Microsoft Game Room Pixel Gore no More

Microsoft’s upcoming virtual Game Room has circumnavigated the need to present each and every title for ESRB classification by instead lumping classification on the service as a whole rather than individual cabinet content. While this will no doubt increase the speed and quantity of weekly releases, the assigned rating of E10+ means that titles which feature mature content like potential release candidates Street Fighter et al will be forced to remain perpetually absent in spite of fan demand.

Unlikely to affect the type and era of games so far bandied as potentials for the avatar arcade, the decision, in contrast to the Wii’s virtual console, means that later 16-bit classics like Splatterhouse or its sequels could never find home in the retro arcade. Sadly, despite countless Atari 2600 ROMs being announced already through trailer, those desperate to play an unedited Custer’s Revenge seem flat out of luck.

The ratings workaround is certainly an innovative approach to one of digital distribution’s stumbling blocks. However, it seems that shy of later releasing an ‘Adult Game Room’ complete with headbutts, bloody jugular geysers, pixel mammaries and a permanent M sticker, retro gamers will miss out on content like Mortal Kombat and the sumptuous Metal Slug through Microsoft’s utilitarian approach.

Via: Kotaku