ratings
Latest
Vizio IPO plan shows how its TVs track what you're watching
While the past few years have been tough for many TV makers (Panasonic, Pioneer, Toshiba, Sony, just to name a few), Vizio has continued to grow its business, and now it's ready to go public. Vizio has made its name with impressive value-priced TVs that don't skimp on features (it's also a leader in the soundbar market, and has made attempts at selling tablets and phones too). According to the filing, Vizio has sold more than 15 million smart TVs, with about 61 percent of them connected as of the end of June. While viewers are benefiting from those connections, streaming over 3 billion hours of content, Vizio says it's watching them too, with Inscape software embedded in the screens that can track anything you're playing on it -- even if it's from cable TV, videogame systems and streaming devices.
Google hopes Yelp-like perks will get you to review more local spots
It's pretty easy to find local restaurants using Google Maps, but figuring out if they're any good or not? Most folks turn to Yelp or TripAdvisor, which have larger, more hardcore user communities. But Google has just done a makeover on its City Experts service, by switching the name to Local Guides and making it a lot more like Yelp's Elite Squad. The idea is still to encourage local reviewers to sign on, but there are now four expert levels instead of one. As soon as you hit 50 reviews, you'll also get a badge and be highlighted as a top reviewer on Google Maps for Android and iOS.
Hotline Miami 2 refused classification in Australia [update]
Hotline Miami 2 is effectively banned from sale in Australia, following the Australian Classification Board's decision to refuse classification. According to Kotaku and Player Attack, the legislative body's report describes an implicit rape scene featuring "visual depiction of implied sexual violence" as part of the offending content. On its website, the ACB says the ruling is accordance with National Classification Code that refuses classification to games featuring "matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena" that offend accepted standards. The site's listing doesn't note the scene specified in the report obtained by Kotaku and Player Attack. According to both publications, the report notes that it doesn't include a complete list of the content that contributed to the ACB's decision. [Update: Devolver Digital published a response to the ruling this morning, which you can read in full below the break. The publisher says it's "concerned and disappointed that a board of professionals tasked with evaluating and judging games fairly and honestly would stretch the facts to such a degree..." Devolver added it has no plans to officially challenge the decision.]
Borderlands Remastered Edition listed by Australian ratings board
Borderlands may be the series to finally fill the void of cross-generation remasters, going by a new listing published by the Australian Classification Board. The MA15+ multiplatform rating for "Borderlands Remastered Edition" notes Gearbox Software and 2K Australia as the authors and 2K as the publisher. All that's missing is the official confirm from 2K [Update: When approached, a 2K spokesperson told Joystiq, "We have made no announcements and have nothing to state at this time.] From here on in we've firmly got our speculating psycho mask on. So, the three Borderlands - 1, 2 and The Pre-Sequel - came to the last generation of systems. So it would make sense for a remastered re-release to bundle the trilogy for PS4, Xbox One and PC. Throw in all the DLC (why not?) and a friendly price tag and you, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar.
Nielsen will finally start tracking Netflix and Amazon video
Nielsen, the holy vanguard of television ratings, has finally figured out how to track viewership from Netflix and Amazon's streaming video services. And when it launches next month, it could fundamentally change the sorts of shows you see from them. Since neither Netflix or Amazon offer detailed viewership data, Nielsen has developed a way for its rating meters to track shows by identifying their audio, the Wall Street Journal reports. While it won't track mobile viewers, it will help level the playing field for content owners when negotiating streaming deals, who have so far been clueless about how their shows are performing on Netflix and Amazon. That might lead to some of your favorite shows disappearing, but it could mean streaming data will help decide wether that show you've been binge watching gets cancelled.
