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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nintendo lifts European eShop age restriction]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/nintendo-lifts-european-eshop-age-restriction/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/nintendo-lifts-european-eshop-age-restriction/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/21/nintendo-lifts-european-eshop-age-restriction/#comments Nintendo has lifted the legally-motivated restriction on Nintendo eShop sales of 18+ rated content in Europe, allowing users to purchase games like ZombiU any time of the day they feel like doing so. Previously, sales of mature-rated content were limited to the hours between 11pm and 3am.

"Following analysis of the Parental Controls system on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in cooperation with USK, the German Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body, it was deemed that Nintendo's Parental Control system was found to have proved itself in practice," Nintendo informed European fans, as reproduced by reporter Daan Koopman.

The "in practice" bit answers our question of why the USK didn't make this decision until the Wii U had been available for months, and the 3DS for two years.

JoystiqNintendo lifts European eShop age restriction originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dseshopeuropenintendouskwii-uThu, 21 Mar 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Island: Riptide not washing up in Germany]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/30/dead-island-riptide-not-washing-up-in-germany/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/30/dead-island-riptide-not-washing-up-in-germany/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/30/dead-island-riptide-not-washing-up-in-germany/#comments Dead Island Riptide puts some spring back in zombies' stepsDead Island: Riptide, like the original Dead Island, won't be released in Germany, home base of publisher Deep Silver. Riptide creative producer Sebastian Reichert said at Gamescom he "wouldn't bet" on the game being available in Germany, but now he's stated it officially.

"We have no censored version of the game," Reichert told PCGamesN. "So we cannot release it in Germany. It feels f*cking awkward to have one of the most successful games in years and nobody in your country knows it."

We double-checked with publisher Deep Silver to make sure there wasn't anything lost in translation and a company representative confirmed Riptide wouldn't be available in Germany. The Unterhaltungssoftware Selbskontrolle (USK) must follow government-enforced criteria that, along with other elements, note a game can't have extreme violence against human-like enemies.

Under a microscope, the USK's determination of such things can get awfully fiddly. It was a surprise back in 2011 when Epic's Gears of War 3 passed the censors, while no other installment in the series had made the grade. It wasn't just a surprise to us, but to Epic itself.

JoystiqDead Island: Riptide not washing up in Germany originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-island-riptideDeep-silvergermanymicrosoftpcplaystationps3techlanduskxboxFri, 30 Nov 2012 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtua Fighter 2, Sonic the Fighters, and Fighting Vipers rated for Xbox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/09/virtua-fighter-2-sonic-the-fighters-and-fighting-vipers-rated/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/09/virtua-fighter-2-sonic-the-fighters-and-fighting-vipers-rated/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/09/virtua-fighter-2-sonic-the-fighters-and-fighting-vipers-rated/#comments Virtua Fighter 2, Sonic the Fighters, and Fighting Vipers rated for Xbox 360Virtua Fighter 2, Sonic the Fighters, and Fighting Vipers may be coming to Xbox Live Arcade soon, after recently receiving ratings from German software regulator USK. While USK rated the fighting games for Xbox 360, given Sega's recent track record it's likely the trio are also coming to PlayStation Network.

The three mid-90s games are intimately related. Sega AM2 brought Fighting Vipers to arcades a year after Virtua Fighter 2 in 1995. Fighting Vipers featured similar controls, moves, and animations to its more renowned predecessor. It had its own shticks, though, introducing breakable armor along with walls to cage the fighters in. In turn Sonic the Fighters plays similarly to Fighting Vipers, unsurprising since it was the eventual result of a Sega progammer coding in Sonic and Tails to that game. In 1996 Sega released Fighters Megamix, a Saturn crossover which contained characters from all three.games.

We've reached out to Sega to confirm any upcoming re-releases of the three fighters.

JoystiqVirtua Fighter 2, Sonic the Fighters, and Fighting Vipers rated for Xbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fighting-vipersmicrosoftsegasonic-the-fightersuskvirtua-fighter-2XBLAxboxTue, 09 Oct 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DOOM and DOOM 2 now acceptable in Germany, Berlin renamed E1M1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/doom-and-doom-2-now-acceptable-in-germany-berlin-renamed-e1m1/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/doom-and-doom-2-now-acceptable-in-germany-berlin-renamed-e1m1/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/31/doom-and-doom-2-now-acceptable-in-germany-berlin-renamed-e1m1/#comments Landmark titles DOOM and DOOM 2 received a USK 16+ rating in Germany today. Both titles were previously indexed by the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons (BPjM), which placed the games in the same commercially restrictive category as porn.

"We are obviously very pleased with their decision," Bethesda Softworks VP of PR and Marketing Pete Hines told us this morning. "Can't give you details yet on when they will be available in Germany. We'll let everyone know as soon as we know."

Hines explained that an appeal of the indexing is allowed after 10 years, with DOOM and DOOM 2 having been released in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Publisher Bethesda Softworks, whose parent company acquired original developer id Software in 2009, figured it would take the shot.

This is the latest classification surprise from Germany, which recently rated Gears of War 3, after both the previous installments were indexed. Microsoft is currently looking into getting the first two games available in the country.

[Thanks, Timo.]

