'Stellar Blade' Director Responds After Patch Censors Holiday Rabbit Outfit

'Stellar Blade' director Hyung Tae-Kim claims the censored version of Eve's Holiday Rabbit outfit was what he always intended to release.

[blackblades]

What they should do, is just like the hair option make it an option to have it either way of your personal choosing. I blame the sensitive media and the perverts throwing the images of her assets around the web.

[Christopher]

You do realize that much of these changes like this aren't to appease the sensitive media, it's about the ratings boards.

[Dixiedevil]

The game that’s on the disc is what was rated.

[RNTody]

Yes, we're only allowed to see Sydney Sweeney's cleavage, not pixelated boobies.

[fr0sty]

Every update and DLC must also go through the ESRB.

"
How does the ESRB rate downloadable content (DLC) or other content updates that supplement a game or app?

Downloadable content (DLC) often refers to additional content that supplements or extends a previously-rated product. In most cases, the rating assigned to a game also applies to its DLC. However, if the DLC content exceeds the rating assigned to the “core” product, it must be submitted, and a different rating may be assigned to the DLC.

Should the ESRB find DLC or other update that is incompatible with the original rating, the developer and appropriate digital storefronts will be notified of a change to the rating for the DLC or, in the case where the update is required, a rating change for the core product."

If anything takes it beyond a M rating, it gets booted from any of the big 3 console makers' stores. Keep in mind ESRB only applies to the USA, other countries have their own rating systems, some of which are even more strict.

[Cacabunga]

Women are almost naked in most ads on tv, but a game rated for adults is a problem.. i hate double standards

[blackblades]

That's bull shyt then why the F* all these other games has sex in it and nudity. Only thing stella had covered up was a little bit of cleavage. Cleavage is a normal thing in the world. Only thing I can see that they wanted everyone one to experience the same thing so the west had to be censored to meet the same standards as the other countries. As I said there shouldve been a option for us toggle it and have it locked for those other countries. If steam can have the option for the individual to choose so can Sony and these devs

[Eonjay]

You guys do realize this outfit, even before the edit, is pretty tame compared to what's on offer here?

[MrDead]

Three articles form the worse game sites I've ever had the misfortune of clicking on posted to N4G about this... I guess when you have no journalistic skills you got to rely on clickbait.

The game has an outfit that has her almost completely nude, if that doesn't make you happy then go watch some porn you sad t***s

[Abear21]

I get this take, but we should be a mature enough society where a happy medium should be able to exist without people losing their shit. I think some light nudity should be allowed, like a shirtless mode in NG+

Porno shouldn’t be considered the alternative, some of us can appreciate the human form without getting aroused or needing release. Art has long embraced the human form, it’s like people don’t go to museums anymore, you’d be surprised at how accepting we once were.

[shinoff2183]

That's not true though. There's always been people with issues about something.

[Michiel1989]

you're free to play their mobile game where the gameplay is literally looking at some anime girls asses. It's called Nikke and it's absolute dogshit.

I have no issues with chars like this but I do not want or need shirtless modes in my games. Leave it to the modders or something.

[isarai]

It's a game made by adults, rated for adults, yet you're fine with someone stepping in and shielding your eyes, telling you what you can and cant handle? Especially when every other medium out there has the freedom and respect to make whatever they want with their only limitations being what rating they want to land in. There's straight SMUT sold off shelves of franchised stores with huge advertisements 3 iles away from the kids section when it comes to films and books. Why don't games get the same freedoms?

This is what people are tired of, it's dumb and honestly insulting to the mostly grown adults that make up the gaming audience.

[Redemption-64]

No, this is nothing, but pure ignorance and stupidity. The game director himself this is what they wanted to do, yet triggered snowflakes say this is censorship. It's almost like these people made-up their own narrative and since the truth from the director doesn't fit that narrative, they double down. Pathetic. If you don't like the director of the game being able to make such edits to their own game, then don't support them. This is not censorship, just a group of man babies crying the devs added 6 inches to a lace, while somehow leave more revealing outfits in the game.

[isarai]

@Redemotiin-64

That's the PR speak, you think he's really gonna admit to censorship? Especially after just marketing the game on being completely uncensored in every region? It was damage control, if you can't spot the most obvious "uh no i totally meant to do that" excuse, you need to socialize more bro. And also im not supporting it, still doesn't mean I can't criticize this dumb practice. I don't even get how you can sut here and act like this isn't censorship given PlayStation's recent track record.

[Michiel1989]

@redemption the devs didnt wanna censor it, I can assure you that. Their other game had you looking at backshots of anime girls in thongs during gameplay, if you can even call it gameplay.

[MrDead]

...have you seen this game? There's nothing wrong with nudity, and you get everything you want and more seeing some of the NPC's in it. What is there to complain about? This is nothing but outrage bait to stir up tater tots into having a breakdown because the lady dress-up has a cleavage mesh?!? You can dress her up in an outfit that you can see everything but inside her.

