Windows Store policy revised to allow PEGI 18+ games

Microsoft has reversed its decision to block all PEGI 18+ rated games on the Windows Store.

Earlier this month Microsoft revealed it would block content rated at 18+ in all territories which, thanks to a discrepancy between the US's ESRB and Europe's PEGI age ratings systems, meant that a lot of games available on the US storefront would be blocked in Europe.

"It basically ends up disqualifying games that would be ESRB Mature," Windows corporate VP of web services Antoine Leblond admitted to Gizmodo

Microsoft has now revised its policy, and will allow Mature games to be sold through the Windows Store, even if they have a PEGI 18+ rating. The change is expected to take some time to come into effect, so don't be alarmed if games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Max Payne 3 are missing from the Windows Store at launch today.

As previously noted, the Windows Store policy has no effect on users' ability to purchase and install games from other vendors such as Steam.

Thanks, Gamasutra.