Microsoft is laying down the hammer when it comes to certain contents being added to the Windows 8 store. As it appears, Microsoft has no intentions in allowing PEGI 18 games in the Window 8 store; this is due to the company wanting the marketplace to be tailored to a global audience.

This is quite confusing, because Microsoft is down for allowing ESRB rated M for mature titles in the Marketplace. However, PEGI 18, which is the equivalent of an M rating in Europe, is not allowed. To clear up the confusion, PEGI is Europe's rating system, while the ESRB is for North America. Therefore, by Microsoft's logic, games like Mortal Kombat that carries the ESRB M rating will show up in the North American store, while the same game rated PEGI 18 in Europe, won't be available in the European store.

It is not certain if Microsoft had made a mistake somewhere when laying down the rules and regulations, but if this is how things truly are, one can understand why game developers are not happy about games-related changes in Windows 8. What Microsoft is trying to do here will not bode well for the company if it decides to continue down this path of Apple-like restrictions. If Windows 8 does not feel the wrath of game developers, then the Marketplace will.

It is highly possible for game developers to defect to other services like Steam, which is more akin to an open internet where such restrictions do not apply.

Microsoft needs to offer some clarification to clear the air of confusion so everyone can understand what is really going down in the world of Redmond.