14 DAY TRIAL // Japanese consumer website Dengeki Online reports a change in the system of Japan's Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO) system: the introduction of the new Adult Only category for graphic/violent videogames.
Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series has sparked a re-evaluation of the system in all territories, after GTA III was banned from being sold to minors in two prefectures and resulted in the suggestion of a voluntary program to prevent the sale of adult rated games to minors.
The new system, which Dengeki Online reports is due to be implemented from March 1st, will have four ratings labelled A-D, with an additional Z rating for games which should only be sold to consumers aged 18 or over.
The US Adults Only (AO) rating from the ESRB has often caused difficulties for publishers, as many North American retailers refuse to put AO titles on shelf, influencing negatively marketing opportunities, retail promotion and brand awareness, as well as overall software sales.