Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nintendo, EA, Sony sponsor Internet censorship bill [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/nintendo-ea-sony-sponsor-internet-censorship-bill/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/nintendo-ea-sony-sponsor-internet-censorship-bill/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/18/nintendo-ea-sony-sponsor-internet-censorship-bill/#comments SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) is a bill currently in the US Congress, with the stated goal of curtailing copyright infringement, but with the actual effects of setting up a government firewall to block out unwanted sites, and giving the US jurisdiction over foreign sites that have anything to do with infringement of US copyright.

It is repellent.

A Reddit user discovered a document [PDF] hosted by the Global Intellectual IP Center ("Global"), from before the introduction of SOPA, urging Congress to enact such a measure. Among those corporate sponsors is Nintendo, who is demonstrably and justifiably upset about piracy, and committed to taking all the wrong steps to stop it.

Other companies signing off in favor of this anti-"rogue site" legislation, in the interest of protecting their IP online include Sony -- Sony Electronics, Sony Music, and Sony Pictures, separately. EA is also listed, along with Rite Aid (what?) and Zippo (what?)

Okay, so you already know how we feel about this thing. If you feel the same way, you can write or call Congress. November 16 saw concerted "Stop Censorship" efforts (Tumblr black-barred everyone's dashboard in protest, for example), but you can, of course, still contact your representatives. If you're outside of the US, uh, cross your fingers and hope you don't lose all the US-based visitors to your sites.

[Image: Infographic from AmericanCensorship.org]

Update: Added link to Reddit post. It was accidentally censored omitted!

Update 2: It appears as though Apple, Microsoft, and a variety of other tech companies are supporting the bill as well via a lobby group, named "The Business Software Alliance."

JoystiqNintendo, EA, Sony sponsor Internet censorship bill [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscensorshipdselectronic-artsnintendoplaystationps3pspsonysopawiiFri, 18 Nov 2011 11:49:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ Japan enforces rigid dildo restrictions to smooth over controversy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/thq-japan-enforces-rigid-dildo-restrictions-to-smooth-over-contr/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/thq-japan-enforces-rigid-dildo-restrictions-to-smooth-over-contr/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/thq-japan-enforces-rigid-dildo-restrictions-to-smooth-over-contr/#comments If you're in Japan and considering picking up the local version of Saints Row: The Third when it comes out on November 17, be advised: that version lacks realism in a very specific aspect.

THQ told Game Informer that, in Japan, the "Penetrator" weapon -- in common parlance, the dildo bat -- will lack the physics (i.e. wobbliness) and texture (veininess) found in the Western versions. This is despite its CERO Z rating -- the most restricted rating Japanese video games can have.

So, back to the hypothetical Japanese customer -- if the insufficient verisimilitude of a virtual, weaponized dong is a dealbreaker for you, you must reconsider your life.

Update: GI got a screenshot of the altered Japanese weapon from Dengeki. Give it your full attention after the break.

Continue reading THQ Japan enforces rigid dildo restrictions to smooth over controversy

JoystiqTHQ Japan enforces rigid dildo restrictions to smooth over controversy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipjapanmicrosoftpcplaystationps3saints-row-the-thirdthqthq-japanxboxFri, 11 Nov 2011 10:43:00 EST<![CDATA[House of the Dead Overkill 'Extended Cut' refused classification in Australia]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/house-of-the-dead-overkill-extended-cut-refused-classification/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/house-of-the-dead-overkill-extended-cut-refused-classification/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/23/house-of-the-dead-overkill-extended-cut-refused-classification/#comments The new content in the "Extended Cut" of The House of the Dead: Overkill has resulted in the game itself being cut from Australian release. The Classification Board has refused classification of the PS3 update of the Wii game. The R18 rating has yet to go into effect, meaning that material considered too "adult" is still refused classification.

The original potty-mouthed zombie shooting game was released in Australia in 2009, though there was some controversy at the time about the rating lacking notification about the vast, prolific use of profane language. Perhaps, then, it's not that this version is much more objectionable -- it could just be that the board wasn't paying close enough attention the last time.

We've contacted both Sega and the Classification Board to learn more about the (expletive) situation.

JoystiqHouse of the Dead Overkill 'Extended Cut' refused classification in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiacensorshipclassification-boardheadstrong-gamesplaystationplaystation-moveps3The-House-of-the-Dead-OverkillTue, 23 Aug 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analysis: What today's Supreme Court decision means to us]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/analysis-what-todays-supreme-court-decision-means-to-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/analysis-what-todays-supreme-court-decision-means-to-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/analysis-what-todays-supreme-court-decision-means-to-us/#comments In 2005, California state legislature passed Assembly Bill 1179, a law penned by Democratic state senator Leland Yee which prohibited the sale of violent video games to minors. The law mandated the application of special stickers to titles deemed too violent, and slapped retail employees who sold those games to anyone under the age of 18 with a maximum $1,000 fine. The law was signed by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, but was struck down by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California before it could be enforced.

Following an unsuccessful appeal of that decision in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the law's progenitors petitioned for a hearing in the United States Supreme Court. The petition was successful, the case was argued last November and, earlier today, seven of the nine Supreme Court Justices decided to uphold the decision of the lower courts: California Assembly Bill 1179 violates the First Amendment rights afforded to all forms of media in the United States.

This decision obviously doesn't just affect Californian teenagers with a penchant for video games above their maturity level. It represents a vote of confidence in games and the non-governmental agency (see: The ESRB) which regulates their sale.

Continue reading Analysis: What today's Supreme Court decision means to us

JoystiqAnalysis: What today's Supreme Court decision means to us originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179censorshipecaesafirst-amendmentlawleland-yeepoliticsSchwarzeneggerSchwarzenegger-v-EMAscotussupreme-courtMon, 27 Jun 2011 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Australians might want to pick up Witcher 2 on GOG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/australians-might-want-to-pick-up-witcher-2-on-gog/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/australians-might-want-to-pick-up-witcher-2-on-gog/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/australians-might-want-to-pick-up-witcher-2-on-gog/#comments In a fairly cheeky response to the Australian ratings board's censorship of CD Projekt's The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, digital distributor GOG has updated its privacy policy to allow users to decide their own location when making purchases, rather than having their location tracked by IP. Shoppers living in Australia can sidestep the censorship (as well as the bizarre price hike to $69.99 AUS that came about due to "licensing issues") by setting their country of origin as ... well, just about anywhere else.

