the future of Modding at risk?

[CptStern]

ESRB Demands Publisher Audit For Hidden Game Content


in an email to publishers the ESRB asks them to check all games published since sept 2004 for hidden content like Hot Coffee

they also say this:

"Finally, the ESRB addresses third-party 'mod' content which could potentially change the game's suitability, but was not inserted by the game's developer, commenting: "ESRB remains concerned about third party modifications that undermine the accuracy of the original rating, and we are exploring ways to maintain the credibility of the rating system with consumers in light of modifications of this nature."


could this eventually lead to publishers forcing developers to limit modding?

 

[Moto]

No. And I have no idea why people have gotten so enraged about Hot Coffee. Now they think every game has a hidden hot coffee minigame in it.

 

[PickledGecko]

What power does ESRB have? I thought it was just the industry’s attempt at self regulation. If ESRB makes a rule, would every developer/publisher have to follow that rule?

 

[OCybrManO]

If ESRB makes a rule, would every developer/publisher have to follow that rule?

Well, most retailers probably wouldn't carry "unrated" games... so, yeah.

 

[Raeven0]

Well, most retailers probably wouldn't carry "unrated" games... so, yeah.

Steam.

 

[PickledGecko]

Well, most retailers probably wouldn't carry "unrated" games... so, yeah.

Why not? The only ratings that matter, from a legal standpoint, are those dished out by the country’s governing body that deals with age ratings for media, (i.e. in the UK it’s the BBFC). The age rating given by ESRB are more an indication of what age is suitable for the game, like on board games that say “suitable for 8+” or whatever. That sort of age rating can be decided by the publisher/developer and any mature content would be labelled such by the governing body of the country in question. And if Retailers still think that an ESRB approved rating is necessary, just because your company does not conform to ESRB’s modding restrictions doesn’t mean it won’t conform to its ratings process.

 

[MultiVaC]

Why is Hot Coffee so horrible? It's nothing compared to the actual game content, where you can kill innocent people and cops, ffs.

 

[Absinthe]

Why is Hot Coffee so horrible? It's nothing compared to the actual game content, where you can kill innocent people and cops, ffs.

That's the American mindset for you.

 

[xLostx]

i love the tetris version of hot coffee.

 

[Raziaar]

Developers should be immune to what other people make with their games. Unless they just make a mod to unlock something that the developer made. In which case, the developer was the one who actually made the content.

 

[Cooper]

What is this Hot Coffee thing?

 

[Raziaar]

What is this Hot Coffee thing?

The lawsuit where people spilled hot mcdonalds coffee on themselves.

 

[Jintor]

It's sorta like Hot Biscuit.

 

[Mr.Reak]

I think even if modification going to get banned (which is highly unlikely) people still will modify games, SDKs will be leaked by “hackers” and so on.

 

[Solaris]

This is why we have steam.

Grrrrrrr, imagine how this would damage people. Theirs so many people loearning stuff becuase of wanting to mod, they learn level design programming modelling, without these people their would be no games.

 

[Sulkdodds]

"ESRB remains concerned about third party modifications that undermine the accuracy of the original rating, and we are exploring ways to maintain the credibility of the rating system with consumers in light of modifications of this nature."

Oh, **** off.

 

[JellyWorld]

The rating applies only to the original game and nothing else, I don't see why mods would undermine the rating, since they're not covered by it.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

Jack Thompson says- "I'll get you modding baron"

Nerdy Modder says- "No you won't"

 

[ríomhaire]

What is this Hot Coffee thing?

It was a mod of GTA:SA that let you have SEX IN A GRAND THEIF AUTO GAME. Oh, wait...

 

[Angry Lawyer]

Chances are, they'll just do what they do on MMORPG games. Add a sign saying "Experience may change with online content" or something.

-Angry Lawyer

 

[CptStern]

Chances are, they'll just do what they do on MMORPG games. Add a sign saying "Experience may change with online content" or something.