JoystiqDOOM and DOOM 2 now acceptable in Germany, Berlin renamed E1M1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-SoftworksBPjMDoomDoom-2id-SoftwarepcUSKWed, 31 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 rating in Germany 'pleasantly shocked' Epic president]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/gears-of-war-3-rating-in-germany-pleasantly-shocked-epic-presi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/gears-of-war-3-rating-in-germany-pleasantly-shocked-epic-presi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/gears-of-war-3-rating-in-germany-pleasantly-shocked-epic-presi/#comments Epic Games president Mike Capps says he and the company were just as surprised as anyone else when Gears of War 3 obtained a classification in Germany. Last week, Gears of War 3 received an "18" rating from the German USK, making it the first Gears not to be indexed in the region.

"I wish I could give you a list, because then I could tell you I wasn't shocked when I heard we didn't get indexed. I was very much surprised, I'll admit," Capps told us when we asked what changes Epic had made to the franchise formula to get the game rated. "To me, Gears 3 is not just more of Gears 2, but tons more. ... It doesn't immediately strike me as something easier to pass through. It's not a modified version there. We have a "no gore" filter, but we've had that for Gears. We didn't do anything special for Germany this time."

Capps is, of course, happy that Epic can finally bring its biggest series to Germany. He told us the country was the developer's "second biggest support center for Epic products," and that Unreal Tournament was huge there. He also mentioned that several members of the company's staff at the Raleigh studio are from Germany, including their engine lead.

So, is there any chance of Gears of War 1 and 2, perhaps in their Triple Pack format, being resubmitted for approval in Germany?

"That's a fantastic idea." Capps said enthusiastically. "We didn't try to submit it at all. I don't think anyone thought to. We'll give it a shot."

JoystiqGears of War 3 rating in Germany 'pleasantly shocked' Epic president originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BPjMGears-of-War-3GermanymicrosoftMike-CappsUSKxboxFri, 22 Jul 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 classified in Germany without edits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/gears-of-war-3-classified-in-germany-without-edits/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/gears-of-war-3-classified-in-germany-without-edits/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/gears-of-war-3-classified-in-germany-without-edits/#comments Gears of War 3 received a rating of "18" from the USK in Germany, making it the first Gears of War title not to be indexed in the region. Indexing is done by the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons (BPjM) and doesn't outright ban a product, but essentially treats it like porn with restrictions. The USK did submit Gears of War 3 as a "case of doubt" to the BPjM, but the title received the all-clear.

The harsher restrictions in Germany prompt many games that feature violence prominently to submit a toned down ("censored") version, in the hopes of getting a rating. Eurogamer Germany reports that this is not the case with Gears of War 3, which is "definitely uncut."

Joystiq also received the following statement from Microsoft: "While we can't comment on the ratings process or the subjective content standards of the USK, we can say the rating was determined following a detailed review of the game, and that the content of the German version of Gears of War 3 has not been modified from the original with the exception of a full German language localization."

A representative for the USK tells Joystiq that Gears 3 "has a different feel to it than its predecessors," and that the arguments used to index the first two games didn't hold up.

Update: Added official Microsoft statement.

[Thanks, Timo]

JoystiqGears of War 3 classified in Germany without edits originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BPjMEpic-GamesGears-of-War-3GermanyMicrosoftUSKxboxThu, 14 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Double Dragon 2: Wanderer of the Dragons rated for Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/double-dragon-2-wanderer-of-the-dragons-rated-for-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/double-dragon-2-wanderer-of-the-dragons-rated-for-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/double-dragon-2-wanderer-of-the-dragons-rated-for-xbox-360/#comments While we were happy to read on Siliconera that the German USK rated Double Dragon II: Wanderer of the Dragons for the Xbox 360, we can't say we were all that surprised, what with Double Dragon having appeared on the service some four years ago.

No, the interesting thing for us isn't that Double Dragon II is coming -- it's wondering which Double Dragon II will show up. The original arcade version was broken up into just four stages, while the NES version completely redesigned the levels, upped the number nine and included some additional story segments.

But we are perhaps most captivated by the subtitle of this rumored release, "Wanderer of the Dragons." Wandering just doesn't seem to be in Billy and Jimmy Lee's physical vocabulary, does it? "Puncher of the Dragons"? Sure. "Hurricane Kicker of the Dragons"? Now you're talking.

JoystiqDouble Dragon 2: Wanderer of the Dragons rated for Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>double-dragon-2-wanderer-of-the-dragonsmicrosoftuskxblaxboxFri, 24 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[USK rates Hole in the Wall for Kinect, Cut the Rope for DSiWare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/usk-rates-hole-in-the-wall-for-kinect-cut-the-rope-for-dsiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/usk-rates-hole-in-the-wall-for-kinect-cut-the-rope-for-dsiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/usk-rates-hole-in-the-wall-for-kinect-cut-the-rope-for-dsiware/#comments A few hacks have hinted at it, a few minigames in collections like Carnival Games: Monkey See, Monkey Do have touched on it -- now it seems Microsoft is fully cashing in on the very reason for the Kinect's existence: Hole in the Wall. The game, in which players contort their body in an attempt to fit through the titular cavity, was recently rated by the German USK ratings board. No details about the title were included in the rating, other than the fact Microsoft will handle publishing duties.

Another, equally exciting new entry on the USK ratings site is a DSiWare listing for Chillingo's infinitely addicting puzzle game, Cut the Rope. Again, there are few details, but a tease posted on the Facebook page of indie developer Abstraction Games (which brought Angry Birds to PSP earlier this year) seems to indicate they'll be in charge of porting the title. We'll let you know when we hear more about these two projects!

