Current Events > Germany to pass law on lootboxes and age ratings

Topic List	Page List: 1
teep_ 03/09/21 8:52:36 AM #1:	The German government has passed a law that means if a game has loot boxes, they must be taken into consideration when that game is being given an age rating. This could be a stumbling block for companies such as EA, whose live service games often contain loot boxes. The law must now pass the Federal Council, something it is expected to do this Spring. How will the new German law affect games with loot boxes? According to GamesLaw.org, German games (as well as other media) won't simply be rated on content anymore. Instead, ratings will take into account which interactive elements and "risky mechanics" games feature. These include "gambling-like mechanics", under which loot boxes would fall, as well as user data collection and exhortations to purchase other content or media that isn't age-appropriate. Said elements would then contribute to the decision regarding what age rating to give a game, with a higher age rating possible if multiple "risky mechanics" are found. https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/german-games-with-loot-boxes-will-be-restricted-to-adults Good tbh. Let's hope lobbying doesn't get in the way --- teep dumb as f*** fr - BatmanVonDoom I'm gonna pound a 400 lb woman just to prove teep wrong - NigerianKnight <cite>teep_ posted [p:951513343] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote><quote>The German government has passed a law that means if a game has loot boxes, they must be taken into consideration when that game is being given an age rating. This could be a stumbling block for companies such as EA, whose live service games often contain loot boxes. The law must now pass the Federal Council, something it is expected to do this Spring.</quote> <quote>How will the new German law affect games with loot boxes?</quote> <quote>According to GamesLaw.org, German games (as well as other media) won't simply be rated on content anymore. Instead, ratings will take into account which interactive elements and "risky mechanics" games feature. These include "gambling-like mechanics", under which loot boxes would fall, as well as user data collection and exhortations to purchase other content or media that isn't age-appropriate. Said elements would then contribute to the decision regarding what age rating to give a game, with a higher age rating possible if multiple "risky mechanics" are found.</quote> https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/german-games-with-loot-boxes-will-be-restricted-to-adults Good tbh. Let's hope lobbying doesn't get in the way </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Choco 03/09/21 9:57:23 AM #2:	teep_ posted... Let's hope lobbying doesn't get in the way gaming industry lobbying in germany? i doubt it --- https://imgur.com/286sD4e http://error1355.com/ce/Choco.html <cite>Choco posted [p:951514882] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>teep_ posted... </cite> <quote>Let's hope lobbying doesn't get in the way</quote>gaming industry lobbying in germany? i doubt it </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
teep_ 03/09/21 11:18:13 AM #3:	Choco posted... teep_ posted... Let's hope lobbying doesn't get in the way gaming industry lobbying in germany? i doubt it True, but you never know --- teep dumb as f*** fr - BatmanVonDoom I'm gonna pound a 400 lb woman just to prove teep wrong - NigerianKnight <cite>teep_ posted [p:951517383] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Choco posted...</cite> <quote>teep_ posted... </cite> <quote> Let's hope lobbying doesn't get in the way</quote>gaming industry lobbying in germany? i doubt it</quote> True, but you never know</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Questionmarktarius 03/09/21 11:19:44 AM #4:	Microtransactions should be an automatic AO anyway. <cite>Questionmarktarius posted [p:951517429] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Microtransactions should be an automatic AO anyway. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
#5	Post #5 was unavailable or deleted.