-Angry Lawyer

that's already there


what they could do is force developers to limit mods by only releasing map editors and not allowing new content ..which is what they do for console games

 

[ríomhaire]

that's already there


what they could do is force developers to limit mods by only releasing map editors and not allowing new content ..which is what they do for console games

But then we'd have no CS, DOD, TFC or Zombie Master!

 

[CptStern]

yes ..that's what they want ...I think the more the religious right pressure the gaming industry to become accountable the more we'll see developers self-censor

 

[Pesmerga]

ESRB only gets to put their label on products on shelves.

Besides, there's a sticker that says "ESRB rating may change during on-line play" which, technically, covers mods as well. So they don't have any excuse to put their filthy hands on user created content.

 

[CptStern]

ESRB only gets to put their label on products on shelves.

Besides, there's a sticker that says "ESRB rating may change during on-line play" which, technically, covers mods as well. So they don't have any excuse to put their filthy hands on user created content.

they do now:


"ESRB remains concerned about third party modifications that undermine the accuracy of the original rating, and we are exploring ways to maintain the credibility of the rating system with consumers in light of modifications of this nature."

 

[Pesmerga]

It's pretty far fetched to say they will go so far as to limit developers from releasing modding tools. Money rules, and stopping a business from getting more money is un-American.

 

[OCybrManO]

stopping a business from getting more money is un-American

It depends on the situation. There are countless times where the government steps in and stops a company from doing something that it was profiting (or would profit) from... like hunting whales, drilling for oil, building in residential zones, etc. The courts didn't see a problem with them. Still, in this case, I agree because there's not a reason to do it.

 

[CptStern]

It's pretty far fetched to say they will go so far as to limit developers from releasing modding tools. Money rules, and stopping a business from getting more money is un-American.

they did it to rockstar ..one of the most successful developers I dont see why they wouldnt do it with anyone else ...besides all they need is publishers to jump on board ...developers will have to follow suit if they want development money

 

[Pesmerga]

Perhaps. It's ashame to see so much creativity and art be restricted by such a simple, yet undeniable, problem.

Is it just me, or have people suddenly become very greedy and evil?

C'est human nature, oui?

 

[Angry Lawyer]

that's already there


what they could do is force developers to limit mods by only releasing map editors and not allowing new content ..which is what they do for console games

That's more to do with the fact Consoles don't really come with a console, or any sizable amount of memory.

Trust me, nothing excessively bad is going to happen. Well, to me, at least.

-Angry Lawyer

 

[CptStern]

That's more to do with the fact Consoles don't really come with a console, or any sizable amount of memory.

Trust me, nothing excessively bad is going to happen. Well, to me, at least.

-Angry Lawyer

somehow I dont think microsoft would allow user made content to be distributed in their networks

 

[Ennui]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - we cannot be stopped from modding. They can make it as hard or as easy for us as they want to, but we're not going to stop either way.

 

[Angry Lawyer]

somehow I dont think microsoft would allow user made content to be distributed in their networks

Microsoft support modding, as far as I know. I'm sure they're working pretty closely with Valve to get their latest version of C++ working with the SDK.

-Angry Lawyer

 

[CptStern]

Microsoft support modding, as far as I know. I'm sure they're working pretty closely with Valve to get their latest version of C++ working with the SDK.

-Angry Lawyer

yes for pc games ..but that's not what I meant

 

[Angry Lawyer]

yes for pc games ..but that's not what I meant

Then I've completely misunderstood you in my whiskey-inebriated state.

-Angry Lawyer

 

[Ennui]

Silly drunkard.

 

[CptStern]

Then I've completely misunderstood you in my whiskey-inebriated state.

-Angry Lawyer

you should probably do a water chaser with each swig of the ol' red eye :cheers:

 

[Angry Lawyer]

you should probably do a water chaser with each swig of the ol' red eye :cheers:

We all have our weaknesses.

-Angry Lawyer

 

[ríomhaire]

Anyway, wouldn't that only affect American moders so Angry would be unaffected.

 

[Ennui]

It very well might extend to the rest of the world given that a lot of video games are made here and would adhere to those standards.