software Rating Board is an independent regulatory body that was created in the mid-nineties. At that time of history, video games were going through a period of severe scrutiny by government and the general public, as games were trending becoming forms of entertainment for adults as well as children, and thus beginning to provide content that might have been considered unsuitable for younger audience members. Faced with the possibility of stricter government regulation, Nintendo, Sega, Electronic Arts and Acclaim, worked together to form their own independent system of regulation.
I'm sure that everyone will have come across a game, or at least a trailer that details the rating that the E.S.R.B. has decreed. The rating system has largely become the standard set in the States and Canada, while other nations have their own systems, such as Britain's own B.B.F.C. ratings, that are also applied to all film releases. Nevertheless, the E.S.R.B. rating will still more often than not appear as a game is loading, informing us, along side the logo, in a authoritative voice that a game is rated "T for teen" or "M for Mature"
So far, in the case of the Arkham franchise, every game so far, including Arkham Origins has received the Teen rating. This indicates that a game may contain a moderate amount of violence or suggestive themes and recommends that the game is suitable for players of thirteen years of age and over. Evidently then, it would appear that Rocksteady have stepped things up a bit as Arkham Knight has now been revealed to have a Mature rating. Most likely then, the game should contain a more intense and realistic level of violence and possibly stronger language and more overt sexual themes. According to Rocksteady themselves, they would have had an opportunity to scale down the games action a little, but felt that doing so would threaten the story that they have planned for us. This in itself promises that the game will very much fit in with dire situation Gotham finds itself in. Perhaps gangs will be brutally killing innocent civilians in front of you. Perhaps Batman will be more ruthless and step up his use of force. Or possibly the Arkham Knight himself warrants this increased rating for the part that he plays.
So far, in the case of the Arkham franchise, every game so far, including Arkham Origins has received the Teen rating. This indicates that a game may contain a moderate amount of violence or suggestive themes and recommends that the game is suitable for players of thirteen years of age and over. Evidently then, it would appear that Rocksteady have stepped things up a bit as Arkham Knight has now been revealed to have a Mature rating. Most likely then, the game should contain a more intense and realistic level of violence and possibly stronger language and more overt sexual themes. According to Rocksteady themselves, they would have had an opportunity to scale down the games action a little, but felt that doing so would threaten the story that they have planned for us. This in itself promises that the game will very much fit in with dire situation Gotham finds itself in. Perhaps gangs will be brutally killing innocent civilians in front of you. Perhaps Batman will be more ruthless and step up his use of force. Or possibly the Arkham Knight himself warrants this increased rating for the part that he plays.
There is of course another possibility. As this is the first (possibly last) Arkham game on the next generation consoles, it may simply be that the improved graphics of the game has prompted this move to a Mature rating. The E.S.R.B. rating is in fact decreed by the most graphic content the game has to offer, no matter how brief. This means that while it may seem possible that we will be greeted by a more intense Batman experience, it is also possibly down to either the improved visuals or a brief moment that would not have been seen in the previous games.
On the face of it then, the fact that Arkham City may have a higher rating has been seen in the gaming community as a good thing; indicating that the game will be grittier. But that needn't be the case. In fact, I think it is safe to say that gamers should not get their hopes up or base any kind of opinions based on a higher maturity rating. Though Rocksteady do say that they chose to keep the higher rating due to the story they want to tell, it is in no way an indication of quality. Ratings are purely there to ensure that you and your children are given guidance to ensure you are not exposed to content you do not wish to be exposed to. And while Batman is a violent superhero, he is ultimately a hero who does not kill, and why so far in the franchise the games have been rated Teen. I have no doubt that Rocksteady's Arkham Knight will be a fantastic thrill ride, but at the end of the day the ratings it is given will have no impact on the level of quality or how fun it is to play.
On the face of it then, the fact that Arkham City may have a higher rating has been seen in the gaming community as a good thing; indicating that the game will be grittier. But that needn't be the case. In fact, I think it is safe to say that gamers should not get their hopes up or base any kind of opinions based on a higher maturity rating. Though Rocksteady do say that they chose to keep the higher rating due to the story they want to tell, it is in no way an indication of quality. Ratings are purely there to ensure that you and your children are given guidance to ensure you are not exposed to content you do not wish to be exposed to. And while Batman is a violent superhero, he is ultimately a hero who does not kill, and why so far in the franchise the games have been rated Teen. I have no doubt that Rocksteady's Arkham Knight will be a fantastic thrill ride, but at the end of the day the ratings it is given will have no impact on the level of quality or how fun it is to play.
Rated "I" for informative
If you've not seen the latest Arkham trailer yet, you can watch it right here with us.
How do you feel about the different rating? Do you think a little too much focus might have been put on the change? Or are you looking forward to what the change of rating means for our hero?
Let us know in the comments below!
How do you feel about the different rating? Do you think a little too much focus might have been put on the change? Or are you looking forward to what the change of rating means for our hero?
Let us know in the comments below!
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