New classification system for online and mobile games to be trialled in Australia
The Australian Government has today announced a trial of a new rating system for online and mobile games.
This new system will follow the levels of the standard game classification system we all know but instead allow online storefronts and developers to set their own ratings for titles for games without going through the traditional (and expensive) route.
The system is actually an internationally recognised system called the International Age Rating Coalition, or IARC. This will allow games to be rated by filling out a simple questionnaire and will bring Australian into line with such countries as the US, Canada and even Brazil.
Worryingly, at the moment the only participating store front is the Firefox Marketplace. Nintendo’s eShop, Steam, the App Store, Play Store and more would have to all sign up to this system which may take some time. It’s also only a trial so we might never see the game or tech companies bother for this.
Cheaper and easier classification is what indie developers and publishers have been wanting for some time, perhaps this might be enough to get the storefronts to make a move.
http://www.ministerjustice.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2015/Firstquarter2015/10-March-2015-New-Trial-For-Classification-Of-Online-Games.aspx
This seems like something our government would do, start up something to bring it in line with the rest of the world, but require sign ups from stores, without the certainty it will actually stay around.
I for one, would love to submit classifications for indie devs if it meant getting more games on eshop in australia