Games which do not have a valid age rating system will not be shown on Steam starting November 15.
  • @brsrklf@jlai.luEnglish
    15•3 months ago

    I wonder how it works for more alternative platforms like itch.io.

    No way you’re having any official ratings on 99% of their catalogue. Most of it is experimental stuff, and having basically no barrier to publish is the point.

    Unless the German regulations allow self-assigned ratings? It says they allow Steam’s own age ratings, how are those applied?

      • @brsrklf@jlai.luEnglish
        6•3 months ago

        I tried to read that article. You’ll notice that the end of my message refers to the Steam rating system, which is mentioned towards the end (or at least I think it was the end) of that article. Problem is, this site is utter fucking shite, and most of it was obscured with scrolling tracking ads as I always trying to read. So yes, I missed the part about it just being a form to fill.

        As for “official”, yes, I know PEGI/ESRB/Whatever are industry-controlled. But for better of for worse, they’re still used as reference, and they’re third party (though clearly not that independent). It’s still different from declaring yourself what your game contains.

        • TJA!English
          6•3 months ago

          You should look at using an ad blocker. I had no problems with the site

          • @brsrklf@jlai.luEnglish
            2•3 months ago

            Yeah, well I tend to give sites I don’t know the benefit of the doubt, which is why I don’t ad-block by default. Now I know this one doesn’t deserve to exist at all.

            • TJA!English
              5•2 months ago

              That’s of course also a valid way to look at it

  • @mindbleach@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    5•2 months ago

    If the highest possible rating isn’t “any adult can have it,” that’s a censorship board with better PR.

    Germany might be doing it properly… nowadays.

    Australia’s still fucked.

    • @mcforest@feddit.orgEnglish
      4•2 months ago

      Germany doesn’t use PEGI, we use ratings by a German organization called USK (I know this doesn’t really answer the question)

      • @chuckleslord@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2•2 months ago

        Apologies. Am dumb American. At least all these systems were made by video game companies wanting to avoid regulation (PEGI, USK, ESRB). Really brings us all together.

        • @mcforest@feddit.orgEnglish
          7•2 months ago

          Oh no, the USK is actually different. It protects us from evil things like blood and guns and swastikas by completely denying an age rating every once in a while. Gambling is fine though.