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Global Chat: Room for improvement edition
Welcome to this week's Global Chat! We love hearing what you have to say at Massively, and we love it even more when we can share the best comments with all of our readers. Massively staffers will be contributing some of their favorite comments every week, so keep an eye out every Sunday for more Global Chat! We love our MMOs here at Massively, but we'll be the first to tell you that nothing's perfect. There's always room for improvement, but sometimes things just are what they are and you find a way to work with the situation and enjoy yourself anyway. Today's Global Chat is all about acknowledging those limitations and less-than-fun aspects of gaming and what you can do in spite of those potential roadblocks. Follow along after the jump to see what the Massively community had to say this week!
Free for All: Why you shouldn't be worried while playing Second Life
Recently I've taken a great interest in Second Life. For the record, I've been interested in the game -- er, world -- for the past seven years. More specifically, my seventh "birthday" is coming up on May 26th, 2011, meaning that I have been exploring, building, discussing and watching Second Life for a long, long time. I truly enjoy wandering into groups of other players who seem to think that my fairly basic avatar means that I am either new or ignorant about the game. I love telling them that I have been playing a long time, probably longer than they have. I'm actually proud of it. Still, in spite of my history with the game, I do miss major developments. I am not consumed with the politics and goings on at Linden Lab (maker of Second Life). So when I heard about the changes that were being made concerning adult content, I sort of tuned it out and continued to play off and on. I typically disliked -- no, hated is a better word -- the adult content I came across in Second Life, so I simply avoided it. If there is one thing I am asked about Second Life, it's "aren't there orgies going on all the time?" Seriously. I get asked about orgies more than anything. I wanted to go over the official rules to reassure those curious and wary potential players that they will not be shot in the face with a sex toy -- unless they want to be. Click past the cut and let's discuss.
The Daily Grind: How do you feel about mature content?
The game industry, in some ways, is akin to the film industry in that it grows up in fits and starts. Games such as Silent Hill 2 and God of War both have the same rating of "Mature" on the box, and both of them feature gore and some sexual imagery, but there's a world of difference in their attitudes toward them. Age of Conan is one of the few triple-A MMOs to really try and tackle mature content in the field as a selling point, with most of the market leaders eschewing it altogether. On the one hand, mature content opens the door for more adult and immersive stories to be told. On the other hand, it can also be used for cheap shock value and lead to less maturity in storytelling. Not to mention that it can lead to some backlash for developers (as BioWare experienced not so long ago). Where do you stand on the issue? Do you want unmitigated violence and nudity in your games, with all the concurrent issues they can bring, or would you rather keep things at a lower key to avoid the slide into immaturity?
Apple creating "explicit" category for App Store
After all of the kerfuffle earlier this week about Apple shutting down racy apps in the App Store, it appears that the company might be creating a special place for all of that suggestive and sexy content. We received a tip and a screenshot (seen above) from a developer who pointed out the new "Explicit" category in the tool used to submit apps into the store. While TUAW has not yet been able to confirm this, The new category could be the first sign that Apple may provide enhanced parental controls or even a separate "adult" App Store. This would not only maintain the revenue stream from these apps for both Apple and the developers, but would stifle comments that Apple is being too strict with providers of adult content. We will update this story as it develops. Update: The new category is corroborated by Cult of Mac and MacRumors as well. Update #2: Cult of Mac reports the category appears to have gone missing, although we've heard that when it was available earlier choosing the category wouldn't stick -- so perhaps we're seeing some iPhone OS 4 action here? Update #3: We have independently confirmed that the Explicit category isn't showing up in iTunes Connect any more, as has The Register.
Imprudence 1.3 merge test build for Second Life
Quite a delicious seasonal treat for those that use the third-party Second Life viewer from the Imprudence project, as they've got a test-build out today with all the usual goodness, but rebased against the 1.23 source tree. What the heck does that even mean anyway? Well, it means that the Imprudence viewer now supports adult content ratings and restrictions, and is compatible with a larger variety of third-party features and extensions than previously.
