Tag Archives: ESRB

The ESRB has rated a PlayStation 3 title called Best of Playstation Network Vol. 1. The description notes that the retail release includes four games – Fat Princess, Tokyo Jungle, Sound Shapes and When Vikings Attack. We have no information of date, price, regional availability, whether Vita cross-play will be enabled, or if more volumes are forthcoming; stay tuned for a proper announce from SCEA. Xbox Live Arcade has produced similar offerings, including Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged.

Thanks, Shack News.

According to a report on Giant Bomb, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, kingpin of North American age ratings on games, is relaxing some of their rules a little bit this week. The highlight is that they will no longer require that all video marketing materials for M-rated games be hidden behind an age gate.

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Violence in video games is a hot button issue in some circles, with pundit going as far as to blame gun violence on crimes committed around the world, and most recently in the US. One of the most vocal accusers of late, is the EVP of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre, who in the wake of the school shooting in Connecticut called the video game industry a “callous, corrupt, and corrupting shadow industry that sells and sows violence against own people, through vicious violent video games.” His opinion, is not one which Gearbox president Randy Pitchford shares.

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Survey group Harris Interactive has conducted a poll that suggests 58% of adult Americans believe there is a correlation between teenage violence and violent videogames.

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ESRB president Patricia Vance has said the rating body isn’t so much a censor as a guardian of creative freedom in games.

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The ESRB has added a PlayStation 3 and PSP rating for Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, suggesting the long-awaited RPG is headed to the west at last. Persona 2 released as two interrelated titles for PSOne, Eternal Punishment and Innocent Sin; only Eternal Punishment was localised at the time. A PSP port of Innocent Sin finally made it west in 2011 and is available via the PlayStation Network. Eternal Punishment’s PSP port arrived in Japan in May 2012 and looks to be joining its brethren.

Thanks, GameInformer.

The Electronic Software ratings Board, the US’s primary games classification service, is concerned it can’t do much more to inform parents and guardians about video game content.

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Castlevania has turned up on the ESRB’s catalogue as a 3DS and Wii title, suggesting a Virtual Console release is on the cards. It’s not clear whether the title refers to the 1986 action platformer that started it all, or the 1999 N6$ game, although given the destination platforms the former seems more likely. A new 3DS game, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate, is due in early March.

Thanks, GoNintendo.

Utah representative Jim Matheson has introduced a bill which would enforce ESRB ratings, making it illegal to sell a game without a classification stamp. If successful, the bill would bring the US in line with Australia and the UK, where classification is required for commercially released games. GamesRadar reports the bill is unclear on how it would apply to small developers and indies selling games online; the ratings requirement doesn’t extend to the App Store in Australia, for example. Happily, ESRB ratings for smaller titles are free and can be obtained quickly.

Members of the video game industry met with US VP Joe Biden yesterday at the White House to discuss how or if violent video games contribute to gun violence in the US.

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The ESRB has re-rated six classic Rockstar titles, with three appearing in this week’s US PS Store update.

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Electronic Arts head John Riccitiello believes video games need a single rating system that spans across all platforms and countries. He spoke in front of a group of politicians in Washington last night, claiming, “We must adopt a self-regulated, global rating system across every format games are played on.”

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The ESRB has rated both Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for release on PlayStation 3. A PS2 Classic release seems quite likely, as Grand Theft Auto III arrived on the PlayStation Network in late July and was well received; additionally, Vice City is headed to mobile platforms to celebrate its anniversary, so Rockstar is clearly keen to continue leveraging its best-selling classics. We’ve asked for details.

Thanks, Gematsu.

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board has brought its Digital Rating Service online. The system allows developers of downloadable games to have their content instantly assessed by means of a questionnaire, at no cost. This is great news for small and indie developers wanting the professionalism of an ESRB rating on their product, but also for consumers and caregivers wanting guidance as to what apps are appropriate for various age groups. The new system has been in the works since early last year.

Thanks, GamesIndustry.

Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 will release on Wii U, if a listing on the ESRB website is any indication. The CryEngine 3 developed game is set for a January release on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 already, and was originally slated for release in October. We’ll send Namco a mail and ask for more details. Via Polygon.

As spotted by PSNStores, the ESRB has re-rated Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Both titles are listed with PlayStation 3 as platform and Sony Computer Entertainment America as publisher, suggesting a PlayStation Network release. The lack of a double pack listing suggests we’re probably looking at PS2 Classics re-releases rather than HD makeovers. I’ve sent Rockstar a gleeful fangirl email so fingers crossed for an official update soon.

Nicalis has announced via Twitter that NightSky has been rated by the ESRB. The action-physics puzzler was released earlier this year by the developer on PC so fans could finally get their hands on the game while the console version was being sorted. Currently, the rating for Australia and New Zealand is pending. Hopefully, once Nintendo approves, it will be released through the 3Shop soon. The firm will be showing the eShop version of the game as well as Cave Story at E3 next week. Thanks, NintendoLife.

ESRB president Patricia Vance has told Gamasutra she believes AO ratings are “good for the system” and that she wishes elected officials would stop trying to pass bills aimed at limiting the sale of video games – something she equates with “frivolous lawsuits”.

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The ESRB has rated Spec Ops: The Line M for Mature in the US, which is not really shocking, unless a shooter about Spec Ops missions wasn’t a large enough clue for some of us out there. However, apparently, you’ll be able to do more than just shoot people in the face in this game, thus the reason it has “The Line” as a subtitle.

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CTIA-The Wireless Association and the ESRB have announced a newly-developed rating system for mobile game titles, utilizing the same age rating icons assigned to computer and console games.

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