so it just dawned on me that EBExpo may actually be illegal. Hear me out.
In australia we have classification laws around video games. Under that law video games are not allowed to be shown publicly in Australia without a classification. There is NUMEROUS video games going to EBExpo that are unclassified in Australia, such as MGS Rising.
Now you might argue that this has happened for years @ press events etc. The difference is the press events are not classified as public events, and are instead trade events which is a major difference. EBExpo is a public event as anyone can go.
The other issue with EBExpo is they have not put an age restriction on those who can go. Again, MA15+ all over the place, kids under 15. You could argue that EBExpo is facilitating the viewing of restricted content to minors which is kinda illegal....
The way E3 gets around this its trade only. The way Gamescom gets around this is I believe all games must be rated via PEGI before they can be shown on the public days, same with TGS and CERO.
Just a thought.
The big litmus test will be EBExpo next year where EB is promising not to age restrict the expo but if there is R18 games, you can sure as shit guarantee they will have to age restrict it.
Something for PAX AU to consider as well... this isn't america. We have direct federal law that deals with this that cannot be avoided or excluded.
My 2c.