JoystiqUSK rates Hole in the Wall for Kinect, Cut the Rope for DSiWare originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 May 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abstraction-gameschillingocut-the-ropedsdsiwarehole-in-the-wallkinectmicrosoftnintendouskxboxWed, 18 May 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chime Super Deluxe headed to PSN]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/13/chime-super-deluxe/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/13/chime-super-deluxe/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/13/chime-super-deluxe/#comments Good news for music-infused puzzle game fans, as it looks like Zoë Mode is giving Chime another go. According to both the Australian Classification Board and the German USK, Chime Super Deluxe was recently classified (December 10, according to the Aussie board). It looks like this version will not be published by the One Big Game charity label, but rather Zoë Mode's parent company, Kuju Entertainment.

The USK lists the title for the PS3 (likely the PSN), while the Classification Board notes the game is for multiple platforms. We contacted Zoë mode for clarification and were told that the multi platform listing was a "mistake," implying that Chime Super Deluxe will indeed be exclusive to PSN. The company added that the title "will be fully announced in the new year." Without being too presumptuous, we're going to guess it will be more "super" and "deluxe" than the previous version.

JoystiqChime Super Deluxe headed to PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chime-super-deluxekuju-entertainmentmicrosoftoflcplaystationps3psnuskzoe-modeMon, 13 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bejeweled Blitz Live rated by German, Australian boards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/bejeweled-blitz-live-rated-by-german-australian-boards/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/bejeweled-blitz-live-rated-by-german-australian-boards/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/bejeweled-blitz-live-rated-by-german-australian-boards/#comments Bejeweled Blitz Live has been rated by Germany's USK and Australia's classification board. The Australian listing is quite vague, giving the impression the title could be bound for retailers on PC, but the USK classification blatantly declares it as an Xbox 360 title. Perhaps it will appear for both. Developer and publisher PopCap Games tells Joystiq it is currently "not commenting" on the matter.

PopCap introduced Bejeweled Blitz to Facebook gamers almost two years ago, and added Zuma Blitz this year. Let's see if PopCap can beat the ESRB's hat trick of announcing its games.

JoystiqBejeweled Blitz Live rated by German, Australian boards originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaBejeweled-BlitzgermanymicrosoftOFLCpcPopCapPopCap-GamesUSKxboxWed, 03 Nov 2010 11:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco's 'Metro Cross' and 'Aero-Cross' rated]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/namcos-metro-cross-and-aero-cross-rated/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/namcos-metro-cross-and-aero-cross-rated/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/31/namcos-metro-cross-and-aero-cross-rated/#commentsFiled under: , ,

[KLOV]
In Australia, the OFLC has rated a game called "Aero-Cross HighAir" developed and published by Namco Bandai. At the same time, GamerBytes reports that the German USK rated an Xbox 360 game called "Metro Cross HighAir GP," though that rating has since disappeared. The similar names suggest these two ratings are for the same game.

The "Metro Cross" name in the German rating seems to indicate an updated (perhaps Pac-Man CE-like?) version of Namco's 1985 arcade game Metro-Cross, a side-scrolling foot race game in which players have to avoid giant rolling soda cans. However, it's hard to reconcile that concept with the name "Aero-Cross," so it should be interesting to see what Namco Bandai rolls out.

JoystiqNamco's 'Metro Cross' and 'Aero-Cross' rated originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aero-cross-highairmetro-crossmetro-cross-highair-gpmicrosoftnamco-bandaioflcuskxboxTue, 31 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Achtung! How to find Germany's list of edited games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/achtung-how-to-find-germanys-list-of-edited-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/achtung-how-to-find-germanys-list-of-edited-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/achtung-how-to-find-germanys-list-of-edited-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Australia may get the press for censoring games, but Germany's been doing it for a while and it's a relatively common practice required to release most violent games in the country. At GDC Europe, the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbskontrolle (USK), gave a very detailed explanation on how the organization goes about rating (and banning) games.

As the rules are government-enforced under criteria determined by the BPjM (German Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons), any game that is judged by a panel to have extremely gross depiction of violence against human-life enemies, "autotelic" violence, complete lack of non-violent gameplay elements, unsanctioned killing or serious injury of innocent bystanders or children automatically gets the non-rating banhammer.

The USK representatives themselves clearly recognized the system isn't perfect, but noted that they have to follow the government rules; therefore, before ponying up the couple thousand Euro submission fee, many publishers preemptively provide an edited version of their games to the board. To check out the list of edited games yourself, go to USK.de, click on the last option in "Alterskennzeichen" and type "dt. version" under Titel.

JoystiqAchtung! How to find Germany's list of edited games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamescom-2010GDC-Europe-2010microsoftnintendopcplaystationps3USKwiixboxTue, 17 Aug 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bejeweled 2 rated for Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/06/bejeweled-2-rated-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/06/bejeweled-2-rated-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/06/bejeweled-2-rated-for-wii/#commentsPopCap's remarkably popular casual games have been released on just about every gaming platform on the current market, save for one notable exception: Wii. That could soon change, however, according to the USK. Germany's ratings board has listed the match-three puzzle game Bejeweled 2 for release on Wii. Now Mike Leyde can start all over again -- with a new control scheme!

If you haven't played Bejeweled 2, you can download it here or play a web version here. Oh, but first, clear your day.