In a sly press release announcing the privacy policy change (posted after the jump), GOG Managing Director Guillaume Rambourg said the site "has always been about trusting the user," explaining, "We've come to the conclusion that there are a number of issues with using a customer's IP address to determine what offer they are being presented with from GOG.com." Well, to be fair, we'd consider "paying more money for a censored game" to be a fairly troubling issue.

Continue reading Australians might want to pick up Witcher 2 on GOG

JoystiqAustralians might want to pick up Witcher 2 on GOG originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 May 2011 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaCD-Projektcd-projekt-redcensorshipGOGpcprivacy-policythe-witcher-2Tue, 10 May 2011 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[South Australian Attorney General wants to remove MA15+ games rating]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/south-australian-attorney-general-wants-to-remove-ma15-games-ra/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/south-australian-attorney-general-wants-to-remove-ma15-games-ra/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/south-australian-attorney-general-wants-to-remove-ma15-games-ra/#comments Australia's Standing Committee of Attorneys-General are in the process of actively discussing the implementation of a (long overdue) R18+ rating for games in the territory, following the approval of said rating by the nation's federal cabinet earlier this month. However, South Australian AG John Rau recently introduced a thought-provoking idea to the committee: Should the R18+ rating be adopted, Rau believes that the MA15+ rating currently used by the Australian Classification Board should be removed altogether.

Rau, who replaced longtime anti-R18+ advocate Michael Atkinson earlier this year, explained to Gamespot, "My reason for wanting to get rid of MA15+ if an R18+ is passed is that it will provide a crisper delineation between adults-only games and games that are for children." He later added, "if MA15+ comes out of the mix altogether, I think parents will have a clearer idea what games are for children, and what games are for adults."

Should the MA15+ rating be repealed, the next-lowest rating used by the ACB would be M, which the board applies to games which "contain material that requires a mature perspective, but is still not enough to be deemed too strong for younger viewers." There's no age restriction applied to these games at Australian retailers, making it roughly equivalent to the Teen classification used by the ESRB. Rau's got a compelling argument, here -- but it won't make much of a difference if the Committee fails to approve the R18+ rating in the first place. C'mon, guys! We believe in you!

JoystiqSouth Australian Attorney General wants to remove MA15+ games rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attorney-generalaustraliaaustralian-classification-boardbanningcensorshipjohn-rauma15politicsr18ratingsWed, 15 Dec 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cuban government site deems Call of Duty: Black Ops 'perverse']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/cuban-government-site-deems-call-of-duty-black-ops-perverse/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/cuban-government-site-deems-call-of-duty-black-ops-perverse/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/cuban-government-site-deems-call-of-duty-black-ops-perverse/#comments Since Call of Duty: Black Ops is still fresh off the press, we're going to do our very best to avoid spoilers here, so bear with us.

Okay, who's the most famous Cuban guy you know? No, not Andy Garcia. Not Daisy Fuentes either, she's a girl. The other one, with the beard. Rhymes with Lastro. ... Right! So in the first mission of the game you're tasked with finding him and ... hurting him. Maybe hurting him so badly that he will be, like, the opposite of alive. Hint, hint.

That's predictably peeved some folks in Cuba. According to a Guardian translation, a recent story on government-run website cubadebate read, "What the United States government did not achieve in more than 50 years, it now tries to do virtually. This new video game is doubly perverse. On the one hand, it glorifies the illegal assassination attempts the United States government planned against the Cuban leader ... and on the other, it stimulates sociopathic attitudes in North American children and adolescents."

We had reserved this space to make fun of whatever crazy thing the Cuban paper said, but they kinda nailed it, right?

JoystiqCuban government site deems Call of Duty: Black Ops 'perverse' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-dutyCall-of-Duty-Black-Opscastrocensorshipcubamicrosoftpcplaystationps3treyarchxboxThu, 11 Nov 2010 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Gal Gun publisher fighting with Microsoft over panties]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/gal-gun-publisher-fighting-with-microsoft-over-panties/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/gal-gun-publisher-fighting-with-microsoft-over-panties/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/09/gal-gun-publisher-fighting-with-microsoft-over-panties/#commentsAccording to Andriasang, the countdown to Gal Gun's release has stopped in response to trouble from Microsoft. Currently, the official Gal Gun site, which hosts the countdown, is down entirely. It seems the company finally noticed what, exactly, it was showing off at its TGS booth. Gal Gun's release date was originally set for January 27.

"Negotiations have started for the great moral cause (panties)," publisher Alchemist said on the official site, suggesting that Microsoft is objecting to content in the thoroughly objectionable shooter. This should come as little surprise to Alchemist, since the game itself includes a built-in mechanism to hide its contents from others.

JoystiqGal Gun publisher fighting with Microsoft over panties originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alchemistcensorshipgal-guninti-createsjapanmicrosoftshooterxboxTue, 09 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Black Ops censored in Germany, Steam to block international versions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/report-black-ops-censored-in-germany-steam-to-block-internatio/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/report-black-ops-censored-in-germany-steam-to-block-internatio/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/report-black-ops-censored-in-germany-steam-to-block-internatio/#comments Here's the latest installment in a tale as old as time -- according to German games site PCGames.de, the region will receive a censored version of Call of Duty: Black Ops. This time around, though, there's a new twist for people who were hoping to download and play a different country's version of the game on PC -- both downloaded and retail versions of the game have to be run through Steam for authorization before playing, and in Germany, Steam will only verify local versions of the title.

Seems like Germany's video game censorship policy is only getting more and more strict -- though that's good news for our pay-per-minute phone hotline, where German gamers can call in and listen to us describe our fully violent games. Those calls ... they get pretty weird.

Update: An Activision representative contacted us, explaining that German players will be able to activate the Austrian version of the game, but not the US/UK versions. The representative confirmed that the Austrian version is "unique," but could not comment as to whether or not it shares the German version's content cuts.

JoystiqReport: Black Ops censored in Germany, Steam to block international versions originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionbanCall-of-Duty-Black-OpscensorshipgermanypctreyarchFri, 29 Oct 2010 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard now moderating 'inappropriate' StarCraft 2 maps]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/blizzard-now-moderating-inappropriate-starcraft-2-maps/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/blizzard-now-moderating-inappropriate-starcraft-2-maps/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/blizzard-now-moderating-inappropriate-starcraft-2-maps/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Look out, all you naughty StarCraft 2 map makers out there, Blizzard is watching. A thread popped up on the StarCraft 2 community forum in which a user named Cyrileo complained of his map being removed from Battle.net. According to Cyrileo, the mapped was deemed "inappropriate" by Blizzard and subsequently deleted. Further on in the thread, as reported by our cohorts at Big Download, Blizzard community manager Lylirra noted that all maps are "subject to review to ensure that they promote a fun and safe environment for all players." Should a map fail to meet these criteria, it will be deleted and the creator contacted.

