8 replies to this topic

[Zinix]

Nintendo has explained the restrictions on Wii U eShop 18+ content.
Last week Eurogamer confirmed that Nintendo of Europe blocks access to 18+ content on the Wii U eShop at certain times of day.
We were unable to buy 18-rated content, such as ZombiU and Assassin's Creed 3, during the day time. This, it emerged, was because access to content Nintendo deems unsuitable to minors is restricted to the 11pm to 3am time window on these shores.
This morning Nintendo confirmed to Eurogamer that these restrictions are in place because of German regulations - regulations Nintendo of Europe is bound by because it is based there.
“At Nintendo we always aim to provide a safe gaming experience for fans of all ages and ensure that we comply with applicable legal age restriction requirements across Europe,” a Nintendo spokesperson told Eurogamer.
“Legal age restriction requirements vary across a number of European countries. Since Nintendo of Europe is based in Germany, Nintendo eShop is complying with German youth protection regulation which therefore applies to all our European markets. Under German law, content rated 18+ must be made available only at night.
“Therefore the accessibility of 18+ content in Nintendo eShop is limited to [USK: 22:00 UTC until 4:00 UTC] [PEGI: 23:00 UTC until 3:00 UTC].”
USK is the abbreviation of Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle, the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body responsible for computer game ratings in Germany. On these shores we're governed by PEGI, so can only buy and access 18+ content on the Wii U eShop from 11pm to 3am.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-12-10-nintendo-explains-crazy-wii-u-eshop-restrictions

Seems a tad bit too fair, but the law is the law, ya know? Hopefully in the near future this issue is resolved.

[Tricky Sonic]

I figured this was Why. I guess That's the downside to having all of Europe lumped together. Sorry guys!

[Crackkat]

I don't see Germany changing its laws for Nintendo so I don't think this issue will be resolved

[Nollog]

They can make a region for Germany, and do it for them.
They already have separate shops for the UK and Ireland due to currencies.
I don't see why they can't do the same thing for this not good law.

[alan123]

& this is why we hate the EU

[SoldMyWiiUAndLeftTheForums]

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR What happens when DLC comes out for ME3, AC3 and other 18 plus games? Some people work and can't stay up that late? FIX IT NINTY!

[Alex Atkin UK]

Its a poor excuse indeed.

It also doesn't resolve the obvious issue here, when you try to view 18+ content during the restricted hours it doesn't bother to explain WHY the content is restricted, just that it is.

How exactly is your average person supposed to know what is going on if Nintendo do not bother to explain it?

It just leaves you wondering why on earth that content is restricted, especially as this problem does not occur on Playstation or Xbox.

Its also hilarious that Germany is so crazy that they think a child would never think to bootup their console during the valid hours to download their 18+ content. In fact I can imagine a child more likely to do that, than an adult come back during those hours to get it legally for themselves. Children do not worry about there being school in the morning.

Edited by Alex Atkin UK, 10 December 2012 - 09:31 PM.

[PedanticGamer]

I call bollocks on this so called reason. Why is it not an issue for ps3, xbox, pc or any other countless number of distribution companies more or less identical to nintendo.

The problem is Nintendo, not some supposed scapegoat law.

Edited by PedanticGamer, 11 December 2012 - 04:43 AM.

[Scumbag]

Well yes this is annoying but I do however see one good point.

What is more irritating than playing adult rated games over xbox live and being littered with screaming kids? Well at least Europe gamers can expect mostly adult players on 18+ games as they will buy the game in store (kids cannot) and download DLC during the window.