Amazon-owned, live streaming platform Twitch released its new Rules of Conduct, which includes forbidding those who visit the site to stream games that are labeled as 'Adults Only'.
Twitch will no longer broadcast games that are rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board as 'Adults Only'. Other games which are not graded as AO will still be allowed in the video streaming site.
The leading video platform announced the changes they are embracing and implementing on their official blog. According to the post, Twitch wants to create a wholesome community for gamers where they can have fun and be comfortable.
"Previously, we made game-specific decisions about which games would and would not be available for broadcast - sometimes due to overtly sexual content, sometimes due to gratuitous violence. This is unsustainable and unclear, generating only further confusion among Twitch broadcasters. We would like to make this policy as transparent as possible," according to the company.
These new rules were spurred by by the recent approval of the violent game 'Hatred.' The game, developed by Destructive Creations, has become controversial because of its inappropriate content, including allowing players to kill civilians and police officers without hesitation.
Many have criticized the game and fear the lasting effects it may have on many game enthusiasts.
Social worker Bob Boezinge said that the game has no care for human decency. He is certain that the game can cause mental problems to whoever will spend too much time playing it. Chief Dan Trelka of the Waterloo Police said that whoever made the game is a sick man.
Besides Hatred, there are still many games with inappropriate content on the market.
The rise of many violent games today is a threat to young individuals whose brains are still developing. A study has revealed that playing video games can cause psychiatric disorders in children, teenagers and young adults.