[Via Gamerbytes]

JoystiqBejeweled 2 rated for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 May 2010 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bejeweledbejeweled-2germanypopcappuzzleratingsuskThu, 06 May 2010 14:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft's 'Bloody Good Time' rated in Australia]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/18/ubisofts-bloody-good-time-rated-in-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/18/ubisofts-bloody-good-time-rated-in-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/18/ubisofts-bloody-good-time-rated-in-australia/#commentsThe Australian OFLC ratings board has granted a rating to an Ubisoft game called Bloody Good Time -- a game that has yet to be quite announced, though Ubisoft already has a site for it. According to the blurb on the incomplete site, "Bloody Good Time is a game regrouping ambitious teen actors ready to kill for fame! Selected by a weird B-movie director looking for the best shot, they will do anything to get the lead role." How did this make it through the rating process in Australia, exactly?

A German USK rating further specifies this game as an Xbox Live Arcade release -- essentially leaving only release date and graphical styles as open questions. Well, that and the issue of whether you control the murderous teen actors, in which case it's a multiplayer shooter, or the director, in which case it's something really interesting.

JoystiqUbisoft's 'Bloody Good Time' rated in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloody-good-timeMicrosoftoflcubisoftuskxblaXbox-360xbox-live-arcadeThu, 18 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[USK: Multiplayer Blur demo for Xbox 360 in the works]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/usk-multiplayer-blur-demo-for-xbox-360-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/usk-multiplayer-blur-demo-for-xbox-360-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/05/usk-multiplayer-blur-demo-for-xbox-360-in-the-works/#comments Leadfoots looking to put the pedal to the metal in Bizarre Creations' upcoming racer, Blur, may just get their chance, as Germany's USK database has posted (machine translation) that a Xbox 360 multiplayer demo is in the works. The listing makes no mention of a PS3 demo, though we wouldn't suggest our PS3 brethren start taking long walks off short piers just yet. Odds are if a Xbox 360 demo makes its way onto Microsoft's console, a similar demo will also eventually end up on PS3, right?

Blur is currently geared up to race onto consoles sometime in 2010.

[Via VG247]

JoystiqUSK: Multiplayer Blur demo for Xbox 360 in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbizarrebizarre-creationsblurdemogermanyMicrosoftracinguskXbox-360Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[USK: Phoenix Wright holding court on Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/usk-phoenix-wright-holding-court-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/usk-phoenix-wright-holding-court-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/usk-phoenix-wright-holding-court-on-wii/#commentsA rating on Germany's USK database suggests that Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is being planned for Wii. "Objection!!", you may say, thrilled to have the opportunity to work that in. "Didn't Ace Attorney Investigations producer Motohide Eshiro already say that the series would remain on handhelds?"

While it's true that future Ace Attorney games will probably be on handhelds, the series has already been ported to PC, proving that someone within Capcom -- and not necessarily anyone involved with actually making the Ace Attorney games -- has no issue with porting the existing titles, which is extremely likely to be what is happening here. And this is the same Capcom that said that Resident Evil 4 would be a GameCube exclusive.

Our guess would be an episodic WiiWare presentation of the first Phoenix Wright. Or a mistake in the rating description.

JoystiqUSK: Phoenix Wright holding court on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ace-attorneycapcomphoenix-wrightphoenix-wright-ace-attorneyuskwiiwareThu, 05 Nov 2009 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[USK predicts a Muscle March to Germany]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/usk-predicts-a-muscle-march-to-germany/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/usk-predicts-a-muscle-march-to-germany/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/usk-predicts-a-muscle-march-to-germany/#commentsMuscle March, Namco's barely-released arcade game turned WiiWare oddity, may actually leave Japan, according to a rating found on the German USK ratings board. We didn't think Bandai Namco would ever make this delightful mistake, but if it's being planned for release in Germany, it's bound for the rest of the world as well.

To be sure, such an awful decision on Banamco's part will result in a similar awful decision on our part: you can't make a game as weird as this (it's about racing a line of bodybuilders through posing-man-shaped holes in walls) and not expect us to throw our money at it. Even if we know it's terrible.

[Via GamerBytes]

JoystiqUSK predicts a Muscle March to Germany originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandai-namcogermanymuscle-marchnamco-bandaiuskwiiwareWed, 21 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP finally joining the Tetris Club]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/psp-finally-joining-the-tetris-club/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/psp-finally-joining-the-tetris-club/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/psp-finally-joining-the-tetris-club/#comments
The PlayStation Portable has been on the market in some form or another for nearly five years now -- the fact that there isn't a Tetris game available on the platform is mind-boggling. Seriously, our grandmother has Tetris on her portable defibrillator. How is it not on our half-decade-old handheld gaming device?

Electronic Arts apparently asked themselves this question, then immediately sprung into action to port the popular puzzler to PSP. At least, that seems to be the case, as evidenced by a recent Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (that name is too beautiful to truncate!) listing for an EA-developed PSP version of Tetris. We've contacted EA to see if Lumines' tyrannical reign over the handheld's puzzle genre really is drawing to a close.

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqPSP finally joining the Tetris Club originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>puzzleratingtetrisuskFri, 07 Aug 2009 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Germany's USK: Braid jumping, running to PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/germanys-usk-braid-jumping-running-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/germanys-usk-braid-jumping-running-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/germanys-usk-braid-jumping-running-to-ps3/#comments
Jonathan Blow's time-manipulating puzzle-platformer, Braid, is probably best associated with Xbox 360. According to a listing on Germany's USK ratings board website (discovered by NeoGAF user Fortinbras), though, the game -- which falls under the organization's fancifully named "Jump 'n Run" category -- is finally headed to PlayStation 3.

