Left 4 Dead 2's original box art censored by ESRB

Apparently there's a limit to severed fingers on video game boxes, as previously seen imagery showing three severed fingers in the Left 4 Dead 2 logo has been replaced by a different image.

Ars Technica is passing along word that Left 4 Dead 2's original promo art (and presumably, the game's eventual box art) has been censored by the ESRB. Around the time of the game's announcement, the original art pictured the hand from the first game's box art with two fingers held up--the other three digits had been severed off like the thumb from the first.

Left 4 Dead 2's original box art censored by ESRB

It's really scary how those two fingers are held down normally.

New art has been revealed and is shown above, however, that shows a hand simply tucking two fingers instead. According to Ars Technica, Valve was told by the ESRB to change the image, which Valve has posted about in the company's typical snark-filled fashion. Official box art for Left 4 Dead 2 has yet to be revealed (though the file is named "L4D2_Box", so there may be even more digital manipulation in the works.

This wouldn't be the first time that the box art for Left 4 Dead has been changed. In October of 2008, Kotaku reported that the German version of the first game received a similar hand makeover, with the thumb being tucked behind instead of digitally gnawed off.

For further details, including before and after pictures, check out Ars Technica's post.
THE VERDICT by Dave Rudden Dave Rudden's Avatar

Ugh, ESRB, you annoy me so. What's the freaking difference between one finger being severed and three? And Valve, a severed hand holding up two fingers just looks dumb. What, is this zombie giving the peace sign?

Comments [14]

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goldberg_evan

Come on.the peace sign makes perfect sense.
"We come in pea....*Nom Nom Nom*"

ESRB_Hater

This is why I chose this handle....somewhere in the ESRB there is a disciple of Jack Thompson who is concerned some Retard is going to shoot up a mall or something because of the extra gnawed fingers. Well ESRB, I have a finger for you........

TheChief

I'm no fan of censorship myself, however the game industry as a whole would be in a far worse place than we are now if it weren't for the ESRB keeping the hyper religious, litigation-happy, uber conservatives (like the aforementioned Jack Thompson) at bay.

Game companies might grumble about them under their breath but, for the most part, the industry is happy to have them because otherwise games wouldn't be sold at large retailers like Wal-Mart. Without these chain stores selling their games en masse, it would probably be next to impossible to get any kind of profit on a bigger budget game.

The ESRB also does a good thing for society as a whole. While I'm glad that I can play GTAIV, I wouldn't want my child playing it, nor would I want any underage person playing it. Adult themes are called that for a reason.

/lecture

Toneman

Yeah that is pretty stupid! What if someone actualy has 3 severed fingers, like a butcher or something... should they be forced to wear gloves?

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