The reason such moderation wasn't enacted in the first StarCraft, according to community manager Bashiok, was that Blizzard simply didn't have the staff. Things have changed this time around, so take note of Blizzard's official policy on inappropriate content: "Any content found to be offensive in nature has no place on Battle.net. Such content can be changed or removed, and the publisher warned or suspended." Bashiok noted further that Blizzard is working to improve the system, which will hopefully offer map makers more detailed reasons for removal in the future. As a general rule of thumb, we'd say avoid building maps shaped like wangs.

JoystiqBlizzard now moderating 'inappropriate' StarCraft 2 maps originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionBlizzardcensorshipmacpcrtsStarcraft-2Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vietnamese government implements restrictions on online games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/31/vietnamese-government-implements-restrictions-on-online-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/31/vietnamese-government-implements-restrictions-on-online-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/31/vietnamese-government-implements-restrictions-on-online-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Citing increased real-life criminal activity originating in the online space, the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communication has placed a number of tight restrictions on massively multiplayer titles. These include bans on any and all advertisements for online games, as well as regulations forcing ISPs to shut off service to gaming cafes and retailers after hours.

More drastic is the Ministry's decision to stop allowing any additional online games to come into the nation until further legislation on the matter can be considered. Man, that's harsh! Why can't they follow China's example, and just regulate the content of these games instead of -- oh, wait. Vietnam is doing that as well. Awesome.

JoystiqVietnamese government implements restrictions on online games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bancensorshipmmoonlinepcpoliticsvietnamSat, 31 Jul 2010 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: China to ban violent, sexual marketing of online games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/10/report-china-to-ban-violent-sexual-marketing-of-online-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/10/report-china-to-ban-violent-sexual-marketing-of-online-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/10/report-china-to-ban-violent-sexual-marketing-of-online-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

China's Ministry of Culture is once again cracking down on the online game industry in an attempt to limit the amount of "unwholesome" content the sector produces. According to a report from China Daily, the nation's officials are prohibiting the use of sex, violence or gambling to market Chinese developers' online games. Like the other regulations under this initiative, these restrictions will be effective as of August 1.

According to the government's report on sexually-charged advertising, hiring adult film stars to serve as spokespeople for online games is a surprisingly common practice in China. Over here, we get Mr. T and Ozzy Osbourne. That's a pretty fair trade-off, right?

JoystiqReport: China to ban violent, sexual marketing of online games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipchinamarketingonline-gamingpcrestrictionsSat, 10 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: 98 percent of Australians in support of R18+ rating]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/09/report-98-percent-of-australians-in-support-of-r18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/09/report-98-percent-of-australians-in-support-of-r18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/09/report-98-percent-of-australians-in-support-of-r18-rating/#comments Australia's Federal Home Affairs group recently published a poll which may turn the heads on a few of the nation's governmental bodies. Out of the survey's 59,678 participants, 98.2 percent said they would support the oft-proposed addition of an R18+ rating for video games in the region.

Of course, more than half of the participants in said poll were turned on to it by an in-store promotion at select Australian EB Games. A somewhat more balanced selection of special interest groups were also allowed to respond to the survey, and only 53 percent showed support for the mature rating. By our amateur calculations, the actual percentage of Australian citizens who support the rating falls somewhere between the two. How about 86.3 percent? It's a totally made-up number, but ... it just seems right, doesn't it?

JoystiqReport: 98 percent of Australians in support of R18+ rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 May 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiacensorshipmature-gamesoflcpollr18ratingsurveySun, 09 May 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[California AG and developers sound off over bill facing Supreme Court]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/03/california-ag-and-developers-sound-off-over-bill-facing-supreme/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/03/california-ag-and-developers-sound-off-over-bill-facing-supreme/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/03/california-ag-and-developers-sound-off-over-bill-facing-supreme/#comments In a statement released by the International Game Developer's Association recently, the group called California's controversial game bill "oppressive censorship, singling out one form of expression based only on popular myth and biased research." The response came just days after the US Supreme Court decided to allow California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's appeal to review the bill on a federal scale, though it's been ruled unconstitutional multiple times in his state (not to mention the similar bills in other states that have also been shot down repeatedly).

We reached out to the California Attorney General's office to find out why it's pursuing a bill that's been plagued by overrulings, and were told, "All of those courts held that it is up to the US Supreme Court to decide whether extremely violent material can be treated the same as sexually explicit material under the First Amendment when it comes to minors. This means that we had to ask the Supreme Court to extend the law, something the lower courts were not willing to do." We further pressed for why it's targeting video games over films, television, and other entertainment mediums. A representative responded, "There is a growing body of social science that has identified violent video games as being especially harmful to children given the interactive nature of video games, and the FTC conducted investigations that showed it was easier for minors to buy Mature-rated video games than it was to get into R-rated movies."

However, the IGDA's statement contends "Violence is conveyed in explicit ways on television, in print media, via the Internet, and in film. All of these platforms constitute speech protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution." The piece also states the association's position that it remains staunchly against "censorship of expressive media in all forms" but points out that it's especially against politicians using that censorship "for political gain." The appeal could see its first hearing as early as this October, when the Supreme Court begins its next term.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqCalifornia AG and developers sound off over bill facing Supreme Court originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 May 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ab-1179arnold-schwarzeneggerassembly-bill-1179attorney-generalcaliforniacalifornia-attorney-generalcensorshipfirst-amendmentigdainternational-game-developers-associationlegalpoliticssupreme-courtus-constitutionus-supreme-courtMon, 03 May 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker losing a scene in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/18/metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-losing-a-scene-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/18/metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-losing-a-scene-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/18/metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-losing-a-scene-in-japan/#commentsHow is Twitter like Metal Gear Solid's codec system? Two ways: you see a picture of the person speaking next to every statement, and Hideo Kojima writes a lot for both. Andriasang pointed out a Tweet from the game designer, revealing that cuts had to be made to the Japanese version of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker to keep the game at a CERO (Japan's equivalent to the ESRB) "C" rating.