Blow talked about the possibility of a PS3 version almost a year ago, saying that it could happen after a "limited exclusive" with Microsoft had ended. There's no indication when our #5 game of 2008 will hit PSN, though it seems it will come via its PC publisher, Hothead Games. We've contacted Blow for more info; hopefully his answer comes running 'n jumping back to us soon.

JoystiqGermany's USK: Braid jumping, running to PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>braidhothead-gamesjonathan-blownumber-nonepsnuskFri, 31 Jul 2009 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Battle Tanks revealed by German ratings board]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/psn-battle-tanks-revealed-by-german-ratings-board/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/psn-battle-tanks-revealed-by-german-ratings-board/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/psn-battle-tanks-revealed-by-german-ratings-board/#comments The last time Germany's USK ratings board hinted at a new Gameloft-developed PSN game, it proved to be completely accurate. So, there's a good chance that Gameloft's recently discovered Battle Tanks for PSN is totally legit, too.

So far, all we know about Battle Tanks is that it's for PS3 and it's a downloadable strategy game, given its "arcade" and "skill" classifications. Oh, and lastly, it will most likely feature battles and tanks to some degree. Call it a hunch.

[Via GamerBytes]

JoystiqPSN Battle Tanks revealed by German ratings board originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 May 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-tanksgameloftpsnstrategyuskWed, 20 May 2009 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[USK lists Sexy Poker for WiiWare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/29/usk-lists-sexy-poker-for-wiiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/29/usk-lists-sexy-poker-for-wiiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/29/usk-lists-sexy-poker-for-wiiware/#commentsOff all the downloadable software services in all the world, we never thought we'd see a game called Sexy Poker on WiiWare. And yet, according to the German USK ratings board (via GamerBytes), the Gameloft published mobile phone title is on its way to Nintendo's download service. As you may have guessed, Sexy Poker is a strip poker game, in which ladies bet their clothes instead of money. The goal is to get them to go "all in," as it were.

Considering Nintendo's family-friendly image, we'd say it's highly unlikely that this title will ever see the light of day in North America. We're almost positive the company doesn't condone that kind of thing. You know, gambling.

JoystiqUSK lists Sexy Poker for WiiWare originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gameloftsexy-pokeruskwiiwareWed, 29 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[German ratings board rates Guitar Hero: Van Halen]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/18/german-ratings-board-rates-guitar-hero-van-halen/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/18/german-ratings-board-rates-guitar-hero-van-halen/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/18/german-ratings-board-rates-guitar-hero-van-halen/#comments
Unfortunately, we've got a fairly strict policy against lengthy headlines -- otherwise, we would have given this post the title it properly deserves: "German ratings board Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) tries to rate Guitar Hero: Van Halen, finds music therein to be far too awesome, spontaneously explodes." Try fitting that into an RSS feed.

Yes, the USK recently reported that it has rated the rumored rhythm title, which it actually calls Guitar Hero headlining Van Halen, for the PS3 and 360. If this rating guarantees the title's existence, we can't wait to hear absolutely everything about the game before Activision decides to formally announce it six months from now.

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqGerman ratings board rates Guitar Hero: Van Halen originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionguitar-heroguitar-hero-van-halenMicrosoftneversoftratingsuskvan-halenXbox-360Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[USK diagnoses PS3 with a severe case of Worms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/usk-diagnoses-psn-with-a-severe-case-of-worms/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/usk-diagnoses-psn-with-a-severe-case-of-worms/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/usk-diagnoses-psn-with-a-severe-case-of-worms/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (or USK, for those who are terrified of lengthy, foreign words), Germany's game rating organization, isn't traditionally known for bringing us the hottest scoops. However, a recent listing on their site perked up our ever-attentive ears -- they recently stamped a Freigegeben ab 6 Jahren gemäß § 14 JuSchG (restricted for those below the age of six) rating to a PS3 version of Worms. Given that the genre of said listing is "Arcade", we think it's safe to assume that they're referring to a PSN port of the XBLA title.

This isn't a particularly surprising turn of events -- Worms has sold over half a million on the XBLA, and its done so over the course of about two years. However, Team 17, the game's developer, hasn't formally announced the PSNified title. Assuming the USK hasn't got its wires crossed, we should be hearing more about the port fairly soon.

JoystiqUSK diagnoses PS3 with a severe case of Worms originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>psnratingteam-17Team17Team17-SoftwareuskWormsWorms-2007Worms-HDFri, 06 Feb 2009 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rating suggests that Bubble Bobble Wii will journey out of Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/bubble-bobble-wii-making-a-journey-out-of-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/bubble-bobble-wii-making-a-journey-out-of-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/bubble-bobble-wii-making-a-journey-out-of-japan/#commentsFiled under: ,

We knew if we believed hard enough (and probably also if we didn't), Square Enix would bring Bubble Bobble Wii to the world. Now it is the beginning of a fantastic story! The first evidence of SE's plans to release the WiiWare game outside Japan has appeared in the form of a rating on the German USK database.

The game, which we had no idea used 3D character models until just now, is listed under the new title Bubble Bobble Plus!, with that very appropriate exclamation point. Of course, this rating is no guarantee that the game will be released in Germany, nor is a German release firm confirmation of a release anywhere else, but it certainly seems likely! Besides, those "world rankings" work a lot better if the "world" isn't limited only to the area within Japan.

