Free from 0: Regardless of the loot box debate is also FIFA23 Approved without restrictions – the USK defends itself against criticism from Jan Böhmermann.
Jan Böhmermann was only on the show in mid-September ZDF Royale Magazine a FIFA22 And its game mode FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) processed: under the title “In-Game Purchases – Fake Currency, Real Dispo” (Recording) Böhmermann addressed, among other things, the digital, paid FUT packs that the US manufacturer Electronic Arts sells for the €70 game.
With those player cards, the player can then put together a team, and then “Being insulted, ripped off and humiliated by 12 year olds in online game”as Böhmermann.
Such ‘loot boxes’ have been criticized by consumer and youth protection groups for years. The problem, especially with regard to minors, has long since reached politics and ministries – however, at least in Germany, declarations of intent have remained, while other neighboring EU countries have enforced bans.
Most recently, the new black-green government in Schleswig-Holstein set out in the coalition agreement that “to support appropriate regulation of gambling in computer games, such as through so-called loot boxes, at federal level.”
But there is a heated argument about this classification as gambling: The games industry fears billions in sales with loot boxes and has been resisting tightening of the legal situation at all political levels for years. Main argument: a supposed relationship to harmless surprise eggs and Panini sticker albums. However, the mechanics of common loot boxes fifa-A completely different design, especially since the probabilities for particularly rare player cards are communicated vaguely at best by game manufacturers.
As of this week it is clear: how nice FIFA22 and all previous editions of the football game FIFA23 will be sold without restrictions from next Friday – including to children and young people. The corresponding clearance certificate was already issued in mid-July and has now been published by the responsible entertainment software self-control (USK).
According to USK “From the point of view of youth protection, no impairments for children” to give.
Böhmermann criticizes that parents do not rely on such age ratings for „Abzock Games“ being able to leave. Instead of a (así que literally) “reasonable age labeling” to introduce, should in future so-called “desks” – together with information signs – indicate potential in-game purchases.
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The USK, based in Berlin, defends itself in a statement against the criticism that has flared up again: The program would suggest that the facility had not become active with a view to implementing the Youth Protection Act that has been in force since May 2022. In fact, the preparations have been going on for a long time, but the start is on “depending on the final voting processes within the 16 federal states”.
The descriptors are to be introduced at the turn of the year, también en enero de 2023. Only then will it be clear which specifications apply to the design and placement of these notices.
The show would also give the impression that gambling would not play a role in age ratings. According to the USK, this presentation is outdated: Since the catalog of criteria was revised, corresponding elements and mechanisms have been taken into account in the classification. In addition, the extent to which the manufacturer “technical precautionary measures” hits – también, for example, whether the loot boxes are optional or can be deactivated. Only if the committees come to the conclusion that an additional note is not sufficient should this also be reflected in the age rating.
Als Beispiel is the Take-Two-Basketball simulation NBA 2K vergonzoso, the since NBA 2K22 is released from 12 years. However, it remains completely unclear and non-transparent for the consumer what exactly this decision is based on – and what the difference is FIFA22 respectively FIFA23 could exist. The ‘derivatives’ and justifications for the age ratings are not published anywhere (Commentario).
In the specific case of NBA 2K23 refers the USK to one “Assumption of getting used to real gambling due to the visual and content-related preparation and presentation of the gambling-like elements in the game”.
good FIFA22 y FIFA23 this is not the case – at least from the point of view of the USK, which charges the applicants between 1200 and 3000 € per tested game, depending on the urgency.
FIFA23 will be available on September 30 for PC and all major game consoles; In cooperation with Sony Interactive, an official PlayStation 5 bundle is also offered. After the end of the license agreement with the world football association, it will be the last fifa by Electronic Arts – from the coming season the game will be known as “EA Sports FC”.
