MSN Games Approval Policy
MSN Games is one of the leading destinations for casual games players. Our goal is to provide the top online destination for casual gaming, a place where our customers can feel comfortable and safe while having fun playing a wide variety of high-quality games. In order to provide this level of service, we regularly provide games from game developer partners. In offering third-party developer game content, we only accept games for distribution that fit those goals and help grow our business.
This document outlines the policy by which we determine whether or not to accept third-party games for distribution. These guidelines are not meant to be as rigid as our technical requirements, but they are meant as strong suggestions. Games that follow all guidelines have an excellent chance of being hosted on the MSN Games Web site. Games that do not will receive additional scrutiny and risk being rejected.
Types of Games Affected
The Game Approval Policy applies to free Web-based games and PC Download games. Games are required to comply with these guidelines, regardless of whether they are made available on MSN Games through a direct relationship with Microsoft or any aggregator/distributor with whom we may work.
Acceptance Process
In most cases we receive new games through distribution partners. These include Oberon Media for purchasable download games and web games, Real Networks in the case of our GameSpring subscription offerings, and Fun Technologies in the case of our Play for Cash games. Additionally, we will sometimes accept submissions directly from third-party developers and publishers.
Our acceptance process includes a screening and review of the game and all content. If a title is rejected, depending on the reason we may offer an opportunity to re-submit with changes or updates. Games may also be rejected outright.
Other Requirements
Free Web-based game developers are expected to meet all other technical requirements laid out in the GDK, in addition to abiding by the following game approval guidelines. This includes testing a game using the RAPID integration tool, meeting Microsoft's basic system requirements, and ensuring a game includes required APIs. Please refer to the Technical Section of the GDK for more information.
Acceptance Criteria
There are four categories of content approval guidelines for all new MSN games. A game will likely not receive approval if the title violates any of the content guidelines in these four categories.
- Inappropriate Content
- Behavior directly conflicting with MSN Games business objectives
- Security Risks
- Low Quality
Inappropriate content
What game content is appropriate for the MSN audience both in the US and internationally? Microsoft holds a higher quality bar than some of our competitors. These standards must be considered during game creation – the intent is not to stifle creativity, rather to consider the implications of game design globally.
Does it pass an MS Geopolitical Check? All games will be subjected to a geopolitical review to ensure the game's language and content meets MSN standards. Within this process, a language filter will be applied to all game text. Questionable text will be flagged for review.
Developers should also pay close attention to the following categories:
- Maps/Cartographic content
Avoid showing actual country maps if possible. Games containing maps will receive additional scrutiny
- Flags & national symbols
Avoid showing or describing flags
- Human Representations
Avoid possibly rude gestures (keep in mind some innocent gestures in American culture – for example, the 'Okay' hand signal – can be seen as offensive in other cultures)
Avoid reinforcing cultural, ethnic, and/or gender stereotypes
Avoid value judgments about human traits
- Symbolic and Iconic Artwork
Do not repurpose or inappropriately use symbols with strong meanings or cultural associations
Avoid symbols that might offend or have strong meaning to cultural or religious associations. - This includes using artwork/symbols for specific religious or national holidays
- Copyright Infringement
Avoid game assets that possibly violate copyrights (for example, a picture of a real-world soft drink can)
- Audio, Video, & Photographs
Carefully review representations of people or locations that carry strong associations in the local market
- Country & Region Names
Ensure that lists and fields are Country/Region (not “Country”)
Understand the political and cultural issues that can be sensitive or polarizing
- Fictitious Scenarios
Avoid “real world” events and scenarios that might offend cultures or nationalities
- MSN Audience Acceptable
Avoid violent, sexual, or other content that would earn a game an ESRB M rating
Behavior directly conflicting with MSN Games business interests
MSN Games is successful in large part because of the great games third-party developers make available on our site. Hence, we view developers and publishers of games as valuable partners in our business. At the same time, we realize that there is an element of competition here as well, since many games are distributed on other sites than msn games.