[Via Siliconera; screens via Inside-Games]

JoystiqRating suggests that Bubble Bobble Wii will journey out of Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bubble-bobblebubble-bobble-plusbubble-bobble-wiipuzzlesquare-enixtaitouskwiiwareMon, 02 Feb 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Broken Sword to get resurrected on Wii? [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/rumor-broken-sword-to-get-resurrected-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/rumor-broken-sword-to-get-resurrected-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/rumor-broken-sword-to-get-resurrected-on-wii/#commentsFiled under:


Update: Looks like someone managed to find the listing on USK's site and take a screen grab (head past the break to see it).

Gamefront noticed a listing on the Germany's rating classification website, USK, that showed a new Broken Sword game for the Wii and DS. Our own search of USK's website only turned up a rating from 2002 for Broken Sword on the GBA, however. Even when searching under the Wii and DS system, we found no classification for an Ubisoft-published game.

Personally, we hope the game is in the works. We love the genre and playing a new Broken Sword doesn't sound like too bad a time. What about you all?

Continue reading Rumor: Broken Sword to get resurrected on Wii? [update]

JoystiqRumor: Broken Sword to get resurrected on Wii? [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurebroken-swordclassificationgermanypoint-and-clickratingsubisoftuskTue, 21 Oct 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Savage Moon: military strategy game discovered on USK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/savage-moon-military-strategy-game-discovered-on-usk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/savage-moon-military-strategy-game-discovered-on-usk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/savage-moon-military-strategy-game-discovered-on-usk/#commentsFiled under:


Discovered on the USK (the German equivalent of America's ESRB) is a brand new PS3 title coming from Sony Computer Entertainment: Savage Moon. Not much is known about this title except we can expect it to be a military strategy game. Considering it's published by SCE, expect it to be exclusively on PS3. The Leipzig Games Convention is just around the corner -- wouldn't that be a dandy place to make a few surprise announcements? Stay tuned.

[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqSavage Moon: military strategy game discovered on USK originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>leipziglgc08savage-moonuskWed, 13 Aug 2008 17:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Germans rate Death Tank for XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/germans-rate-death-tank-for-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/germans-rate-death-tank-for-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/germans-rate-death-tank-for-xbla/#commentsFiled under: ,


Here's a perfect example of why superlatives are so dangerous. Just a few moments ago we published a post declaring Vigilante 8 one of the best names for a video game ever. But then, what do we see rated by Germany's USK Ratings Board for XBLA? Death Tank. That's right: Death Tank.

This bitchin' 2D action game was originally snuck onto the Sega Saturn's PowerSlave and a follow-up, Death Tank Zwei, can be found on Duke Nukem 3D. We're hoping for updated graphics but an untouched theme song, which you can hear right after the break.

Continue reading Germans rate Death Tank for XBLA

JoystiqGermans rate Death Tank for XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>death-tankuskxblaXbox-360Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[More MM9 nuttiness; USK rates the game for 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/more-mm9-nuttiness-usk-rates-the-game-for-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/more-mm9-nuttiness-usk-rates-the-game-for-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/02/more-mm9-nuttiness-usk-rates-the-game-for-360/#commentsFiled under: ,

Will the back and forth never end? It's multiplatform, then it's not, and now it looks like it is again. With no official word from Capcom, this new Mega Man 9 news of course has only as much credence as the first OFLC rating. But we really don't think that government game rating boards are in the habit of making up games or confusing which controller and console they're using, regardless of what country the ratings board is from. Though there is just one little thing that makes this whole situation more of an oddity. Our multilingual readers will already have noticed, but the USK strangely lists it from the genre of, ahem, "Role playing." Weird.

[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqMore MM9 nuttiness; USK rates the game for 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcommega-manmega-man-9uskxblaWed, 02 Jul 2008 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[ESRB to curb early game leaks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/esrb-to-curb-early-game-leaks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/esrb-to-curb-early-game-leaks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/esrb-to-curb-early-game-leaks/#commentsFiled under: ,

Here are a few of the recent games that were announced via early ratings by the ESRB: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, The Last Guy and Earthbound for Wii. A change in the ESRB's submission form will likely plug up those leaks, according to a memo leaked to Next-Gen. When publishers submit their game for rating, they now have the option to choose a date when the title is eligible to be uploaded to the ESRB's website. If left blank, the game will be eligible for display 30 days after it has been rated.

The ratings board hopes that publishers don't overuse the new option. Said the memo, "The ESRB system will not work for consumers if publishers arbitrarily select dates bearing no reasonable relationship to consumer interest in the product." Our sights now turn to Australia's OFLC, Germany's USK and Britains's BBFC for early game leaks.

JoystiqESRB to curb early game leaks originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbfcesrbesrb-ratingleaksoflcuskFri, 20 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Germany summons Phoenix Wright 3 from the ashes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/germany-summons-phoenix-wright-3-from-the-ashes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/germany-summons-phoenix-wright-3-from-the-ashes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/germany-summons-phoenix-wright-3-from-the-ashes/#commentsFiled under:

There's a light at the end of the tunnel in the ongoing European Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations saga. The good news is that those of you in Europe might be getting the game after all. While we're sure many of you English speakers have already imported Phoenix's final foray into law, people without English proficiency (and folks who just hate importing) have been unfairly deprived of this gem. Not only that, but some gamers are waiting to buy Apollo Justice until they get to play the third title in the series.

