Fantasy violence?

[Numskull]

I just watched the latest power-up video and noticed something which I'm sure isn't new, but which I've simply overlooked until now. The game is rated T for teen, and the ESRB cites "fantasy violence" as one of the factors.

So, does that refer to lyrical content (didn't think they could do that) or to the merciless slaughter of countless rectangular blocks with giant balls and explosives? I mean, is there a power-up that turns the notes into living things that yelp in agony when you hit them?

[jibjqrkl]

well, seeing as it basically is just one of the early on rails flight shooters with music attached to it, one could use his/her imagination to imagine the blocks being innocent people.

but seriously. yeah, lyrical content i'm guessing

[3pic81ueUnicorn]

You see, everytime you beat one of Pope's high scores, he will enter your room through your tv and throw fresh produce at you.

[queuemark]

HMXSomeone mentioned a ways back that the rating was indeed due to lyrical references. Without checking the lyrics, I'm guessing maybe the Maiden song?

It does seem weird that they couldn't have labeled it "Lyrical References to Fantasy Violence," if they wanted to be informative, but I guess they have their template.

Although I do like the notion that it's in reference to the poor colored notes. Man, do you know how many of those things I've slaughtered over the years? I've probably killed more of those than I have Goombas, Octorocks, and GTA denizens combined!

[Numskull]

You see, everytime you beat one of Pope's high scores, he will enter your room through your tv and throw fresh produce at you.

Fresh produce? Cool. I'll save money on groceries. I'll just need a butterfly net or something like that. I'm sure Pope doesn't throw hard enough to cause the produce any real damage.

[Dogmatic2020]

Pumped Up Kicks.

[LiveHomeVideo]

I think they were joking around about the lyrical violence bit

I think it's basically blowing stuff up with rockets and such. If it were in the lyrics, it'd be under a "Lyrics" descriptor. But then again with the lack of customization of characters where does the "Suggestive Themes" kick in?

[www1221]

All the senseless killing of those poor gems. HARMONIX SHOULD BE ASHAMED!

[metalkorn]

Well the bottle rocket is fantasy violence. Shooting a rocket that blows up gems in the lanes. The fire power-up.

The last game I worked on got an E for Everyone by the ESRB with Alcohol References and Mild Language.

The language was a couple of instances of commentary that said god or damn and the alcohol reference was a commentator referring to a town that was known for it's wineries.

So it doesn't have to be much. In fact that innocent wineries sample had to be removed for the european version so that we could release the game in france through PEGI.

[Witticus]

I like to think of "fantasy violence" as violence in you're head like pretending all those gems you destroy are former bosses and such.