ESRB Under Fire

[if76]

1up.com (http://www.1up.com) reports that the ESRB is being criticized (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3142126) for being confusing and too lax on enforcing its rulings.

It's confusing, they charge: the CNN article cites the videogame The Incredibles, rated either T or E depending on the platform, but both carrying the same warning label for "cartoon violence". Another problem is that retailers are not vigilant enough in making sure underage children don't purchase M-rated games. The ESRB has no way to enforce the ratings. Finally, there is concern that the ESRB is not accountable to any outside agency, as it is entirely voluntary and self-regulated.
For all of you who say you don't care about legislation because it won't affect you, remember that Wal-Mart doesn't carry any federally regulated media (porn) and it also accounts for like 30% of videogame sales. Do the math.

[bapenguin]

This is such horseshit. There's practically no difference between Adults Only and Mature anyway, except one year of age and the word "persistant" ahead of violence and nudity/sexual content. The ESRB doesn't have a way to enforce it's ratings, and neither does the movie ratings board. And they shouldn't have to enforce them, they are simply guidelines, they are providing a service for the people by letting people know what's in the game. It's up to the parents and retailers to enforce and monitor the sales of this stuff....not the ESRB.

[Liquidize105]

http://pegi.info/index.html

The European rating board does it a little better.

[MosBen]

I do care about legislation because I think we need it a bit.

[Chimpbot]

This is such horseshit. There's practically no difference between Adults Only and Mature anyway, except one year of age and the word "persistant" ahead of violence and nudity/sexual content. The ESRB doesn't have a way to enforce it's ratings, and neither does the movie ratings board. And they shouldn't have to enforce them, they are simply guidelines, they are providing a service for the people by letting people know what's in the game. It's up to the parents and retailers to enforce and monitor the sales of this stuff....not the ESRB.

That's almost exactly what I was going to say, bapenguin.

The MPAA's rating system is entirely voluntary and they're not expected to enforce their ratings; their ratings are merely guidlines that say just as much, if not less than the ESRB's ratings. It sounds like they're blaming the ESRB for the actions of the retailers...which simply isn't right.
They're just as accountable as the MPAA, which also is entirely voluntary and self-regulated.

Of course, this is all simply flak from that stupid San Andreas fiasco.
Oh well, at least Nintendo and it's "kiddie games" most likely won't be affected much, if at all.

Yet another reason for me to ignore the other two systems and get the Revolution!

[Heretic Machine]

God dammit I -hate- soccer moms. Not only are they turning their kids into fat little retards, but now they have to fuck with my god damn hobby, AGAIN. First it was rock and roll, then it was D&D, now it's video games.

Hilary Clinton can kiss my friggin ass. I'd vote republican before I'd vote for her.

[retsudo]

I dont give a flying fuck because we don't need ANY legislation. There is absolutely no need for any enforced censorship. Parents are responsible for what their children see and do, and after that people can make up their own minds (or should be able to.) Just because some fucksticks are bad parents is no reason to enforce bullshit laws.
Solution: Don't buy games from wallmart. Simple enough.

[Shifteh]

Well I don't buy games from Wal-mart, so...

I'm curious as to how exactly the ESRB is supposed to make retailers listen to their ratings.

[eaweeks21]

exactly shifteh. Not the ESRB's job. MPAA gets away with it because movie theatres and states not feds attempt to enforce. Feds need to stay out of this or they are hippocrates. Stores need to enforce more which many do already. This is completely stupid. Thank you:)

[Rakael]

So....the feds are...the founders of modern medecine?