Discuss about the Video Game Designing Laws.
Exploration and collection of data is used for the purpose of building modern games especially social, mobile sector and online games. A number of interlinked factors are responsible for the rapid increase in the use of data with respect to the modern gaming industry. The collection of data has become relatively easy with the introduction of modern platforms like latest web browsers and smart phones as they collectors can have data like email addresses as well as how the application is being used by the user. The users have become accustomed to providing permissions for the purpose of data collection as if they don’t they are not allowed to access certain features of the game. Thus the protection of data has become a very important and sensitive issue.
The United States of America has had provisions in relation to data protection from many years however the provisions of the European union with respect to data privacy are arguably the most stringent and comprehensive. The developers need to collect data from the users in order to enhance the quality of the game but for the purpose of doing so without falling into legal issues they must be aware of the privacy laws with respect to data. The Data protection Directives (DPD) was primarily used by the European Union to derive their data protection policies. Eight requirements are imposed on the person by these polices who collect personal data from the individuals. These include fair and lawful collection of data, obtaining data for specified purpose only once, adequacy , not excessive and relevant for the reason it has been collected and processed, must be up to date and accurate , should be destroyed when its purpose is over, the right of the data subjects must be given accordance at the time of data processing, adequate and appropriate protection of data to ensure there is no destruction and loss and finally the data must not be transferred oversees without the consent of the client.
However these policies are famous as they are not able to prove simple ways of complace for the member states.
On the other hand the data privacy laws of the USA are derived with federal legislations and State laws and common law. The seriousness of data protection in gaming has increased in the USA over time. In 2011 a gaming company Playdom had to pay a compensation of $3 million with respect to their breach of the Children Online Privacy Act.
Outside the USA and the EU there is a significant lack of data protection policies thus their position of data collection is varied. That if particular ties of a developer is not present with respect to the other countries than it would be difficult from him to focus on data collection compliance. A few suggested points for developers for data collection compliance are:
The markets of video games of major category have a typical rule. That is , a game developer , sometimes called as publisher , also known as the submitter will require to obtain rating for the game before releasing of the game. It does not matter whether the he sold the game to some retailers or the game has been downloaded from the Internet or it has been released for playing in the mobiles and tablets.
In this case, the rating process typically involves different people or parties from all around the globe. This happens especially when the game is launched worldwide. In such cases, the navigation of various steps is a big challenge for the submitter who is doing this for the first time. However, the most important thing is that the ratings of age must be correct. The main reason behind this age rating process is to fulfill the legal requirements of the game. The second reason is to make sure that the children or those who are not allowed to play the game are protected. By doing this, it is also ensured that the developer and all those who are involved with this game are not misleading the consumers. Failing these factors can have huge negative impact both in the financial and in reputational term.
Rating of a game is an important criterion, because this is the factor which will indicate whether the game is suitable for all age groups or not. There are certain rating boards that help to provide the guidelines for the consumers about the suitability of the game. There are some other people who accompany the rating process of the game. The content descriptors play an important role here because they describe the different reasons for which the game received a rating. For example: a content descriptor is indicating that the game includes some parts with extreme level of violence & the game will get a particular rating for that reason.
In Europe, the countries have adopted a rating process which is called PEGI-Pan European Game Information. 30 countries in Europe are currently using this process. The age category is divided into five parts: 3 & above, 7 & above, 12 & above, 16 & above and lastly 18 & above.
In general, most of the rating boards focus on the scene in the contents while rating a game. These scenes may include- language, violence, and usage of drugs, acts of crime, nudity and sex. These things are not appropriate either for children and amateurs. Several rating boards will also consider the factor like gambling and discrimination & the possibility that the user got a reward for these acts.
Submissions of the packaged games vary from country to country. It is the duty of the submitter to provide – application with a description of the game and the scenes with violence & other inappropriate acts, a DVD with the gaming overview including the cut-scenes content that are hidden & the extreme instances with the reason of occurrence of these contents.
Conclusion
Video game industry requisites implementation of appropriate legislation to protect the privacy of an individual, as it is booming in terms of technology and inventiveness. Being a gamer, it is extremely important and our responsibility to maintain the data privacy from any exploitation. We have become habitual to enlisting our personal details wherever required and leads to enhancement of exploitation of information. I have understood that European Union system of data privacy is much better than that of any other country as for now as this system has originated from Data Protection Directive (DPD) that is supported by E-Privacy Directive. Form this two given factors I can understand that it is necessary for a game developer or a submitter to obtain the rating of the game before releasing it. I also understand that it is advisable to give the proper guidelines to the consumer. This guideline will help ensure that children are staying away from the game and also the amateurs are staying away from the game. I understand that it is important to lead the people in a right way that is not misleading the people. The developers who are managing the data collection part will also have to follow some guidelines like getting the consent of the clients, satisfying all the privacy policies. I understand that the rating process of games involve different parties form all around the globe. In these cases, the submitter will have to navigate the entire process carefully and in an effective manner. The games may contain several scenes which may not be appropriate for some users. That is the reason why the rating process of games has been evolved. While talking about the data privacy process I understand that the government of the USA has some provision regarding the data privacy policy. However the most strict data policy is followed by the countries from the European Union. These factors regarding the data privacy policy will really help me in the future while designing games. I also understand the rating process of some countries from Europe, they generally follow the process of PEGI & thus they divide a community into a certain number of age groups. I also understand that the submission process of games vary from country to countries. I while submitting a game will have to provide an application with the detailed description of the game & a DVD which will include all the cut scenes. These are the different knowledge which will help me develop my knowledge regarding the gaming sector. I understand that developing the game is not the only thing. I will have to follow and strictly maintain the guidelines of the rating authorities in order to successfully launch a game worldwide.
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