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Japanese Ratings Board Closure Could Cause More Game Delays

By Noam Radcliffe

Cyberpunk 2077 is one of many titles potentially affected by Japan's CERO shutting down.
Cyberpunk 2077 is one of many titles potentially affected by Japan's CERO shutting down. / Courtesy of CD Projekt Red

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe declared a State of Emergency on Tuesday, requiring the citizens of seven Japanese prefectures to stay home. As a result, the Computer Entertainment Ratings Organization (CERO), Japan's version of the ESRB, has temporarily closed.

While closed, the CERO will be unable to offer certificates legally required to release a game in Japan, potentially causing further game delays. All titles awaiting certification from the CERO will be unable to release until the ratings board returns to business as usual.

These rules also apply to demos and downloadable content releases.

"[A]ll operations, including review (including those under review), will be suspended from today until May 6," the CERO said in a statement. "All staff will be on standby at home, and the office will be closed during this time. We will announce the resumption of business on our website."

The State of Emergency is scheduled to stay in effect until May 6, when the government will reassess the situation. It's possible the State of Emergency will continue well beyond that date, depending on the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Cyberpunk 2077 is among the titles waiting for a certificate from the CERO. The game is currently scheduled to release Sept. 17, 2020, but could be delayed provided CERO is unable to certify it on schedule.