Alex,
Some news on SOF. Seems like ATVI will be releasing two versions. I think this is a good move...doesn't throw up any barriers to WalMart and similar..and if anything, generates more buzz by highlighting the "realistic" nature of the game.
avault.com
Activision to Offer Bloodless Soldier of Fortune
As Activision stresses in each moment of Soldier of Fortune, the world of the modern day mercenary is not a pretty one. The game is filled with the most vivid, over-the-top violence ever seen in a computer release. Heads can be vaporized into red mist with a single, well-placed shot; enemies dance a macabre jitterbug when under a hail of gunfire; and victims grope for missing limbs as blood streams from gaping wounds. But not everyone?s desires for digital violence have reached such pandemic proportions; some gamers prefer a more suggestive approach, while certain parents or guardians might not have a problem with a little gunslinging if the gore factor could be toned down. Most action games, including Soldier of Fortune, therefore contain a password protected violence filter that enables users to turn off the more visceral elements. Activision, however, is going one step further, and releasing a separate retail unit altogether with the violence feature forever disabled.
They are also going to considerable lengths to ensure no one gets the gorier goods without understanding what?s under the wrapping. In an effort to help consumers reach informed decisions and to assist its retail partners, Activision has told the Adrenaline Vault that it will be implementing a number of unique measures for Soldier of Fortune. Due to the mature content of the game, the publisher will be putting the ESRB rating on the front, spines, and rear of the box. Activision has also increased the size of the rating logo 25 percent to over 1" tall, and added a ratings descriptor to the front of the box, as well as the ESRB "Mature" rating definition to the box bottom.
Activision has also created two separate versions of Soldier of Fortune--the main retail version with a built-in non-violent content installation option, and a modified "tactical" version. The action featured in the modified version is representative of the graphic content found in the main retail version with all the content bars enabled. To help differentiate the two on retail shelves, the main version will have a green box, while the tactical version will have a red box. In addition, the box fronts of both units feature an octagonal burst that explains that the regular Soldier of Fortune can be installed with the graphic content barred, and that the bloodier content has been removed from the tactical version. Also, in each case of Soldier of Fortune shipped to retail customers, Activision is including a letter that explains and illustrates the difference between the two versions.
Consumers who go to the Soldier of Fortune website will notice the ESRB "M" rating on the front page. The ESRB logo also points to the ESRB website. While on the site, consumers can reference information about the main retail version and tactical version to better understand the difference between the two versions. |
