Ready or Not Adjusts Violence & Nudity for Console Launch
▼ Summary
– Void Interactive adjusted Ready or Not’s console version to meet certification requirements, including reducing gore, nudity, and violence against children, with some changes also affecting the PC version.
– The game secured an 18+ rating (PEGI 18/USK 18/ESRB M) and passed console certification on its first submission, with changes staying true to the original tone.
– Maintaining identical assets across PC and console versions ensures crossplay functionality and reduces bugs, justifying some PC adjustments.
– Violence against children was toned down, such as altering a child’s animation from convulsive to unconscious, while illicit child-related evidence was censored only on consoles.
– Fans criticized the changes as “censorship,” leading to Steam review-bombing, and Void Interactive lost its publisher after confirming a school shooting mission in the game.
The console version of Ready or Not has undergone several adjustments to meet platform certification requirements, including toned-down violence, altered nudity, and modified depictions of child endangerment. Developer Void Interactive confirmed these changes were necessary to secure an ESRB M-rating and pass certification for its upcoming PlayStation and Xbox launch. While the core experience remains intact, some alterations may also affect the PC version to maintain consistency across platforms.
In a recent Steam update, the studio explained that maintaining separate builds for different platforms could introduce technical complications, such as lighting glitches or multiplayer synchronization issues. To avoid these problems, certain assets had to be unified. For example, dismemberment mechanics have been slightly adjusted, players can no longer repeatedly mutilate already deceased enemies. Additionally, some character models have been given more coverage, and torture scenes have been dialed back to appear less extreme.
One of the most sensitive adjustments involves depictions of violence against children. Void Interactive emphasized that these scenes were already handled with care, but further refinements were made to comply with certification standards. In one mission, a child’s animation was changed from convulsing to appearing unconscious, softening the visual impact. The studio clarified that most players wouldn’t notice these tweaks without being told, though they opted for transparency to address potential backlash.
Controversy has followed Ready or Not since its early access launch, particularly after the developer confirmed a school shooting mission would be included. This led to publisher Team17 severing ties with Void Interactive shortly after the game’s December 2023 release. While no official reason was given, the split coincided with a developer’s Reddit comment enthusiastically defending the inclusion of such content. The game also faced a temporary removal in 2022 due to a trademark dispute.
Despite these hurdles, the tactical shooter is set to arrive on consoles in July 2025, though some fans have already expressed frustration over the changes by leaving negative Steam reviews. Void Interactive maintains that the alterations preserve the game’s original tone while ensuring a smooth cross-platform experience.
(Source: EuroGamer)
