For once, it's not just the Entertainment Software Association that wants a ratings system for the iPhone and the App Store. Both developers and gamers are equally keen for an age rating system so more mature games could become available, and not subject to Apple's policy widely regarded as strict and sectarian.
Speaking to Kotaku, CEO of the Entrainment Software Association (ESA) Michael Gallagher said: "We've been down this road before, the Entertainment Software industry, we know how this goes and it's wise for Apple to make steps in that direction so that this is addressed up front and there is an environment that is hospitable to children and families."
However, it seems that the ESA might not have done its research. Although details on exactly how it'll work aren't entirely clear at this point, Apple has included parental controls in the new 3.0 software update coming on June 17th.
At the WWDC, Apple said TV and movie rentals would soon be available direct to the iPhone and iPod touch, which is presumably a significant factor in its decision to apply an age rating system.
This system will extend throughout iTunes and the App Store including games and applications so it would seem that Apple is way ahead of the ESA on this one.
Of course, despite a general reluctance to admit it, the onus remains on parents to ensure their children's iPhone content is suitable, as publishers and governing bodies can do little more than encourage the proper use of a system's parental controls. But that's no different to the console gaming or film industries.
Top Stories
Feature
May 17th, 2024
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from a battle royale to a console classic remake
Feature
May 16th, 2024
Behind the scenes: How adding sandwich offers to an idle merge game boosted three metrics at once
Events
Digital Dragons | Europe | May 19th |
GamesBeat Summit 2024 | North America | May 20th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Nordic Game Spring 2024 | Nordic | May 21st |
Impact 2024 - Indie Games | May 23rd | |
Morocco Gaming Expo | Africa | May 24th |
MomoCon 2024 | North America | May 24th |
Unreal Fest Gold Coast 2024 | Australasia | May 29th |
Popular Stories
Feature
May 14th, 2024
53 top mobile games in soft launch: Squad Busters, Battle Guys: Royale, Plants vs. Zombies 3, LEGO Hill Climb Adventures, and more
Feature
May 13th, 2024
Hot Five: Dubai's new Gaming Visa, April's mobile game charts, and Xbox studio closures
Interview
May 13th, 2024