Swedish trade group proposes sexism ratings for games
Sweden-based industry trade group Dataspelsbranchen is researching a new content rating system for video games based on promotion of gender equality. The proposed ratings system, inspired by the Bechdel test, will examine how in-game female characters are portrayed with regard to equality and diversity. The group recently received a 272,000 kronor (nearly $37,000) grant from Sweden's government-funded Vinnova agency to further its research. "I do not know of any other project in the world asking this question and of course we want Sweden to be a beacon in this area," project manager Anton Albiin told Swedish publication The Local. "Of course games can be about fantasy but they can be so much more than this. They can also be a form of cultural expression - reflecting society or the society we are hoping for. Games can help us to create more diverse workplaces and can even change the way we think about things." The group's research follows up on recent concerns raised by Anita Sarkeesian and other media critics, who highlight the one-dimensional treatment women characters often receive in video games. [Image: 2K]
Resident Evil Revelations 2 ESRB rating almost a Barry sandwich
ESRB's newly-published rating for Resident Evil Revelations 2 hints at a third playable character, and that hint seems to point toward a return for Barry Burton. As DualShockers spotted, the rating notes "players assume the roles of an imprisoned woman and a father searching for his daughter on an island." Moira Burton and Claire Redfield are already confirmed as playable characters, so it's hardly a giant leap to Moira's father Barry, who debuted memorably as a STARS operative in the first Resident Evil. When approached by Eurogamer about the details of the ESRB rating, a Capcom spokesperson said the company won't comment on rumor or speculation.
Employee reviews blast Carbine Studios management
Whenever you hear of a studio laying off 60 people, you have to think things aren't going well. Sometimes it's a matter of bad luck and circumstance, but sometimes it's a case of bad management and poor decisions. Current and former employees of Carbine Studios attribute it to the latter, with the company holding a 41% rating on Glassdoor.com as reported by The Escapist. The reviews uniformly emphasize that WildStar is an excellent game, but they also point out universal flaws with management, decision-making, and communication. Several employee reviews characterize the studio as a "boy's club" with only the top decision-makers given leeway. There are also criticisms of the studio's overall implementation of strategies and willingness to adapt. As the reviews come from both present and former employees, the negativity speaks to some underlying problems at the studio and certainly does little to alleviate the sense of general anxiety for players regarding the state of the game.
Korean ratings board suggests Limbo coming to Xbox One
Developer Playdead's eerie monochrome adventure Limbo may soon appear on the Xbox One, if a listing on the website of the South Korean Game Rating and Administration Committee is anything to go by. Discovered by NeoGAF posters, the listing offers scant details, but does indicate that Microsoft's Korean arm submitted an Xbox One version of Limbo to the GRAC for approval. No further information is available as the game is still under review. While this listing is no guarantee that Limbo will reach the Xbox One, either in South Korea or elsewhere, ratings agencies have a long history of revealing a game's existence prior to an official announcement. The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of Rocksmith 2014 were revealed by the ESRB and GRAC prior to Ubisoft's unveiling, just as the Pan European Game Information group outed the Xbox One version of Stick It To The Man before it was made official. [Image: Playdead]
Nielsen admits a software glitch has been screwing up recent TV ratings
Fist the bad news: No, Firefly isn't coming back. But, if you've ever felt like the ratings system didn't accurately represent the popularity of your favorite show, this might be something to take note of. Today The Nielsen Company issued a statement admitting it found a "technical error that impacts national network television ratings over several months." The problem apparently didn't apply to cable networks or local TV, but given their impact on billions of dollars in advertising, even a small problem can be significant. According to reports ABC benefited from the glitch, which became more noticeable as the fall premieres rolled out. For several days in a row, the network's TV shows always gained ratings between early morning quick estimates, and later more complete reports. The error started on March 2nd, but Nielsen says it will reprocess data going back to August 18th, when the first network fall premiere aired -- maybe next time they'll stick to just counting Tweets.
