In recent years many online media outlets, as well as a select few hardcore gamers, have made it fairly routine to stop by the ESRB’s website to inadvertendly catch new game reveals. Looking to amend the situation and help keep publisher’s marketing schedules intact, the organization is rolling out a new policy that will help avoid this, according to a report on Next-Gen.
Under the new submission system, publishers can simply enter an embargo date for when they wish the information to be seen on the ESRB website. The space is optional, however, so if they choose to let the information get posted immediately after it gets rated, it will.
“Unless there are specific concerns regarding premature disclosure of a title, we expect this field to be left blank,” the memo sent to Next-Gen.biz reads.
“…While we recognize some publishers have concerns regarding earlier-than-desired ‘announcements’ of product on our website, the ESRB system will not work for consumers if publishers arbitrarily select dates bearing no reasonable relationship to consumer interest in the product.”
ESRB Reins In Premature Game Leaks - [Next-Gen]
Tags: announcements, business, esrb, game ratings, video games
