As we reported a few days ago, Diablo III’s Lead Designer Jay Wilson stated in his interview with inDiablo that they were not targeting to be an 18+ rated game, with regards to the USK rating system in Germany.

Understandably, this caused a certain amount of confusion, as many assumed he was referring to the “M” rating in the United States, of which Diablo and its sequel Diablo 2 were rated.

Blizzard’s community manager Bashiok made the following post to clarify the matter: 

 Jay was referring to the German USK rating of 18+. Which is a rating specific to Germany and games sold there.

In the US we have the ESRB, and other countries may have their own rating advisories and labels. For our ESRB rating and US release we have been and still are planning for a “M” for Mature rating.

As noted, Bashiok explicitly states that Blizzard is planning for Diablo III for an “M” or Mature rating in the ESRB, a rating which more or less guarantees the inclusion of blood, gratituous violence and the kinds of content that Diablo players look forward to seeing. 

To frame matters into perspective, Grand Theft Auto IV, Gears of War and God of War 2 are all M rated titles.

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