505 Games has announced that it will not be publishing the controversial title, Rule of Rose, in the UK due to complaints from various European Union officials.

The game had a PEGI rating of 16+, which some called ludicrous. The game has been criticized by the mayor of Rome and Europe’s justice and security commissioner, Franco Frattini, who said the game contained “obscene cruelty and brutality.”

The British Video Standards Council secretary, Laurie Hall, released a statement about the game,

“I have no idea where the suggestion of in-game sadomasochism has come from, nor children being buried underground. These are things that have been completely made up.” Hall also countered Frattini’s statement, by saying, “I wouldn’t call the game violent. We’re not worried about our integrity being called into question, because Mr Frattini’s quotes are nonsense.”

The title was supposed to release today, but instead a 505 Games spokesman released a statement saying they will be no longer shipping Rule of Rose in the UK. Rule of Rose has been rated M for Mature in the US, due to blood, intense violence, suggestive themes, though many believe the game has erotic undertones involving the game’s minor girl cast.

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