Japanese video rating agency CERO (Computer Simulation Agency) today announced the temporary shutdown, which could have a major impact on future game release plans.
The closure was revealed as a result of the Japanese government's decision to issue an emergency in several states today, including the CERO region of Tokyo. Residents of the affected districts must stay indoors from April 8 to May 6, forcing CERO to close its doors for a month. A press release covering the announcement reads:
"All screening activities (including those that have been updated) will be permanently suspended from April 8 to May 6. We will be closed at that time, so we will not be able to receive checkpoints such as email or courier. May 7 will be announced on the website in the future. "
Like PEGI and ESRB in Europe and North America respectively, CERO is the organization that determines the average age of video games in Japan. With the game rolling out of home consoles in Japan, including the Nintendo switch, the game must get a CERO rating. When a company is out of business for a month, the release process for other upcoming games may be adversely affected.
Report from Automaton Media talks to two Japanese publishers, both of which imply that a change will be required. It looks like the closure of CERO has come as a surprise, despite the one silver lining that digital releases often review a few months in advance; presumably the games that will be launched in April and May will continue as planned, with summer topics thrown back.
