ESRB rating for Starfield reveals new info, including post-sex dialogue and drug use

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated Starfield, shedding more light on some of the game’s content.

The Bethesda Xbox exclusive has been given an M rating for “blood, strong language, suggestive themes, use of drugs and violence”. Its award of a rating also suggests the game remains on track for its September 6 release date.

According to the ESRB, the game will see “players use futuristic guns, lasers, axes, and explosives to kill enemies”.

It adds: “Combat is fast-paced, with frequent gunfire, cries of pain, and explosions. Attacks on some enemies can result in blood-splatter effects, several environments depict blood stains on the ground around corpses.”

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The rating summary also details some of the game’s more suggestive content, including some of the dialogue shared between characters after “sharing a bed”.

According to the ESRB, one bedroom scene features the line “life is a sexually transmitted disease that’s 100% fatal”.

Others include “I’m all for getting a little wild, but next time let’s try it without the jetpacks,” and “talk about seeing stars, whew, that was amazing”.

The summary also details the game’s drug-themed content, which revolves around a fictional drug called Aurora.

The ESRB says Aurora “is prominent in the game, with a section involving players’ characters working in an illicit drug lab”.

It adds that players “can also obtain Aurora by stealing or buying it from vendors”, noting that “consuming Aurora results in a distortion effect on the screen”.

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In March the Australian Classification Board gave Starfield a Restricted (R 18+) rating due to its portrayal of drug use, though it did note that there was no sex and “very mild” nudity, implying that despite the suggestive dialogue quoted by the ESRB, any coital acts in the game take place off-screen.

Bethesda previously confirmed that Starfield, which had been planned to release in the first half of 2023, will now arrive on September 6.

The publisher also confirmed that a Starfield Direct live stream will take place on Sunday, June 11, with Microsoft‘s general Xbox Game Showcase taking place before the Starfield show.

Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda means the studio’s future games, including Starfield, won’t be released on PlayStation consoles.