Posted on

Getting Up Distributed Via Downloads in Australia Despite Ban

Despite the February 2006 ban of Marc Ecko’s Getting up by The Board of the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia (IEAA), an Australian computer software distributor, Mindscape, was distributing the game in Australia via downloads from its quicky.com.au website.

It appears the game was being hosted by the website’s U.S. service provider without Mindscape’s knowledge.

Since the story broke the game was taken off the site. The Australian Communications and Media Authority told Screen Play that penalties of up to $110,000 may apply to corporations selling computer games that have been refused classification.

Sources: Syndey Morning Herald | GamePolitics.com | theage.com.au

Posted on

Second Japanese Prefecture Restricts Grand Theft Auto III

The Japanese prefecture of Saitama, which neighbors Tokyo, has become the second local government in Japan to ban the sale of Grand Theft Auto III to anyone aged under eighteen, according to Japanese online reports.

Source: Gamasutra

Related Posts:

Posted on

Japanese Retailers Enforce Restrictions on 18-Rated Games

The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association, the Japanese counterpart to the ESRB, has announced a voluntary program to prevent the sale of games rated 18 to minors. The program is seen partially as a preemptive move to cancel possible governmental restrictions in the wake of Kanagawa prefecture’s labeling of Grand Theft Auto III as banned to minors under the legislature.

Sources: Gamasutra | Gamespot | Gamespot (earlier June 27 story)
Related Posts:


Posted on

Japanese Prefecture Restricts Grand Theft Auto Sales

Officials from the Japanese prefecture (an organisation of local government roughly equivalent to a U.S. state) of Kanagawa have banned stores from selling or renting the game Grand Theft Auto III to anyone under the age of 18.

Sources: Gamasutra | Capcom’s June 8 Response

Related Posts:

Posted on

Manitoba to Restrict Video Game Rentals to Minors

Under the new Manitoba law, a retailer who sells or rents a video game marked Adults Only to anyone under 18 can be hit with a fine of $5,000. Games marked Mature, such as the Grand Theft Auto titles, will not be available to anyone under 17.

Sources: CTV | Fradical.com | Manitoba Press Release

Related Posts:

Posted on

New Ontario Video Game Retail Sales Law

On March 7, 2005, the Ontario Film Review Board adopted the ESRB classifications. As a result it is now an offence to sell, rent or publicly exhibit video and computer games classified as “Mature” or “Adults Only” to persons apparently under the age of 18 years. If convicted, individuals may face up to $25,000 in fines or imprisonment for a term of not more than one year or both. Corporations are liable for fines up to $100,000.

Sources: GamePolitics.com | Fradical.com | Ontario Film Review Board Press Release

Related Posts:

Posted on

ESRB Adds E10+ To Game Ratings System

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board, an industry-run group designed to provide parents with clear information so that they can choose the most appropriate computer and video games, has added a new classifier to their ratings system. The E10+ rating will serve as a halfway point between the E (Everyone) and T (Teen) ratings.

Source: Gamasutra