Silicon Valley company creating AO-only 'SexBox' console
It's been a while since we'd last heard the term "SexBox." Too long, in fact. Thankfully, Silicon Xtal Corporation is bringing it back, recently registering a trademark for the word first brought up surrounding the great Mass Effect sex debacle of 2008. According to the filing, SXC intends on making a video game system "which plays interactive Adult Only rated (AO) video game software titles." Considering only around 20 AO-rated titles even exist and no major game publisher currently publishes them, we were left wondering what exactly the business model here will be -- that is, until we read the rest of the description. In addition to specializing in AO games, the SexBox will also give users access to "AO content and entertainment in all other digital forms," which in this case means a ton of delivery methods. "Audio, video, HDTV, DVD, online, gaming, social networking, webcams, video on-demand, downloading, movie rentals, purchases ..." and the list goes on. Finally, somewhere to go for all the mature content we can get! Unfortunately, it appears that someone beat them to it.[Via Siliconera]
Last day for Zindra transfer applications in Second Life
If you've got a parcel on the Second Life mainland that deals in content or services that would be classified under the Adults-Only rating, today is your last day to submit a request to participate in the land-exchange program to Zindra, the Adult continent. Admittedly, there's apparently a backlog of requests for adult land-swaps, so processing will continue for some unspecified time, but if your application isn't in today (Friday 24 July), then you'll have missed out. The offer is only open to those doing commercial business in Adult content/services, and not to (for example) home-owners. Are you a part of the most widely-known collaborative virtual environment or keeping a close eye on it? Massively's Second Life coverage keeps you in the loop.
Apple pulls adult-content app from App Store, anyone surprised? Updated
And just like that, the iPhone App Store is once again safe for children, people at work, and those who enjoy the iron fist of an anonymous application reviewer gently controlling their hardware / software ecosystem. Yep, the "Hottest Girls" application has been yanked after just a few hours of availability, and it's no secret why: although the app was clearly labeled and approved under iPhone OS 3.0's app rating and parental control guidelines, naked-ladies-on-the-iPhone was quickly becoming too much news for Apple's squeaky-clean image to bear. Of course, that once again prompts us to remind everyone that this exact same content is easily accessible through any number of applications on the iPhone, like, say, Safari, and that the App Store's arbitrary and capricious review procedures are an incredible liability to an otherwise dominant platform, but honestly, no one's listening because they'd rather talk about boobs. Good work.Update: Interesting -- the dev's site now says that Hottest Girls has been "pulled" because their servers were "reaching their limits" and that the app will be back up soon, naughty pictures intact. We're guessing that means their image servers are cracking under the strain, but we'll see if this app or others like it make a reappearance anytime soon.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Second Life moves to 1.23, opens adult continent, allows more content
Linden Lab has released the new viewer, bringing Second Life up to 1.23 a few days earlier than expected, off the back of a very short release-candidate cycle. The new viewer brings three things with it: The new Adults-only continent (formerly Ursula and now Zindra), user-verification by documents or payment-status, and a new Adults-only content rating that opens up Second Life to more extreme sexual and violent content.
Second Life adult content updates: Viewers, namechanges, grannies and grade-schoolers
The 1.23 Second Life viewer with the necessary support for Adult content is still being rushed to meet a June deadline, the exact reason for which seems a little unclear. There's some outstanding issues with the viewer release-candidates, but it seems fairly low on actual showstoppers and looks likely to make an official release in the roughly one fortnight remaining. Definitions for the content ratings have been finalized, though they show little noticeable deviation from Linden Lab's originally proposed drafts. It appears that all the changes have been simple explanatory wording changes. The PG rating holds a couple of surprises, though.
FTC investigating explicit content in virtual worlds
Online gaming news site Virtual Worlds recently had the opportunity to sit down with a couple of FTC attorneys who are currently investigating adult content in virtual worlds. The FTC is apparently working on a report for Congress (which is due in December), spawned by an inflammatory report on Second Life's "rape rooms" from Illinois' Rep. Mark Kirk. Thankfully, according to Virtual Worlds, the FTC is "on a fact-finding mission, not a witch hunt."Coincidentally, this news comes on the heels of an announcement from Second Life's creators, Linden Lab. The virtual world will soon see a massive redistricting in order to separate the game's adult content from its all-ages content. To put it simply, Linden Lab will soon be creating an "adult content continent" that minors won't be able to access. May we suggest the name "Creepyvania" for this brave new landmass?[Via GamePolitics]
Is Congress the smoking gun behind Second Life's turnaround on adult content?
So, ever wonder what's really motivating Linden Lab's recent push to implement an Adult content rating and firm up age-verification for Second Life? How about HR110-920 FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2009? This is an appropriations bill that covers a lot of ground, covering appropriations for a whole lot of things. Introduced on 10 December 2008, the bill specifically includes an appropriation for an investigation and report to Congress on explicit content in virtual environments and on the access to those environments by minors.
Linden Lab talks Adult issues at Second Life press conference
Last week, the Lab held one of their occasional in-world press conferences in Second Life. This time it was about the addition of the new Adult content category, which not unnaturally has generated quite a bit of interest and concern among users. It's obvious from the questions that were being asked that quite a few people are still under the impression that this move is a precursor to merging Teen Second Life with regular Second Life (which is obviously not the case), that this constitutes censorship (it doesn't, though it does constitute additional editorial control from what the Lab is saying), or that all non-G-rated content is being pushed out to the Ursula continent (which also is manifestly not the case). We're not even sure how some of those notions got formed.
What do Second Life's new content ratings actually mean?
