Re: shopto.net selling non-uk games

Chris F wrote:
On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 12:42:35 +0100, jochta <nope@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


Beck wrote:

I heard the other week that there was a bit of uproar in some forums because shopto.net were sourcing games from Europe to sell here. Some people have reported some games have "not for sale in the UK" written on them. Some have found they cannot trade these games in at the usual stores.

Yesterday I went to trade in Bioshock in Gamestation and they asked me where I got it from as it doesn't have UK standard age ratings on it.

It seems that while its not illegal to import games from Europe, it appears that they are not conforming to our ratings system.

The guy in Gamestation showed me the problem and how it appears on the box.

This box art of Halo 3 is correct - it has the age in a red circle on the box
http://www.shopto.net/page.php?page=dettagli&codart=XB2HA02

This box art of DIRT is incorrect as it does not have the age in a red box
http://www.shopto.net/page.php?page=dettagli&codart=PS3CO02

All quite silly because on both boxes the age is there and clear to see, but its not the proper system technically. But in a way I can see why it is wrong, because the age in Europe may not match the age we have in the UK. Something may be marked 15 in europe but rated 18 here.

Gamestation did exchange my game but warned me that they may not change them in the future.


Total rubbish.

Halo 3 has gone through BBFC rating and has a BBFC rating of 15. Not all games go through BBFC rating.

"Under the terms of the Video Recordings Act 1984, it is the responsibility of the individual game distributor or developer to decide whether a game requires statutory classification or not. The BBFC has no authority to make any decision about whether a game could be exempt."

DiRT has the PEGI rating of 12+ and has not been BBFC rated.

"The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) age rating system was established in 2003 to help European parents make informed decisions on buying interactive games. Designed to ensure that minors are not exposed to games that are unsuitable for their particular age group, the system is supported by the major console manufacturers, including PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo, as well as by publishers and developers of interactive games throughout Europe."

Both are valid UK boxes. Gamestation are talking bollocks, I expect the shop assistant doesn't understand the system.


yeah they are both valid uk boxes, but some online shops do sell other
region games.

the copy of viva pinata i got from dvd.co.uk was actually the
australian version, for example.

Yes, I know that. But Gamestation saying that because the age is not in a red circle therefore it isn't UK is complete rubbish.
.

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