3411 réponses à ce sujet

[N7M]

 

Filters or parental controls won't affect the rating - games are always rated based on the "most extreme" available content... other than that, I'm not really sure what you mean - care to elaborate?

 

The base rating for the game is only part of the decision process for any purchaser if the rating is even taken into account. The point has been made that a lower rating or the ability to control content on an end user basis to reduce the contents rating (manually or system parental controls) is unlikely to draw many new purchasers or players. I agree with this but only because the lax attitude in purchasing is partly based upon a lack of education for some purchasers of what sort of explicit content is contained within M rated games. There needs to be a system in place that helps educate purchasers about what they are buying. This could have several positive effects for all game players of all sensitivities and create a place for content control sliders in the consciousness of purchasers. 

Why would I advocate this for Mass Effect and no other game? That is a question I would be asking from the outside looking in. This can be answered in one word but would require many pages to elaborate : civilization

[Chealec]

The base rating for the game is only part of the decision process for any purchaser if the rating is even taken into account. The point has been made that a lower rating or the ability to control content on an end user basis to reduce the contents rating (manually or system parental controls) is unlikely to draw many new purchasers or players. I agree with this but only because the lax attitude in purchasing is partly based upon a lack of education for some purchasers of what sort of explicit content is contained within M rated games. There needs to be a system in place that helps educate purchasers about what they are buying. This could have several positive effects for all game players of all sensitivities and create a place for content control sliders in the consciousness of purchasers. 

Why would I advocate this for Mass Effect and no other game? That is a question I would be asking from the outside looking in. This can be answered in one word but would require many pages to elaborate : civilization

 

Thing is, I live in the UK - the rating actually has legal weight behind it. If a shop sells a game to someone they believe is too young for the rating, or indeed to a parent with a child if they believe the game is being bought for that child, then the shop is legally liable and can be fined or even shut down. The same is true for movies, alcohol and so on. You can get young person's ID cards if you need to prove your age.

 

Content sliders wouldn't actually make much difference - it won't affect the rating of the game and therefore won't affect the number of people able to legally buy it... but I can only speak from the perspective of UK law here - though the same is true in other European countries.

 

It's not the purchasers that have to be clued up but the sellers.

[dragonflight288]

Cannot recall, but this does bring up a good point. Wonder if Bioware already has a language filter for any m/p games (eg, SWTOR, ME3, DA-MP, etc) due to chat issues. If so, this might aid in placing a filter in a single player game.

 

SWTOR has a chat filter that replaces profanity with a bunch of *'s. 

 

But it only applies to the chat box. 

[dragonflight288]

Thing is, I live in the UK - the rating actually has legal weight behind it. If a shop sells a game to someone they believe is too young for the rating, or indeed to a parent with a child if they believe the game is being bought for that child, then the shop is legally liable and can be fined or even shut down. The same is true for movies, alcohol and so on. You can get young person's ID cards if you need to prove your age.

 

Content sliders wouldn't actually make much difference - it won't affect the rating of the game and therefore won't affect the number of people able to legally buy it... but I can only speak from the perspective of UK law here - though the same is true in other European countries.

 

It's not the purchasers that have to be clued up but the sellers.

 

Same is true in America. If someone is buying an M rated game here, legally the teller is requires to ask for id to prove you're 17 or older. 

[N7M]

Thing is, I live in the UK - the rating actually has legal weight behind it. If a shop sells a game to someone they believe is too young for the rating, or indeed to a parent with a child if they believe the game is being bought for that child, then the shop is legally liable and can be fined or even shut down. The same is true for movies, alcohol and so on. You can get young person's ID cards if you need to prove your age.

 

Content sliders wouldn't actually make much difference - it won't affect the rating of the game and therefore won't affect the number of people able to legally buy it... but I can only speak from the perspective of UK law here - though the same is true in other European countries.

 

It's not the purchasers that have to be clued up but the sellers.

 

Here, in Canada, it is similar. The problem is that the purchasers are adults who aren't putting forethought into buying games for those aged below a ratings recommendation since the medium is looked at, in a broad sense, as aimed at children.  Cigarette style marketing of Mature content games at children among many other aspects contribute to that perception. However, things appear to be changing, slowly, as the informed purchasers of the market increases.

[Chealec]

Here, in Canada, it is similar. The problem is that the purchasers are adults who aren't putting forethought into buying games for those aged below a ratings recommendation since the medium is looked at, in a broad sense, as aimed at children.  Cigarette style marketing of Mature content games at children among many other aspects contribute to that perception. However, things appear to be changing, slowly, as the informed purchasers of the market increases.

 

That's not really a problem with the ratings system itself though; more an issue with certain parents who still think that computer games are all Mario or Sonic.

 

Education, as you say, is the key - personally I'd recommend sitting them in a darkened room with headphones on and forcing them to play Metro 2033 for a few hours - that should do the job.

