oculus logoBy March 1st 2017, every title in the Oculus Store will be assigned through the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) rating process. IARC is a globally streamlined age classification process for digital games and mobile apps.

In a recent entry on their Developer Blog, the Oculus Team announced that the Oculus Store has moved to the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) rating process, effective immediately for all new titles. Existing titles will need to apply for an IARC rating by March 1st. The Oculus Store adds to the list of participating storefronts, which includes Google Play, the Nintendo eShop and the Windows Store. IARC ratings are already used for all Google Daydream VR and Microsoft Hololens AR apps.

Applying for age and content ratings for software across multiple regions can be tedious, but once the storefront is participating with the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), the process is much simpler. Currently, the IARC rating system administers content ratings from ESRB in North America, PEGI in Europe, ClassInd in Brazil, USK in Germany and the Classification Board in Australia with more rating authorities expected to join in the future.

oculus-home
Oculus Home is the company’s VR content storefront

Launched in 2014, the IARC rating system simplifies the process for developers, who just need to answer a single set of questions, which automatically generates different age ratings from each participating territory, including a legally compliant rating in Russia and a generic rating for the rest of the world. It also helps consumers, providing a consistent set of ratings that, according to Oculus, ‘reflect their own cultural norms regarding content and age-appropriateness.’

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Patricia Vance, president of the ESRB—the well-known organization responsible for administering game ratings in the US—and chairperson of IARC, welcomed the news, saying “We applaud Oculus for deploying the IARC rating system, giving VR developers the opportunity to obtain ratings from rating authorities around the world at no cost and without delay, while providing culturally relevant and trustworthy guidance about the games and apps consumers are considering for download.”

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The trial version of Microsoft’s Monster Truck Madness probably had something to do with it. And certainly the original Super Mario Kart and Gran Turismo. A car nut from an early age, Dominic was always drawn to racing games above all other genres. Now a seasoned driving simulation enthusiast, and former editor of Sim Racer magazine, Dominic has followed virtual reality developments with keen interest, as cockpit-based simulation is a perfect match for the technology. Conditions could hardly be more ideal, a scientist once said. Writing about simulators lead him to Road to VR, whose broad coverage of the industry revealed the bigger picture and limitless potential of the medium. Passionate about technology and a lifelong PC gamer, Dominic suffers from the ‘tweak for days’ PC gaming condition, where he plays the same section over and over at every possible combination of visual settings to find the right balance between fidelity and performance. Based within The Fens of Lincolnshire (it’s very flat), Dominic can sometimes be found marvelling at the real world’s ‘draw distance’, wishing virtual technologies would catch up.
  • VR01

    They should also add ratings for:
    * God rays
    * Video quality
    * Low resolution screen door effect

    360 video in these first gen headsets is absolute garbage. Games are only just acceptable if the SS is on maxium. It’s such a pity they flooded the market with such low level specs

    • Caleb Henry

      Hey, I have an oculus rift with touch and a third sensor and you hardly notice the pixils. Also, you only see God rays in start up screens in most games.

    • Roger Anthony Essig

      it’s ‘the state of the art’. I prefer rift god ray to vive godrays in DOOM3. SS is acceptable if on 1.4 for me, depending on the experience.

  • ummm…

    maybe they should concentrate on delivering the seemless tracking experience that the vive has first. It is what their customers want.

    • lol, as an owner of both I can say with certainty that the Vive tracking experience is anything but ‘seemless’ for many.

      Get your head out of your ass.

      • ummm…

        really? ive had a vive since day 1. i have had no problems. what sort of problems have you had? i like your aggression – its empty but it shows spunk.

        • Yoreaveltwyn

          Lol XD

        • Mane Vr

          to each his own I have a rift and never had issue but I don’t say that others won’t. just like because u never had issues with vive doesn’t mean others might not have. and no one is REQUIRING anyone to do anything it’s all a choice. u can choose to buy the touch (which comes with an sensor) and then add a third sensor or simply use a gamepad and stick to just one.. no one is pushed into buying something

      • NooYawker

        What kind of issues are you having with the Vive? You don’t think requiring oculus users to buy 2 extra sensors to get room scale isn’t an issue?

    • Roger Anthony Essig

      they are doing that also. Look up early vive issues. it’s all there in r/vive and steam forums. look up grey screen.

      • ummm…

        tell me about it. i have had a vive since day 1. no problems.

        • popupblocker

          I’ve had shit loads of problems with the vive. It’s a mess of USB and power packs and always goes wrong… less so these days at least but not have as many issues with the rift overall. Rift tracking is rock solid IF you set it up right…

          I do own both.. only use the rift now as you can using 90% of VR games on steam AND the rift store AND independent stuff… which you can’t on the Vive.

          Still no idea why people think the Rift is a walled garden – it’s a check box – “allow third party apps”

          • ummm…

            wow. that really sucks about your vive problems. Never had any. glad you got it worked out and that you also enjoy your rift. Although – if i had to buy again id stay with vive. I’m not sure the 180 degree experiences or seated experiences on oculus home could sway me.

          • popupblocker

            I suspect it’s more the Motherboard etc – which is the main issue with the Vive – it’s internal USB hub Demands are really high – I think there are 9 separate USB devices all in.

            The Hardware is great and new version will probably be great.

            The rift does do the 360 very will with the 3rd Camera – I’ve just been comparing tiltbrush and it’s really nice with the touch controllers.

          • ummm…

            i dunno bud. ive been reading a lot of stuff from rift users. that conical volume tracking is experimental indeed. anyway if you like it, what else matters?

          • popupblocker

            Sure. I imagine if you have a larger space than I do then it will start falling apart.

            All these systems will be up dated over time I am sure… and to be honest until we have true wireless / computer free it’s not going to be mainstream. And even then True AR will come of age. I’ve tried the magic leap tech – over a year ago now… any if they ever get that working at small device scale then that’s the future.

          • ummm…

            well wireless is here for vive. it is still kinda bulky and unwieldy – but it is here less than a year from large scale consumer vr release. anyhow – what are we arguing about? 1st world problems.

          • gamechanger

            Now that’s a good answer!

          • Mane Vr

            lol the walled off thing is funny to me too when it’s value who won’t let their sdk be used at other store front oculus has said home is open to any hmd that is compatible with their sdk and a way of quality control. then there open their hmd to 3rd party sdk yet people are piss at them for the fact that value doesn’t give return the favor… where is values allow third party apps button?

        • gamechanger

          Just like many Oculus/Touch users. That’s not the argument.

          • ummm…

            are you not paying attention? do you think im so dense as to not know what is going on with the touch and camera system? please dont respond. ive had enough of your type.

          • gamechanger

            Ups! Looks like I’ve just responded!

          • ummm…

            ups? never saw it spelt that way. where ya from?

          • gamechanger

            Hah you’re right! :) I’m from Poland. Never noticed that you spell it differently in English. Were are you from?

          • ummm…

            yeah i think we do “oops”. im from new york city. now lets get back to insulting and arguing! rift suuuuuucks!!!!! “Experimental” for sure! btw your english is great.

          • gamechanger

            Thanks! I think I’ll remember now how to spell it :)
            Vive is a garbage!!!!11!

    • NooYawker

      I’d like to see the Vive have a better interface like oculus. Not that it’s that important but it would be nice.

      • ummm…

        whats up nooyawk. upper west side here. what what!

        • NooYawker

          East side, midtown!