Censorship in US version KOF98:UM

[ioiori]

Based on feedback by people who already purchased the US version of KOF 98 UM, it was reported that the US version is censored in terms of the blood graphics (compared to the Jap. release)

Can someone at Ignition confirm this and address the reason for the censorship? If this was intentional, would future KOF titles from Ignition also be censored?

Thanks!

[MegaXtreme]

Based on feedback by people who already purchased the US version of KOF 98 UM, it was reported that the US version is censored in terms of the blood graphics (compared to the Jap. release)

Can someone at Ignition confirm this and address the reason for the censorship? If this was intentional, would future KOF titles from Ignition also be censored?

Thanks!

I just read on GameFAQS that it is indeed censored. I don't think they recolored the blood as white or anything, I believe they edited it out entirely. Not a big deal, if you ask me. Blood being in a game doesn't necessarily make it better if the game's context isn't related to it. Horror games need it, sure, but not much else.

[Abster]

Makes no sense though as it still would've been T rated even if the blood was still in. Does Mai's rack still bounce or is it stiffened?

[ioiori]

Well, IMO blood makes a fighting game better. Your comparion to the horror genre doesn't really hold true to me. I can't think of a single good fight flick that doesn't have some blood in it.

Getting back to KOF,taking the blood out won't affect gameplay, but it lessens the impact of the moves psychologically. Especially since I'm already playing the import and loving it and wanted to support the US release as well.

It galls me to think that not only did they waste human resources in taking out graphics that didn't need to be taken out, but it also bugs me to think SNK JP still treats Americans as immature enough to handle a little bit of blood.

The only reason I can think of that they would start doing this (especially after 2002/2003 and XI arrived uncensored), is that they wanted to attract parents to buy the game for their kiddies. Who are they kidding. We're taking about KOF 98 here, who is this game for really if not for the over 20-40 yr old crowd.

[Abster]

Reports suggest the bounce is still in, so it's semi-censored, if you can call it that. :P

[ChopperMan]

I'm curious as to why it was removed as well

not game breaking for me, but I'm curious as to the reason.


I did hear that color selection was randomized and if that's true, that I'd find kind of annoying

[MegaXtreme]

Well, IMO blood makes a fighting game better. Your comparion to the horror genre doesn't really hold true to me. I can't think of a single good fight flick that doesn't have some blood in it.

Well, that's just your preference, as that's entirely not true. Street Fighter IV? No blood. But I'll be dammed if it isn't the best fighting game in ages, and certainly this console generation. So no, it doesn't make a game better, it makes it more violent and less accessible to the younger crowd with its inclusion. Not that fighting games should be played by anyone under 13 in the first place, I personally think they shouldn't, but no, blood really is unnecessary. Perhaps you're just used to it being there, but it really isn't needed. It does nothing for me. Practical for Mortal Kombat, yes, but purely martial arts-inspired games like Street Fighter and KOF? No.

So the thought of it being edited for the US crowd does raise some eyebrows, as I'm not sure what message they're trying to get across, but like I said, people can live without it. If someone's feeling about a game really boils down to blood content, you're either screwed up in the head in a very macabre way, or have no regard for what the game really is. So, I say stop making a big deal of it and play the game. If you want blood, play Mortal Kombat, because maybe a game like KOF really isn't for you, after all.

[Abster]

Here's the thing. KOF and SF are primarily fist based fighters. The lack of blood in either title doesn't make a whole lot of difference. What alarms me is the presence of any censorship at all for the American version of any SNK title. They've been censoring non Japanese versions of SNK titles for the past 15 years. I worry about this because of the effect it may have for the console version of Samurai Shodown Edge of Destiny, which is dedicated to a series in which blood is a universal part of the game.

[ioiori]

Well, that's just your preference, as that's entirely not true. Street Fighter IV? No blood. But I'll be dammed if it isn't the best fighting game in ages, and certainly this console generation. So no, it doesn't make a game better, it makes it more violent and less accessible to the younger crowd with its inclusion. Not that fighting games should be played by anyone under 13 in the first place, I personally think they shouldn't, but no, blood really is unnecessary. Perhaps you're just used to it being there, but it really isn't needed. It does nothing for me.

Like I said, it was IMO as in In My Opinion regarding blood in games. Your comparison with Street Fighter IV doesn't really mean anything because the Japanese release and US release are identical. The point here is the censorship compared to the overseas/original release. Just because you are fine with censorship is also your opinion. I like to watch or play my media as it was intended.

[Abster]

For the record, I'm not going to blame Ignition for this one. They ported M rated titles in the past and I doubt they were behind this one.