"The PSP is supported by the younger generation," Kojima said. "That is why we avoided the animation of bloodspill. However, 'A Scene' that is critical and essential to the series was pointed out by the rating board." Kojima lamented the fact that the anti-war and anti-nuke messages of the game were ignored by the ratings board, while one bloody scene was seized upon. The American and European releases of the game will be uncut. We believe the scene in question is likely to be a torture sequence, a staple of the Metal Gear Solid series. It is most assuredly not the scene in which Snake fights a giant dragon-type creature.

Celebrate the uncensored nature of the localized game by watching the American trailer above, originally posted on the PlayStation Blog.

JoystiqMetal Gear Solid: Peace Walker losing a scene in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipcerohideo-kojimajapankonamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-peace-walkertwitterSun, 18 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Retailer-backed pro-R18+ petition draws over 72K signatures in Australia]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/retailer-backed-pro-r18-petition-draws-over-72k-signatures-in-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/retailer-backed-pro-r18-petition-draws-over-72k-signatures-in-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/retailer-backed-pro-r18-petition-draws-over-72k-signatures-in-a/#comments
[Destructoid]
Though new South Australian Attorney General John Rau seems to be straddling the fence on the prospect of introducing an R18+ rating for mature games in the land down under, a large force of gamers are attempting to pull him over to their side. A petition started by electronics retailer GAME six weeks ago has garnered over 72,000 signatures in support of the new rating, which would ostensibly reduce the number of games that are censored or outright banned in the region. EB Games and special interest group Grow Up Australia have started a similar petition, gathering over 46,000 signatures for the cause.

GAME plans to bring its petition before the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General meeting on May 7, though it's not certain that the R18+ issue will be on the agenda. If it is, however, the petition will be difficult to ignore -- according to GamePolitics' calculations, it's well on its way to becoming the largest petition in the nation's history.

JoystiqRetailer-backed pro-R18+ petition draws over 72K signatures in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attorney-generalaustraliabancensorshipeb-gamesgamegrow-up-australiajohn-raupetitionpoliticsr18Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple allegedly cracking down harder on adult App Store content]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/22/apple-allegedly-cracking-down-harder-on-adult-app-store-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/22/apple-allegedly-cracking-down-harder-on-adult-app-store-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/22/apple-allegedly-cracking-down-harder-on-adult-app-store-content/#comments
 Wobble iBoobs -- an ... ahem ... adult App for the iPhone -- was recently kicked from Apple's digital distribution store due to "overtly sexual content" that the publisher at one point deemed acceptable for sale (to the tune of $300,000 AUD/$269,820 USD). The application's outraged developer has since posted the letter from Apple on his personal blog and aired his grievances more thoroughly over the course of another 11 pieces.

He certainly makes a strong argument against the claimed "overtly sexual" charge from Apple, starting off with the fact that Wobble iBoobs doesn't actually come with any pictures. "Yep, no content - it ships without any pics at all - how can it be overtly sexual, people use their own pics." Further, he lays out what he claims are an Apple rep's answers when he requested the new criteria for App submission, of which include "No skin" and "No silhouettes that indicate that Wobble can be used for wobbling boobs" (like this). While the blog's writer, iPhone app promoter Jon Atherton from Glentwood, has some sound arguments, we would maybe suggest renaming the App. Just a thought is all.

[Via CasualGaming.biz]

JoystiqApple allegedly cracking down harder on adult App Store content originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storeapplecensorshipdigital-distributionglentwoodiPoditunesitunes-storejon-athertonwobble-iboobsMon, 22 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Australia's Atkinson thinks gamers are scarier than biker gangs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/15/australias-atkinson-thinks-gamers-are-scarier-than-biker-gangs/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/15/australias-atkinson-thinks-gamers-are-scarier-than-biker-gangs/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/15/australias-atkinson-thinks-gamers-are-scarier-than-biker-gangs/#comments Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson, also known as "that one guy responsible for preventing an R18+ rating from being adopted in the country," recently had some (unsurprisingly) inflammatory things to say about gaming enthusiasts during an interview with Good Game. "About two o' clock in the morning I got a threatening note from a gamer shoved under my door," Atkinson claimed. "I feel that my family and I are more at risk from gamers than we are from the outlaw motorcycle gangs who also hate me ... the outlaw motorcycle gangs haven't been hanging around my doorstep at 2 a.m.. A gamer has."

Well, yeah. We wish we could argue with that logic, but we just can't. It's rock solid. Except -- wait. Maybe the outlaw motorcycle gangs don't have the time to wait by your door at 2 a.m. because they're too busy perpetrating violent crimes and distributing meth? No, no -- that's just crazy talk.

[Via GoNintendo]

JoystiqAustralia's Atkinson thinks gamers are scarier than biker gangs originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabanbiker-gangcensorshipmichael-atkinsonmotorcycleoflcr18violenceMon, 15 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian Christian Lobby argues against R18+ rating]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/australian-christian-lobby-argues-against-r18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/australian-christian-lobby-argues-against-r18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/australian-christian-lobby-argues-against-r18-rating/#comments
[Image credit]
We've been following this story for quite some time now. Australia is currently debating a new R18+ rating, which would allow more mature games to be released in the country uncensored. The established maximum rating of MA 15+ has been a pain for both the gamers and those producing the games. Now there's a paper that citizens can weigh in on and retailer EB Games is the latest to support the new, more mature classification. Caught up? Good.

In addition to the roadblock of the Australian Attorney General, it would seem the R18+ rating now has another hurdle to overcome: The Australian Christian Lobby and its head, Jim Wallace. In an interview with GameSpot, Wallace equates violent video games to his time spent in the SAS, comparing soldiers' use of simulation exercises and routines as a way to break their "natural reluctance" to kill an enemy. By making these games more lifelike, he thinks the average citizen will be less hesitant to perform these violent acts outside the confines of their television screens and computer monitors, something he says isn't "in the individual's interest, and it's not in the community's interest."

Wallace also had some choice words for the ongoing public feedback phase of the proposed R18+ rating. He says "the only people who are going to be into this are the games people" -- y'know, the people affected by all of this.

[Via Game Politics]

JoystiqAustralian Christian Lobby argues against R18+ rating originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australian-classification-boardcensorshipoflcr18Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Dante's Inferno not heading to the United Arab Emirates]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/07/report-dantes-inferno-not-heading-to-the-united-arab-emirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/07/report-dantes-inferno-not-heading-to-the-united-arab-emirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/07/report-dantes-inferno-not-heading-to-the-united-arab-emirates/#comments
 According to bilingual gaming news site GamesLatest, the store shelves of the United Arab Emirates won't be stocked with fresh copies of Dante's Inferno any time soon. Electronic Arts reportedly published a statement explaining the company "decided not to release Dante's Inferno in the Middle East after an evaluation process which is based on consumer tastes, preferences, platform mix and other factors."