[shinoff2183]

Mr dead. Spot on

[gigoran8]

So you think that all women wearing revealing tops are porn stars and should s s-shamed? Got it. that's all you had to say MrDead

[MrDead]

The game has an outfit that is basically nude, what else do you want? Do you want to see inside her, what else do you want? The game has what people want in spades yet some still complain like teenagers... and there's the matter of the developer has also stated that nothing has been compromised.

The game has what you are complaining about.

[Jin_Sakai]

I’m sick of all the censoring BS! Just let a sexy main character be sexy.

[Redemption-64]

There is no censorship. If this is what the devs wanted to do, why is this censorship? Can you explain why they left more revealing outfits? I have yet to see a single person explain why they added 6 inches to a lace and left far more revealing outfits

[ravens52]

I know your not that naive. Of course hed say that after all this backlash. I'm sure that's what Sony told him to say.

[Redemption-64]

@ravens52

So you are telling me, Sony somehow missed all the other more revealing outfits and forced Shift up to put 6 inches of lace on this? Wow, mission accomplished 👏 , that is some high level censorship right there. What is funny is, you idiots would have believed him if he said the opposite. Only reason you and your are crying is because what he said doesn't fit the lies you people have cooked up in your heads. Pathetic

[MrDead]

If they wanted to censor the game why didn't they do it to any of the far more revealing outfits on the main player and NPC's?

[kythlyn]

I'm more bothered by the bait and switch of the messaging and advertising than the change itself. The game still has an abundance of fan service, but clearly there have been changes made, and Sony needs to stop meddling across the board, not just in this, but in countless games they force developers to make conservative changes to.

[badz149]

You seriously blaming Sony for this? The snowflake loud minorities are the ones to be blamed. They aren't happy until they make every protagonist ugly and gay which is sad. Mind you, this is Shift Up first major console release. Can't blame them they don't want to upset anybody but all these sensoring and changes to please these snowflakes have gone too far imo. If you don't like it, don't play it! Stop trying to ruin it for the others just because you're pathetic and got triggered by everything!

[GameBoyColor]

i mean if sony is the one forcing the changes I think it's fair to blame them. Sony could easily just not censor it but they have a track record with telling companies what to do with their games now.

I think you should be more mad at a company bending the knee instead of the consumers with your mindset lmfao

[Levii_92]

Dude Sony IS a snowflake(hate using that word) company 😂 they are pathetic when it comes to this stuff and i’m 100% sure they forced this shit on the Shift Up devs.

[ZeekQuattro]

Yes because Sony has a history of meddling with games that deal in fan service. Not much of stretch to believe they might have a hand in this.

[Kinza55012]

You do realize Sony has been notorious for their censorship policy for years, no? lol

[badz149]

I am aware of their censorship antics but they are mostly to avoid backlash from the snowflakes

[CrimsonWing69]

It’s just disingenuous. You don’t come out riding this campaign of not censoring only to censor. Sony is a piece of sh*t when it comes to this and people are getting f*cking tired of this.

Censoring this game isn’t going to make the SJW whiners do a 180 and support the game. There’s this thing called balance, let that crowd have games for them and let other people enjoy a hot chick kicking alien ass. The game is the game it is and it’s M-Rated for crying out loud. Why do we even have ratings if you’re just going censor M-rated content? You see more skin on the beach in reality than you do in the uncensored outfits in this game.

Not only that but they censored the blood. Like how does Mortal Kombat or Bloodborne get a pass? How come Baldur’s Gate 3 can show full on frontal nudity and explicit sexual content, but a game with NO nudity, NO sexual content, but only skimpy outfits gets censored?

Enough is enough, Sony. Cut it out with this bullsh*t. Dont treat your audience like they’re 4 year olds that big momma Sony has to cover their eyes.

[XxSPIDEYxX]

Typical.

Creator - This is what I want!
Gamers - It's Sonys fault! Trust Me.

[Redemption-64]

It's just easier for them to lie to themselves Sony is forcing the change, just so they can reject what the creator is saying. It's honestly pathetic

[Nacho_Z]

Weak excuse, it's nonsense to try and claim the censored version was the one he wanted all along. Absolutely nothing to stop him from launching with it if that was the case. What a load of BS.

[Aphrodia]

They really are taking us for complete idiots at this point.

[Knightofelemia]

Here I was expecting a full bunny costume like a Playboy Bunny. I have Ram and Rem figures like that. But all I see is a one piece bathing suit. And censoring a bathing suit because of showing some cleavage please. There are women out in the real world, on beaches, in gyms, walking down the street, going to bars who wear worse then that. And show more then that. Like going to a gym and wearing the tightest Lulu Lemon yoga pants and a sports bra doing squats. Or turn on Twitch and see Amouranth doing squats in a bikini and making her chest shake for bits, subs, and donations. The down to Earth bookworm nerdy looking girl look I like. I'll still play the game but again I really hate it when someone takes it upon themselves to censor shit from a game for me. I paid money for a rated M game not a T for Teen game.

[Asterphoenix]

It's stupid they have rating boards deciding this it's R18 so they should be able release it in its normal form with other western games having sex scenes is ok.