However, any in-game content or functionality that is deemed to be specifically aimed at achieving goals counter to MSN Games business interests, with the MSN Games Web site will not be accepted for distribution.
The following content will be deemed as directly competing with Microsoft's interests:
- Branding that is inclusive of a platform or service that competes with MSN Games or other Microsoft Casual Game platforms
- Splash screen, logo, exit screen, or other promotional elements that promote a competing platform or service
- Any mechanism to connect to or join a non-Microsoft mail list, RSS feed, or similar mechanism
- Content that negatively portrays MSN Games or other Microsoft properties
Security risk
Does the game at any point for any reason have the ability to install spyware or other data collecting tools? Such functionality is grounds for non-approval and should be avoided.
Multiplayer Games: Single and more often multiplayer games often require the creation of an identity or log-on name. If the creation of a log-on/identity on a non-Microsoft site or server is present in the game it may be considered. This includes links from within the game or via a web link to a Non-MS site. Links to Non-MS servers or the need to create a log-on/identity should be solely to enhance or allow for the game experience. Approval depends on the rationale for the log-on/identity and discussions with Microsoft. As a rule of thumb, creation of anonymous log-on/identity in order to play with others is generally OK. Creation of a persistent log-on/identity, or any that requires disclosure of personally identifiable information, will generally not be accepted, unless a special exception is made.
Privacy Risk: Applications should always run in a low permissions mode to reduce threats. Changing, accessing, or deleting non-game data should not be done without the user’s explicit permission. Any questionable procedures, including requiring players to give personal information, need to be reviewed by our privacy team. More detailed information regarding security/privacy issues exists and is available upon request.
Low quality
Is the game below the quality level typical for games on our site? We understand that judging the quality of a game can be subjective. However, our approvals are based on peer-to-peer comparisons and intend to be objective in nature.
Some standards we use to gauge quality include:
- Visual quality: Do graphics "pop" and deliver game value? Text should be crisp and easily read.
- Audio quality: Is the game's sound free of audio corruption or other distracting sound issues?
- Gameplay quality: Strong playability; do the game controls operate easily and fluidly?
- Play Value: Despite looking and sounding good, is the game worth playing? Is there replay value as well?
- Weak within genre: Is this an uninspired rendition of an already saturated game type? Where does the game stand among peer games?
'Clone' games: Games that mimic other titles may receive additional scrutiny. We understand that most games draw upon many elements of their predecessors. That being said, MSN Games has received games that were transparently obvious copies of popular casual game titles. Since these 'clones' typically have very little new of value to add, we may opt to not accept such a title for distribution. We do this both as a service to our end customers (limiting excessive selection), and to our developer partners (rewarding those who innovate). We should emphasize that we only do this in the most egregious examples. Adding something as simple as a new twist on a proven mechanic, a different theme/treatment, or a different game mode may be enough to deem it different and thus not an outright ‘clone’.
These quality measures are above and beyond existing Microsoft game feature requirements included in the GDK.
Technical Bugs: Microsoft may perform a comprehensive review of the game which could highlight additional concerns or bugs. Bugs include any graphical or audio corruption, game screens that lock up, and any major performance issues.
Standard technical issues we look for:
- Technical bugs with the game
- Technical bugs related to the DRM wrapping and installation process of the game
- Platform stability issues (For example, does the game run on Windows® XP® and Windows Vista™? Does the game run on Tablet PC laptops?)
- Note that starting in the first calendar quarter of 2007, Windows Vista compatibility will be a requirement.
Wrapper Issues: If a game wrapper has errors, quality issues, or is missing information, we may deny initial approval pending a fix. In most cases like this, the issues are resolvable and the game can be approved.
Summary
What do we like to see in a game? Put simply, our customers want unique, addictive play value; engaging graphics and sound; and game controls that are intuitive and require minimal instruction to understand. Overall, we plan to work with developers to continuously raise the quality bar for casual games and provide a positive economic environment for those developers who deliver quality content to casual games players.
For any remaining questions, contact Microsoft Casual Games Developer Relations team at mcg@microsoft.com.
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