At TERA, the discussion about the age restriction of the game due to revealing clothing has been ongoing for some time – and it has now been reignited.
Lingerie for children aged 12 and up?
TERA is many things, but certainly not known for its particularly prudish clothing. The amount of fabric that makes up a single dress in other games is enough in TERA to fully outfit four women. Especially in recent months, this MMORPG has drawn attention again and again because, among other things, it has lifted the original censorship of the Elin. Now, there are again some new additions in the in-game shop that probably leave little room for imagination: satin underwear that could very well be purchased in any lingerie store.
Particularly on the German Facebook page of the game, there is outrage over the new items. Complaints range from “Impossible! Children see this and the characters look like prostitutes!” to theories like “Next, sex toys will come as weapon skins”. There is quite a bit of everything. TERA is still rated for ages 12 and up, and this has been sharply criticized by many who would prefer to see such content in games rated 16 or 18 – as is the case in America.
Personal Opinion:
As so often, I cannot help but express my personal opinion on this matter. I find the new clothing items utterly exaggerated, and it would not be something I would ever dress any of my characters in – unless he or she lost a bet in roleplay. But I find the discussion in the Facebook comments silly. Sometimes I really wonder if some people have looked outside their own door before judging a game. When I walk through the streets of Cologne, advertisements for lingerie are right next to deodorant posters featuring women in similar clothing (i.e., underwear). Do I find that necessarily good? No. But why do we accept it in front of our own doors but not in a game? That is what really bothers me – this miserable double standard.
