Hezb al-Islam ordered the cafes closed and declared that “playing video games will be prohibited. Video games are designed in such a way that they destroy our social traditions and for that reason, anybody found ignoring this order will be punished and equipment will be confiscated.” Yikes. “Punished” doesn’t sound like it means you’re grounded.

GamePolitics, which spotted the item, notes that by taking away games – much in the same way films have been banned – the group might be deliberately giving them nothing to do except join up a local militia fighting in and around the capital. So these Hezb al-Islam jokers are both mean and evil.

Islamist Group in Somalia Bans Video Games [Game Politics]

Traditional family values during the holidays? So like relatives getting in fights and drinking too much? Kidding!

“As a father-of-four, I’m well aware of the role that computer games play in youngsters’ lives and they undoubtedly have a place,” says the hotel’s managing director Stephen Leckie. “However with Christmas holidays being the ideal opportunity to spend quality time with our families, we’re asking our younger guests to set their consoles and games aside for just a few days of the year and, instead, sample some new activities which they may never have tried before.”

Sounds like Mr. Leckie is assuming that video games aren’t something children and adults can play together. I, of course, am assuming that he is assuming. The hotel does over loads of kid-friendly activities for children to enjoy, such as an indoor play land.

BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Tayside and Central | Hotel bans Christmas video games [BBC via Yahoo! Games]

IGN noticed scuttlebutt about bannings in technical feedback forums and asked Microsoft about it. A spokesperson confirmed they banzored some modded consoles. Said the spokesperson to IGN:

“We have taken action against a small percentage of consoles that have been modified to play pirated game discs. In line with our commitment to combat piracy and support safer and more secure gameplay for the more than 20 million members of our Xbox LIVE community, we are suspending these modded consoles from Xbox LIVE.”

Microsoft wouldn’t say exactly when the action was taken, although IGN speculates that, from the chatter, it’s been happening over the past week.

Microsoft Performs Mass Xbox Console Banning [IGN via Hot Blooded Gaming] [Image from KnowYourMeme]

The Microsoft chief of police Stephen Toulouse has said that his enforcement team is inspecting early play and applying permabans only to those with illegitimately obtained early copies of either game. Those who got their copy because a retailer broke street date are safe, Stepto says.

“Don’t worry folks, anyone who bought a copy early is ok. In general, if you got a receipt, play away. These are illegit copies we’re hitting,” Toulouse tweeted today.

Reader SK sent us that screengrab and basically admitted he visited a bootlegger with a Forza 3 copy. After getting his 360 modded, he played it for five days before getting banz0red.

“I called another friend who went in on Wednesday to pick up a copy and get his box done too, and he also received a ban for the same reason,” says SK. However, SK says the permaban is account only, not console specific. “I made a new XBL account and was back up and running (minus playing F3, of course) within an hour.”

The text heavy visual novel was developed by Japanese independent dev Naoki Sagawa and contains no actual sex scenes. It is not an adult game.

Sagawa was contacted by Microsoft Europe who stated that the game contained three “visual reminders of sexual assault”—or basically innuendo. They are:

• One of the girl’s hands is restrained. (The other is not.)
• The girl is being pushed down.
• The girl’s underwear is visible.

In order to appease Microsoft Europe, Sagawa asked that his game be limited to Japan only distribution and even altered the scene to appease Microsoft Europe. However, Microsoft threatened to delete the game and suspend Sagawa’s account if distribution did not cease. And like that, the 240 Microsoft Point game was still barred from Indie Games Marketplace.

The Xbox LIVE Indie Games developers are not beholden merely to the rules of their region, but those of regions far, far away. If Microsoft Europe finds it unacceptable, then the title should be banned in Europe—not everywhere. Ah, the joys of digital distribution!

What’s more, if Microsoft Europe finds content like this unacceptable, it might want to review titles like Dead or Alive in which players can punch and kick scantily clad females. Ninjas or not, is Microsoft Europe okay with beating up women?
Picking and choosing is fun!

「それでも、私は愛している」配信停止の経緯 [Windows Live via Canned Dogs via Japanator] [GameSpot]

Last week we reported that, after the Xbox Live Update in mid-June, some New Zealand gamers discovered they could no longer download content from Xbox Live Marketplace. Turns out that “some New Zealand gamers” meant every single one of them who had signed up to Live with a child account. If Live knows you’re under 18 and live in New Zealand, you cannot even download a demo of a G-rated game.

We asked Microsoft New Zealand what was happening. Here’s what they told us:

“Microsoft works with individual consumers to resolve customer concerns. We are working with individuals on this situation. New Zealand customers experiencing any issues can contact Xbox Customer Support for assistance by visiting www.xbox.com/en-nz/support.”

