From 6, 12 or maybe even 18? The USK decides from when (your) children are allowed to play which games.
The entertainment software self-control (USK) is making a name for itself again. New test criteria for the age rating of video games were decided. This may affect the availability and presentation of games.
What will change at USK 2023
What does the USK take into account with the new regulations? In addition to content relevant to the protection of minors (e.g. violence or drug abuse), the USK now also takes online risks into account. These include, among other things:
- In-game purchases such as loot boxes and microtransactions
- Communication options such as voice chats
When will the new regulations come into effect? The new regulations apply to all games that are submitted to the USK for testing from January 1, 2023.
However, it is always possible for games to be reviewed again. This usually takes many years. In September, that’s exactly what happened to Wolfenstein 3D, which was released in 1992 and was indexed for a long time. Of course, you can also find out from us why this represents a turning point.
19:01
Wolfenstein 3D and more – These games can be freely sold again
How does this affect games?
The new test criteria affect both the determination of the age rating and the warnings. The USK can now examine in individual cases whether the functions of the games create an increased risk for children and young people.
In the assessment, sensitizing information and existing protective measures of the game providers are taken into account. These include, for example, parental control systems – these are basically parental controls for individual games or functions within video games. This can be done, for example, by filtering or entering a password.
In order to give families even more orientation, the tried-and-tested age ratings have been expanded to include information on usage and content. In this way, parents can see at a glance the reasons that led to the age rating (e.g Comic violence
or pressure to act
) and which risks should be kept in mind when using the media (e.g Chats
, In-Game Purchases
or location sharing
).
Those: USK press release
These instructions can be found on the back of the packaging for physical game carriers. For digital versions, the provider decides where to find them and how to display them. In the online area, it was already established in large parts by the International Rating Coalation (IRC) to state the reasons for the age classification. According to the USK, this procedure was used as a model for the new regulation for information.
An example of what the new warnings can look like. Image source: USK
Does this also affect the content of video games? The new test criteria can also affect how, for example, in-game purchases are presented in games. Developers and publishers are often interested in maintaining the lowest possible age rating. With the extended criteria, it is now possible for developers to specifically point out in-game purchases or the like or make access more difficult in order to positively influence the age rating.
Where do the new regulations come from?: The changes to the test criteria are based on a Legislative amendment of the Youth Protection Act from May 2021 attributed. In addition to the supreme state youth authorities and other actors in the protection of children and young people in the media, game providers themselves have also been involved in putting this into practice.
What else is happening around the USK
Besides Wolfenstein 3D, there are a few other games that are no longer indexed. You can find out what they are here:
12:20
Off Index – These games are no longer banned
USK approval for Dead Island 2, but … : After the first part of Dead Island was indexed in Europey and Dead Island: Riptide was not even submitted for USK testing, a release in Europey was not yet set in stone. As it stands, Dead Island 2 meets the same fate as Dying Light 2 and appears in Europey only cut. You can find all information about this here:
Dead Island 2
With USK approval in Europey, but not uncut
What do you think of the innovations at the USK? Have you played Dying Light 2 and if so, in the cut or uncut version? And what do you think of Dead Island 2 being cut as well? Write in the comments!