AU ratings board classifies BioWare's 'Green Cloud'
An entry for a new game from Mass Effect and Dragon Age series developer BioWare appeared on the Australian Classifications Board website this week. Listed under "Green Cloud," presumably as a code-name, the game earned a MA 15+ rating from the board due to its "strong fantasy violence and sexual references" as well as online interactivity. Nothing else is known about Green Cloud, though it is listed as a multiplatform game on the ratings website. No listing for Green Cloud appears when searching ESRB and PEGI's directories. BioWare did reveal its 4-on-1 action RPG at Gamescom in August, Shadow Realms. The next game from the studio is Dragon Age: Inquisition, which was delayed to November 18 as of July. [Image: Australian Classifications Board]
Left 4 Dead 2 now uncensored on Steam in Australia, 75% off
Australian residents age 18 or older are able to play the uncensored version of Left 4 Dead 2, after the R18+ classification for the game sprouted up earlier this month. Those with a censored copy of the game in Australia will be able to apply a free update to the game to upgrade to the bloodier original version on Steam. What's more, Left 4 Dead 2 is currently 75 percent off across all regions it is available ($4.99, £3.74, €4.99) until next Monday, September 22. Left 4 Dead 2 first launched in November 2009 as the sequel to Valve's multiplayer zombie shooter. The R18+ rating in Australia has been in the works for years, and created guidelines under the premise that certain types of graphic content are more impactful in video games than in films. The first game published under the restricted classification in the region was Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge's in January 2013. Deep Silver opted to re-work Saints Row 4 to meet Australia's MA15+ rating in August 2013. [Image: Valve]
Rocksmith 2014 ratings point to jams on Xbox One, PS4
Rocksmith 2014 looks set to bring rock and/or roll to the PS4 and Xbox One, at least according to the ESRB and Korean Game Rating Board. Both regulatory bodies issued the ratings for the two consoles over the weekend, though Ubisoft hasn't announced any new versions of its guitar tutoring game. We've reached out to the publisher to find out more. As PlayStation LifeStyle reports, this isn't the first sighting of the supposed new versions. UK retailer Zavvi is currently listing the game for Xbox One, while in July a now removed Amazon Italy listing (via The Riff Repeater) noted players will be able to transfer purchased DLC from the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions to the PS4 and Xbox One respectively.
Madden 15 gets a kick out of its top safeties
EA closed out its top athlete rankings for Madden NFL 15 this weekend with lists of the highest-rated safeties and kickers/punters in the game. Saints free safety Jairus Byrd (96 overall) as well as strong safeties Kam Chancellor of the Seahawks and the Steelers' Troy Polamalu (both 93 overall) topped the final lists for defensive players in the game. Likewise, Miami Dolphins punter Brandon Fields will be the highest-rated player in the game to boot the pigskin with his foot, thanks to his 96 overall rating. This follows EA Tiburon's gradual ratings reveal in best-of list form, in which it covered defenders, offensive players like quarterbacks and running backs as well as the NFL's best rookies. EA Sports is now in the midst of unveiling its full team ratings on a division-by-division basis. It currently has spreadsheets loaded with ratings for players in the AFC and NFC North and South divisions available on the game's site. Madden 15 will launch August 26 for PS4, Xbox One, PS3 and Xbox 360.
Madden 15 says Russell Wilson is as good as Tom Brady
After EA offered its take on the top NFL rookies heading into the upcoming season earlier this week, it started dishing out Madden NFL 15 player ratings by the handful. While it isn't pulling the curtain back for every player yet, the developers at EA Tiburon unveiled the top-rated athletes in the game at five positions so far: Quarterback, running back, fullback, tight end and wide receiver. Among the more eye-opening appearances on the lists are Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, whose 93 rating is tied with Patriots passer Tom Brady, though Wilson's Super Bowl win in February provides a healthy argument about his place in the game. Leading the charge for quarterbacks are Denver's Peyton Manning and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, both rated 98 overall. Fellow Packers player John Kuhn is the top fullback in the game with a 93 rating, while Vikings running back Adrian Peterson's 98 rating barely eclipses that of Eagles rusher LeSean McCoy and Chiefs runner Jamaal Charles (both rated 97). New Orleans' Jimmy Graham is the top tight end in the game at 97 overall, and Lions receiver Calvin Johnson is the lone 99 overall-rated player in the bunch. Head past the break for the rest of EA's rankings. Madden 15 will launch August 26 for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360 and PS3. [Image: EA Sports]
The Sims 4 earns an 18+ rating in Russia to protect children