That's the question we've been getting asked since the announcement of the new definitions of PG, Mature, and Adults-Only content for Linden Lab's Second Life. We've been working on that question ever since. Interestingly, the new published definitions allow some content that was previously expressly forbidden. According to Linden Lab, "Real-life images, avatar portrayals, and other depiction of sexual or lewd acts involving or appearing to involve children or minors; real-life images, avatar portrayals, and other depictions of sexual violence including rape, real-life images, avatar portrayals, and other depictions of extreme or graphic violence, and other broadly offensive content are never allowed or tolerated within Second Life." Well, until now.
Upcoming viewer changes for Second Life adult content
Thanks to a piping-hot, fresh build of the Second Life viewer, we've been able to get a better look at the upcoming content controls that are due in the next major release of the Second Life viewer. As expected, there are now three content ratings available (though it is uncertain as to what their final names will actually be. Using "PG" as a content rating, for example, has legal issues): PG content, Mature content and Adult content. While it hasn't yet been determined exactly what content will fit into each category (actually, we barely have any idea about the existing content categorizations half the time), the actual usage and integration looks pretty straightforward.
Forum post of the day: Just a number
World of Warcraft attracts a variety of players from all demographics. Players face different sets of challenges based on where they are in real life. Students may face time crunches at some points that prohibit themselves from immersion in the game. Parents have many obligations that may pull themselves away from the keyboard with little to no warning. There are times when big projects at work require extra hours. Some may even go into labor in the middle of a battleground. Somehow, despite our divergent responsibilities, we all come together to enjoy WoW. Crothiuz of Lethon has found himself in the middle of an age-related struggle. Posting in the Guild Relations forum, he told a tale of how he was excluded from a raid because he was only fourteen years of age. He feels that he has carried himself in a mature manner and it is only his age that has precluded him from running Karazhan with his guild. He was then kicked from the guild while he was offline. The original poster is concerned that age will continue to be a factor in his online aspirations.
Wii: Your portal to ... porn?
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Wii_Your_portal_to_porn'; This looks like it's going to be one issue that doesn't go away, at least, not for a while. Since the advent of the Wii browser, some sites have taken it upon themselves to provide Wii-optimized content, and shockingly, some of those sites specialize in adult content. Some individuals have made the point that this content is directed at children. One site initially posed this theory last month and has (unsurprisingly) been deluged with comments. The folks at The Porn Talk keep reviving the issue, and they even made a page dedicated to the porn threat in living rooms around the world. In the wake of the backlash following that move, they've asked a question of gamers: "So what advice would you have for parents that don't understand technology? What advice would you give to Moms and Dads in regards to internet porn and Wi-Fi devices like the Wii? Is porn exposure to kids even an issue in your opinion?"Well, let's see if we can't provide a few answers.
European carriers to control adult content
If you're a adolescent living in the EU, consider your access to adult content coming to a rather abrupt end shortly. Thanks to some of the major carriers in Europe -- including Orange, Vodafone, and Deutsche Telekom -- efforts to control objective material on children's phones are underway. With an amazing 70 percent penetration rate among 12 - 13 year olds and almost 25 percent among 8 - 9 year olds, there are strong efforts to remove access to such services. Unless you're an 8, 9, 12, or 13 year old, that is, in which case this is all hogwash to you.
Wii Warm Up: and now, sensationalism
Today's Warm Up topic is one of those things you just know is going to snowball (like the wrist straps) and be the next silly mainstream spaz session we'll be unlucky enough to see on Fox News. It seems that the outcry against the Wii as a gateway into the seedy world of internet pornography has begun.Here's the deal: a few adult-oriented sites have decided to optimize areas for the Wii browser, in the same way we saw Finetune offer Wii-friendly content. But there are some people who freak out any time adult content is made more accessible, because they invariably add the phrase "for children." And this week, it's a news station in Texas that's making a fuss about the potential damage to the children ... because, after all, video games are only for kids, right?Adults -- that's right, people over the age of 18 -- are an enormous slice of the gamer pie, and yet we are consistently ignored any time someone brings up game or console content. No one talks about the adults, who have every right to play whatever they want ... just like no one talks about measures like parental controls, or hey, good ol' fashioned supervision. We're gonna guess that you probably don't think of the Wii as a devil machine, or you wouldn't be here, but we are curious about your take on this whole situation.
Adult high-def content hits Japan via VOD
High definition is a big hit over in Japan. We all know that. But soon all those digital boxes over there will be able to receive, via video-on-demand, porn. Oh and it is going to be high-def adult content that will be delivered right to their HDTVs. This service is set to go live in July and will offer its customers 1080i picture with 5.1 audio all for the low, low price of 400 yen. ($3.5)So um, would anyone like this service over in the States? Come on, be honest.
