ESRB Plugs Game Leaks with New Website Protocol

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A memo from the Entertainment Software Ratings Board revealed that the agency is implementing new functionality in its website to prevent evidence of upcoming game titles from being leaked before their official announcements.

The ESRB's notice, forwarded to Next-Gen by an unspecified publisher, speaks of a new online submission form that will allow publishers to choose a date when a game can be revealed on the organization's website.

The new functionality was requested by publishers, likely those whose marketing schedules were disrupted by previous ESRB leaks. Listings on the website have confirmed the existence of several titles, including Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (NDS) and Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition (PC, 360), among others.

But despite the concern over leaks, the agency noted that the consumer's ability to browse listed game ratings remains its chief priority.

"While we recognize some publishers have concerns regarding earlier-than-desired 'announcements' of product on our website, the ESRB system will not work for consumers if publishers arbitrarily select dates bearing no reasonable relationship to consumer interest in the product," the memo reads.

Those publishers which do not take advantage of the embargo option can expect listed games to appear on the ESRB's website 30 days after a game is rated.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    June 20, 2008 12:37 PM

    we need some shit where i dont have to put a random birthday in every time i go to a mature content game site

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      June 20, 2008 12:46 PM

      Heck, even a "confirm age" button would be simpler.

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      June 20, 2008 12:53 PM

      I don't understand the stupidity of these age gates. As if kids can't do math. Just pick a date in the 70's and you are in. They put them there to "protect their asses" and yet it doesn't do anything.

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        June 20, 2008 12:58 PM

        I don't even pick a date in the 70s -- I just grab the year and scroll down a shitload and leave it at that. I was born on January 1, 1932.

        If I'm too impatient to put in my real age, I can't imagine kids being much better.

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          June 20, 2008 1:58 PM

          most of the time i was born in 1900

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          June 20, 2008 2:12 PM

          You old geezers in your seventies get so crotchety about the smallest thing.

    • reply
      June 20, 2008 1:20 PM

      you fucktards. the 'age gate' is to protect the company, not to protect the children.

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        June 20, 2008 1:41 PM

        what a sleuth you are. i don't think anyone realized that yet!

      • reply
        June 20, 2008 1:45 PM

        The point is, there's no logical reason that this should "protect the company" as it's so easily circumvented.

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