 

 

... I'm a highly cynical, 38 year old Brit ... and that game scares the hell outta me when I do that O_O

[DaemionMoadrin]

Here, in Canada, it is similar. The problem is that the purchasers are adults who aren't putting forethought into buying games for those aged below a ratings recommendation since the medium is looked at, in a broad sense, as aimed at children.  Cigarette style marketing of Mature content games at children among many other aspects contribute to that perception. However, things appear to be changing, slowly, as the informed purchasers of the market increases.

 

That's not really a problem with the ratings system itself though; more an issue with certain parents who still think that computer games are all Mario or Sonic.

 

Education, as you say, is the key - personally I'd recommend sitting them in a darkened room with headphones on and forcing them to play Metro 2033 for a few hours - that should do the job.

 

 

... I'm a highly cynical, 38 year old Brit ... and that game scares the hell outta me when I do that O_O

 

Relevant: http://kotaku.com/i-...nt-g-1371011511

[Elhanan]

SWTOR has a chat filter that replaces profanity with a bunch of *'s. 
 
But it only applies to the chat box.

Thanks! I thought so, but as I did not use the Chat function due to solo play, I could not remember.

[N7M]

That's not really a problem with the ratings system itself though; more an issue with certain parents who still think that computer games are all Mario or Sonic.

 

Education, as you say, is the key - personally I'd recommend sitting them in a darkened room with headphones on and forcing them to play Metro 2033 for a few hours - that should do the job.

 

 

... I'm a highly cynical, 38 year old Brit ... and that game scares the hell outta me when I do that O_O

 

It's partly in the ratings by having the labels Mature and Adults Only. These label names create the implication that explicit content is limited to AO and Mature is little more than catching what is less risque. Maybe more parity with movie ratings would help. What would likely be more helpful is that M and AO games before purchasing a moment of thought and a social stigma of some type engaged. In an extreme and unlikely example, the games cannot be sold in stores that allow minors. Although, it might be easier than getting people to play 2033, that game play was twitchy.

[Chealec]

It's partly in the ratings by having the labels Mature and Adults Only. These label names create the implication that explicit content is limited to AO and Mature is little more than catching what is less risque. Maybe more parity with movie ratings would help. What would likely be more helpful is that M and AO games before purchasing a moment of thought and a social stigma of some type engaged. In an extreme and unlikely example, the games cannot be sold in stores that allow minors. Although, it might be easier than getting people to play 2033, that game play was twitchy.

 

True - I don't really like the ESRB system since I read up on it recently - PEGI is more sort of granular for "teen" and above; 12, 16 or 18 and that's it. To be totally honest I prefer the BBFC system (for movies) over even that - 12, 15, 18 ... it's a nice 3 year stepping stone each time; though they did add in 12A a few years back (which is 12 but with parental discretion advised as it may not be suitable for all 12 year olds) ... and technically there's also 'R' which is restricted, only available for sale through licensed sex shops.

 

With ESRB you pretty much only get 13+ ('T') and 17+ ('M') since no game will ever be released with an 'AO' (18+) rating.

 

AIUI the 'AO' rating basically means that the game can have gambling for real money and more explicit sex scenes in..? However, any game that has an 'AO' rating will be PC/phone/tablet only since I'm pretty sure both Sony and Microsoft don't allow 'AO' rated games for sale on their platforms (SEN or XBL).

 

... and with American gambling laws being what they are ... yeah, I can't see any gambling games being released either so that's realistically what, just interactive porn for an 'AO' game? One-handed tablet fondling with a wipe-clean screen?

 

May as well make 'AO' equivalent to the BBFC's 'R' rating then, yes.

 

 

----

edit - heh, I wasn't actually that far off : https://en.wikipedia...ted_video_games

[Helios969]

Query: Say Bioware implemented the aforementioned toggle to eliminate language, nudity, gore, and whatever else people wish to censor...does Bioware open themselves up to a lawsuit in the event a glitch results in non-functionality somewhere along the way?  I kind of think it would be safer for them to release an entirely separate edition to avoid such a possibility.  In that scenario how many copies would need to be sold to make such an endeavor economically attractive?  100K copies?  200K...500K?  I tend to think Bioware/EA are not going to do anything that is merely a break even proposition.

[DaemionMoadrin]

Query: Say Bioware implemented the aforementioned toggle to eliminate language, nudity, gore, and whatever else people wish to censor...does Bioware open themselves up to a lawsuit in the event a glitch results in non-functionality somewhere along the way?  I kind of think it would be safer for them to release an entirely separate edition to avoid such a possibility.  In that scenario how many copies would need to be sold to make such an endeavor economically attractive?  100K copies?  200K...500K?  I tend to think Bioware/EA are not going to do anything that is merely a break even proposition.

