German revealed, Australia banned: strip poker, in my WiiWare?
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 at 9:12pm by Sean B.
Apparently last month’s update to the German USK ratings service revealed that Gameloft’s “Sexy Poker,” a strip poker video game, is in development for WiiWare, and Australia isn’t happy.
After blocking recent mature rated titles such as Fallout 3 and F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, it’s no surprise to hear that a strip-poker title has been barred from release down under.
Gamespot Reports:
“In the Board’s view Sexy Poker offers depictions of nudity as an incentive or reward to interactive game play. In the Board’s view, the general rule in the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games prohibiting depictions of nudity as an incentive or reward, applies to the game play described above, as the player is shown increasingly detailed amounts of nudity following successful game-play,” the statement said.
The board went on to explain that there was no R18+ rating for video games, and as such it is impossible to release in adult rated game at this time.
By now, strict Australian censorship should be no surprise – but the fact that such a game is even rumored for the Nintendo Wii, is! To my knowledge, no adult rated game has ever been given Nintendo’s approval, although rare unlicensed adult NES games have flown under the radar.
Although it’s unlikely this title will see the light of day in any region, the fact that it appeared on the German ratings service is somewhat notable, and opens speculation: if Nintendo were to allow an adult-themed title on it’s WiiWare service, how would age verification work considering the current age verification free Wii-Points purchase system?
[via Gamespot]
What do you think? Will this title ever see release, or does Nintendo have too much to lose by offering and Adult title? Do you even WANT this kind of content on your Wii? Let us know, leave a comment!
May 26th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
I don’t know if it will get released or not… Does Nintendo want to “broaden it’s audience” this much? Who knows. I think it could make it (with some age verification business or something). Wasn’t there a similar game on the Xbox a few years back? The Guys Game or something? Is there even a Mature rated game on Wiiware, let alone an Adults only one?
We haven’t even seen evidence of this game even running, yet. I don’t care too much. I’m too busy playing Adventure Island: the new beginning. : )
May 26th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Personally I hope it never even gets anywhere near verification. The last thing Nintendo needs right now is a strip poker game. I mean come on, if someone is really that desperate for a nudy game, I’m sure they can find countless versions for the computer. Why bring one to a place that is supposed to be kid friendly.
I’m sure there is nothing to this rumor, but you never know. Like they say, many rumors are founded in some truth.
May 27th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Sigh.
I also don’t think this sort of game really has a place on the Wii, but I do wish our ratings board would lighten up with the whole banning games kick they’ve been on lately.
May 27th, 2009 at 2:11 am
While it wouldn’t surprise me that this is a real game submitted to Nintendo for approval, it will be a cold day in hell before Nintendo even considers releasing it. Not that I’m complaining, because I somehow doubt the the game will be worth the time and points to get it on your system.
It does seem like Australia is reacting just a little too strongly though.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:33 am
—-While it wouldn’t surprise me that this is a real game submitted to Nintendo for approval, it will be a cold day in hell before Nintendo even considers releasing it.—
What about BMX XXX for Gamecube? The only version that was uncensored? Nintendo allowed that one which had nudity and sexual content.
Nintendo made it clear: Only AO rated games will NOT be allowed. Sexy Poker is rated M. It’ll be released on WiiWare sooner or later. There are just too many Wii Ware games in the box right now to consider for release when Nintendo still controls the number of releases anyway per week.
@gogiguy: None on Wiiware; but Splatterhouse 2 is rated M on Virtual Console.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:38 am
Wait a minute; I made an error; BMX XXX was also uncensored in the XBOX version. Only the PlayStation version was censored in America. Why; I don’t know.
And I made a mistake with gojiguy’s username too; sorry about that as well.
May 27th, 2009 at 11:19 am
It doesn’t suprise me. There’s a state in the US where Tropic Thunder was banned due to Ben Stiller’s role as a mentally handicapped child in a movie within a movie.
May 27th, 2009 at 11:37 am
I was far too distracted by the “unlicensed adult NES games” link to finish reading this article. I lol’ed.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
@Gregory Weagle
Just as I though. There are a few more VC titles rated M, I think… splatter House 1, Eternal Champions… No age verification to get them either.
I honestly think this might just come out (not that I intend on purchasing a crappy shovelware title with boobs).
May 28th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Hey, maybe finally we’ll have a second game that uses the Wii Speak thingy! (Not likely.)
@ Joshdad: Well, I didn’t know the Wii was supposed to be kid friendly! I mean, it seems to be, but I didn’t know it was supposed to be…
“The board went on to explain that there was no R18+ rating for video games, and as such it is impossible to release in adult rated game at this time”
That is not a problem with the video games, but with their rating system! How come they don’t have a “mature” or “adult” rating for games, of all things?? Fail, I say!
May 28th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
with Wii Camera and Online modus? I´d buy it…