Cheater87 03/09/21 11:22:33 AM #6:	Madden now for adults only. --- Doom, the game with unlimited ways to play. <cite>Cheater87 posted [p:951517536] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Madden now for adults only. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Bio1590 03/09/21 11:24:02 AM #7:	I wonder if there's a point where they'll just cease selling games in Germany. They have an id verification system for age when it comes to games don't they? I remember last year when Sony gave out The Nathan Drake Collection for free free they had to give out Knack instead in Germany because of it. --- https://imgur.com/bbRWLI8 https://imgur.com/A0BErSV https://imgur.com/S1m3po4 https://imgur.com/7fCcfko <cite>Bio1590 posted [p:951517585] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>I wonder if there's a point where they'll just cease selling games in Germany. They have an id verification system for age when it comes to games don't they? I remember last year when Sony gave out The Nathan Drake Collection for free free they had to give out Knack instead in Germany because of it.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
RebelElite791 03/09/21 11:25:40 AM #8:	Good. --- Einsprachigkeit ist heilbar https://imgur.com/MS5SvzN <cite>RebelElite791 posted [p:951517644] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Good. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Questionmarktarius 03/09/21 11:26:51 AM #9:	Bio1590 posted... I wonder if there's a point where they'll just cease selling games in Germany. What's to keep anyone from day-tripping to Belgium or Austria? Game shops right across the border in Luxembourg may well become a major industry. <cite>Questionmarktarius posted [p:951517681] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Bio1590 posted... </cite> <quote>I wonder if there's a point where they'll just cease selling games in Germany.</quote>What's to keep anyone from day-tripping to Belgium or Austria? Game shops right across the border in Luxembourg may well become a major industry. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
teep_ 03/09/21 11:30:37 AM #10:	Bio1590 posted... I wonder if there's a point where they'll just cease selling games in Germany. They have an id verification system for age when it comes to games don't they? I remember last year when Sony gave out The Nathan Drake Collection for free free they had to give out Knack instead in Germany because of it. A lot of games also have to have the gore edited out Questionmarktarius posted... Bio1590 posted... I wonder if there's a point where they'll just cease selling games in Germany. What's to keep anyone from day-tripping to Belgium or Austria? Game shops right across the border in Luxembourg may well become a major industry. Fun fact: a game I recently was looking for was 10 cheaper in Austria AND came with extra goodies (steelbook) Unfortunately I have no car and Austria is far away enough that it wouldn't be worth it --- teep dumb as f*** fr - BatmanVonDoom I'm gonna pound a 400 lb woman just to prove teep wrong - NigerianKnight <cite>teep_ posted [p:951517804] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Bio1590 posted...</cite> <quote>I wonder if there's a point where they'll just cease selling games in Germany. They have an id verification system for age when it comes to games don't they? I remember last year when Sony gave out The Nathan Drake Collection for free free they had to give out Knack instead in Germany because of it.</quote> A lot of games also have to have the gore edited out Questionmarktarius posted...</cite> <quote>Bio1590 posted... </cite> <quote> I wonder if there's a point where they'll just cease selling games in Germany.</quote>What's to keep anyone from day-tripping to Belgium or Austria? Game shops right across the border in Luxembourg may well become a major industry.</quote> Fun fact: a game I recently was looking for was 10 cheaper in Austria AND came with extra goodies (steelbook) Unfortunately I have no car and Austria is far away enough that it wouldn't be worth it</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Bio1590 03/09/21 11:40:33 AM #11:	Questionmarktarius posted... What's to keep anyone from day-tripping to Belgium or Austria? Game shops right across the border in Luxembourg may well become a major industry. That becomes Germany's problem and not Sony's/Microsoft's/whoever's. I'm not saying that the German government is going to ban games but that Publishers will choose on their own not to sell specific games in the country. --- https://imgur.com/bbRWLI8 https://imgur.com/A0BErSV https://imgur.com/S1m3po4 https://imgur.com/7fCcfko <cite>Bio1590 posted [p:951518122] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Questionmarktarius posted...</cite> <quote> What's to keep anyone from day-tripping to Belgium or Austria? Game shops right across the border in Luxembourg may well become a major industry. </quote> That becomes Germany's problem and not Sony's/Microsoft's/whoever's. I'm not saying that the German government is going to ban games but that Publishers will choose on their own not to sell specific games in the country.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Funkydog 03/09/21 11:44:57 AM #12:	Good. Hopefully other governments follow suit and force the game industry to change. --- https://imgur.com/BGbZK <cite>Funkydog posted [p:951518254] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Good. Hopefully other governments follow suit and force the game industry to change. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
