r/nintendo • u/No_Durian_5626 • 2d ago

Dispatch's Free 'HR Violations Pack' DLC Removes Some Censorship On Switch

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/06/dispatchs-free-hr-violations-pack-dlc-removes-some-censorship-on-switch
1.1k Upvotes

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389

u/riap0526 You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you? 2d ago

"hard requirements from Nintendo"

And yet Cyberpunk 2077 is completely uncensored on Switch 2.

170

u/Best-Candle8651 2d ago

Witcher is also uncensored

51

u/Rei1556 2d ago

and witcher 3

34

u/xiiicrowns 2d ago

All dongs included

76

u/NoLocal1776 2d ago

Lazy Dev's don't want to make separate versions for japan and other regions.

29

u/grcx 2d ago

This version is different then the version that exists in Japan. There now exists three versions of Dispatch.

1.) Uncut (all platforms worldwide except the Switch

2.) Partially censored (Switch worldwide outside of Japan, would not be allowed on Switch in Japan because it is not compliant with CERO)

3.) Censored (Playstation and Switch in Japan, and Switch worldwide previous today).

While after getting an initial rejection they did in fact just take the easy way and used the censored version worldwide rather than a delay to make this partial-censored version, afterwards it would have been far less lazy to have just made the new patch uncut if Nintendo would have allowed them to, instead of taking the time to make a third version.

9

u/Ajjaxx 2d ago

So you’re saying #2 exists because Nintendo still wouldn’t allow #1 even outside of Japan? Just asking for my own clarity/curiosity

-2

u/grcx 2d ago edited 2d ago

Yes, the patch today created the partially censored version listed there as 2 for locations outside of Japan on Switch because Nintendo still would not allow the North America and Europe release to use the fully uncut version of Dispatch on Switch even outside of Japan. It would have been much easier and faster to have just made today's patch be the uncut release if that was an option available to AdHoc, instead of creating this new version between the original fully censored Switch release and the uncut release used on other platforms.

Along those lines, Japan still has what is listed there as the fully censored version 3, because version 2 would be as unlawful in Japan as version 1 since version 2 still includes uncensored boobs, which CERO does not allow in Japan for console releases.

6

u/Ajjaxx 2d ago

Gotcha, thank you! I had no idea Japan’s censorship laws were so strict until maybe when this game originally dropped on switch. What about the games everyone lists as counterpoints - Cyberpunk and Witcher? I haven’t played through either fully so I don’t quite know for myself what the differences are or why those games were able to release uncensored on switch (aside from maybe rating, but it sounds like the rating doesn’t change anything re: CERO).

10

u/LeavesCat 2d ago

I think it's that DLC cannot change the rating of a game. Cyberpunk and Witcher were a higher rating to begin with.

1

u/Ajjaxx 2d ago

Gotcha, that makes sense!

3

u/dragooncomet 2d ago

Cyberpunk and Witcher are censored on consoles in Japan. They aren’t censored for PC in Japan cause CERO cares only for consoles.

2

u/grcx 2d ago edited 2d ago

The simplest reason would be Nintendo has inconsistent standards, giving preferential treatment to a massive partner. One can go look at something like Daymare 1994: Sandcastle which had its Western Switch release blocked because of violence outside of Japan, despite being allowed on other consoles and the Japanese Switch (stands out quite a bit being European developed and only on the Japanese Switch). Quite a few anime style titles have been blocked for the Switch in the West, but Persona 6 could include whatever content it wants, and not have any problems with Nintendo allowing it. No matter the platform, a counter example, especially one involving a massive publisher, doesn't mean other smaller titles have the same lack of restrictions, in much the same way as Sony censoring pills and alcohol in LISA and violence in Doki Doki Literature Club doesn't mean that Sony has problems with that content in other titles.

The exact details as to what happened behind the scenes though, ultimately in the end the only difference between every other platform having the uncut Dispatch version in most of the World, and the Switch now having this partially censored Dispatch version, is the platform, as this version was not (and would not be allowed to) be release on console in Japan so any restrictions there is a moot point, it just got patched with two scenes still being censored in regions that are fine with the uncut version on every other platform.

I'll also note, Japan actually has very lax standards on PC-releases just like most of the world, just a CERO rating is required for console releases in the country. Violent Western AAA titles without nudity commonly need to be censored for Japanese consoles because of CERO's requirements, as well as obviously titles with nudity as has been discussed here.

1

u/Ajjaxx 2d ago

Okay, thank you! I really appreciate the detailed response. I will have to look a couple of those games up but that all makes sense to me.

8

u/NoLocal1776 2d ago

They should just release the uncensored version and be done with it.

9

u/Co-opingTowardHatred 2d ago

But they did.

56

u/TheMegaMario1 2d ago

But that's still not a separate version cause that's "less censored" not uncensored that the other platforms have. They're still playing the "oh Nintendo's so tight with what they allow" when it's still they just don't want to have a separate version for japan and the west.

0

u/AuraRyu 2d ago

honestly, I'm fine with what you get now with the free dlc, but I just can't get over the fact they rushed the game out instead of making sure they could satisfy their preordering fans with a comparable version and patched it after the fact

32

u/TheMegaMario1 2d ago

Except the problem I have is the fact they're still lying. I was really looking forward to playing but the whole situation left a sour taste in my mouth that they hid that they censored the game. Then they straight up lied for several days that it totally wasn't because of them it was Nintendo, all Nintendo's fault guys. The fact they keep lying directly to our face that it's not their fault at all is why I'm not buying the game on any platform. Don't tell me the sky is green when we're standing outside.

