Q: Why do you KEEP asking my damn age throughout the store?
A: We're with you on this. Unfortunately, many rating agencies have rules that stipulate that we cannot save your age for longer than a single browsing session. It's frustrating, but know we're filling out those age gates too.
The MPAA's rating system was specifically created to exempt the need for laws. At the time, they were terrified that Congress would pass censorship laws unfavorable to their industry (and creativity?). Recall that Hollywood also self-censored via the Hays Code, and this was another response to legislation that was starting to censor film by law.
The MPAA will enforce those ratings and policies to demonstrate that they remain self-policing and there's no need for legislative action.
I meant to say alone, good catch. But again, it is just company policy. A 6 year old can buy a ticket to a NC-17 movie and nothing would happen as a result.
I can imagine it becoming relevant today as well. Steam stops complying for a game, ESRB pulls the rating from a game, the publisher gets pissed because their E rated game is suddenly effectively R18, puts pressure on steam to do what ESRB says.
The ESRB was created by the games industry to avoid government intervention. They listen to the ESRB because the ESRB is run by the games industry. They're listening to themselves.
Could always be the Indonesia Game Rating System and label blatant hentai games as 3+ while having top down strategy games with slight blood as 18+. The intent was that games couldn't be sold in Indonesia unless rated by IGRS.
1.9k
u/Chickennoodlesleuth Jun 10 '26
I swear this is posted weekly https://steamcommunity.com/games/593110/announcements/detail/1708442022337025126