Betheseda's stupid self censoring

Post by **EnderDragonFire** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 1:26 am

Bethesda was more than a little paranoid when they made Fallout 3. I am sure we have all heard of the controversy over removing Mr. Burke (and therefor the tenpenny house) from the Japanese version. And everyone knows that German government hates gore in video games, and Bethesda obliged them. But the thing that really bothers me is one you might not know about. Brahmin.

You see, to avoid potentially offending Hindus (such as myself) Bethesda took it upon themselves not to release the game in India. Why? Because the cows are called Brahmin. You see, Brahmin are religious leaders in India. So at first it might seem like a logical thing for them to do. But the issue could be resolved with a few lines of re-recorded dialog and a single string of text.

Post by **cosmicdataworld** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 1:55 am

Maybe Because Mormons Dont Play Video Games? lol i'm just playing Mormons you know i love ya.

but in all seriousness. i think they was just being lazy and didnt wanna work on Editing as it was on it's way out the door?

Post by **TrickyVein** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 3:32 am

And the Fat Man was renamed in the Japanese version of the game.

Approaching international distribution of a AAA title with some sensitivity to other cultures when that translates into sales doesn't seem that stupid.

Post by **Raubkopiesäbel** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:53 am

The German government has nothing to do with censorship. The USK "The Entertainment Software Self-Regulation" evaluates the games in a body moved out. These are not any office types who have never seen a video game, but normal players who have applied for it. Wen youth Endangered content is found, for example, extreme depiction of violence and mutilation of human or human-like creatures, as that's the case in Fallout 3, these games will not get any share in Germany. There is a report sent to the publisher why this game will not get any share. The publisher then decide for themselves whether to send a modified version of the game and have them tested.

As for me, I'm not a fan of censorship of any kind. Fortunately, the German version can easily be made Uncut.

Greeting

Post by **Puppettron** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:33 pm

well, that explain a lot. in the us, it's usually shorthanded to "german gov't hates things". thanks for the insight.

Post by **EnderDragonFire** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 3:02 am

But completely refusing to sell a game in a country that want's the game IS stupid. The fact is, India is just as modern as any western nations, at least as far as media sensitivity is concerned. And India also has a large gaming community.

Basically, they are patronizing the Hindu religion. They are basically saying "we won't release the game because we might offend the Hindus" that, in itself, is very belittling. If you are not scared to get your hands dirty with Christianity, why are you afraid to talk about my religion

Post by **Risewild** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 5:44 am

Maybe it just comes out of ignorance, maybe they have no idea how open minded people are in India so they decided not to risk it, maybe they also thought that not only the name Brahmin but also have two headed cows could be offensive in some way (because of cows being sacred and all)?

Bethesda like playing it safe I guess, they are fast to sue so they might be fast to think they will be sued, maybe?

I really had no idea before this thread that the games weren't sold in India, so I guess I am a bit ignorant too .

Well it's their loss and I guess unfair to players in India too .

Post by **Puppettron** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 4:06 pm

players have less to do with decisions like that than governments. microsoft said they weren't going to release it in india on the xbox 360 due to cultural sensitivities.

the changes made to the japanese version allowed it to be released, as the rating people there were going to ban it and the changes allowed it to have a Adult Only rating.

also, interesting to note, part of what got fo3 allowed in australia was removing animations for taking all the drugs, which you may note don't currently exist in the game. which you didn't notice before now, i'm betting.

Post by **sesom** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 4:38 pm

Actually no drug animations where removed. These where gone earlier because of the game flow (at least the Stimpack one afaik, follower still use it sometimes).

What was changed was the name of the drugs for Australia (and not only for them). For example was Morphine in the game as in the originals.

Also was there a "healing" animation for doctors at some point in development. Which explains also the strange scripting for them.

Post by **KeltecRFB** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 4:58 pm

There should be an international law against watering down Fallout. The raunchiness and political incorrectness of Fallout is its trademark just like it is in The Walking Dead. Without it, it will be the end of the genre.

After all, World War is hell and the only thing that comes close to it in damage potential is a Super Volcano eruption depending on the severity of either.