It might also have something to do with the territory's hesitance to distribute games dealing with religious matter. As GamesLatest points out, both Darksiders and God of War were banned in the territory for their deity-rich plots. Then again, maybe the UAE Media Council just has something against impossibly gravelly voices. Either way, we've contacted EA to get first-hand confirmation of the report.

Gallery: Dante's Inferno (04-28-09)

JoystiqReport: Dante's Inferno not heading to the United Arab Emirates originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bancensorshipdantes-infernoeaelectronic-artsmedia-councilmiddle-eastuaeunited-arab-emiratesvisceral-gamesSun, 07 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: CBS rejects Dante's inferno ad over tagline]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/02/report-cbs-rejects-dantes-inferno-ad-over-tagline/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/02/report-cbs-rejects-dantes-inferno-ad-over-tagline/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/02/report-cbs-rejects-dantes-inferno-ad-over-tagline/#comments According to The Hollywood Reporter, CBS required some editing to EA's Super Bowl ad for Dante's Inferno before it would expose America's fragile hive mind to it. No, it's not because of all the demons and the brimstone and stuff, but rather due to the game's widely-used tag line "Go to Hell." As you can seen in the clip after the jump, it's replaced by "Hell Awaits."

The change is likely because of worries about offending conservative viewers, but we're secretly hoping that Doritos is launching a new super spicy chip during the big game and it just didn't want Dante copying its line.

[Via Eurogamer]

Continue reading Report: CBS rejects Dante's inferno ad over tagline

JoystiqReport: CBS rejects Dante's inferno ad over tagline originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadvertisingcensorshipdantes-infernoeaElectronic-ArtsMicrosoftsuper-bowlvisceral-gamesXbox-360Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Heavy Rain handed '15' rating, BBFC explains]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/heavy-rain-handed-15-rating-bbfc-explains/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/heavy-rain-handed-15-rating-bbfc-explains/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/heavy-rain-handed-15-rating-bbfc-explains/#comments In a rather surprising act of mature judgment, the British Board of Film Classification has assigned Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain a "15" rating. Given the so-called adult themes of the western interactive novel (a genre we're classifying right here), the expectation had been that the game would receive an "18" rating, which is even reflected on retail art mock-ups. The other European ratings board, PEGI, has yet to post its classification for the game.

Speaking with IncGamers, a BBFC spokesperson explained, "These are obviously not real people, or real people acting, and it all depends on the level of blood and violence. We use the same classification for games as we do for films, and this game is suitable for a 15 audience." That's odd, we could have sworn many "real people" acted in Heavy Rain. Still, we're pleasantly surprised to see a ratings board bring equity into play by reviewing a game within the same guidelines used for movies.

Gallery: Heavy Rain


[Via Eurogamer]

JoystiqHeavy Rain handed '15' rating, BBFC explains originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbfccensorshipclassificationheavy-rainInteractive-Dramaquantic-dreamratingsSCESCEAsonySony-Computer-EntertainmentSony-Computer-Entertainment-Americawestern-interactive-novelWed, 06 Jan 2010 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[You too can be a ban-happy Australian politician]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/you-too-can-be-a-ban-happy-australian-politician/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/you-too-can-be-a-ban-happy-australian-politician/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/you-too-can-be-a-ban-happy-australian-politician/#comments Australians have gotten the short end of the gaming stick for some time now, with several games either receiving edits or simply being banned because of the country's lack of an adult classification. Now you can be the one doing the stick shortening thanks to the free downloadable title Ban This Game!, which lets you click on arguably offensive materials to ban them while South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson and Minister for Broadband and Communication Stephen Conroy look on approvingly. (We've got a brief video after the break if you'd like to see it in action.)

If you'd like to take your activism beyond clicking 50 Cent and giggling, there's loads of more info on the game's Facebook page.

[Via GamePolitics]

Continue reading You too can be a ban-happy Australian politician

JoystiqYou too can be a ban-happy Australian politician originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaban-this-gamecensorshipfacebookpoliticsratingsserious-gamesWed, 06 Jan 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega: Aliens vs. Predator reclassified in Australia without edits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/sega-aliens-vs-predator-reclassified-in-australia-without-edit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/sega-aliens-vs-predator-reclassified-in-australia-without-edit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/sega-aliens-vs-predator-reclassified-in-australia-without-edit/#commentsSega has announced its victory in the fight over whether or not Australians will get to (legally) play Aliens vs. Predator. According to a statement given to Kotaku, Sega has successfully appealed the OFLC's decision to refuse classification to the FPS and has secured the game a rating of MA-15+, which has yet to be reflected in the OFLC database.

"We are particularly proud that the game will be released in its original entirety, with no content altered or removed whatsoever," Sega Australia general manager Darren Macbeth told Kotaku. "This is a big win for Australian gamers. We applaud the Classification Review Board on making a decision that clearly considers the context of the game, and is in line with the modern expectations of reasonable Australians".

We now urge our Australian friends not to do anything that might appear even the least bit inspired by this game. If you see a ravenous, monstrous alien, let it go unblasted.

JoystiqSega: Aliens vs. Predator reclassified in Australia without edits originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliens-vs-predatoraustraliaavpcensorshipfpsMicrosoftoflcratingrebellionsci-fisegaXbox-360Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Australia releases R18+ discussion paper, requests public feedback]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/australia-releases-r18-discussion-paper-requests-public-feedba/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/australia-releases-r18-discussion-paper-requests-public-feedba/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/australia-releases-r18-discussion-paper-requests-public-feedba/#comments The Australian government has finally released the R18+ discussion paper and is requesting comment on whether the adult classification should be made available for video games. For those just joining us, Aussie video game classification caps at MA15+, meaning any game unsuitable for a 15-year-old can't be sold in the region.

Submissions stating why the government should allow an R18+ rating for games is due by February 28, 2010. The government spells out quite plainly that any change in the classification policy "must be unanimously agreed [upon] by Commonwealth, State and Territory Censorship Ministers."

