By Stevie Smith Jan 21, 2008, 8:11 GMT
While Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton – and other prominent US politicians – continue on their righteous crusade to rid the videogame world of violent content, this week has seen the Governor of Pennsylvania adopt a wholly more constructive approach in raising public awareness in videogames.
US Governor Ed Rendell speaks out to improve ratings awareness in game-buying parents. Credit: TheTartan.org.
More pointedly, Game Politics reports that Governor Ed Rendell (Democrat) has stepped forward in an attempt to more directly focus parental attention towards the ESRB’s ratings system, which is helpfully emblazoned on the packaging of all published videogame software.
The Entertainment Software Ratings Board’s recommendations offer a basic age outline system to help parents monitor and control exactly which gaming releases are suitable for their children. However, with ignorant parents seemingly convinced that whatever videogames they purchase contain only child-friendly action courtesy of Mario and Sonic, it would appear the ESRB’s system is failing to register.
"Game ratings developed by the [ESRB] offer an effective and informative tool to help parents to decide if a certain video game is appropriate," outlines Rendell’s official release. "When ratings are used in conjunction with parental controls that are available on newer game systems, parents are able to make sure that their children are playing only games they deem suitable."
In a move designed to extend the ESRB’s reach into US homes, Rendell will now appear in a public service announcement that will be produced through the videogame industry and broadcast on both TV and radio.
For any concerned parents reading this article, the ESRB’s software ratings are clearly printed on the front and back of all US videogame software, and the different categories are as follows:
‘EC’ – Titles rated EC (Early Childhood) have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.
‘E’ – Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.
‘E10+’ – Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.
‘T’ – Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.
‘M’ – Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
‘AO’ – Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
‘RP’ – Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. (This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release.)
In related ESRB news, Board president Patricia Vance is scheduled to address a legislative task force in Pennsylvania on February 15, which will be gathering to investigate violence in videogames.
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Ivan_PSPJan 25th, 2008 - 08:08:16
Cool news finally some good gaming news from at least one politician.
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