Xbox Live Clarifies Restrictions on Demos and Trailers

[Andy Chalk]

Xbox Live Clarifies Restrictions on Demos and Trailers

ESRB [http://www.microsoft.com]guidelines.

According to a post on Principles and Guidelines for Responsible Advertising Practices [http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/12/26/demos-trailers-and-you.aspx]. Xbox Live members under the age of 18 will not be allowed to download the material for any M (Mature) or RP (Rating Pending) games.

"ESRB guidelines are industry wide and are not unique to Xbox Live," according to the blog entry. "In other words, these are the rules that all online console stores, like the PlayStation Store [http://wii.nintendo.com/wiimenu.jsp], need to adhere to in order to be in line with the ESRB's guidelines."

Feedback to the announcement has questioned why gamers can buy M-rated games from regular retailers at age 17, but cannot download demos for the same games via the online service. Information about how Xbox Live would conform to age regulations in countries outside North America was not given.


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[Spinwhiz]

Yeah, like this will matter, or help.

 

[Something Amyss]

Yeah, like this will matter, or help.

I think it's more to cover their asses than anything. In the same way stores self-enforce by "not selling to minors," Microsoft doesn't want to be the one with their name on the headline when someone complains their kid is accessing M rated material. Even if it is just trailers and demos, this could be some seriously bad publicity for a company that's trying to hit the "family friendly" market.

 

[Cuddly Knife]

I'm shocked that no one has tried to sue MS or any other company for allowing their young children to view whatever content on Live or PSN that they wanted.

 

[Amnestic]

I'm shocked that no one has tried to sue MS or any other company for allowing their young children to view whatever content on Live or PSN that they wanted.

Are they going to sue Microsoft for Internet Explorer at the same time?

Let's see how that works out.

 

[Rusty Bucket]

Jesus Christ, look at the fucking date.

 

[Pimppeter2]

EDIT: Ahh I hate NECROS!

 

[Nova5]

Yeah, like this will matter, or help.

No kidding. People can make all the weak arguments they like, but kids will always get their hands on gore-dripping, violence-packed, brain-munching games so long as they're being made (knock on wood).

Edit: My bad, didn't realize this was an undead thread being resurrected by a forum necromancer. Sorry people - old news I guess (don't use XBL, so wouldn't know).