The distribution company Top Hat Studios surprised the gaming community today with a statement on Twitter about Sense – Ominous Premonition: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story, his science fiction title developed by Suzaku which will premiere in Nintendo Switch January 7.
As it approaches its premiere, some comments have recently emerged on social networks trying to get the game censored or canceled, accusing it of being a “pornographic” work or even breaking the law. What we did not expect was that the companies involved would publicly fight, since the publication of Top Hat Studios claims that those responsible “categorically refuse” to censor gambling, despite even receiving death threats, claiming that creative freedom is a basic pillar of the industry.
These were his complete words, which we encourage you to read as they have a very interesting position:
With the recent news that Sense – 不祥 的 预感: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story is coming to Nintendo Switch, we are aware of the myriad of messages and demands directed towards the lies on which the console release was based (claims that it is explicitly “Pornographic” or in some way “encourages violence” or, most ridiculously, in some way “breaks the law”). In addition, an attempt has been made to advocate for making the sale of the game unsustainable by demanding harsh censorship directed at the developer’s artistic style, with threats of “bombing” the game and / or harassing its distribu tors. Additionally, we have received death threats from those who feel threatened by what essentially comes down to an aesthetic decision of how pixels are arranged on a screen. Although we are disappointed by these behaviors, they do not surprise us.
Let’s be clear on this: we’re not going to censor the game because of self-centered crowds who care only about bombast. We categorically and absolutely refuse to restrict creative expression. Creators must be allowed the freedom to express themselves, particularly when it is an expression of the subcultures in which they have been immersed. As a cyberpunk game, Sense uses images and themes related to a future of hyper-marketed and ultra-modified imagery as part of its cyberpunk theme and inspiration; this is reflected in ALL character designs. That said, we find this is lost on those who attack the developer for being “harmful” and somehow inflicting “violence and pain”. Those who believe that words or images inflict “violence” should perhaps stop launching their own hateful and hypocritical rhetoric, and also stop apologizing for death threats to those with whom they disagree.
We reject each and every brazen characterization of the game mentioned above and want to reiterate our principles against manipulation of creators’ expressions. We would also like to reiterate that this game is rated ESRB M (17+) / PEGI 18. This is not an AO game, they have not “broken the laws” as some social media commenters have ridiculously biased. The classification of the game reflects the target audience, and yet this fact is lost in those who have been carried away by a will to blind controversy against their false perceptions.
Once again, Sense – 不祥 的 预感: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story is rated ESRB M (17+) / PEGI 18. The game will be released as planned, and without censorship, on January 7, 2021 for Nintendo Switch. It can now be reserved and pre-loaded on the Nintendo eShop. The game has passed QA on other platforms, and release dates are being decided.
The game will not be censored. We categorically refuse.
You have the message from the developers below:
OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING CALLS DEMANDING CENSORSHIP OF SENSE – Ominous Premonition: A CYBERPUNK GHOST STORY
Our commitment to our audience and to developers is we will never infringe on creative freedom or expression. pic.twitter.com/VV5IcGbJ7P
— Top Hat Studios, Inc (@TopHatStudiosEN) January 1, 2021
Via.