 

No, in that case they'd release only the censored version and the original wouldn't be published at all.

[Helios969]

No, in that case they'd release only the censored version and the original wouldn't be published at all.

Which are the concerns most of us are voicing.  So, let's just say h*ll no.

[Elhanan]

No more problematic than other content glitches. As many have mentioned, this is not a feature that will be easy to promote and sell; simply one that can be easily demonstrated at events. And many already squeal over other features that do not live up to their personal standards; am not aware of legal issues because of it; just more venting on the forums.

While it may not make it into ME:A, hope it can be added to all future Bioware titles using this engine soon thereafter.

[Lady Luminous]

I'm sorry that you feel the content is not appropriate for you, but I would like you to consider the amount of work you are asking the developers to do.

In an age where games are sent out barely polished and constantly fixed and updated... It just seems like they could be working on important aspects of the game itself, rather than adding toggles to remove aspects or the game.

There are many teen and g-rated games that you could play, instead of asking developers to change their vision.

[Hanako Ikezawa]

There are many teen and g-rated games that you could play, instead of asking developers to change their vision.

Not really. The number of space RPGs like Mass Effect are very rare, and almost nonexistent in the E and T ratings. 

[Lady Luminous]

Not really. The number of space RPGs like Mass Effect are very rare, and almost nonexistent in the E and T ratings.

While I respect that you don't want to play M games, and that BioWare is very, very special, I think if you looked outside of the narrow confines you've set - you could find games you enjoy.

There are thousands of games on Steam alone. You may need to look through many of them, but I can't imagine you'd hate them all.

[Elhanan]

While I respect that you don't want to play M games, and that BioWare is very, very special, I think if you looked outside of the narrow confines you've set - you could find games you enjoy.

There are thousands of games on Steam alone. You may need to look through many of them, but I can't imagine you'd hate them all.

I do not mind mature material, as the Broodmother reveal in DAO remains a favorite. It discussed matters of gang rape, treachery, and answered the question on the origin of many Darkspawn. The poem by Hespith was chilling and memorable, and no need to re-create the actual debauchery for a cut-scene. The revelation of the horror behind the monster was far more terrifying than the creature itself, IMO.

But when obscenities are tossed commonly, it becomes stale; repetitive. And this is why I do avoid many titles. If Bioware can take the initiative on this issue and create a filter, then those that like/ dislike vulgarity can both enjoy the game.

[Lady Luminous]

I do not mind mature material, as the Broodmother reveal in DAO remains a favorite. It discussed matters of gang rape, treachery, and answered the question on the origin of many Darkspawn. The poem by Hespith was chilling and memorable, and no need to re-create the actual debauchery for a cut-scene. The revelation of the horror behind the monster was far more terrifying than the creature itself, IMO.

But when obscenities are tossed commonly, it becomes stale; repetitive. And this is why I do avoid many titles. If Bioware can take the initiative on this issue and create a filter, then those that like/ dislike vulgarity can both enjoy the game.

I take it then that you've not read BioWare's various comments on exactly how much extra work it creates to make a toggle then?

I'd suggest you do some research before making a request like this. What you are asking for is not simple.

[Fandango]

I do not mind mature material, as the Broodmother reveal in DAO remains a favorite. It discussed matters of gang rape, treachery, and answered the question on the origin of many Darkspawn. The poem by Hespith was chilling and memorable, and no need to re-create the actual debauchery for a cut-scene. The revelation of the horror behind the monster was far more terrifying than the creature itself, IMO.

But when obscenities are tossed commonly, it becomes stale; repetitive. And this is why I do avoid many titles. If Bioware can take the initiative on this issue and create a filter, then those that like/ dislike vulgarity can both enjoy the game.

So, references to acts of sexual violence are less vulgar to you than a little profanity? Astonishing!

[Lady Luminous]

Virtue's Last Reward is a great space RPG.

Well, if you count sci fi as space. Heh. Close enough. Probably.

And if you count puzzle/visual novel as RPG.

ooh! Not the OP, but I need to thank you for this suggestion!

Gonna look into it asap. Thank you!

[Hanako Ikezawa]

While I respect that you don't want to play M games, and that BioWare is very, very special, I think if you looked outside of the narrow confines you've set - you could find games you enjoy.

There are thousands of games on Steam alone. You may need to look through many of them, but I can't imagine you'd hate them all.

Well, I personally have little issue playing M-rated games. The things the OP has listed may lower my enjoyment of the game, but Bioware hasn't done it to the point of ruining my enjoyment of the game, or at least not yet. I'm just a supporter of people having options. 

[AresKeith]

I take it then that you've not read BioWare's various comments on exactly how much extra work it creates to make a toggle then?

I'd suggest you do some research before making a request like this. What you are asking for is not simple.

 

Exactly, like why do you think devs hate when people say "toggles are such a simple solution" lol