The German version of the ESRB (known as the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle) has recently rated the game for a multi-language release, though, meaning that Capcom hasn't forgotten about your poor little Europeans. So, just hold tight -- you won't have to endure these trials and tribulations much longer, we hope.


[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqGermany summons Phoenix Wright 3 from the ashes originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 May 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ace-attorneyadventurecapcomeuropephoenix-wrighttrials-and-tribulationsuskFri, 23 May 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DQIV gets European release confirmation?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/dqiv-gets-european-release-confirmation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/dqiv-gets-european-release-confirmation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/dqiv-gets-european-release-confirmation/#commentsFiled under:

Apparently, a listing for Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen has shown up on the USK (or Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle, but we're sticking with the easier, shorter name), Germany's classification board. Not satisfied with just knowing the title exists in their database, we hit the USK's official website to see it with our own eyes and found this listing for the game.

The chances that Europe will receive this game just increased, but we're curious about one thing. Just why isn't the game listed as Dragon Quest IV? It merely says Dragon Quest: The Chapters of the Chosen. Odd, if you ask us.

[Via Wiiz]

JoystiqDQIV gets European release confirmation? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dqivdragon-questdragon-quest-iveuropegermanyrpgsquare-enixuskWed, 30 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cooking Navi almost ready for consumption in Europe?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/20/cooking-navi-almost-ready-for-consumption-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/20/cooking-navi-almost-ready-for-consumption-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/20/cooking-navi-almost-ready-for-consumption-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: ,


Finally. After forever (or one year, depending on your calendar), there appears to be some progress toward the promised European release of Cooking Navi. The German USK ratings board database now contains an entry for a Nintendo-published game called Kochkurs: was wollen wir heute kochen? The name, which is (appropriately) quite a mouthful, translates to Cooking Course: What do we want to cook today? We find it quite likely that this is the German name for the game that was known as Shaberu! DS O-Ryouri Navi in Japan.

Now all that needs to happen is for Nintendo to make a for-real announcement, then release the thing. Then release the thing outside Germany, sell a lot, and therefore convince Nintendo of America to release it. That's ... actually a lot of steps.

[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqCooking Navi almost ready for consumption in Europe? originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cookingcooking-navieuropenon-gameuskSun, 20 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Germans reveal Ticket to Ride, rate other XBLA games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/germans-reveal-more-unannounced-XBLA-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/germans-reveal-more-unannounced-XBLA-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/germans-reveal-more-unannounced-XBLA-games/#commentsFiled under: ,


The German Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) is no stranger to revealing unannounced titles and Xblah.net points out they've done it again. The highlight for fans of XBLA board game translations like Catan and Carcassonne is that Zug um Zug Ticket to Ride is ready to build railways on Xbox 360.

Other games rated by the USK are Penny Arcade's OtR-SPD, RooGoo, and Golf: Tee it Up! None of these ratings mean the games are coming out soon, but at least they're on their way.

[Via X3F]

JoystiqGermans reveal Ticket to Ride, rate other XBLA games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ticket-to-rideuskXbox-360zug-um-zugFri, 21 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[German Ratings Board reveals a slew of XBLA titles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/geman-ratings-board-reveals-a-slew-of-xbla-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/geman-ratings-board-reveals-a-slew-of-xbla-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/geman-ratings-board-reveals-a-slew-of-xbla-titles/#commentsFiled under: ,

Having revealed games before, the German games rating board the USK is at it again, exposing previously unknown XBLA games. Shown over at xblah.net there are a myriad of titles across several genres, but the most stand out title would have to be a virtual version of the classic board-game Ticket To Ride in which players compete to build railroads across the countryside. From the sound of things it'll be similar to the conversion from the board game version of The Settlers of Catan and the XBLA version, Catan.

The other titles rated by the USK include the Penny Arcade XBLA game, the puzzler RooGoo, and a golf game entitled Golf: Tee it Up! Not only that, but there were also a few more games revealed by the American ratings board, the ESRB. Those two games were the ancient computer game Lode Runner, and the card game simulator Gin Rummy. None of these titles are official of course, but as with all games revealed in this fashion we must remember that rating's boards are not in the business of making of games, nor is having a game rated at all cheap. This is great news though, and should portend the approaching release of said titles. With such an ever expanding library of titles it seems XBLA is really coming into it's own, catering to a variety of demographics and hopefully with something for everyone.

JoystiqGerman Ratings Board reveals a slew of XBLA titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gin-rummylode-runnerpenny-arcadepenny-arcade-adventu...roogooticket-to-rideuskxblaFri, 21 Mar 2008 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: learn to say USK the German way!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-learn-to-say-usk-the-german-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-learn-to-say-usk-the-german-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-learn-to-say-usk-the-german-way/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While attending the Gamerscore Blog Meet-and-Eat this evening we were fortunate enough to run into Boris Schneider-Johne, part of Microsoft Germany's Xbox team and an all around amiable man. After a long conversation about the cultural differences between German and American gamers (they love their Catan over there), we eventually settled on the topic of the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK), Germany's software ratings organization. While it's often hard to wrap one's head around the particulars of the USK, one difficulty outweighs all others: how exactly do you say Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle? Boris was kind enough to set us straight in the audio clip below. Just don't ask us to repeat it.

