<![CDATA[Kotaku: Game Ratings]]> http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png <![CDATA[Kotaku: Game Ratings]]> http://kotaku.com/tag/game ratings http://kotaku.com/tag/game ratings <![CDATA[South Korean StarCraft II Censored To Shake Adults Only Stigma]]> Fearing an adults only rating would hamper sales in one of the game's biggest markets, Blizzard is censoring the South Korean version of StarCraft II, recoloring blood and removing vulgar language to secure a more family friendly rating. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5543906&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ELSPA Introduces Traffic Light Ratings System For Stupid Parents]]> Responding to Dr., Tanya Byron's findings that parents in the United Kingdom don't seem to be familiar with the PEGI rating symbols, the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) are introducing a traffic light system, reasoning that parents know that green means go, yellow means caution, and red means stop. Obviously they've never driven in my Atlanta suburb before, where yellow means "Go faster" and red means "Oh screw it, I'm late for pilates!" More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5069805&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ELSPA - BBFC Can't Cope With Game Rating]]> The British Board of Film Classification comes under further fire today as the director general of the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) Paul Jackson calls out the organization while addressing the Labour Party Conference in Manchester, England. Jackson, along with just about everyone else, believes that the Pan-European Game Information system (PEGI) is best suited to protecting Britain's children from mature content, specifically online content that finds them interacting with players in other countries. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5053036&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[BBFC Disappointed By Publisher Delay Concerns]]> Recently some UK game publishers - notably EA - expressed concern that proposed changes to the ratings system that would require the British Board of Film Classification to review all games 12+ and up would cause delays in getting titles into the hands of consumers. BBFC Director David Cooke finds their lack of faith disturbing, and says so in a lengthy statement released today. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5020686&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[EA: UK Game Ratings Changes Spell Delays]]> The last thing gamers in the UK need is additional delays to the games that can already take months to make the jump from Japan and North America, but that's just what they'll get under the new system under consideration by the British government. Suggested in the Byron review, the new system would require games that would normally receive a 12+ PEGI rating be subjected to review by the British Board of Film Classification. Speaking to Eurogamer, EA UK head honcho Keith Ramsdale worries that the new system wouldn't be in the gamers' best interest. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5019593&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Lies, Damn Lies and PTC Press Releases]]> The Parent Television Council is apparently making the rounds among newspaper reporters trying to drum up a little attention at the cost of Grand Theft Auto IV and the truth. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5008290&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[FTC: It's Increasingly Difficult for Children to Buy M-Rated Games]]> About 20 percent of underage teens were able to buy Mature-rated games during a recent nationwide undercover shopper survey conducted by the FTC, down more than half from last year, the FTC reported today. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=388443&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign]]> Those two great tastes that taste great together, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board and the Parent Teacher Association are gearing up for a big push towards educating parents about gaming ratings, parental controls, and video game safety in general. They're going to assault the epidemic of ignorant parents with a barrage of educational pamphlets, available both online and off, covering such topics as setting up parental controls, making sure your child isn't being solicited by perverts, and of course, the ratings themselves. Along with the pamphlets, there will be a free webcast on the 23rd of this month at 7 PM Eastern featuring ESRB president Patricia Vance and PTA president Jan Harp Domene, and GamerDad Andrew S. Bub covering all these topics and ending with a Q&A session with the trio. Hit the jump for the full press release, which includes information on where to get your hands on those lovely pamphlets and how to participate in the webcast, the audience of which will most likely be 99% gaming press, ourselves included. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=382100&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Australian Game Ratings Behind The Times]]> Victorian deputy premier and attorney general Rob Hulls believes that Australia is behind the times when it comes to video game ratings, and I'm inclined to agree. Currently the top rating a game can receive is MA15+, as opposed to movies which can be rated R18+. While games like the Grand Theft Auto series have squeaked by with an MA15+, games like Dark Sector and Soldier of Fortune: Payback have encountered trouble limboing under the bar. Hulls thinks it is time to raise the bar.
"It seems inconsistent that in Australia, adults are allowed to view 'adult only' films which have been classified R18+ by the Classification Board, but not computer games with an equivalent high level content," he said in a statement. "With the increasing convergence between films and games, the different approach to classification principles is difficult to sustain. At the moment, Australia is out of step with the rest of the developed world on this issue."
More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=374586&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[ESRB Launches PSA Campaign In Delaware]]> The First State is looking to be the first in parental game-rating awareness, as Delaware Lieutenant Governor John Carey and Rep. Helene Keeley launch a PSA campaign aimed at making parents more aware of the ESRB ratings. The campaign will consist of radio PSAs, mall kiosks, and even billboards that will put the ability of parents to completely ignore these ratings to the test.
"With two sons of my own, I know about the tough decisions parents face today about the media they allow into their homes," said Lt. Governor Carney. "The simple fact is that there's no substitute for parental involvement, so it's important that parents play an active role in choosing games for their children. The ESRB ratings help parents ensure that they are bringing home suitable games for their families."
A noble effort, though I put forth that for many parents, nothing short of branding the ratings guide into their flesh is going to work. Nice to see Delaware has people now though. I guess they can now change their state slogan from "Where New Jersey Goes To Work" into something a little more catchy. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=331524&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[TIGRS Game Ratings: Tantalizing Overhaul]]> TIGRS is the on your honor, give a penny take a headshot ratings system for independent game developers. And just recently, their designations were revamped in full emoticon style. From TIGRS:
Over a year in the making, the design was tested with many gaming and non-gaming audiences for appeal, attractiveness, and its ability to communicate clearly what the viewer can expect to find in the game.
I'm not sold. The Teen rating reeks of perverted, candy-toting uncle, while the Adult graphic screams, "I'll grab the eggs and you steal the whip-its." More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=244298&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Lieberman and Clinton Team With ESRB]]>
Some of the most prominent figures in gaming politics are gathering today on Capitol Hill to announce the launch of a nationwide television game ratings awareness campaign. Senators Clinton and Lieberman will join ESA president Doug Lowenstein, and ESRB president Patricia Vance for a press conference today at 3PM Eastern. Also attending will be GameStop President Steve Morgan and Best Buy President Brian Dunn, both of whom will be appearing in ad campaign. More »
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