Credit Card Required To View 'M' Rated Information 103
John Callaham writes "Gamecloud has a special feature article titled 'Going Through The Age Gate'. Why are some downloads of game trailers and demos are now requiring that a person declare their age before accessing them?" Not only are some sites requiring you declare your age, Activision is requiring a credit card to view "M" rated game information. From the article: "Asking for a credit card number, even if that the message says it will not be charged, brings up some very serious questions. Why is Activision asking for credit card numbers to access product pages that promote 'M' rated games when the ESRB and every other publisher only use the required 'age gate'?"
Question... (Score:2, Insightful)
Why? (Score:5, Insightful)
It's pretty obvious why they're doing this--this is classic Cover Your Ass.
Sure, nobody has sued a game publisher over the good ol' fashioned trust system yet--but Activision really doesn't relish the thought of being that lucky test case. Hence, they've decided to close this particular avenue of litigation.
A better question would be to ask whether or not Activision is overreacting to the percieved threat of a lawsuit.
Re:Question... (Score:5, Insightful)
Game-related? (Score:3, Insightful)
Microsoft passport requires this to access many first-party features, so it isn't somthing new. But the fact you do need to enter a credit card number is disturbing, not just detering people away from the game. Passport stores your number in a database after you enter it; would this?
Countdown for system failure. (Score:3, Insightful)
Sorry but I seriously doubt someone could be naive enough to release a CC just for seing a website. (unless is a payment site or is Actually a KID doing the visit) specially when several websites have the material, I dont really see how this could work in anyway for anyone. (except for hackers to have a grand opportunity at CC farming)
stupid.... (Score:1, Insightful)
very bad idea......one more chance for someone to steal your credit card number and you aren't even BUYING anything from it....it's one thing if i at least was getting something out of the deal, but to just be getting a trailer when they steal it?? that's sad
this is like when companies use your SS number for verification or worse, for your employee ID...it wasn't designed for that and should not be used for that
Dumbest Marketing Move I've Ever Seen.... (Score:5, Insightful)
Worse yet, they request your credit card number in this small popup with pretty much no supporting text that's helpful in identifying that it's a popup coming from Activision. For all you know, it's a popup from some advertiser phishing for credit card numbers. From the titlebar, you can see that the page uses https, but that's about it. Dumb, dumb move for a company trying to promote their product.
Re:I had a Credit Card at Seventeen geniuses!! (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Why? (Score:3, Insightful)
You can access this violent content if you either
a) Have a credit card and are therefor 18 or over.
b) Have parents who let you use their credit card online.
c) Are able to write simple programs and can type "luhn number" into google.
Bob.
Re:Why? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Why? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Question... (Score:4, Insightful)
Really though, it might as well be consent. If a parent gives a teen a credit card the kid has either proven themself to be extremely trustworthy, or the parent's so rich or out of it he doesn't give a fuck what little Dylan/Dakota/Paris does. A 16-year old with a credit card can get in a lot more trouble than buying an M-rated game with 3-D models of boobs.
Hrm? (Score:3, Insightful)