[MegaXtreme]

Here's the thing. KOF and SF are primarily fist based fighters. The lack of blood in either title doesn't make a whole lot of difference. What alarms me is the presence of any censorship at all for the American version of any SNK title. They've been censoring non Japanese versions of SNK titles for the past 15 years. I worry about this because of the effect it may have for the console version of Samurai Shodown Edge of Destiny, which is dedicated to a series in which blood is a universal part of the game.

That I understand. It's weapons-based, so blood seems more fitting. On the other hand, I can play Soul Calibur and not see a drop of it, but be perfectly fine with it. So really, all blood is is just an added bonus. It really isn't altogether necessary, so people making a big deal off of a lack of blood in KOF 98 really need to be more worried about if it plays as well as the Japanese port, if not better. It's just a graphical feature, not a crucial element of the gameplay.

[Innovator]

I don't even notice the lack of blood.

[Abster]

That I understand. It's weapons-based, so blood seems more fitting. On the other hand, I can play Soul Calibur and not see a drop of it, but be perfectly fine with it. So really, all blood is is just an added bonus. It really isn't altogether necessary, so people making a big deal off of a lack of blood in KOF 98 really need to be more worried about if it plays as well as the Japanese port, if not better. It's just a graphical feature, not a crucial element of the gameplay.

We're talking 2 different companies here. Soul Calibur never had blood since the beginning because of the audience and atmosphere for which it was intended.

[Psycho Bao]

It's just hard to think the orochi saga had blood (or is it just me?) while this didn't. Then again maybe my memory did not serve me right this time...but yeah the gameplay is still there, which I'm really glad for. Couldn't ask for more. I love this game.

[MegaXtreme]

We're talking 2 different companies here. Soul Calibur never had blood since the beginning because of the audience and atmosphere for which it was intended.

I know it didn't, but it doesn't make a difference by "which company". Remember Weaponlord for the SNES and Genesis? Published by Namco, and it had blood. AND it was a weapon-based fighter. Namco has its history, dude.

My point is it wouldn't make it a better game because it has blood. People are so freakin' worried about the censorship in this game when they should be more worried about how well it plays. It's ridiculous. It's just like how people made an uproar about MK VS DC not having gore. Well guess what? It was still a solid fighter. Therefore, I rest my case. The whining has to end. I'm tired of reading it.

[Abster]

It's more about SNK USA's inconsistency regarding its old censorship policies. For some titles it's not present and then you start to get the thoughts that they finally grew up, a new title comes by with censorship present and that trust falls flat on its face yet again.

[Rock_Dash3X]

Ehh.....I hate Bao.

But yeah, not sure why people get all mad for blood. It's like there was alot of blood to begin with. At times, I rarely notice it cause I'm so busy trying to win. When I play fighting games, I need full attention so blood is something I'm not trying to notice. Great thing about this game is, plays like a dream. That counts.

[ioiori]

No doubt the game plays like a dream and that KOF 98 engine is solid. No one here on this thread is crapping on the gameplay. This thread however is going off topic when extolling how gameplay totally triumphs censorship.

My original post was simply open question to Ignition to explain how the censorship came to be as the import version seems fine as it is and Orochi Saga USA arrived graphically intact.

I've been playing the KOF series since '94 when it first came out in the arcade so for me, missing graphics is noticeable. Its always had it in the arcade versions.

[Mad Max]

As disheartening as it sounds, I'm not 100% sure but it's removal was definitely not a decision by our USA offices. As I understand it the US 98 UM is based off the USA setting which, like the later US KoF releases, features no blood. Chances are this was mandated by SNKP too.

I do miss the blood, especially since it made things like Chang's chain-strangle throw look especially brutal. Could be worse though, there are versions where Mai doesn't even bounce.

[Abster]

I can't remember if 98 UM actually appeared in arcades or if it was console exclusive. For some compilations that remained censored in US console release (Like KOF 00/01 for PS2, and AOF Anthology) all they really did was change the region setting and port the game as is.

[Hanzo]

The game plays fine just the way it is and judging from the trailers an screenshots, the gameplay is fine like it is.

[LeonaHeidernUser]

I think they shouldn't put out the blood because even if Kof is a fist fighting based game,there are characters who use cutting attacks, and blood made them look a BIT more realistic. athoght I know it's a detail...

[cactusmomma]

If anything, it would be nice if it were an on/off option to keep. If parents are that edgy about a few red pixels, they can do their job and watch what their kids play. It's not like kids can't get ahold of these things at a friend's house anyways.


For the bouncing, it's actually been an integral selling point for SNK games in the past. It's not overly sexualized, but it does add a touch of realism. Besides, something has to make up for that Max Impact 2 atrocity! :p