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Valve staged its own Left 4 Dead 2 trailer "leak" to get around an ESRB ban, says former writer
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek revealed that Valve intentionally 'leaked' the trailer for Left 4 Dead 2 in 2009 to bypass ESRB restrictions on its violent content. The developer had a contentious relationship with the ratings board and various countries over the game's gore and profanity, leading to this unconventional marketing tactic. The game ultimately received an M rating and was released in Germany uncensored in 2021.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition Rated for PS5 and Switch 2 by ESRB
The ESRB has rated Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, suggesting a remaster is in development. The rating appeared briefly before being modified, leading to speculation about an accidental reveal or an error. The Master Crafted Edition is noted for its faithful yet fresh take on the original title.
Can new age rating rules prevent a video game ban?
The US age rating body, ESRB, has stated it has no plans to change its current system despite looming video game regulation. This indicates a potential conflict between existing rating practices and new regulatory pressures.
Switch 2's New Feature: Epic Power Drain, Epic Gaming G... | TAG
Several gaming updates include Shenmue III's enhanced edition releasing on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, featuring 4K textures and UI improvements. Nintendo's Switch 2 may introduce a 'Handheld Boost Mode' that enhances performance at the cost of battery life. Concerns are rising over AI's use in new The Wheel of Time projects, while Crimson Desert players are frustrated with its controls. Bungie confirmed Marathon's endgame is weekend-exclusive, and Spider-Man's trailer broke GTA 6's view record. Netflix's live-action Assassin's Creed series has begun filming, and Fortnite's Chapter 7, Season 2 NPCs have been detailed. McDonald's is featuring Luma in its Super Mario Galaxy kids' meal toys, and the ESRB will not adopt Europe's new age rating criteria for paid random items. Vampire Crawlers is set for an April release.
US regulator won't follow Europe's lead and stick higher age ratings on games with loot boxes and daily quests, since it might confuse parents
The ESRB in the US will not follow PEGI's lead in assigning higher age ratings for games with loot boxes or daily quests, citing potential confusion for parents. PEGI plans to update its rating criteria to include these features, while the ESRB will continue to base ratings solely on content and context. Both organizations acknowledge the difficulty in balancing informative ratings with parental understanding.
"It could be confusing" - US game age ratings won't change like they will in Europe, ESRB says
The ESRB in the US will not adopt PEGI's new approach to game age ratings, which includes factoring in elements like paid random items. The ESRB believes this could confuse parents and prefers to use separate labels for such features. PEGI, however, is integrating these factors into its ratings to better address potential dangers to younger players, with changes taking effect in June.
Europe's game rating agency takes aim at in-app purchases, loot boxes, and 'unrestricted communication' with new 'interactive risk categories'
Europe's game rating agency PEGI is introducing new 'interactive risk categories' to address loot boxes, in-app purchases, and unrestricted in-game communication. These changes will affect game age ratings, with some titles potentially seeing significant increases, such as EA Sports FC moving from PEGI 3 to PEGI 16 due to randomized card packs. The new criteria are set to be implemented in June.
