The ESRB has rated Creative Destruction's ultra-violent "mass shooting spree" game Hatred "Adults Only," with content descriptors for "Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, and Strong Language," according to what an ESRB representative has told GamesIndustry.biz.
And while an "AO" rating isn't considered a ban, it will likely keep it from ever seeing retail shelf space in places like Target, Best Buy, GameStop, or Walmart, because North American retailers don't carry AO games.
Valve's Steam digital distribution platform doesn't carry AO-rated games either, but the game has been greenlit by the community. Whether Valve will let the game be published on its platform after this rating remains to be seen.
The ESRB doesn't traditionally hand out AO ratings for violent games either – it's usually reserved for games containing graphic sex and nudity.
We'll have more on this story as it develops.
Source: GII
