Is anyoing else a little disappointed by the T rating?

[Nicol Bolas]

A lot more goes into it then just porn and gore. Certain language and dialogue used in the story can have a pretty good effect on the rating, all because of one little f bomb.

Rare is the game that actually needs an M-rating to properly communicate with the user. And if what we've seen of SC2 doesn't merit an M rating, based on whatever voodoo that the ESRB uses, then SC2 doesn't need one to properly communicate with the user.

Star Craft is the type of universe that needs an M rating, they can do it with a T but it will never be as good.

Really? What about the StarCraft universe requires whatever the ESRB determines merits an M rating?

This besides the obvious fact that bloody explosions are the most visually impacting way to communicate death.

Right. That's why Stephen Spielberg put all of those bloody explosions in Saving Private Ryan, rather than, you know, realistic death.

No, the most visually impacting way to communicate death is to show death as it would happen.

[Crazy_Jonny]

The original got a T, so whats the problem?

I think saying "I want an M rating" is a bit misguided in the sense that you think Blizzard consciously made the decision that they'll tone down or up a few things to make it happen - which may happen for Korea cuz it got the adult rating. That is up to the ESRB (or whatever you region rater is). Blizzard simply made the game the way they wanted, the ESRB looks at it, and gives it the rating.

The point I'm trying to make is the "M" rating doesn't mean dick when it comes to the maturity level of a game (I think it's a flaw in the ESRB itself). Look at Halo, then look at some other games in the "M" category. Halo is a PUSSY when it comes to the violence and other themes. Yet SC2 is probably way more ballsy, and still got the T rating despite the ability to decapitate marines, make alcoholic references, and the overall dark and depressing atmosphere. It's right up there with Mass Effect - and yet its not an M.

Now another thing you need to look at isn't the T, but the reasons for it -

- Blood and Gore
- Language
- Suggestive Themes
- Use of Alcohol or Tobacco
- Violence

I think all the ESRB did was look at the original and gave it the same rating. It's like giving Return to Oz a G.

Granted this could help sales, but could hurt Blizzard politically if you know what I mean.

[TheEconomist]

The difference between 'M' and 'T' isn't that much anymore. It used to be that 'M' games had a lot more violence but that's not so true anymore. Now, 'M' games usually just have more language or sex in the them.

I still believe in the Raynor x Kerrigan sex scene though. I must hold out hope!

[Maul]

It's rated M15+ in Australia which means it is recommended for persons aged 15 or older but anyone could purchase it. MA15+ is restricted to persons 15 or older, R18+ is restricted to adults 18 or older and X is for adults 18 or older and generally reserved for hardcore porn. RC is refused classification and generally consists of illegal material.

You can take that to the bank.

I think the original here was rated M15+ too, and by todays much lowered standards it would probably be PG13+ (parental guidance recommended). I'm indifferent to what a movie or game is rated, as long as it achieves its goal. StarCraft 2 with Jim Raynor addicted to doing good deeds and that scallywag Kerrigan interfering with his life rated G (E) wouldn't work. But he's got his alcohol problem, Zerg swarms, pissed off Protoss and a Terran dictator after him and there's plenty of bloodshed along the way. I think M15+ (T) is fine.

[//MavericK\\]

Well I voted T and not ashamed...

Two reasons...

1. E-sports

If we all want SC II to help truly build e-sports in the West, then we(Blizz and the community) have to get the younger generation involved now. If you think back...a lot of us were(myself included) teens when we started playing SCI.

Now I know that means we will have a bunch of little whiny 12 year old noobs talking trash on bnet for awhile. It's ok though. They will grow out of it.

A lot of us don't take the ratings system seriously, but there are a lot of parents out there who do. I don't want an entire crop of players to miss out. We want SCII to catch on like WoW has. And god willing...surpass it.

2. Money

It's kind of like most movies these days. Back when we were kids a series like LOTR would never have gotten a PG-13 rating. No way would Blizz ever allow an SC game to release with an M rating. Just wouldn't happen. They want as many eyeballs on this game as they can get.

[ChAoS]

In North America, I don't know why they bother with ratings above T. Do you know what my favorite video game was when I was 10? Conker's bad fur day. My parents never gave a shit about ratings and I never felt the need to go out n do anything that would get me put in jail (other then drugs, but what I do to myself is frankly none of the government's fucking business).

[TheEconomist]

B-B-B-B-But, I want Jim Raynor to be snorting cocaine whilst banging big booty chicks, cursing like a sailor, and shotgun blasting heads off! Oh yeah, and plenty of harsh humor and offensive comments.

[dustinbrowder]

shooting a marine and going red and shooting a marine and going a lot of red, is not determinant to the rating.
They judge it mostly by use of violence, no matter how much blood sprays from a zergling, use of drugs, alcohol, smokes, suggestive language or scenes, explicit content.

So the special effects have nothing to do with the rating and I don't mind in being T, M, E or whatever!

[TheEconomist]

The amount of blood (and realism of it) definitely has an effect on rating. At least in America.

[hyde]

Given that Mass Effect 2 was rated M, and had a nice variety of ethical choices proposed to the player. (Yes I know Mass Effect has Sex Scenes but I just like the options given to you as renenagade shepard )

It's almost a given that there's virtually little to no room in the "choices" you make as Raynor, or they are boring tactical choices such as "Merc A over Merc B".
<yawn> The Single player will probably play out like another typical streamlined single player game. Which is fine...because that's what Blizzard games are known for...but given that it is a T rating...it will be quite tame.