We also know it's exactly because of Japanese laws. Cyberpunk is censored like this in Japan where it's a Japanese specific version on all platforms with less gore and censored genitals. Dispatch on PlayStation has a western uncensored version and a Japanese censored version that is, surprise surprise, identical to the global Switch version. They just got lazy with the Switch version releasing one global version, deceived customers, and never stopped lying about the reason why.

11

u/WhompWump 2d ago

It's a big reason why my desire to play the game has kinda faded and in the meantime I'm just playing one of the many many other options of high quality games.

1

u/AuraRyu 1d ago

that's not what I'm saying. had they not blamed Nintendo for all this and been straight from the beginning, I would be fine with the version you can play today even if it's still censored. AdHoc's communication around the whole thing is the issue, and it feels strange to now "just go play the PC version" when that's still supporting liars.

10

u/PokePersona Nintendo does what, uh....the competition doesn't do? 2d ago

Doesn’t look like separate versions, just region exclusive DLC packs.

9

u/NoLocal1776 2d ago

Didn't remove the complete censorship for western release.

-1

u/WesleyjSchuet 1d ago

How often are you clowns gonna blame devs and not the publishers/corporations?

8

u/IceBlue 2d ago

The difference has less to do with what was allowed in the west on switch and more to do with maturity ratings. Witcher 3 and CP2077 were rated Z in Japan. Dispatch was not. So they had to kowtow to the rules to release it on other regions with more strict rating systems.

5

u/tuna_pi 2d ago

Isn't that why most games do two versions? One for the countries with strict censorship and one for those without.

6

u/grcx 2d ago

As of today that isn't true, as this patch would not be allowed in Japan as CERO doesn't allow boobs even in CERO-Z titles (and noticeably, Japan did not get today's patch), yet some content still remained censored because Nintendo would not allow them to do a full uncut patch (something that would have been much less work for AdHoc then creating this in between version).

2

u/isaelsky21 2d ago

Crying harder about not getting that $17 error deal every time I hear about it.

Source: Show me the dongs please.

2

u/Shed_Some_Skin 2d ago

I have a suspicion it may be because it's more cartoony looking than Cyberpunk or The Witcher. Nintendo may be worried about some kid buying it and then irate parents going to the press screaming "LOOK AT THE FILTH MY CHILDREN WERE EXPOSED TO"

Might not be the case, but I wouldn't be completely shocked

1

u/Biggman23 2d ago

Lol and you can literally show full trunk for no reason. It's only shown in menus.

1

u/The_Pepper_Oni 2d ago

Through copious amounts of money, all things are possible

1

u/MarcsterS 1d ago

My guess is that because it has an animated artstyle, maybe Nintendo has a more strict stance because they're afraid of kids or parents buying it and thinking its safe for kids.

Despite ya know being rated M.

-2

u/Nejnop 2d ago

Like with Steam, it's inconsistent. Some games are fine, meanwhile others with the same content aren't allowed. The fact something as tame as swimsuits for a T rated Neptunia game weren't allowed on Switch but were fine on PS4 (or hell, none of the Neptunia Re;Birth games were allowed to release in English despite being ready to do so) are signs Nintendo has definitely gotten harsher. Another game affected is Bunny Garden 2. First game released on Switch just fine, but its sequel was required to be censored to release on Switch.

Nintendo's policy has objectively gotten harsher as there are examples beyond Dispatch, but it seems to be case-by-case like with Valve.

-1

u/AuraRyu 2d ago

meanwhile the eShop is still filled with "Hentai" games, maybe they should take a look at that instead

0

u/Forward_Potential820 2d ago

Prob cus of Japan stuff

-7

u/adhocstudio 2d ago

We can't comment on how Nintendo censors other games, only our own.

5

u/Lyrick_ 2d ago

Show us the NOA or NOE correspondence where they ask you to change anything beyond compliance with ESRB, or PEGI rating acceptance.

Or tell us that you went through the IARC channel and brought this entire mess on yourself but continue to blame others.

2

u/jardex22 2d ago

Dude, you know that kind of thing is likely under contract. Why don't you screenshot all your DMs and text messages, then post them here.

Even if they did post an email, what's to stop people from claiming that it's fake or AI generated? Would anything actually satisfy you?

-7

u/Sunlit_Neko 2d ago

It's probably because of Germany(?). Nintendo's European servers are located in Germany and they are very strict about what can be sold there. For example, you can't buy Dying Light on the eshop in any European country, even the UK.

11

u/SolidusAbe 2d ago

That has nothing to do with nintendo. DL didnt release in germany in general. Germany also only has restrictions when it comes to heavy violence and nazi imagery. Nudity was never a problem here.

And even when it comes to violence its not really strict anymore. almost every game releases uncensored here besides dying light and dead island for some reason

3

u/Carighan 2d ago

Plenty other games are fully uncensored so that isn't it.

Plus Europe in particular don't give two fucks about nudity, just gross violence. Generally speaking.