REACTION - The Callisto Protocol getting banned in Japan is a show of commitment to creative intent

Preserve those limbs.

By Jonathan Garrett
27/10/22

We can acknowledge the importance of fans worldwide being able to play the games they’re excited for, whilst at the same time believing that studios shouldn’t have to compromise their creative vision in order to fit into a set age rating criteria. The Callisto Protocol has just been denied classification in Japan, and while it will undoubtedly be disappointing to those fans, it’s pleasing to see developer Striking Distance stick to their guns.

To play devil’s advocate, it probably wouldn’t have taken that much effort to implement some kind of gore / profanity filter, as titles like Gears of War have managed to do in the past. The ban will also likely encourage a spike in illegal downloads on PC. But the fact remains that The Callisto Protocol will now include everything the developers intended for players to see in each region that it releases.

Whether or not Striking Distance might drop a censored version post launch, we’re still very much looking forward to the game, which is due out December 2nd (for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Series X / S).