Independant game rating systems are being proposed over industry ratings, as gaming comes under fireNext Generation Online is thinking out loud as they ponder a possible alternative to the current ESRB (Entertainment Software Ratings Board) game rating system that non-gamers love to call ineffectual and self-serving.?The game industry's self-regulation has under fire from watch groups many times in the past, so the article's commentary probably comes in hope of exploring alternatives that may prove more "relevant" for the decidely non-gaming types who may not be able to discern the difference between something rated "E10+" and "T" (for example).
To this end, they speak with Media Data Corporation (MDC) over independent ratings systems, in this case "Profanity Sex Violence" (PSV) ratings:
"Profanity Sex Violence (PSV) Ratings differ from the ESRB in that they describe levels of sex, violence and profanity in games (using a traffic light system) instead of judging a game to be appropriate for a certain age.If such a system were to be used, a game with swearing, violence and hardly any sex would show red, red, green for those categories. For example, the movie, Minority Report, carries red for violence and profanity and yellow for sex. The Lion King carries no colours, except yellow for mild violence."
As PSV is not tied to the "interests of the game industry" through affiliation with the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), MDC head David Kinney believes PSV will prove more useful to the North American masses who are likely to judge content based on those three "cultural standards".?The onus then falls on the parents to decide if the game is fit for their child/children's age group, based on the data.
Additionally, Kinney explains that the gaming industry will be in a much better position to defend itself from criticism over ratings if it had an independant system to back it up.?The issues remains that independant ratings will also be more expensive, but Kinney is confident the cost will not affect final game prices too greatly.
At this point I'm sure you'll agree that the Red/Yellow/Green traffic light system is still painting the issue with pretty broad strokes.?For example, laying the grounds for distinction between "some" and "a lot of" violence could well prove subjective.
In the end, it should be said the ESRB?is in no danger of collapsing (as of yet)to companies outside of the gaming industry, and will probably not budge anytime soon.?However, we will likely see more publicity generated for alternative proposals as they emerge.
Article Link: Next Generation
