This news might not have an instant affect on you but could because it could turn out to be a testbed for other regions. Microsoft have decided to restrict content on the Xbox 360 in New Zealand.
Microsoft has taken an initiative in New Zealand to ensure people under the age of 18 cannot access mature content. We are working to limit access to content to the appropriate age group in New Zealand. This will take some time due to technical reasons. We are working to remove the ability for people under the age of 18 to add points until we can resolve this issue. People affected by this issue can be refunded via our customer call centre, which can be contacted through www.xbox.com/en-nz/support or on 0508 555 592.
This means mature games, videos or even marketplace content will be locked if you under eighteen in New Zealand. I’m sure if you create an Australian account everything will be fine though.
It will be interesting to see if this happens elsewhere.
No Comments to Xbox 360 Content Will Be Age Banned In New Zealand
by Alex Watson
On July 27, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I’m surprised the 360 didn’t already have age locks. Are we talking about simply asking for a user’s age when attempting to access the content (either by profile age or having the user enter it manually), or something less easy to spoof?
by Sam Morris
On July 28, 2009 at 12:01 am
By the sounds of things, it will tell from your age that you entered when signing up.
Age Gates wouldn’t / don’t solve much. Even a six year old can figure their way around them.
by Matt
On August 7, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Ah well, saw this coming. They always choose NZ as a test subject because we have a nice sized population.