Topic: NoE prevents adults from downloading 'mature content' between 3AM - 11PM.

[Pixelated Pixies]

I apologise if this has already been raised elsewhere on the site, but I couldn't find any mention of it.

The subject title says it all. 18+ content on Europe's Wii U eShop can only be purchased between the hours of 11PM - 3AM purportedly to

'offer gameplay experiences suited to all age groups, observing carefully all the relevant regulations regarding content access that are present in the various European countries.'

Nintendo of Europe is insane. Discuss.
 
 

[DigitalGreenTea]

For which region is this? I have read about this, and over here in Switzerland all mature content can be watched and purchased throughout the day.

[Pixelated Pixies]

For which region is this? I have read about this, and over here in Switzerland all mature content can be watched and purchased throughout the day.

Based on the news stories I had read I assumed it was Europe wide, but if you're able to download 18+ games at any point in the day then I guess it's not. Interesting.

[BranDonk Kong]

With the Wii U's horrifically slow download speeds (at least judging by updates), that's not enough time.

[nickmitch]

I can almost see what they're going for. Preventing late night downloads of mature titles keeps kids from sneaking around when their parents are asleep to buy mature rated games makes sense. The only problem to me is that I thought there were parental controls on it already? Shouldn't you be able to just stop them from downloading them altogether?

[Pixelated Pixies]

I can almost see what they're going for. Preventing late night downloads of mature titles keeps kids from sneaking around when their parents are asleep to buy mature rated games makes sense.

They're not preventing late night downloads. In fact, they're insisting upon them. These games can only be downloaded (according to reports) between the hours of 11PM and 3AM.

[MrPhishfood]

How dare Nintendo stop prevent me from playing filth any earlier. If I want alcohol in the morning and afternoon then I should be allowed. If I want to fart on a baby's face at 3PM then I should be allowed. I'm a grown man.

[Ceric]

I can almost see what they're going for. Preventing late night downloads of mature titles keeps kids from sneaking around when their parents are asleep to buy mature rated games makes sense.

They're not preventing late night downloads. In fact, they're insisting upon them. These games can only be downloaded (according to reports) between the hours of 11PM and 3AM.

Might want to swap the title its says

3AM-11pm not 11PM - 3AM.

I'm wondering if their is some law in an EU member country they are being compliant with and this is a result of the eShop being centralized to the EU region.

[Pixelated Pixies]

I can almost see what they're going for. Preventing late night downloads of mature titles keeps kids from sneaking around when their parents are asleep to buy mature rated games makes sense.

They're not preventing late night downloads. In fact, they're insisting upon them. These games can only be downloaded (according to reports) between the hours of 11PM and 3AM.

Might want to swap the title its says

3AM-11pm not 11PM - 3AM.

I'm wondering if their is some law in an EU member country they are being compliant with and this is a result of the eShop being centralized to the EU region.

You might want to read the title again. What it actually says is ' NoE prevent adults from downloading 'mature content' between 3AM - 11PM'. Which is exactly the case.

[DigitalGreenTea]

Based on the news stories I had read I assumed it was Europe wide, but if you're able to download 18+ games at any point in the day then I guess it's not. Interesting.

It could be because my country is not part of the European Union, which might have laws like that. If that's the case I wouldn't be surprised to see similar things on the systems of Nintendo's Competition.

[nickmitch]

I can almost see what they're going for. Preventing late night downloads of mature titles keeps kids from sneaking around when their parents are asleep to buy mature rated games makes sense.

They're not preventing late night downloads. In fact, they're insisting upon them. These games can only be downloaded (according to reports) between the hours of 11PM and 3AM.

Sorry, read that one backwards. I guess children are supposed to be asleep during those hours? I dunno. Still incredibly odd and narrow of a time slot. I wonder if any major releases would cause server strain.

[EasyCure]

How dare Nintendo stop prevent me from playing filth any earlier. If I want alcohol in the morning and afternoon then I should be allowed. If I want to fart on a baby's face at 3PM then I should be allowed. I'm a grown man.

smack a baby in the morning, smack a baby in the light, smack a baby in the evening if you're feeling like a fight..

[Pixelated Pixies]

Still incredibly odd and narrow of a time slot. I wonder if any major releases would cause server strain.

You raise an interesting point about the narrow time slot. Now that I think about it, isn't this restriction simply going to dissuade indie or small developers from releasing mature content? It's probably difficult enough for developers to release mature games on a Nintendo console; forcing potential buyers to fit their purchasing habits into an inconvenient 4 hour time frame certainly isn't going to do sales any favours.
 
As you say, it's an incredibly odd decision on NoE's part.
 
I don't see how this decision can be justfied in terms of adhering to European legislation. I'm pretty sure Microsoft, Sony, Valve and others don't have any such restrictions. It's bizarre.

[Gamejunkie]

I can almost see what they're going for. Preventing late night downloads of mature titles keeps kids from sneaking around when their parents are asleep to buy mature rated games makes sense.

They're not preventing late night downloads. In fact, they're insisting upon them. These games can only be downloaded (according to reports) between the hours of 11PM and 3AM.

Might want to swap the title its says

3AM-11pm not 11PM - 3AM.

I'm wondering if their is some law in an EU member country they are being compliant with and this is a result of the eShop being centralized to the EU region.

Apparently its a German law and as Nintendo Europe is based there they are complying to it. Whether they need to in other countries I'm not so sure. I'm sure there is a way to make those restrictions just in Germany.

The Germans are very strict when it comes to age restricted content. Even at a show like Gamescom they have restricted access to certain areas. You have to provide official ID showing your DOB when you go in and they give you a wrist band of a specific colour allowing you access to areas appropriate for your age.


It is pretty ridiculous to restrict access on an online service though. They have parental controls built in plus they could restrict it accirding to the country in your settings. In other words just restrict it to German consumers. At the end of the day it should be up to parents anyway. I'm in the UK so it may well affect me - I haven't checked yet. Whilst its an annoyance I'm not too bothered as the Wii U isn't my primary or only console.