Can song packs have a seperate ESRB rating?

[Rotinaj]

I was wondering if you could slap a mature rating on some song packs in order to avoid censoring of certain words in said song. It could work if you disabled the use of the store bought cards for purchasing them and required a credit card, that way you know someone over 16 is buying the pack (Or at least approving of it) although it might get a little technical dealing with the marketplace.

[capasdilemma]

ESRB allows for "content may change during online play". Since ESRB is an industry self-policing agency, they could allow DLC to fall in that category, or not. Or they could use sort of a permutation of that to give DLC different ratings.

I don't think music should be censored, and we have no problem with our kids hearing "bad words" in music. We never have, they've always heard them in movies and music -- and me when I hit my thumb with a hammer or something similar -- but we've never had a report they actually use them -- amongst their friends, I'm sure to some degree, but nothing so much any friend's parents have noticed, and our daughter has some friends with some fairly conservative parents.

But... But... Since Rock Band has strong elements of a family/group game, I can tolerate dubbing out the "bad words" even in DLC if it means parents will buy the game and play it with their kids.

[Bakkster]

ESRB allows for "content may change during online play". Since ESRB is an industry self-policing agency, they could allow DLC to fall in that category, or not. Or they could use sort of a permutation of that to give DLC different ratings.

No, that refers to other players online not necessarily acting in a "rated T" manner. All game content must be rated, online or not.

DLC can have its own ratings, so it is possible they would release an uncensored Gwar pack (for example) and just let it be rated M.

[tbradshaw]

I was wondering if you could slap a mature rating on some song packs in order to avoid censoring of certain words in said song. It could work if you disabled the use of the store bought cards for purchasing them and required a credit card, that way you know someone over 16 is buying the pack (Or at least approving of it) although it might get a little technical dealing with the marketplace.

Yes. DLC can be evaluated separately and receive an ESRB rating different than the game. Alex Rigopulos has stated that this is the case during an interview before the game launches. He also stated a strong preference for "deep album cuts" rather than radio edits for DLC. This has already come partially true with "My Sharona," where the track is a cover of the album cut featuring an additional guitar (highly regarded) guitar solo.

[ugp]

I really think the DLC shouldn't be censored. We I listen to music in general I do not want to hear the censored version of it. It just ruins the song. Although I am not saying they should release songs that are completely filled with nothing but bad language. But a few words or two through the song wouldn't be bad. But also you can consider the singing goes by pitch...so if you are a kid and your parents don't want you saying the words you can hum that certain word.

I would love to see some Lamb of God and some other Hardcore/Metal bands show up for Rock Band. They need to cater to everyone that plays Rock Band.

[capasdilemma]

No, that refers to other players online not necessarily acting in a "rated T" manner. All game content must be rated, online or not.

DLC can have its own ratings, so it is possible they would release an uncensored Gwar pack (for example) and just let it be rated M.

No I get that. I just mean since it's an industry-established system, not statutory law, there is some flexibility as they see fit. Like the liquor industry stopped TV advertising before the FCC made them stop, and then allowed themselves the flexibility advertise on programming delivered over cable/satellite systems.

But ultimately, I don't think you're ever going to see M-rated content for a T-rated game. It opens a gateway, for parents who strictly watch ratings of games they will buy for their children or allow them to play, but then do not check DLC ratings or set restrictions on the console, as they've only bought games with ratings that meet their family standards, so they feel confident this limits access to anything more graphic or profane or what have you.

[capasdilemma]

Yes. DLC can be evaluated separately and receive an ESRB rating different than the game. Alex Rigopulos has stated that this is the case during an interview before the game launches. He also stated a strong preference for "deep album cuts" rather than radio edits for DLC. This has already come partially true with "My Sharona," where the track is a cover of the album cut featuring an additional guitar (highly regarded) guitar solo.

Still don't think it will happen. Harmonix maybe yes, but it has to pass through EA and Sony, too, and there they may find resistance to M-rated content for a T-rated game. And somebody mentioned an uncensored Gwar pack. Something of that would probably get slapped an AO. I'm not kidding.