Content Moderation
Ongoing coverage on Content Moderation.
Latest coverage
Resident Evil Adult Mod Video Takedown
Capcom has issued a takedown for over 1,000 "adult-orientated" mod videos featuring Resident Evil characters. The videos, uploaded by a YouTuber, depicted characters in revealing attire.
Roblox introduces age-based accounts
Roblox is introducing new age-based accounts, including Roblox Kids (5-8), Roblox Select (9-15), and Roblox (16+), to enhance child safety and tailor content access. These accounts will automatically adjust based on user age and will be implemented alongside expanded parental controls and an International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) system. The changes aim to address concerns regarding child grooming, inappropriate content, and platform bans.
Roblox is changing the eligibility to upload games on the platform
Roblox is implementing new eligibility requirements for users who wish to publish games on its platform, aiming to enhance safety and prevent malicious content. These changes include mandatory ID verification, two-factor authentication, and accounts in good standing, with specific criteria varying for games targeted at all ages versus those for players aged 16 and over. The updates are designed to make it harder for bad actors to bypass moderation systems and will be rolled out in early June.
Pragmata Controversy Explained: The Reddit Scandal That Has Fans Talking | Invision Game Community
Capcom's upcoming sci-fi game Pragmata is facing controversy stemming from inappropriate content involving an in-game character on Reddit, leading to subreddit shutdowns and community debate. While the issue is attributed to user behavior and not Capcom's development, it has sparked discussions about character design and online community management.
Roblox introduces mandatory age-gated account tiers
Roblox is implementing mandatory age-gated account tiers globally starting in mid-May, dividing users into Kids (5-8), Select (9-15), and standard (16+) categories. These tiers will restrict access to games based on content maturity labels, with further restrictions for users under 18. Developers will need to pay a monthly fee and verify their identity to label their games appropriately, with AI moderation assisting in enforcement.
Roblox Is Rethinking Accounts After Lawsuits Over Failing To Protect Children
Roblox Corp. is introducing new account categories for children aged 5-15 and adults 16+ to enhance child safety and content appropriateness. These changes, rolling out in June, include age-checks via facial recognition or parental verification and adjusted communication and content access settings based on age groups. The company aims to provide parents with more control over their children's interactions and game access, following lawsuits and criticism regarding child protection on the platform.
Cult horror game Doki Doki Literature Club pulled from Google Play Store for its "depiction of sensitive themes" and content that "violates" its TOS
Doki Doki Literature Club has been removed from the Google Play Store due to its depiction of sensitive themes and violation of terms of service. Developer Team Salvato and publisher Serenity Forge are working to reinstate the game on the platform and explore alternative Android distribution methods. The cult psychological horror visual novel remains available on iOS, Steam, Nintendo Switch, PC, and PlayStation.
Metal Gear Solid movie adaptation finds new directors
Sony's Metal Gear Solid film adaptation has new directors, Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, replacing Jordan Vogt-Roberts. The project, first announced by Hideo Kojima in 2006, aims to bring the iconic game characters to life. Separately, Google removed the visual novel Doki Doki Literature Club from its Play Store for alleged violations of terms of service regarding sensitive themes.
Google removes Doki Doki Literature Club! from the Play Store
Google has removed the psychological horror visual novel Doki Doki Literature Club! from the Play Store, citing violations of its Terms of Service regarding sensitive themes. Developers Dan Salvato and Serenity Forge are working to get the game reinstated and are exploring alternative Android distribution methods. The game remains available on Steam, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and iOS.
Nine-year-old cult visual novel Doki Doki Literature Club has been abruptly pulled from Android for its 'depiction…
Google has removed the cult visual novel Doki Doki Literature Club from the Android Play Store, citing violations of its Terms of Service related to the depiction of self-harm. The game, developed by Dan Salvato and published by Serenity Forge, remains available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and iOS. The publisher is seeking to have the game reinstated and exploring alternative Android distribution methods.
Doki Doki Literature Club Removed From Google Play Store After Already Being There For Months
Doki Doki Literature Club has been removed from the Google Play Store, with developer Serenity Forge citing a violation of the storefront's terms of service regarding sensitive themes. The game remains available on other platforms like iOS and Nintendo Switch, and Serenity Forge is exploring alternative Android distribution methods. This removal is discussed in the context of broader industry trends concerning content moderation and censorship of mature themes.
Modding community draws line ahead of Pragmata’s release
Ahead of Pragmata's release, the PC modding community is discussing ethical boundaries regarding the sexualization of child-like AI characters. Modders are calling for a line to be drawn against explicit content involving the character Diana, contrasting it with adult characters in games like Stellar Blade. The community is urging users to report inappropriate mods upon release.
Nintendo Removing 'Thousands' of Super Mario Maker 2 Levels, Tells Fans They're 'Advertising'
Nintendo has reportedly removed thousands of user-created levels from Super Mario Maker 2, citing violations related to advertising. Players have expressed frustration over the sudden and widespread removal of content.
Mario Maker 2 Level Deletion Spree Possibly Traced to Infamous Cheater
Hundreds of levels in Super Mario Maker 2 have been deleted by Nintendo, with accusations pointing to a cheater known as 'LMT' or 'MT94'. This individual allegedly used multiple accounts to report levels, leading to their removal and potential bans for creators. The deletions appear to be a retaliatory act following the cheater's fall from grace within the community.
Nintendo seemingly deleting Super Mario Maker 2 courses because of hashtags
Nintendo is reportedly deleting user-created courses in Super Mario Maker 2 if their names contain hashtags, which the company appears to consider advertising. This action follows a similar pattern observed with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, where players faced penalties for related issues.
Asmongold gets banned on Twitch for being Asmongold – bored yet?
Streamer Asmongold received a one-week ban from Twitch for making a controversial statement about "illiterate third-worlders." This is not the first time he has been banned for similar remarks, having previously been suspended for comments about Palestinians. The article discusses the implications of such bans for content creators and social media platforms.
Morning Consolidation
Sony continues its efforts to combat low-quality games on the PlayStation Store by removing a new batch of titles. Separately, the game 'The Detective Is Already Dead' has been announced for the Nintendo Switch.
Sony's battle against shovelware publishers persists as it purges another load of crap games from the PlayStation Store
Sony has continued its efforts to remove low-quality games from the PlayStation Store, delisting entire catalogues from publishers like GoGame Console Publisher, VRCForge Studios, and Welding Byte. This action targets games that mimic successful titles or are considered low-effort asset flips or AI-generated content, following a similar large-scale removal in January.
PS Store Gets Long Overdue Update PS5, PS4 Users Begged For
Sony has updated the PlayStation Store, removing hundreds of shovelware and scam games from publishers like GoGame Console Publisher, VRCForge, and Welding Byte. This marks the third such update this year, indicating Sony's increased seriousness in cleaning up its digital storefronts for both PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 users.
Meta will "substantially reduce" describing Instagram teen accounts as PG-13
Meta has agreed to significantly reduce its use of the PG-13 rating system for Instagram Teen Accounts, starting April 15, following objections from the Motion Picture Association (MPA). The MPA argued that comparing movie ratings to social media content moderation was misleading. While Meta will no longer explicitly link the two, it will continue to draw inspiration from MPA guidance for its content settings.