game ratings

Lies, Damn Lies and PTC Press Releases

The Parent Television Council is apparently making the rounds among newspaper reporters trying to drum up a little attention at the cost of Grand Theft Auto IV and the truth.

Arizona Daily Star reporter Phil Villarreal received one of their emails this morning, asking if he'd be interesting in talking about GTA IV: Liberty City, a game with content "too deplorable and disgusting to describe in detail" which "appeal to the lowest common denominator by actually rewarding criminal activity and offering the gamer everything from a chance to drive drunk to the opportunity to solicit services from a prostitute."

Villarreal, a gamer himself, decided to take the PTC up on their offer and was not-so surprised to find that the council's copy of GTA IV seems to be slightly different from the one the rest of the world received. Among other additions to the PTC's copy of the game: You get points for drunk driving.

Hit up the full interview for all of the new PTC features.

You Get Points for Driving Drunk in this Game [Arizona Star]

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parents and children

ESRB And PTA Launch National Parental Awareness Campaign

Those two great tastes that taste great together, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board and the Parent Teacher Association are gearing up for a big push towards educating parents about gaming ratings, parental controls, and video game safety in general. They're going to assault the epidemic of ignorant parents with a barrage of educational pamphlets, available both online and off, covering such topics as setting up parental controls, making sure your child isn't being solicited by perverts, and of course, the ratings themselves. Along with the pamphlets, there will be a free webcast on the 23rd of this month at 7 PM Eastern featuring ESRB president Patricia Vance and PTA president Jan Harp Domene, and GamerDad Andrew S. Bub covering all these topics and ending with a Q&A session with the trio. Hit the jump for the full press release, which includes information on where to get your hands on those lovely pamphlets and how to participate in the webcast, the audience of which will most likely be 99% gaming press, ourselves included. More »

game ratings

Australian Game Ratings Behind The Times

Victorian deputy premier and attorney general Rob Hulls believes that Australia is behind the times when it comes to video game ratings, and I'm inclined to agree. Currently the top rating a game can receive is MA15+, as opposed to movies which can be rated R18+. While games like the Grand Theft Auto series have squeaked by with an MA15+, games like Dark Sector and Soldier of Fortune: Payback have encountered trouble limboing under the bar. Hulls thinks it is time to raise the bar.

"It seems inconsistent that in Australia, adults are allowed to view 'adult only' films which have been classified R18+ by the Classification Board, but not computer games with an equivalent high level content," he said in a statement. "With the increasing convergence between films and games, the different approach to classification principles is difficult to sustain. At the moment, Australia is out of step with the rest of the developed world on this issue."

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The First State is looking to be the first in parental game-rating awareness, as Delaware Lieutenant Governor John Carey and Rep. Helene Keeley launch a PSA campaign aimed at making parents more aware of the ESRB ratings. The campaign will consist of radio PSAs, mall kiosks, and even billboards that will put the ability of parents to completely ignore these ratings to the test.

"With two sons of my own, I know about the tough decisions parents face today about the media they allow into their homes," said Lt. Governor Carney. "The simple fact is that there's no substitute for parental involvement, so it's important that parents play an active role in choosing games for their children. The ESRB ratings help parents ensure that they are bringing home suitable games for their families."

A noble effort, though I put forth that for many parents, nothing short of branding the ratings guide into their flesh is going to work. Nice to see Delaware has people now though. I guess they can now change their state slogan from "Where New Jersey Goes To Work" into something a little more catchy. More »

tigrs

TIGRS Game Ratings: Tantalizing Overhaul

TIGRS is the on your honor, give a penny take a headshot ratings system for independent game developers. And just recently, their designations were revamped in full emoticon style. From TIGRS:

Over a year in the making, the design was tested with many gaming and non-gaming audiences for appeal, attractiveness, and its ability to communicate clearly what the viewer can expect to find in the game.

I'm not sold. The Teen rating reeks of perverted, candy-toting uncle, while the Adult graphic screams, "I'll grab the eggs and you steal the whip-its." More »

esrb

Lieberman and Clinton Team With ESRB

Some of the most prominent figures in gaming politics are gathering today on Capitol Hill to announce the launch of a nationwide television game ratings awareness campaign. Senators Clinton and Lieberman will join ESA president Doug Lowenstein, and ESRB president Patricia Vance for a press conference today at 3PM Eastern. Also attending will be GameStop President Steve Morgan and Best Buy President Brian Dunn, both of whom will be appearing in ad campaign. More »