It's just Sony California and people are tired of their bias Last of Us 2 Abby sex scene is ok and this is not.

[FACTUAL evidence]

Lmao what the heck are game ratings for anymore. I can’t with this anymore smh. Hey “parent” see that square on the bottom left of the game case? Yeah, not Elmo’s world friendly.

[Umb]

I think it has more to do with the triggered gaming journo than the parents. Because it's a day one patch, the public would not have played the game but the reviews would have with getting the game early.
There's talk that it may have to do with IGN and Kotaku because they were already triggered by Eve's looks not confirming the the western dev uglification of the female

[Droppedez]

Check out the Free Stellar Blade petition if you all hate this kind of censorship.

[Gameseeker_Frampt]

Why is it that those who complain about people telling video game developers what to do are the first ones to create petitions telling video game developers what to do?

Everything that everyone raved about for months is still in Stellar Blade, but now that one costume was changed those pushing Stellar Blade have lost their minds. It's as if the narrative they created doesn't actually exist and they cannot cope. Do you really think that Sony, who paid millions for this game, didn't have a say at all during the entire production of the game? People are acting like the first time Sony saw the game was when the review copies went out.

Everything you were drooling about in Stellar Blade, Sony executives saw first. Sex sells and Sony knew what they wanted when they paid big for Stellar Blade.

[gold_drake]

the game is rated M, 18+ overseas, why do things like these happen? sure he did say it was intented that way but come on.
i hate censorship so much, whats the point being an adult if i still have someone tell me i need to be shelterd lol

[Chocoburger]

I don't believe for one second this is how he intended it to be. It would have been stopped and changed before the outfit was completed if that was the case. Now that its been changed, offer us the chance to have BOTH versions, and it would stop any issues and debates regarding the subject entirely. Let us pick the version WE want, not what YOU want.

[Games1st]

Meh just wait for the PC mod.

[GhostMirror]

It isn’t just this outfit, they also censored the blood that sprays all over Eve after she finishes a boss.

And what the hell is up with the “Hard R” thing? Does anyone actually believe a Korean studio knowingly put that in there based on some obscure Urban Dictionary bullshit about it being code for the N-word? 🙄

Pretty ridiculous for a game that was promised to not have censorship sneaking it into a patch on day one.

[Armyofdarkness]

The 2 people that’s pissed about this needs to chill. The other skinsuits are still in unedited. Why in the fuck would they censor ONE outfit?

[Redemption-64]

I am still waiting for all these people to explain why Sony didn't censor the more revealing outfits. These people are just desperately to play victim

[Fonsecap]

It's funny how people today say that they have a mind of their own and think for themselves but than they let themselves to be blinded and shielded against things that others decide that it's not suitable for them and they are ok with it. We have war today in Ukraine and Gaza and some people say that we have to prepare ourselves for the worst but god forbid people can handle a game with a doll, which is not a real person, with some provocative clothing and wiggle animations, well, something is very wrong with this picture. We have to stop polarization matters and get some middle ground, in this case if you like them game play it if you don't, don't play it, if like your character covered there are some clothing options for it and if you don't there are some options too, find your own middle ground and make your own choices, don't let others decide for you. Sorry if my English is not correct, it's not my native language.

[anast]

Sony made this decision.

[InUrFoxHole]

Why are there no articles about how the game play is? From what I've seen this is a base game that's more talked about it's look.

[ZeekQuattro]

The devs that worked on this over the course of the last 6 years are probably asking the same question.

[Hugodastrevas]

Check the reviews to know about the gameplay. This is about the game being censored.

[Aaroncls7]

man, sony f***ng sucks

[Hugodastrevas]

Gotta love the gaslighting "why do you care?" "It's just a bit of fabric", "do you really need to see digital naked women that much?". I bought the game, it's rated for adults, it was advertised as not being censored. I want the product I bought to be as advertised. That's it, I don't need moral busybodies to decide for me what's ok and what's not after I've purchased the product.
You can have your uncensored ugly women in tlou2 being railed from behind or your bestiality in BG3, so let other people have what they purchased.

[Solitariussaint]

So then don't download the patch. Some people keep bitching about this but there's nothing to complain about since the disk version is unchanged without the patch.

[got_dam]

Maybe they will add a microtransaction. Pay $5 to get some cleavage. Not saying that's good. Commenting on how cynical the industry as become. I remember when the warhammer total war games sold blood as a microtransaction. Dirty.

[DafunkyRebel]

People just lack critical thinking skills if they think this was censorship. Use your brain for a sec and think. If they wanted to censor why did they bother keeping the outfit in the game, and why did they let you have a bikini out fit that is WAY more revealling? The moment I bring the latter up it destroy any arguments these people have and it makes them look bad. Another thing you need to think about is why the black fitting on the cleavage has artistic design instead of just a simple black strip of cloth? Maybe its because it was meant to be there to enhance the appeal of the costume in general and peopel simply are too lacking of mind to think about it in that perspective