Won't someone please think of the children? The Sims 4 has been given an 18+ rating in Russia, due to content deemed "harmful" to children. The news was first tweeted by the official Russian Sims account, which later clarified that the rating was given to the game in accordance with Russian law 436-FZ, "On Protection of Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development." Official Sims sources have not revealed specifically what content came into conflict with the law, which penalizes information "encouraging children to commit acts that endanger their lives," information that would instill a "desire to use narcotics, psychotropic and (or) intoxicants, tobacco, alcohol and alcohol-containing products," information "justifying illegal behavior," information that contains pornographic imagery and information that promotes "unconventional sexual relationships," among a lengthy list of other offenses. Whatever the offending content, think twice before calling someone who plays The Sims 4 names; clearly this game is pretty hardcore. [Image: Sims Russia]
Final Fantasy 3 rated for PC in Germany
Square Enix is bringing Final Fantasy 3 to PC, according to a German classification for the game. The USK, Germany's entertainment software regulation body, published a rating for the game earlier this month with the platform PC attached to it. The organization rated the game USK 6, approving it for children aged six and above. Square Enix previously ported other games in the series to PC, including both Final Fantasy 7 and Final Fantasy 8's appearances on Steam in July and December, respectively. Final Fantasy 3 originally launched on Famicom in 1990 and didn't arrive in North America until its 2006 3D remake on DS. Since then, Square Enix republished the game on WiiWare in 2009, iOS in March 2011, Android in June 2012, PSP in September 2012 and Windows Phone this past December. The North American classification board ESRB does not have a rating for the game's PC version. We've reached out to Square Enix to see whether the PC version of the game will come to North America. [Image: USK]
Australian ratings reveal Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, F-Zero: GP Legend for Wii U Virtual Console
A pair of ratings submissions from the Australian Classification Board revealed that Konami's Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Nintendo's F-Zero: GP Legend are slated to hit the Wii U's Virtual Console service alongside other Game Boy Advance titles debuting this month. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow launched in 2003 as the third Game Boy Advance entry in Konami's long-running Castlevania series, and later saw a sequel in the early Nintendo DS release Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Futuristic racer F-Zero: GP Legend was originally released in 2004, and joins its 2001 GBA predecessor F-Zero: Maximum Velocity as one of the first games announced for the Wii U's Game Boy Advance lineup. Retro-focused Japanese studio M2 announced today that it developed the technology behind the Wii U's Game Boy Advance software emulation, following up on its recent work in Sega's 3D Classics series for the Nintendo 3DS. [Image: Konami / Nintendo]
Don't remember what you rated Flappy Bird? Google Play never forgets
If you were browsing through the Google Play store to check out this month's free music, you might've noticed an addition to the sidebar. Nestled between the device and wishlist tabs is a section devoted to showcasing anything you've starred or given a +1, called, wait for it, "My Play activity." Don't fret if personal media and app ratings aren't appearing on your page though, as Android Police notes that the link isn't showing up for everyone just yet. As of this writing, only a handful of Engadget editors can view theirs, for instance. Once the desktop feature finishes rolling out, you should be able to view anyone's rating-history at-will -- much like you can on Android. If anything, it's another venue for (privately) ridiculing your boss' taste in music.
Watch Dogs PC specs announced, R18+ reclassification in Australia
Two doggie-snack sized bits of Watch Dogs news to report, starting with Ubisoft Montreal releasing the minimum specifications required to run the hacker game on PC. To become a Watch Dog you need a 28.8 BPS modem, an active-matrix display with a million psychedelic colors... oh wait, wrong specs. What you'll really need at minimum is an IntelCore 2 Quad Q8400 2.66Hz processor, or an AMDPhenom II X4 940 3.0 GHz. That's with 6GB of RAM, a 1024 VRAM Direct X11-capable graphics card, a Direct X9 sound card, and 25GB of disk space. There's no info yet on recommended specs, but we're sure Ubisoft will make that available closer to the game's release date of May 27. The second piece of news comes from Australia, where the often-prominent classification board has upgraded - if that's the right word - the game's rating from MA15 to R18+. Watch Dogs received the MA15 rating ahead of its originally planned release late last year, but it was re-submitted to the ACB following the delay and whatever's been added was enough to nudge it into the R18+ category. Comparing the two ratings, the ACB deemed there to be more impact from violence, drug use, and sex in the new version. It's probably still not as wild as Zero Cool, though. [Image: Ubisoft]