Which, of course, failed to address issues like “Is this a change of policy or a temporary technical issue?” or “It has been suggested that this change was made under pressure from the NZ government. Is that actually the case?” or “What happens to any Microsoft Points a child account had previously purchased or redeemed but has yet to spend?” or indeed any of the other questions we actually put to them.

So we asked again. Specifically, we asked “Who decided it should happen? Is it permanent? Why has Microsoft not explained the policy change to customers? Why are customers who have called the support line being told different information?” And here’s what they told us:

* 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.

Which, frankly, still isn’t good enough. We’ve pressed Microsoft again for a proper explanation as to why they are taking this “initiative” and how it will be implemented. If/when they respond, we will let you know. At least we do now know that it isn’t just some temporary glitch in the system. And at least they have promised to refund your points.

While we applaud some efforts Microsoft is taking to make Xbox Live a safe place, we don’t think this “initiative” is the right way to go about it. Taking away content your customers have enjoyed for over three years will understandably make them angry. Worse, refusing to explain why such steps have been taken is only going to exacerbate that anger.

Sure, it’s easy enough for all those NZ gamers affected to abandon their existing Live account and then setup a new adult account where they lie about their age. But, really Microsoft, is that what you want?

After the recent Xbox Live update, some New Zealand gamers discovered they could no longer download content from Xbox Live Marketplace. But that was OK, we all had problems.

Unfortunately those problems have continued for certain New Zealand Xbox Live users, specifically those with child accounts. Weeks later, a thread on the NZ Xbox.com forums is full of people unable to access any Marketplace content because their Live accounts are marked “child”.

The Microsoft Help and Support page verifies the problem exists, labelling it with the error code “80153065″:

Symptoms: When you try to download content from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, you receive the following error message:
Can’t retrieve information from Xbox LIVE. Please try again later.
Status code: 80153065

Cause: This problem may occur if you use an Xbox LIVE Child Account, and if your account region is set to New Zealand. If the regional requirements are set to New Zealand, Xbox LIVE does not allow Child Accounts to download content. This is true regardless of the settings for content rating or for parental control.

Forum posters have reported varying explanations from Microsoft customer support – anything from a technical issue to Microsoft being forced into the action by the New Zealand government. Some have also claimed Microsoft has been unable to reimburse them for previously purchased or redeemed Microsoft Points left sitting in child accounts.

On Sunday, NZ Xbox.com moderator “Teljam” posted to say he had spoken to Microsoft New Zealand about the issue and “yes they are working on it”, before locking the thread. The thread has now been unlocked.

We’ve contacted Microsoft for comment. Meanwhile, any Kiwi readers out there, feel free to relate your experiences in the comments.

[Thanks Josh S]

A 4-member panel of the Classification Review Board convened today to review the RC (Refused Classification) classification given to the computer game F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin.

The Classification Review Board has determined, in a unanimous decision, that F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin warrants an MA 15+ (Mature Accompanied) classification with the consumer advice ‘Strong violence, blood and gore. Moderate coarse language’.

“After considering extensive submissions and demonstrations of game play across all levels, the Review Board concluded that the level of violence in the computer game, whilst strong, could be accommodated within the MA 15+ classification”, acting Classification Review Board Convenor, Trevor Griffin said.

Computer games classified MA 15+ are not suitable for persons under 15 years of age. MA 15+ computer games are legally restricted.

The Classification Review Board convened today in response to an application received from Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment to review the decision made by the Classification Board on 26 November 2008 to classify the computer game RC.

In reviewing the classification, the Classification Review Board worked within the framework of the National Classification Scheme, applying the provisions of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995, the National Classification Code and the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games.

The Classification Review Board is an independent merits review body. Meeting in camera, it makes a fresh classification decision upon receipt of an application for review. This Classification Review Board decision takes the place of the original decision made by the Classification Board.

The Classification Review Board’s reasons for this decision will appear on the Classification website when finalised.

Others swear innocence and false bannings. Whatever the cause, it’s affecting a larger group than normal. We’re attempting to learn more from the folks at Microsoft about the current rash of Xbox Live bannings and who is affected.

XBOX LIVE – Fail what?? [Xbox Forums]
Just Got Banned? (post Here), ONLY POST IF BANNED [Xbox Scene Forums]

Curiously, Grand Theft Auto titles don’t appear to be on the “banned” list. It cannot, however, be imported or distributed due to its dangerous status.

The Thai government is also spearheading a vague 90-day effort to protect impressionable youth from “dangerous games” and establish regulations for pay-to-play gaming centres that feature such titles.

Thai Ministry of Culture wages war on gaming [CNET via GamePolitics]