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The ESRB Gets An 'F'

Posted by Zonk on from the bad-day-for-games dept.

GamePolitics reports on a failing grade given to the ESRB by the National Institute on Media and the Family. The report card did not look good for the ratings board, which almost immediately fired back at the organization. From that article: "The reality is that publishers understand that retailers largely choose not to stock AO-rated games, and so in the interests of producing marketable games, publishers will oftentimes revise and resubmit a game that was initially assigned an AO by raters in an effort to produce an M-rated game. When this happens, the process starts again from the beginning, and each new version of a game is reviewed independently. The call to issue more AO ratings has little to do with rating accuracy, and more to do with NIMF's real agenda, which is to destroy the commercial viability of games it deems objectionable. Unlike NIMF, ESRB's job is to be a neutral rater, not a censor."

5 of 641 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why is it so difficult... by egburr · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    Responding to your sig...

    Grammer tip: 'Effect' is used as a noun. 'Affect' is used as a verb.

    Grammar tip: Both affect and effect can be used as either a noun or a verb. Learn when each form of each word is appropriate. Consult a dictionary.

    --

    Edward Burr
    Having a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.
  2. Re:I "hate" Christians... by jellomizer · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    We are out there and we are probably more the majority then you think. We don't get any attention because we don't want to restrict your rights so we are not raising any flags because we are not vocal about your beleafs or lack of. And we are not raising any flags to the more Radical Christains because we are good christians. So we don't get on the radar. You should legally have the right to be athiest because otherwise can't be forced on you. Just as the oposit that I can't be forced not to beleave in God.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  3. Re:Sheesh! by Spag_Yetti · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    NIMF!!! so if that was sounded out it would be??? NYMPH! I love it!

  4. Er, wait (Army Boots Mother) by hackwrench · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    My mother was in the Army for a short time and really did wear army boots, so where does that put me?

  5. Re:Why a generic rating by darthnoodles · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    DO you mean something like this:

    PARENT'S GUIDE

    # Sex/Nudity: sexually related dialogue; sexual innuendo; suggested sex off-screen; scantily clad woman

    # Drugs/Alcohol: smoking; drinking

    # Violence/Scariness: explosions; gunfire; brutal fighting often with bloody results

    # Objectional Words/Phrases: approx. 13

    This was taken from Roger's Video (canadian video rental place). It's there guide for Mr. and Mrs. Smith. They have guides like this for all their movies.

    Funnily enough, they don't have it for video games.