MSFT: 'Mature' Games Allowed in European Windows Store

By Jane McEntegart
published

Europeans won't have to find an alternative source for Skyrim or Modern Warfare, after all.

Earlier this month, Microsoft confirmed that Windows 8's marketplace -- which is a native app in the new operating system -- would not offer games with a rating over PEGI 16, ESRB Mature ("M"). This rule, which resides in section 6.2 of the Windows App guidelines (opens in new tab), applies to all software sold within Microsoft's new virtual storefront and would mean no PEGI 18 or rated 'A' content in the store. The new system affected European users more because some PEGI 18 games are actually rated 'M' in the U.S.

Here in the States, games sporting an 'A' rating would be banned from the Windows 8 store under Microsoft's guidelines. However, because a number of extremely popular titles carry a PEGI 18 rating in Europe, they were covered by the ban even though they're rated 'Mature' in the United States. These include The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Mass Effect 2 and 3, Fallout: New Vegas and many more.

Today, Microsoft confirmed to Gizmodo that the company would now determine which titles are available through the store using a different system. In short, if a game carries an M rating in the United States but carries a PEGI 18 rating in Europe, it will still be allowed in the Windows 8 store.

The company's Windows App guidelines have yet to be updated, and still use the same language as before (nothing over PEGI 16 or ESRB M), but we're sure Redmond will get around to it.

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15 Comments Comment from the forums
  • wannabepro
    It's a step in the right direction.
    Now allow boot to desktop, add a start button, and give us the option to disable tiles.

    And maybe remove the Windows Marketplace altogether and add in integration code for Steam.
    Reply
  • mrmaia
    Reading the headline I thought it'd be an article about porn games.
    Reply
  • ttg_Avenged
    wannabeproIt's a step in the right direction. Now allow boot to desktop, add a start button, and give us the option to disable tiles.And maybe remove the Windows Marketplace altogether and add in integration code for Steam.
    Translation: Just give up on WIN8 for desktops, and put out a good service pack for Win 7 :P
    Reply
  • jonjonjon
    why do they now need to call everything an app. when i think of an app i think of a 99 cent garbage ios program. i dont want "apps" i want full featured professional programs and games.
    Reply
  • myromance123
    BigMack70Don't like the implications of the presence of MSFT store in the OS... don't like it at all.There's a reason I don't own any Apple devices, and it's not just because I think they're overpriced.I really, REALLY hope that Steam gets up and running with some traction on Linux for gaming, and then I'm gone from Windows forever.
    I'm hoping the same. Looks like the Steam Linux Beta maybe next week during the UDS. It's an interesting turn of events, not something I thought would happen when I started using Ubuntu in 2008.
    Reply
  • cercuitspark
    wannabeproIt's a step in the right direction. Now allow boot to desktop, add a start button, and give us the option to disable tiles.And maybe remove the Windows Marketplace altogether and add in integration code for Steam.
    1) Why do you need a start button?

    2) Go get Start8 from Stardock if you have to live in the past.

    3) The Windows Store and Steam are two different things, they are not the same at all.
    Reply
  • spookyman
    whats wrong with porn?

    Makes the world go around.
    Reply
  • memadmax
    Why bother?
    Within seconds, I can get any kind of so called "mature" electronic media of any type with a flick of the wrist....
    Reply
  • wannabepro
    cercuitspark1) Why do you need a start button?2) Go get Start8 from Stardock if you have to live in the past.3) The Windows Store and Steam are two different things, they are not the same at all.
    1. What's wrong with the start button, I use it quite often.
    2. M$ is actively trying to DISCOURAGE 3rd party start buttons.
    3. Both Steam and Windows Store sell games.
    You, my friend, should work on validity before sharing your ignorant views.
    Reply
  • Onihikage
    Very smart of Microsoft to exclude one of the biggest markets just because a few American prudes might take offense to the MS store having M-rated games. They sure would have lost a lot of business from 5 people boycotting the MS store...

    /s
    Reply