Windows 10: Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) New In-Game Purchases Label

Source: Parental Tools

See also PDF: https://esrbstorage.blob.core.window...inal-22718.pdf

:)

 

Removal of mature content from the Marketplace

I think this is simply a problem that Microsoft did not anticipate. Microsoft has strong ties to the ESRB via the Xbox and Xbox LIVE, and follows their policies regarding mature content (Cannot be available to minors). I suspect all games branded with Xbox
LIVE on the Marketplace are subject to these same policies. Since the game was not pulled until the ESRB rated the software on another console (Which retroactively applies the rating to the software on ALL consoles), the whole issue is actually with the ESRB.

I assume that Apple, who does not have a relationship with the ESRB, does not have such policies. That explains why the game is still available in the iOS App Store.

All said, the ESRB is the one causing the problem. Hopefully Microsoft is creating a solution to prevent this from happening in the future. I think they should at least refund those individuals who have purchased the game.

 

Why is Twin Blades unavailable for download?

It was removed some time ago for a violation of marketplace policy. I haven't seen any specifics posted anywhere. Let me give you a quick summary of what I think happened...

Twin Blades was an Xbox LIVE branded game on WP7. Twin Blades has also been released on other platforms (Xbox LIVE Indie Games, iOS, PSP, etc). The game is the same on all platforms. The ESRB rated Twin Blades as M on PSP. This rating retroactively applies
to all versions of that game, not just the PSP game. Since Microsoft complies with ESRB ratings, they must ensure that no one under 18 has access to M rated content. On Xbox LIVE you cannot download M rated content if your account does not indicate you are
18. Windows Phone 7 has no such restrictions in place at this time. Therefore, to comply with the ESRB, Microsoft removed the game. The game is still available on other platforms (iOS specifically) because others (Apple specifically) does not adhere to ESRB
ratings. People who already purchased the game and have to hard-reset (therefore losing their apps) may or may not be able to get a refund for this game from Support.

This is pure speculation but it makes sense given the various marketplace policies, when the content was removed, and the rating being handed down by the ESRB for Twin Blades on the PSP.