Yes, seriously. In what may be the most arbitrary and silly decision yet made by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, Destructoid has been asked to remove a launch trailer we posted for Ninja Gaiden II in May 2008. Despite the fact that nobody on this site has even thought about that trailer for a year, it was deemed a threat to society and has now been removed.
Even more amusing is the fact that we embedded a Gametrailers video in the aforementioned post, a video that is now dead and doesn't work. Apparently, even posting evidence that the trailer once existed is enough to incur the wrath of the ESRB Gods.
Out of consideration for Microsoft, we've complied. However, the ESRB must surely realize just how ridiculous it looks with these apparently randomly decisions. A tough job it most certainly has, but these kind of situations are just farcical and makes the ESRB look clueless at best, insane at worst. We are now removing a trailer that is a year old and that nobody except the ESRB cares out, which has also helped draw attention to a long-forgotten video that people will probably now want to see and track down.
Logic, thy name is ESRB.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
9:30 PM on 04.23.2009
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Guess the ESRB realized it was just a little TOO tittilating, and has finally stepped in and saved me from myself. I'm so weak!
Thank you ESRB, thank you for ridding the internet of that sick filth!
Also, what would the repercussions have been had Destructoid not been so docile and agreeable?
Time to remove that vid from my bookmarks
We were asked by Microsoft representatives to remove the trailer on behalf of the ESRB's wishes. The ESRB has no power over blogs and the media, so it bullies publishers and developers into making the requests. Out of consideration for MS, we've pulled it. Had the ESRB just tried to threaten us directly, well, they can't. That's why they basically hold a gun to other peoples' heads.
Whatever it is it causes a huge case of "the stupids"
The ESRB poses no threat to nor has any power over Dtoid. However, it DOES have power over Microsoft and while we may criticize MS for any number of things, we're not in the business of forcing MS to pay a fine to the ESRB for absolutely retarded reasons. It would be assholish of us to do so. Unfortunately, the ESRB knows this and exploits the fact that blogs aren't all complete cunts.
Must say, I'm a bit disappointed.
THE FUCK?
We removed a dead link to a video that doesn't even exist, and we did so because we don't want Microsoft unfairly punished. MS asked us nicely, and we complied. I don't think it's that disappointing.
Can't say I'd ever watched it before but thanks for recommending it ESRB!
eh, doesn't interest me. also -- i've seen far more brutal trailers than that.
What type of bullshit is this?
Sure, taking down the video is no big deal but 'out of consideration for microsoft'? Really? You talk shit about them and how they nickle and dime us in every post! And you dont want them to be fined by the ESRB? How considerate.
Yee of little mind, you see in the real world dtoid gets a lot of exclusive content from MS, if dtoid were to just say "Fuck you MS were not taking it down its old!" how do you think that makes dtoid look to MS? Next time an exclusive comes along MS will just pass the information on to another gaming site and dtoid misses out, this is a business after all not some revolution.
But the ESRB are not the ones who asked for the link to be removed... well they DID but they asked indirectly through MS probably because they knew dtoid wouldn't bother listening to them. I'm sure had the ESRB directly contacted DToid and asked the link to be removed they would of probably got a nice "Go fuck yourself" in return.
Problem with trying to remove the ESRB and replacing it could turn it into a political issue. Having to find a suitable replacement and trying to hold off the government using the internal strife as a reason for the government to personally rate and restrict games is two wars that should not be fought at the same time.
I'm going to start a voluntary group that watches over youtube videos. And if we vote a video to stupid, we will fine youtube.
Could I make a living doing that?
The cached version still exists :)
They only issue this bullshit because they can. As soon as they die of old age maybe we can abolish Stupid in positions of authority.
What would happen if you didn't comply? Could they sue microsoft? Do they really have the power to do that? Why are they so annoying? Who are these people?
Protip: Fucking with a company's money and/or ability to work with us is not smart business.
Protip: Fucking with a company's money and/or ability to work with us is not smart business.
And how the heck can Destructoid stay independent of the primary developers out there? Even independents have to keep good relations with the people they get their info and interviews from. It's not like they asked them to remove a live link to an active video...