Ready or Not Gets Un-Censored in Record Time: Modders Strike Back Faster Than You Can Say 'Console Regulations'
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
VOID Interactive tried to tone down Ready or Not for a console release, the community revolted, and a modder single-handedly (or perhaps multi-handedly, judging by the speed) undid all the changes faster than you can say 'uncensored'. Seems like the community had a ready-or-not solution.
Right, so VOID Interactive's *Ready or Not* just went through a bit of a… kerfuffle. See, to smooth things over for a console release (on Xbox Series X/S and PS5, no less!), they tweaked a few things in the PC version – less gore, less nudity, generally less… *oomph*. Basically, they made the game a bit more family-friendly, or at least, less likely to trigger a government investigation. But what happens when you mess with a good thing, eh?
The community? Not exactly thrilled. Think a digital mob wielding pitchforks… or, well, negative Steam reviews. The game's rating tanked faster than a noob in a Dark Souls boss fight. VOID tried to explain, citing “misconceptions and misinformation,” but the internet doesn't forget, mate. It *especially* doesn’t forget when you mess with its dismemberment mechanics.
Now, here's where it gets interesting. Within *twenty minutes* of the patch going live, a modder (Eman734, bless their cotton socks) dropped a mod that basically said, “Nah, we're good, thanks.” The mod – aptly named something along the lines of Uncensored - rolls back the changes, restores dismemberment, and generally puts the game back in its, ahem, *original glory*. And wouldn't you know it, thousands downloaded it almost immediately. Seems like someone accidentally created a reverse-censorship spell, didn't they?
Eman734 themselves were quick to point out, in the spirit of covering their digital backside, that "All 'Uncensored' files are either reused files (from the Dark Waters version of the game, and may also be modified slightly) or modified files of the current version, both originally made by VOID Interactive. We do not claim to be their original authors and do not claim to have legal ownership or IP rights. VOID Interactive retains legal/IP rights to their assets, and we will comply with any takedown request (though they have stated they do not have intention of doing so)."
This isn't VOID Interactive's first rodeo with controversy, mind you. They previously ditched Team17 (their publisher) after announcing a school shooting level – a move that, fair dinkum, probably raised a few eyebrows. They also had a brief run-in with trademark issues over a nightclub level that coincided with the anniversary of a real-world tragedy. So, yeah, they’re not exactly strangers to a bit of a digital dust-up. (It's almost impressive, in a weird way, isn't it?).
So, what’s the takeaway? Console regulations are a pain in the arse, gamers *really* don't like having their gore taken away, and modders are faster than a caffeinated cheetah. Oh, and maybe, just maybe, listen to your community before making changes that everyone hates? Just a thought. It's a bit of a magic trick – listening to your audience. Who knew?
Tags: Ready or Not, Modding, Censorship, VOID Interactive, PC Gaming
Original article: IGN South Africa