[Thanks Simon and everyone else who sent this in]

JoystiqAustralia releases R18+ discussion paper, requests public feedback originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiacensorshipmichael-atkinsonoflcr18Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aussie Steam users get low-violence Borderlands by accident, fix incoming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/aussie-steam-users-get-low-violence-borderlands-by-accident-fix/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/aussie-steam-users-get-low-violence-borderlands-by-accident-fix/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/27/aussie-steam-users-get-low-violence-borderlands-by-accident-fix/#comments
Oops! Australia has become so synonymous with censorship that even distributors are starting to get confused. Despite the unedited version of Borderlands passing the OFLC's ratings board successfully, it turns out that a "low-violence" version was accidentally uploaded for Aussies on Steam.

2K Games Australia is apparently working on getting the correct version onto Steam before the game launches in a few days. This does not affect the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game, which will be presented in what can only be described as "full violence" mode. Now, with luck, Australia will have the exact opposite problem with Left 4 Dead 2's launch.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqAussie Steam users get low-violence Borderlands by accident, fix incoming originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaborderlandscensorshipgearboxgearbox-softwareoflcsteamTue, 27 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Unedited Left 4 Dead 2 refused Aussie classification for second time]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/unedited-left-4-dead-2-refused-aussie-classification-for-second/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/unedited-left-4-dead-2-refused-aussie-classification-for-second/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/unedited-left-4-dead-2-refused-aussie-classification-for-second/#comments
On this day of reckoning, Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification has denied Valve's appeal to sell the unedited Left 4 Dead 2 down under. The three-member board determined unanimously that the game "could not be accommodated within the MA 15+ classification," which is the highest rating allowed for video games in the region.

The board believes that there is "insufficient delineation between the depiction of general zombie figures and the human figures." The inability to clearly distinguish the humans from the "clearly fictional 'infected'" was a "major consideration" of the board.

The unedited version of Left 4 Dead 2 is classified RC (refused classification) and "cannot be sold, hired, advertised or demonstrated in Australia." Sorry, mates. An edited version of the game has been approved by the OFLC for consumption in Australia -- censoring "decapitation, dismemberment, wound detail or piles of dead bodies lying about the environment."

[Thanks, Adam]

JoystiqUnedited Left 4 Dead 2 refused Aussie classification for second time originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiacensorshipclassificationleft-4-dead-2MicrosoftoflcuneditedvalveXbox-360Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[TGS 2009: Why Epic Games briefly gave up on Gears of War 2's Japanese release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/tgs-2009-why-epic-games-briefly-gave-up-on-gears-of-war-2s-jap/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/tgs-2009-why-epic-games-briefly-gave-up-on-gears-of-war-2s-jap/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/tgs-2009-why-epic-games-briefly-gave-up-on-gears-of-war-2s-jap/#comments
"Our experience with the first Gears of War was very frustrating," Dr. Michael Capps said at his Gears of War panel at Tokyo Game Show. He noted that translating into Japanese is no problem, but passing the censors? "Huge problem," echoing the sentiments of Square Enix's Yoichi Wada yesterday. Essentially, Epic was forced into making two different games: "Japan version and 'rest of the world' version'" A separate team was needed in customizing content and removing much of the violence featured in the game. "Every Title Update, and all Downloadable content, had to be done twice."

In spite of all the effort, Japanese sales of the first GoW represented "less than 1% of Gears sales worldwide," prompting Epic Games to simply give up on working on a Japanese version of the sequel. "We could never make a version for Japan that would fit our creative vision," Capps said, content with avoiding a Japanese release of GoW2.

"But our fans in Japan were very vocal about playing the new game." According to Capps, about 50,000 Japanese fans in Japan imported the game from America. With encouragement from Microsoft Japan, the team discovered that censorship had become a bit more lax since the release of the first game. Development ended, with a Japanese release of GoW2 in July, over half a year after the US release. Capps was happy with getting the critical reception in Japan, but the trials of the Gears of War franchise show the continuing problem of games censorship in Japan.

JoystiqTGS 2009: Why Epic Games briefly gave up on Gears of War 2's Japanese release originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipepic-gamesgears-of-wargears-of-war-2japanMicrosofttgs-2009Xbox-360Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metroid Prime Trilogy 'damn'-ed by silly censorship]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/metroid-prime-trilogy-damn-ed-by-silly-censorship/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/metroid-prime-trilogy-damn-ed-by-silly-censorship/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/metroid-prime-trilogy-damn-ed-by-silly-censorship/#comments Remember that scene in Legend of Zelda where Link eats Ganondorf's heart to silence the demons haunting the young Hylian about his brutal childhood? No, of course not, that was censored. What about the scene in Pikmin portraying the plant society as being built around fascist ideals and Olimar becoming their goose-stepping overlord? No, 'cause the was censored too. Both of these instances make sense when compared to the removal of the word "damn" from the Metroid Prime Trilogy.

In the video after the break, which appears to be authentic, an innocent "damn" found in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption was altered to a "no." We'll be gosh darned if that ain't the most golly gee willikers silly-faced thing we'd ever done seen. We're following up with Nintendo and Retro Studios to find out the reason for the change.

[Via Go Nintendo]

Gallery: Metroid Prime Trilogy box


Continue reading Metroid Prime Trilogy 'damn'-ed by silly censorship

JoystiqMetroid Prime Trilogy 'damn'-ed by silly censorship originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipmetroid-prime-3metroid-prime-3-corruptionmetroid-prime-trilogynintendoretro-studiosMon, 31 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian net filter can block video games that aren't rated]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/australian-net-filter-can-block-video-games-that-arent-rated/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/australian-net-filter-can-block-video-games-that-arent-rated/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/australian-net-filter-can-block-video-games-that-arent-rated/#comments
Austrailia's censorship on mature-themed video games isn't as strict as we thought ... but it soon will be. The government is pushing forward with its national internet filtering system, a program designed to block all the world's evils -- including video games that don't meet the country's MA15+ rating standard. As The Age reports, the current system of "banning" only applied to actual stores, but the new internet filtration system is supposed to catch unclassified downloadable games, Flash games and sites that sell physical copies of games that don't abide by the MA15+ standard.

Seriously, Australia needs to stop basing its video game rating system around what's appropriate for a 15-year-old.

