So I noticed this today: I have 2 copies of the game XIII, one is for the PlayStation 2 and the other is for the GameCube. Both copies are French, released in 2003 and "age appropriate" rated by PEGI (Pan European Game Information). So with all that being said how on earth can one be appropriate for 12+ year olds but on another a console you need to be 16+? It was suggested on my IG that perhaps Playstation removed some content but to me that sounds like more work than it's worth especially for a game that's to be released on the massively successful PS2. Could it be as simple as a misprint? Ideas? Also, if you are not living in France and your games are rated by PEGI what is the rating of your copy of XIII? What is it rated in the USA and does it differ from state to state? Are there any doubles in your collection that are age rated differently? Will be interesting to know!
should be 16 rated http://www.pegi.info/en/index/globa...mit=Search&global_id=505&id=509#searchresults
I checked that shortly after my above post and though that was that, it's a typo. But then realised that what's on the game case could be correct and what's on the PEGI website is the actually the typo. I know that most likely the website is right but I only have one PS2 version of the game and clearly the site only states the rating once so at this point it's not 100% proof that either or is the correct one. I know that sounds pedantic but I like to be thorough. If the 12+ rating is a typo, was it like than on all copies? Just a few? Or is mine a one off?
Looking for pictures online, it seems that the 12 + PEGI rating is the most common. Maybe the game was rated again later on?
To me I would think 12+ would be more accurate given that the game is pretty tame, I can't see why you'd need to be more mature to play it at all but if that were the case I'd think there would be a side note to make people aware of any past amendments as it does clearly state there that it's PEGI 16+.
Not to steal your thread, But I noticed something like that years ago here in the US. GTA 2 for PSX is rated T but the dreamcast is rated M. I don't even know why. So this isn't just a a PEGI thing. PSX Content Descriptors: Animated Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes Dreamcast Content Descriptors: Animated Blood, Strong Language
Not at all, I wanted to know if there were other games out there like this. Very interesting, the only thing I could maybe guess that could be the reason behind different ratings for different consoles could be copyright licensing and what company gets the licence 1st, both for images and for music... but saying that Rockstar is pretty spot on there and I don't know if the dev or platform would have to file for said licences so that blows that theory out the water.
The PC port was strange as well. The original PC port was rated M, but the copy included in "The Classics Collection" rerelease was rated both T and M. The cover had a M rating, but the disc itself had a T rating. The other two games were rated M like normal.
In the US are the ratings more like a guideline or do they legally bind the seller to sell to the ages suggested? If it's just a guideline then I could understand why it's a bit all over as it's more for parents to make a judgement call as opposed to the legal aspect which is the protection of minors against harmful content.
Maybe it was re rated. GTA 2 on PS1 is rated T (released in 1999) and on Dreamcast is rated M (released in 2000).
No direct federal law. Buying/selling, possession, or use of games with any rating from any country (or unrated) is legal for all ages. Games have been pulled off shelves for other reasons though. Read up on situations like Grand Theft Auto San Andreas or The Guy Game. In short the US has zero games banned by name from personal use by adults.
Indeed... https://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.aspx I think it might be illegal to sell The Guy Game. I bought it at a GameStop once for $4.99 because I couldn't believe they were actually selling it. I'm having trouble finding anything online
Maybe, existing laws not specific to games should still be able to remove a game from stores if not people's homes. If a game truly contains illegal content. But I don't think it's ever been attempted.
I did think about that as Nintendo is clearly more aimed at the family market but given that Pegi is not a legal thing, just a guideline, I really can't see them putting in as much effort as that. I actually contacted Pegi publicly on Twitter for an answer back when I originally started this thread and I was ignored. I genuinely think they just don't care tbh and it was most likely a printing error.
The Guy Game is technically illegal because one of the girls was 17, making it technically child porn. Though I can't think of any other game that's been actually banned in the US. At least not on consoles. Of course in the US most stores have a pretty hard ban on selling AO rated games (which is why there's so few), but it's not a strict law. Same goes for selling M rated games to adults and not 5 year olds who want to play GTA.
Well that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Maybe I shouldn't have purchased it based on novelty alone. EDIT: GameStop is STILL selling it. Guess they didn't get the memo? http://www.gamestop.com/games/the-guy-game/35808
It's not enforced. We would've heard about it, had any copy been removed from anyone's hand by a federal court order.
