Normally, MMOs are rated T for Teen. This is so that a wide audience can play the game. However, The Elder Scrolls Online has received an M for Mature rating from the ESRB. I actually think this is a good thing.
In a post on the game’s Facebook page, they made the following statement:
The ESRB advised us that it has given The Elder Scrolls Online a Mature rating. While we may disagree with the ESRB’s determination, we do not plan to challenge the rating, and we are unwilling to change the game’s content to achieve a different rating. The game we have created is the one we want our fans to be able to play.
As a result of the ESRB rating, we are in the process of promptly updating everything with the required rating and age gates, including game trailers, web sites, and ads. Thanks for your understanding. We can’t wait to welcome players into The Elder Scrolls Online soon.
This could be really good for the game experience. Sure, it will be restricting for those underage fans who want to get in on the action. However, it should help to ensure that the gamers are actually “mature” and behave like adults in the online environment. That’s often the gripe about MMOs, right? They’re filled with kids who troll and behave like idiots – so can we expect a better community if the game is rated M? Maybe.
At least it also means that the content of the game can be more adult themed – perhaps it can take more of a turn towards being like The Witcher. I’m getting excited for this game, and to be honest, the mature rating actually makes me more excited.
Last Updated: January 23, 2014
Jaded_Reprobate
January 23, 2014 at 10:18
i don’t think the rating has any bearing… from previous experience these kids play no matter what the age rating of a game is…
and it’s not always the youngsters that act like tools, unfortunately
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 23, 2014 at 10:20
Indeed dude, you are spot on there
Hammersteyn
January 23, 2014 at 10:32
We had a troll in TR who purposefully killed us because he didn’t get to blow up the SCU. So we took turns in reviving him and killing him or if he spawned at the spawn room we had guys waiting for him. This went on till her left the area swearing like a pirate and threatening to report us. Still waiting.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 23, 2014 at 10:35
Good on you!
I once had an experience with a guy who kept on shooting ALL his team members, we caught on fast and did the same as you
TiMsTeR1033
January 23, 2014 at 10:44
Had that happen on Halo more than I can count! flipping kids, one rides over the other by mistake (clearly saw it) then stars shooting all team mates and thus loosing the match.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 23, 2014 at 10:54
In all the 196 hours I have played Planetside 2, I only had this type of incident 3 times. I call that a win
Hammersteyn
January 23, 2014 at 10:54
Yeah, it’s very rare but it happens now and then
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
January 23, 2014 at 10:38
GG
TiMsTeR1033
January 23, 2014 at 10:24
Due to bad parenting skills, that’s why there are so many little shits playing games they shouldn’t even see let alone play..
Jaded_Reprobate
January 23, 2014 at 10:29
and then these “parents” have the gall to blame games/gaming for the little shits they can’t control…
TiMsTeR1033
January 23, 2014 at 10:30
exactly! I mean On games like Halo and Bf, I don’t know how many high pitched voices I have heard! Then On games like Gta online Heard a few there aswell. Madness how parents think games are all okay sometimes.
Jaded_Reprobate
January 23, 2014 at 10:39
the language i hear from some of the kids on CoD would make a sailor blush dude…
if i was caught using language like that at their age… my ol’ man would’ve whipped my ass…
RinceThis2014
January 23, 2014 at 10:43
Ya. Were you with us when we played that 12 year old?! OVG was like, you sounds 8! And he was like, I’m not! I’m 12!
TiMsTeR1033
January 23, 2014 at 10:43
What game was this?
RinceThis2014
January 23, 2014 at 10:50
GTAV
TiMsTeR1033
January 23, 2014 at 10:51
Nope I missed that one, I wish I was there lol
Gareth L (That Guy)
January 23, 2014 at 15:55
Part of the problem is that the parents simply don’t know that games have age restrictions. They’re still completely under the impression that “games are for kids”, and get outraged when these kids toys feature violence and sex.
It’s still not a point that’s made its way into the everyday world. Just listen to any radio DJ comment on video games and you’ll want to bash your head into the desk.
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 23, 2014 at 10:20
I’m pleased Bethesda decided to stick with the content the way it is instead of making it kid-friendlier. Not that I’ll play it, but because they’ve stuck to their vision of the game.
Lourens Jordaan
January 23, 2014 at 10:20
This: “They’re filled with kids who troll and behave like idiots” and this: “They’re filled with idiots who troll and behave like kids” is actually the same thing. “Mature” won’t change this.
Brenz
January 23, 2014 at 10:28
The rating wont change anything with regards to the community, same people will play regardless.
I am happy that they stuck to their guns and didnt change the game to lower the rating, that is promising news, thinking of the fans and not the potential loss of sales.
Hammersteyn
January 23, 2014 at 10:29
Ratings are cosmetic dressing at best. It gives the industry deniability from angry parents who has to explain to their kids why Commander Shepard was kissing another man or why The biker from ride to hell is grinding the lady with their clothes on.
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 23, 2014 at 10:34
I assumed Sheppard was trying to suck out venom from a snake bite & the biker was trying to squeeze past her on the way to the bar but got stuck. :/
Hammersteyn
January 23, 2014 at 10:39
Bwahahahaha
RinceThis2014
January 23, 2014 at 10:33
Great, expect more remarks like ‘I took an arrow to YOUR MOM AND SISTER TOGETHER LAST NIGHT!’
Jaded_Reprobate
January 23, 2014 at 10:34
‘that’s a nice looking axe wound’…
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 23, 2014 at 10:34
At least you can respond with, “An arrow, or a lawn dart?”