JoystiqGDC08: learn to say USK the German way! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boris-schneider-johneGDCgdc08uskThu, 21 Feb 2008 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Jericho finds no salvation or rating in Germany]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/jericho-finds-no-salvation-or-rating-in-germany/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/jericho-finds-no-salvation-or-rating-in-germany/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/jericho-finds-no-salvation-or-rating-in-germany/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The Unterhaltungssoftware Selbskontrolle (USK), the German version of the ESRB, is not rating the upcoming first-person shooter-horror game Jericho and therefore it's practically banned in the country. We've gotten used to this with the Germans, the same fate was bestowed upon Gears or War and Dead Rising, although The Darkness made some changes to become acceptable.

Given what we've seen of Jericho, it was probably the violence and gore that made it receive the un-rating. At least this might bring a little bit of attention to the game which Codemasters seems to be putting almost no effort in promoting -- which is par for the course by the publisher. Like we said before, as long as the squad AI holds up in the game, we saw potential in the title. The game releases at the end of October, Germans can hop in their car and take a quick drive to another country for their copy. We hear Austria is lovely that time of year, have a cup of gluvine for us while you're there.

Gallery: Clive Barker's Jericho

JoystiqJericho finds no salvation or rating in Germany originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codemastersgermanyjerichoPCPS3uskXbox-360Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The DS Life: Insane Youth]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/the-ds-life-insane-youth/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/the-ds-life-insane-youth/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/the-ds-life-insane-youth/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The DS Life is a weekly feature in which we scour the known world for narrative images of Nintendo's handheld and handheld gamers. If you have a photo and a story to match it with, send both to thedslife at dsfanboy dot com.

We really don't give chiptune artists or the micromusic scene the amount of attention they deserve here at DS Fanboy; to remedy that distressing fault, this week's installment of The DS Life turns your ears towards the clicks, pops, and wheezes of chiptune musician Maru's circuit-bent toys and Game Boy systems, low-tech instruments working in concert to sing a high-tech song.

Continue reading The DS Life: Insane Youth

JoystiqThe DS Life: Insane Youth originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chiptunegame-boyinsane-youthmarumicromusicportalenztsuji-technouskWed, 12 Sep 2007 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[USK lists Warhammer: Mark of Chaos for 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/usk-lists-warhammer-mark-of-chaos-for-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/usk-lists-warhammer-mark-of-chaos-for-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/usk-lists-warhammer-mark-of-chaos-for-360/#commentsFiled under:

Ah, the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle, better known as the USK or, simply, the German version of the ESRB. We love 'em. Why? Because they constantly tip us off about games that publishers work so darned hard to keep secret. For example, the USK has now listed Namco Bandai and Black Hole Entertainment"s Warhammer: Mark of Chaos for the Xbox 360. A real time strategy title that debuted last holiday to decent reviews, Mark of Chaos would be yet another addition to the Xbox 360's burgeoning RTS library. The 360 game has another subtitle tacked onto it, making the full title actually Warhammer: Mark of Chaos -- Battle March. Whether this means we'll see a completely retooled game or an expansion to the original we're not sure. In an interesting twist, the entry on in the USK database is labeled "GC-Demo" which would lead us to believe we'll see a Mark of Chaos demo before too long. Once again, thanks USK!

[Via IGN. Thanks, IncredibleBulk92]

JoystiqUSK lists Warhammer: Mark of Chaos for 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandaibandainamcoblackholeentertainmentnamconamcobandaiuskwarhammerwarhammermarkofchaoswarhammermarkofchaosbattlemarchWed, 08 Aug 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[USK: Switchball rolling to Arcade]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/usk-switchball-rolling-to-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/usk-switchball-rolling-to-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/usk-switchball-rolling-to-arcade/#commentsFiled under: ,


The Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle is losing self control (Uh oh; ding!) over revealing games existence prior to their official announcements, and the latest is Switchball, which Xbox-Archiv.de has found the rating for on the USK's site. The video above is the trailer for the PC version, and it seems reminiscent of Marble Blast Ultra, which isn't a bad thing, especially if it brings a new flavor to the table. According to an Xboxic reader (link below), and the PC version's demo has 12 Achievements listed in the menu, so that makes this all the more likely to be true.

[Via Xboxic]

JoystiqUSK: Switchball rolling to Arcade originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Switch BallSwitchBallU S KUSKThu, 05 Jul 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Darkness delayed for the Germans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/the-darkness-delayed-for-the-germans/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/the-darkness-delayed-for-the-germans/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/29/the-darkness-delayed-for-the-germans/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We love getting to use this word ... the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbskontrolle (USK) has decided that a few changes need to be made to The Darkness before it releases in Germany. Key elements that need to be changed are Nazi symbols and a finishing move showing a human heart being ripped out. Before the Americans in the room get all First Amendment happy, the Germans have never allowed Nazi symbols in games (all the way back to Wolfenstein 3D) -- they're a little sensitive about that stuff. These requests for changes are also a very tempered move by the USK instead of just outright passive aggressively "banning" the game by not rating it, like they did with Dead Rising and Gears of War.

The Xbox 360 and PS3 version of the game will now release on July 27 to satisfy the USK's demands. The PS3 version was delayed a week ago for unspecified reasons across Europe until July 20 - so Germany will need to wait an extra week. This did not affect the UK launch or content of The Darkness which occured today.

JoystiqThe Darkness delayed for the Germans originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darknessdelaygermanyPS3thedarknessuskXbox-360Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:45:00 EST