The Japanese country is facing the drama of COVID-19 and has already ordered the application of the state of emergency.
The sun is also hidden in the land of the rising sun. The coronavirus (COVID-19) has trickled down the far reaches of the world and has already caused serious human and economic harm, something Japan is no stranger to. The Government, which has just declared a state of emergency, has determined the closure of multiple businesses and agencies. CERO (Computer Entertainment Rating Organization) has confirmed that it stops all its activities until May 6. Therefore, all video games that await rating will be without it until the situation is smoothed out.
The confinement of citizens does not affect all parts of the Japanese territory, but seven of the prefectures, among which is Tokyo. CERO's headquarters are located in Chiyoda, which belongs to the Japanese capital. Therefore, they have been forced to cease their activities due to the difficulties of guaranteeing the health of their employees.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, one of the games affected by the coronavirus.
Impact on the industry
The immediate effects have not yet been reflected, but the inability to obtain an age rating may mean the delay of some video games. Furthermore, even if the institution sets a date for the return of its functions, the circumstances are changing and plans can always be altered and deadlines can be extended, as has happened in many European countries, which have ordered the expansion of the respective measures of confinement and social distancing.
Meanwhile, many Japanese studios have modified their operations to adapt to telecommuting. Recently, Masahiro Sakurai, director of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, explained that the team was working remotely. It is not an easy task, since a project of this magnitude is always accompanied by high security and confidentiality measures. The Nintendo title will be expanded with six new fighters, although the date of none has yet been set. It is known that the next will be an ARMS character, one of the new intellectual properties of those in Kyoto.
