Hello
If i want to release a game - mainly on steam (not sure about retail), lets say a smaller project, PC (for starters), point and click adventure for example. My understanding, from interview i read with one dev, is that i NEED the approval of various "age rating" agencies like - ESRB, PEGI, USK (germany) and the australian one... (there are others aswell). My understanding is that although its "not written in any laws or agreements (not even on steam?)" you NEED (!) to get these ratings in order to effectivelly release the game. Meaning that if you dont get them, steam (and/or) even retailers etc. wont talk to you or will "play deaf"... so getting these ratings is a NECESSITY to release your game- which means additional cost for a smaller studio. My questions:
1) Is this really true...? Steam will not publish my game if i dont have the ratings? What about other platforms (epic store etc.) or retailers...? (we would not have any publishers BTW probably)
2) What organizations do i need to get the ratings from- which are the most essential in regards to the potential revenue from their regions/countries? ESRB for sure, PEGI for sure. These two are main and neccesary practicall for all games since they cover the majority of regions from which majority of revenue country/region wise is generated, overall for most PC games, correct? Then in additional since it would be a point and click adventure we would need to get the approval of the german USK organization? Since point and clicks sell a lot in germany. But doesnt germany accept PEGI ...? Why the heck do they need special organization only for their country?
2a) What about Russia - i read they have their own rating organization, but they accept (still?) PEGI ratings aswell so i do NOT need to pay additional cost for Russian rating only and use the PEGI one...?
2b) What about Australia... They have their own rating system but does australia generate a lot of revenue for PC games and point and clicks especially (smaller indie projects) to justify the even additional cost...? Australia doesnt accept PEGI or ESRB?
3) Im confused about trailers and maybe additional things about the game - Do i need to get approved even the trailers for the game...(!?).. What if i dont... steam again wont allow me post these trailers on their website... Do i need it even if i have a trailer normally on youtube?
Thank you
