• @[email protected]
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    1320 hours ago

    I wonder how it works for more alternative platforms like itch.io.

    No way you’re having any official ratings on 99% of their catalogue. Most of it is experimental stuff, and having basically no barrier to publish is the point.

    Unless the German regulations allow self-assigned ratings? It says they allow Steam’s own age ratings, how are those applied?

    • @[email protected]
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      19 hours ago

      1st. There are no official ratings, only self-imposed industry standards.

      2nd. A USK or PEGI label is not even needed. The developers or publishers only need to click a handful of checkboxes to self evaluate their game.

      Both is mentioned in the article.

      • @[email protected]
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        19 hours ago

        I tried to read that article. You’ll notice that the end of my message refers to the Steam rating system, which is mentioned towards the end (or at least I think it was the end) of that article. Problem is, this site is utter fucking shite, and most of it was obscured with scrolling tracking ads as I always trying to read. So yes, I missed the part about it just being a form to fill.

        As for “official”, yes, I know PEGI/ESRB/Whatever are industry-controlled. But for better of for worse, they’re still used as reference, and they’re third party (though clearly not that independent). It’s still different from declaring yourself what your game contains.

        • TJA!
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          519 hours ago

          You should look at using an ad blocker. I had no problems with the site

          • @[email protected]
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            119 hours ago

            Yeah, well I tend to give sites I don’t know the benefit of the doubt, which is why I don’t ad-block by default. Now I know this one doesn’t deserve to exist at all.

            • TJA!
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              418 hours ago

              That’s of course also a valid way to look at it

  • @chuckleslord
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    18 hours ago

    PEGI USK ratings are free to obtain, right? Right?

    • @[email protected]
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      418 hours ago

      Germany doesn’t use PEGI, we use ratings by a German organization called USK (I know this doesn’t really answer the question)

      • @chuckleslord
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        218 hours ago

        Apologies. Am dumb American. At least all these systems were made by video game companies wanting to avoid regulation (PEGI, USK, ESRB). Really brings us all together.

        • @[email protected]
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          18 hours ago

          Oh no, the USK is actually different. It protects us from evil things like blood and guns and swastikas by completely denying an age rating every once in a while. Gambling is fine though.