In another case of the Coronavirus impacting the video game industry, Japan’s games rating board has announced that it will be temporarily shutting down due to the newly-declared state of emergency that has been impacting the country.
The Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO) posted a statement on its official website saying that the country has issued a state of emergency and that the Governor of Tokyo asked people to refrain from going outside until the beginning of May. “Since reviewers visit our office to conduct review, it is not possible for our staff and reviewer to work from home,” the organization wrote in the official statement. As a result, all reviews and ratings (and even games that are currently getting reviewed/ rated) will be suspended until May 6.
The enforcement of the safety measure could very well impact the release of upcoming video games. According to development studios that have to go through the process, video games are rated a few months in advance before they are released. Since all current reviews and ratings are temporarily on hold, the games themselves will be hit with delays as well. For instance, games that are scheduled to release in April and May will not be affected because they were already rated by CERO. As for games that are scheduled for June and partially July, they may end up getting released later.
CERO isn’t the only video game-related organization to be impacted by the Coronavirus. Last month, the Electronic Software Association (ESA) announced that the annual E3 expo would be canceled, stating that the organization would look for alternative methods to bring the expo online instead. However, the ESA recently stated that there won’t be any alternative methods, but did let partners know that E3 2021 is still being planned.
As the world continues to fight off the Coronavirus, it’s safe to say that more announcements about video game releases and reveals will be made. As a result, fans of those games should keep up to date with all news and announcements to see how the games themselves will be impacted and if any potential delays may happen.
Source: Twinfinite, CERO