teep_ 03/09/21 11:45:41 AM #13:	Bio1590 posted... Questionmarktarius posted... What's to keep anyone from day-tripping to Belgium or Austria? Game shops right across the border in Luxembourg may well become a major industry. That becomes Germany's problem and not Sony's/Microsoft's/whoever's. I'm not saying that the German government is going to ban games but that Publishers will choose on their own not to sell specific games in the country. fwiw we're not the first. Belgium (iirc) has banned them outright --- teep dumb as f*** fr - BatmanVonDoom I'm gonna pound a 400 lb woman just to prove teep wrong - NigerianKnight <cite>teep_ posted [p:951518278] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Bio1590 posted...</cite> <quote>Questionmarktarius posted...</cite> <quote> What's to keep anyone from day-tripping to Belgium or Austria? Game shops right across the border in Luxembourg may well become a major industry. </quote> That becomes Germany's problem and not Sony's/Microsoft's/whoever's. I'm not saying that the German government is going to ban games but that Publishers will choose on their own not to sell specific games in the country.</quote> fwiw we're not the first. Belgium (iirc) has banned them outright</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Choco 03/09/21 12:11:44 PM #14:	Bio1590 posted... I wonder if there's a point where they'll just cease selling games in Germany. They have an id verification system for age when it comes to games don't they? I remember last year when Sony gave out The Nathan Drake Collection for free free they had to give out Knack instead in Germany because of it. you have to show id to buy 18+ games teep_ posted... A lot of games also have to have the gore edited out that's becoming less and less of a thing though isn't it? --- https://imgur.com/286sD4e http://error1355.com/ce/Choco.html <cite>Choco posted [p:951519196] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Bio1590 posted... </cite> <quote>I wonder if there's a point where they'll just cease selling games in Germany. They have an id verification system for age when it comes to games don't they? I remember last year when Sony gave out The Nathan Drake Collection for free free they had to give out Knack instead in Germany because of it.</quote>you have to show id to buy 18+ games teep_ posted... </cite> <quote>A lot of games also have to have the gore edited out</quote>that's becoming less and less of a thing though isn't it? </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Bio1590 03/09/21 12:12:50 PM #15:	Choco posted... you have to show id to buy 18+ games Yeah but I meant even digital distribution. Don't they have some kind of ID system for buying games online as well? --- https://imgur.com/bbRWLI8 https://imgur.com/A0BErSV https://imgur.com/S1m3po4 https://imgur.com/7fCcfko <cite>Bio1590 posted [p:951519231] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Choco posted...</cite> <quote>you have to show id to buy 18+ games</quote> Yeah but I meant even digital distribution. Don't they have some kind of ID system for buying games online as well?</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Choco 03/09/21 12:17:02 PM #16:	Bio1590 posted... Yeah but I meant even digital distribution. Don't they have some kind of ID system for buying games online as well? i'm pretty sure i have gta5 on the epic games store and didn't have to do anything annoying --- https://imgur.com/286sD4e http://error1355.com/ce/Choco.html <cite>Choco posted [p:951519377] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Bio1590 posted... </cite> <quote>Yeah but I meant even digital distribution. Don't they have some kind of ID system for buying games online as well?</quote> i'm pretty sure i have gta5 on the epic games store and didn't have to do anything annoying </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Funkydog 03/09/21 12:17:45 PM #17:	Choco posted... you have to show id to buy 18+ games The same in the UK as well, but no issues with buying them for someone under age like cigs/alcohol. Nor any requirements to show ID when buying online that I've ever seen. --- https://imgur.com/BGbZK <cite>Funkydog posted [p:951519408] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Choco posted... </cite> <quote>you have to show id to buy 18+ games</quote>The same in the UK as well, but no issues with buying them for someone under age like cigs/alcohol. Nor any requirements to show ID when buying online that I've ever seen. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
teep_ 03/09/21 12:18:27 PM #18:	Choco posted... Bio1590 posted... Yeah but I meant even digital distribution. Don't they have some kind of ID system for buying games online as well? i'm pretty sure i have gta5 on the epic games store and didn't have to do anything annoying I seem to remember an article stating that it's the law but not enforced But until I find that article again I wouldn't put any weight in that --- teep dumb as f*** fr - BatmanVonDoom I'm gonna pound a 400 lb woman just to prove teep wrong - NigerianKnight <cite>teep_ posted [p:951519433] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Choco posted...</cite> <quote>Bio1590 posted... </cite> <quote> Yeah but I meant even digital distribution. Don't they have some kind of ID system for buying games online as well?</quote> i'm pretty sure i have gta5 on the epic games store and didn't have to do anything annoying</quote> I seem to remember an article stating that it's the law but not enforced But until I find that article again I wouldn't put any weight in that</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Questionmarktarius 03/09/21 12:19:30 PM #19:	Bio1590 posted... Don't they have some kind of ID system for buying games online as well? Children don't have credit cards. <cite>Questionmarktarius posted [p:951519476] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Bio1590 posted... </cite> <quote>Don't they have some kind of ID system for buying games online as well?</quote>Children don't have credit cards. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Damn_Underscore 03/09/21 12:20:49 PM #20:	This is more than a moral issue, Madden has gone to shit ever since EA realized they can just advertise Ultimate Team and dont have to spend any money or effort actually improving the game. --- I try to laugh about it, hiding the tears in my eyes. <cite>Damn_Underscore posted [p:951519523] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>This is more than a moral issue, Madden has gone to shit ever since EA realized they can just advertise Ultimate Team and dont have to spend any money or effort actually improving the game. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