Source -- Web filters to censor video games
Source -- Australian 'Net filter to block video games, too

[Thanks, Isaac]

JoystiqAustralian net filter can block video games that aren't rated originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiacensorshipma15Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[LGJ: Supreme Court Decision Doesn't Bode Well]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/lgj-supreme-court-decision-doesnt-bode-well/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/lgj-supreme-court-decision-doesnt-bode-well/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/30/lgj-supreme-court-decision-doesnt-bode-well/#commentsFiled under:

Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq ("LGJ"), a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:


The recent FCC v. Fox decision seems to have gone relatively unnoticed in the gaming press. Yes, the case at hand was about broadcast media and the FCC, and yes, the makeup of the court is now certain to change since the decision came down. However, neither of these potentially distracting facts should take away from what this decision really is: yet another expansion of the government's censorship power over the public. If there is anything the gaming public should be paying attention to, given the continued anti-game activism, is successful control over other media. And there are really three major concerns that come from this ruling.

First, I want to make it clear what this ruling is not. The ruling is not an actual victory for game opponents. While it makes some suggestions, the precedent can't be directly applied to the game industry at this time. After all, there is no governmental body to control game releases because those releases are not being made over licensed broadcast spectrum. After all, the government only controls TV broadcasts because the government owns the airwaves. More importantly, this ruling is not purely about censorship or the First Amendment. A significant part of this case is administrative law, and for those same reasons, it's not applicable to the game industry.

Continue reading LGJ: Supreme Court Decision Doesn't Bode Well

JoystiqLGJ: Supreme Court Decision Doesn't Bode Well originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 May 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipfcclawlaw-of-the-gameljgsupreme-courtSat, 30 May 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian ratings board website now classified as 'hacked']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/27/australian-ratings-board-website-now-classified-as-hacked/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/27/australian-ratings-board-website-now-classified-as-hacked/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/27/australian-ratings-board-website-now-classified-as-hacked/#commentsThe website for the Office and Film and Literature Classification, the Australian ratings body that assigns age-based content ratings to media -- including, most importantly to us, games -- has been hacked by jerks. The website has been temporarily taken down.

The hackers added a message to the front page that said "This site contains information about the boards that have the right to CONTROL YOUR FREEDOMZ," according to GameSpot. "The Classification Board has the right to not just classify content (the name is an ELABORATE TRICK), but also the right to DECIDE WHAT IS AND ISNT APPROPRIATE and BAN CONTENT FROM THE PUBLIC [sic]." The attack could be in response to last night's ABC Q&A show, in which Minister for Communications Stephen Conroy spoke about a plan for mandatory Internet filtering.

While we don't necessarily agree with that plan, we really don't agree with any response that leads to the inaccessibility of the OFLC website. Did the hackers even consider for a moment how their actions would affect our ability to learn about unannounced games?

JoystiqAustralian ratings board website now classified as 'hacked' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiacensorshiphackingoflcFri, 27 Mar 2009 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: Attorney discusses top censorship issues facing industry]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/27/gdc09-attorney-discusses-top-censorship-issues-facing-industry/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/27/gdc09-attorney-discusses-top-censorship-issues-facing-industry/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/27/gdc09-attorney-discusses-top-censorship-issues-facing-industry/#comments
Attorney Lawrence Walters (the anti-Jack Thompson) knows his game censorship issues, having presented on the subject in GDC's past. His latest appearance -- much like an annual iteration of Madden -- covered familiar territory, with an updated roster of censorship kerfuffles. We spoke with Walters after his presentation and asked what he thought were the top three censorship threats facing the game industry:
  • Labeling laws.
  • Studies funded by taxpayer dollars seeking a correlation between video games and violence. He believes the first one that shows something statistically significant will cause serious issues for the industry.
  • "The politically correct censorship emerging from the left," which has occurred since the political landscape changed. He believes it's the same "thought police stuff," it's just now coming from the other side of the political aisle.
What about international concerns?
  • Germany's censorship issues when dealing with violent video games.
  • Australia's lack of M-rating for games causing "de facto bans."
  • "A lack of understanding that free expression is a basic human right." Walters stated that stifling human creativity isn't good. Some people might not like a certain game, but he believes it still has the right to exist.

JoystiqGDC09: Attorney discusses top censorship issues facing industry originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorcensorshipgdc-2009lawrence-walterswaltersFri, 27 Mar 2009 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian MMOs: Without classification, but still on store shelves]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/australian-mmos-without-classification-but-still-on-store-shel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/australian-mmos-without-classification-but-still-on-store-shel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/australian-mmos-without-classification-but-still-on-store-shel/#commentsFiled under:

We've talked about it in the past ad nauseum, but for those who are just now joining us: the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) doesn't have a rating for video games above MA15+. Thus, if your title is deemed too inappropriate for someone 15 years or older, it's Refused Classification (RC), essentially barring it from sale in the country. Except, it seems, if your game is an MMO.

Our friends at Massively took a look at MMOs in Australia, which -- with few exceptions -- are sold at retail without any rating whatsoever. Developers and publishers claim they've never submitted their titles to the OFLC because they didn't believe it was necessary to do so. That misconception may have come from the board itself, who is said to have given such counsel before it was merged with the Federal Attorney-General's Office. However, the now-assimilated group is saying that MMOs require classification, and selling an unclassified game is a crime. Hit up Massively for more information. This is gonna be a very interesting story to follow.

JoystiqAustralian MMOs: Without classification, but still on store shelves originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiacensorshipclassificationlawlegalmmommo rpgMmoRpgoflcratingratingsrpgThu, 29 Jan 2009 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Postal 2 to be featured in Nobel Prize museum]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/postal-2-to-be-featured-in-nobel-prize-museum/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/postal-2-to-be-featured-in-nobel-prize-museum/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/postal-2-to-be-featured-in-nobel-prize-museum/#commentsFiled under: ,


We'd wager that the first time the gaming community collectively booted up Running With Scissors' Gary Coleman-rich urination sim, Postal 2, we all shared the same thought: that this game absolutely needs to be showcased in some sort of museum commemorating mankind's greatest accomplishments. If memory serves, many of the title's reviews included similar sentiments.

Finally, that observation is being realized. Sweden's Nobel Museum, whose galleries are littered with installations denoting the achievements of Nobel laureates (as well as the life of the prize's progenitor, Alfred Nobel), will be including Postal 2 in a new exhibit titled "Freedom of Speech: How Free is Free?" The game will be included in a section that focuses on censorship in the video game industry. We're really happy such an exhibit exists; we just wish they'd picked a ... well, a good controversial game.

