The ESRB has, effective today, updated the rating on Elder Scrolls: Oblivion to Mature, from its previous rating of Teen.

According to reported statements from the ESRB, and a PDF released on the ESRB website, the following content triggered the update:

The content causing the ESRB to change the rating involves more detailed depictions of blood and gore than were considered in the original rating, as well as presence of a locked-out art file or “skin” that, if accessed through a third party modification to the PC version of the game, allows the user to play with topless versions of female characters.

Another statement on the ESRB website states that Bethesda Softworks, publisher of Oblivion will be taking the following actions:

• Immediate notification to all retailers of the change in rating, along with a request to adhere to their respective store policies not to sell the newly rated M (Mature) game to those under the age of 17, and explaining how to address consumer concerns;
• Issuance of stickers with the new rating information to all retailers and distributors to affix on the packaging of all existing unsold inventory;
• Display of the newly assigned M (Mature) rating in all future product shipments and marketing materials
• Creation and posting of a downloadable patch that will modify the art archive, rendering the topless skin inaccessible on the PC version of the game.

In addition, Bethesda will be releasing a new version of the game without the topless skin, and at that time, the “Nudity” content descriptor will be removed. The last high profile rating update, of course, was for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which had its rating revoked until an updated version of the game could be shipped.

Given the nature of the Oblivion changes, the impact of this change should not be that great. Most retailers will still offer “M” rated games, while Grand Theft Auto was threatened with a sales-deadly “Adults Only” rating. While it is good for the ESRB to react quickly to changes it believes impact the rating of a game, it is critical for the organization to get the ratings right the first time. It may be time for a comprehensive review of the ratings process.

Read More | Gamedaily.biz
Read More | ESRB Parental Advisory (PDF)
Read More | ESRB Rating Update (PDF)