teep_ 03/09/21 12:22:53 PM #21:	Steam's blocked all AO games in Germany. The next step would be to block all 18+ games, but idk if they'll do that Steam blockt nun alle "adult-only" (Porn) Spiele in Deutschland https://www.reddit.com/r/de/comments/kidgyz/steam_blockt_nun_alle_adultonly_porn_spiele_in/ --- teep dumb as f*** fr - BatmanVonDoom I'm gonna pound a 400 lb woman just to prove teep wrong - NigerianKnight <cite>teep_ posted [p:951519599] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Steam's blocked all AO games in Germany. The next step would be to block all 18+ games, but idk if they'll do that Steam blockt nun alle "adult-only" (Porn) Spiele in Deutschland https://www.reddit.com/r/de/comments/kidgyz/steam_blockt_nun_alle_adultonly_porn_spiele_in/</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Bio1590 03/09/21 12:48:06 PM #22:	Questionmarktarius posted... Children don't have credit cards. No but children can have account balances funded by gift cards. Like I said I swear I remember reading that Sony had to give out Knack instead because giving every account access to the Nathan Drake Collection violated the age rules. --- https://imgur.com/bbRWLI8 https://imgur.com/A0BErSV https://imgur.com/S1m3po4 https://imgur.com/7fCcfko <cite>Bio1590 posted [p:951520441] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Questionmarktarius posted...</cite> <quote> Children don't have credit cards. </quote> No but children can have account balances funded by gift cards. Like I said I swear I remember reading that Sony had to give out Knack instead because giving every account access to the Nathan Drake Collection violated the age rules.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Choco 03/09/21 12:57:10 PM #23:	teep_ posted... Steam's blocked all AO games in Germany. The next step would be to block all 18+ games, but idk if they'll do that Steam blockt nun alle "adult-only" (Porn) Spiele in Deutschland https://www.reddit.com/r/de/comments/kidgyz/steam_blockt_nun_alle_adultonly_porn_spiele_in/ and yet you got mad because someone said "Germany is not video game friendly"? --- https://imgur.com/286sD4e http://error1355.com/ce/Choco.html <cite>Choco posted [p:951520758] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>teep_ posted... </cite> <quote>Steam's blocked all AO games in Germany. The next step would be to block all 18+ games, but idk if they'll do that Steam blockt nun alle "adult-only" (Porn) Spiele in Deutschland https://www.reddit.com/r/de/comments/kidgyz/steam_blockt_nun_alle_adultonly_porn_spiele_in/</quote>and yet you got mad because someone said "Germany is not video game friendly"? </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
kage_53 03/09/21 1:00:25 PM #24:	RIP Gacha games, EA and Activision. Hopefully, rest of world follows. <cite>kage_53 posted [p:951520871] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>RIP Gacha games, EA and Activision. Hopefully, rest of world follows. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
#25	Post #25 was unavailable or deleted.
teep_ 03/09/21 1:08:11 PM #26:	Choco posted... teep_ posted... Steam's blocked all AO games in Germany. The next step would be to block all 18+ games, but idk if they'll do that Steam blockt nun alle "adult-only" (Porn) Spiele in Deutschland https://www.reddit.com/r/de/comments/kidgyz/steam_blockt_nun_alle_adultonly_porn_spiele_in/ and yet you got mad because someone said "Germany is not video game friendly"? Yes, I'm sure that user was aware of the intricacies of German video gaming that happened within the last few months --- teep dumb as f*** fr - BatmanVonDoom I'm gonna pound a 400 lb woman just to prove teep wrong - NigerianKnight <cite>teep_ posted [p:951521125] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>Choco posted...</cite> <quote>teep_ posted... </cite> <quote> Steam's blocked all AO games in Germany. The next step would be to block all 18+ games, but idk if they'll do that Steam blockt nun alle "adult-only" (Porn) Spiele in Deutschland https://www.reddit.com/r/de/comments/kidgyz/steam_blockt_nun_alle_adultonly_porn_spiele_in/</quote>and yet you got mad because someone said "Germany is not video game friendly"?</quote> Yes, I'm sure that user was aware of the intricacies of German video gaming that happened within the last few months</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Choco 03/09/21 1:12:37 PM #27:	teep_ posted... Yes, I'm sure that user was aware of the intricacies of German video gaming that happened within the last few months is that why you assumed they meant a brand new lootbox law instead of, oh i dunno, the censorship that's been going on for decades --- https://imgur.com/286sD4e http://error1355.com/ce/Choco.html <cite>Choco posted [p:951521277] in Germany to... [t:79339043]...</cite> <quote>teep_ posted... </cite> <quote>Yes, I'm sure that user was aware of the intricacies of German video gaming that happened within the last few months</quote>is that why you assumed they meant a brand new lootbox law instead of, oh i dunno, the censorship that's been going on for decades </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Topic List	Page List: 1

Current Events > Germany to pass law on lootboxes and age ratings (+) Yeah! (+)

Current Events > Germany to pass law on lootboxes and age ratings