JoystiqPostal 2 to be featured in Nobel Prize museum originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipfreedom-of-speechmuseumnobel-museumPCpostal-2Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:24:00 EST<![CDATA[BBFC grants MadWorld '18' rating, no cuts made]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/bbfc-grants-madworld-18-rating-in-uk-no-cuts-made/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/bbfc-grants-madworld-18-rating-in-uk-no-cuts-made/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/bbfc-grants-madworld-18-rating-in-uk-no-cuts-made/#commentsFiled under:


Despite the Daily Mail's best attempts to whip up a fuss, the BBFC has granted MadWorld an "18" certificate in the UK. It is the eighth Wii game to receive the rating (see the full list after the jump), and was passed with -- yay! -- no cuts whatsoever. Sega is likely to face a bigger obstacle when it comes to getting the game rated elsewhere, and it seems to realize this. MadWorld won't even be released in Germany or Japan, while Australia's notoriously conservative OFLC may take some convincing.

Elsewhere in MadWorld, uh, world, IGN has posted one of the first hands-on previews, including a full breakdown of the controls. The Nunchuk will be used to make protagonist Jack move and jump (with Z), the C button centers the camera behind Jack, punching people in the face is done with A, while the chainsaw attacks are on the B trigger. Holding A lets you pick people up, which is where you can perform special moves by waggling.

Continue reading BBFC grants MadWorld '18' rating, no cuts made

JoystiqBBFC grants MadWorld '18' rating, no cuts made originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionbbfccensorshipmadworldplatinum-gamesratingsegaukviolenceThu, 15 Jan 2009 15:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinatown Wars receives '18' rating in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/chinatown-wars-receives-18-rating-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/chinatown-wars-receives-18-rating-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/chinatown-wars-receives-18-rating-in-uk/#commentsFiled under:

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has been granted an "18" certificate in Britain by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification, and no, we don't understand that, either).

Huge surprise, right? Well, no. We already know about the drug-dealing subgame, and any GTA game receiving a restrictive age rating is hardly news. But then Chinatown Wars is also the first DS title in the UK to receive such a classification, a landmark that is worth recording. Incidentally, no DS title has yet obtained an "Adults Only" rating from the ESRB (indeed, only six have been rated "M" -- C.O.R.E., theresia, Ultimate Mortal Kombat, Dementium, Touch the Dead, and Resident Evil: Deadly Silence); could Chinatown Wars be the first?

Also of interest: the BBFC's listing for the game reveals that the title contains 168 minutes of in-game cut-scenes. Wow!


[Via MCV]

JoystiqChinatown Wars receives '18' rating in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionbbfccensorshipchinatown-warsgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsratingrockstarsandboxtake-twoukFri, 09 Jan 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Home's zero tolerance chat censorship policy criticized]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/28/homes-zero-tolerance-chat-censorship-policy-criticized/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/28/homes-zero-tolerance-chat-censorship-policy-criticized/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/28/homes-zero-tolerance-chat-censorship-policy-criticized/#commentsFiled under: ,


We trust the collective PlayStation Home-playing community about as far as we can throw them, but we can't help but agree with a recent San Francisco Chronicle article that criticizes the "game's" ridiculously strict chat censorship policy. The article explores the case of Michael Marsh, who attempted to start a gay/straight alliance club, only to find that the words gay, lesbian and bisexual (all "preferred terms" in the gay community) were being blocked by the profanity filter; a policy Marsh worries could encourage players to think of them as pejorative terms.

The filter doesn't just apply an unflinching amount of restriction to terms describing sexual preference -- "Christ" and "Jew" are also given the asterisk treatment, and even "Hello" gets blocked for its implementation of the dreaded "h-e-double-hockey-sticks". An SCEA spokesperson responded by saying that "user behavior and feedback" will help guide their changes during the beta process.

What do you guys think? Can Home users be trusted to utter the names of religious figures and issue polite salutations to one another?

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqHome's zero tolerance chat censorship policy criticized originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipchat-filteringplaystation-homePS3sonySun, 28 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 5: Get Up, Stand Up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/top-5-get-up-stand-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/top-5-get-up-stand-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/top-5-get-up-stand-up/#commentsFiled under:


Coming off perhaps the longest election of all eternity, one aspect that stands out for me is the relentless demand for voting. Particularly for young people, the act of voting transcended the realm of obligation and became more of a societal requirement. 2004's "Vote or Die" campaign resurrected itself as "Don't Vote": a series of videos where celebrities tell us to be apathetic about voting ... and then hit us with a psych! You just got sarcasm'd! In reality, the "Don't Vote" videos are giving the viewer a wink which nonverbally says "we're messin' around; go vote, you moron!"

Inarguably, such campaigns have been successful. The youth turnout was very large in 2004 and even larger this year. 24 million of them, in fact, aged 18 to 29 showed up, which is an increase of 2.2 million from 2004. While it's great to see participation in our political process, one wonders about the old newspaper to voting question, which goes something like this: "About half the population vote and about half read the newspaper. Let's hope it's the same half." Indeed, I question who is the better person: an uninformed voter, or an informed abstainer. On the other hand, perhaps pressuring us into the voting booth is justified: by voting for or against a candidate, we're investing ourselves in those individuals. Thus, we follow their progress and learn as we go. Whether the ends justify the means is for someone wiser than me to decide.

Which leads me to gaming. Gaming is both entertainment and an art-form. It's evolved from an experiment by college researchers to a hobby for electronic enthusiasts to a distraction for bar patrons to a culture for children before finally reaching its final stage of metamorphosis: a global juggernaut larger than film and music which appeals to an incredibly diverse group of folks. And as it becomes more relevant in our society, those of us who follow it closely should feel a responsibility to stay informed and take action when appropriate and/or necessary. Last week I presented a list of items that divides gamers. Here's the Top 5 issues that should leave you standing shoulder to shoulder with your gaming comrades.


The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.

JoystiqTop 5: Get Up, Stand Up originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipdrmdrm-freedrm-toolesrbesrb-ratingfox-newsfree-speechjack-thompsonjoystiqfeaturestop-5Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallout 3 censored in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/fallout-3-censored-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/fallout-3-censored-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/fallout-3-censored-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: ,


According to our friends at Insert Credit, BethSoft Japan has announced that mega hit Fallout 3 will be toned down when it reaches the Land of the Rising Sun. As you could probably imagine, that means trimming some of the violent kills and head explosions. But it also means completely eliminating a mission that allows you to destroy the town of Megaton with a nuclear bomb, for reasons you can probably piece together.

Usually, we're anti-censorship, but we kind of see where Bethesda's coming from on this one. What do you think?

[Via Insert Credit]

JoystiqFallout 3 censored in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdaBethesda-Game-StudiosBethesda-Softworkscensorshipfallout-3PS3RPGXbox-360Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:45:00 EST