The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has changed the rating assigned to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion from T (Teen 13+) to M (Mature 17+). The content causing the ESRB to change the rating involves more detailed depictions of blood and gore than were considered in the original rating, as well as the presence of a locked-out art file or skin that, if accessed through a thirdparty modification to the PC version of the game, allows the user to play with topless versions of female characters.
An ESRB Parent Advisory was also issued to ensure that parents who have purchased this game are immediately notified of the rating change. Parents should also know that a patch for the PC version of the game that disables access to the file with the topless skin will be made available shortly. It will be posted in the near future on the game's official website, follow download tab above for link. The ESRB recommends that parents contact their local retailer should they have any questions or concerns about the change in rating.
The game will retain its current content descriptors for Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Language, and Use of Alcohol, and the PC version will carry an additional content descriptor for Nudity until it can be re-mastered and released with the topless skin removed. The locked-out content is inaccessible on the Xbox 360 version of the game.
The ESRB also uses this advisory to stress to parents that PC games can be modified through patches that are available freely on the Internet and suggests that parents monitor such activity as such modifications may render the ESRB rating of a game irrelevant.