RinceThis2014
January 23, 2014 at 10:35
Or a LANCE! BOOM!
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 23, 2014 at 10:35
I don’t like to brag.
RinceThis2014
January 23, 2014 at 10:34
This will ruin it for adults I am afraid. Those wanting to take it serious are going to be inundated with young kids whose parents care not for ratings. It has a dragon on the front cover, must be for children!
TiMsTeR1033
January 23, 2014 at 10:45
hahahaha! Funny thing is some people may see it like that!
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
January 23, 2014 at 10:35
Judging by parents who allow their 12 year old kids to play GTA, I don’t see this rating remving the teen factor here
Unavengedavo
January 23, 2014 at 10:37
I don’t care what people say, I am excited about this game. Just hope it lives up to the hype
Rock789
January 23, 2014 at 10:44
From what I’ve seen recently, an “M for Mature” rating is, nowadays, just a suggestion… Kids always find a way (hell, some just ask for the game and the parentals willing oblige, warnings and all).
On another note, I am really keen to see how this game turns out. I’m a HUGE Elder Scrolls fan, so I’m really hoping Bethesda can pull this off with aplomb!
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 23, 2014 at 10:47
One thing that may reduce the number of kids is that it has a monthly subscription.
Unavengedavo
January 23, 2014 at 10:49
Just had a look at their newest video, the gameplay actually looks awesome!
http://elderscrollsonline.com/en/news/post/2014/01/21/dev-play-session–group-content
RinceThis2014
January 23, 2014 at 10:59
Agreed. I will be the mage! What is your preference?
Rock789
January 23, 2014 at 11:13
Definitely Warrior of some type… I love running in, sword swinging! 🙂
RinceThis2014
January 23, 2014 at 11:17
Cool 🙂 And Jason will be the beserker 😉
Kensei Seraph Moe Ninja
January 23, 2014 at 11:25
I call dibs on ninja.
RinceThis2014
January 23, 2014 at 11:31
Are you on Xbox? 🙂
Kensei Seraph Moe Ninja
January 23, 2014 at 12:03
No. PC. I prefer using a mouse for all FPS games.
Lizzard
January 23, 2014 at 10:48
I love this. I only hope that to some extent it does work. With this I may actually consider getting it. Nice find Zoe!
TiMsTeR1033
January 23, 2014 at 10:50
Remember this??
http://m.cdn.blog.hu/na/napigeek/image/13/tumblr_mt8sqg6wKn1r5zq6ao1_250.gif
TiMsTeR1033
January 23, 2014 at 10:54
A shocking video
Unavengedavo
January 23, 2014 at 11:18
“It’s called parenting” Exactly!!!
JustAnotherGamer
January 23, 2014 at 11:31
What is this? Is this even real?
oVg
January 23, 2014 at 12:59
This should be shown at the Super Bowl sponsored by the American Government.
But we all know that will never happen.
Matthew Holliday
January 23, 2014 at 11:22
Does this mean more nude mods? derp
JustAnotherGamer
January 23, 2014 at 11:27
I’m calling it now – this game is going to fail harder than Star Wars TOR.
TiMsTeR1033
January 23, 2014 at 11:28
But you’re just another Gamer.. why should we listen to you?? 😛
JustAnotherGamer
January 23, 2014 at 11:31
And youre a Timster version 1003? What is that? A dust bin? A toaster? A programmable sex toy? A coffee maker or are you a fancy calculator? 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 23, 2014 at 11:37
It’s definitely not a spell checker.
Weanerdog
January 23, 2014 at 11:39
I lol’d so hard right now.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 23, 2014 at 11:45
lol, you bastard, now I have coffee all over my keyboard. Hahahaha!
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 23, 2014 at 11:50
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 23, 2014 at 11:50
TEH UPVOTES, all for you!
Unavengedavo
January 23, 2014 at 11:49
SWTOR failed pretty hard, but they also tried to be too much of a WoW clone than actually do their own thing. TESO on the other hand is trying to do something completely different, and from what I’ve seen, it looks like they are doing a pretty good job.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
January 23, 2014 at 12:41
I’m with you. I think this game is gonna bomb. First 6 months will be busy, it’ll crash after that.
Kromas
January 23, 2014 at 14:58
That is why I am betting on Wild Star and not this.
Chris
January 23, 2014 at 17:25
Another Paul Tassi wannabe
William Francis
January 23, 2014 at 11:55
The Biggest Lie of being an adult is that people will actually act like adults. I’ve seen 35 year old men lose their shit and turn into 8 year olds without their lollipop
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 23, 2014 at 12:07
Are you talking about Rince here?
William Francis
January 23, 2014 at 13:18
0.0 maybe. . . . .
oVg
January 23, 2014 at 12:58
18+ because children do not have access to Credit Cards for the real money auction bullshit and micro transactions.
FoXTiSiTY
January 23, 2014 at 13:04
Today’s life and times does not care about the ESRB ratings… Children will still find a way to play this game, and the parents will even help the child i.e. registering under parents name, and letting child play the game. I’ve seen countless times children at the age of 8 – 16 which goes to computer game stores (not specifying which stores exactly) and walks out with 16+ and 18+ games which the parents bought them. The world has come to a stage where people just don’t care anymore.
Kromas
January 23, 2014 at 14:57
You just explained the birth of the CoD kiddy.
rr3r3rr
January 27, 2015 at 11:50
Where is this wonderful fantasy world you live in,where a mature rating on a game magically wards away children?