ESRB Retorts to NIMF

The ESRB has has released a statement condemning the National Institute for Media and the Family's analysis of the gaming industry and the ESRB. Specifically, the ESRB questions the group's research and bias in issuing the original damning analysis of the ratings board. From the article: "On points where the ESRB's methodology was questioned, the ratings board said that the real reason for the relatively low number of Adults-Only titles was a publisher-level determination to modify game content to avoid the AO label, which will usually prevent a title from being carried at retail."

Comments

Um.

[Seumas]

So basically, the NIMF is upset that the free-market determined that adult-only titles aren't worth selling rather than NIMF getting to decide it for them?

Take responsibility for once.

[TripMaster Monkey]

Don't Christians comprise something on the order of 80% of the population of the U.S.? It seems to me that if these 'concerned citizens' actually took the time to parent their children, the issue of violent video games corrupting our nation's youth wouldn't be an issue...but it's ever so much easier to abdicate responsibility to a group who claims they're 'looking out for the children'. <sarcasm>Heck, all you have to do is read the first sentence of the tenth annual MediaWise video game 'report card' ("Risk to Children Continues to Grow") to know that these people are genuinely concerned about the safety of our little ones.</sarcasm>

Fellow Christians, I offer you a challenge: Quit trying to legislate morality, and start teaching it instead. Quit trying to lead by coercion, and instead lead by example. Look to the beam in your own eye before you try to remove the mote from your brother's eye.

Re:Take responsibility for once.

[Azarael]

Anyone who has any sense already agrees with what you are saying. The problem is, is that the situation has nothing to do with common sense and everything to do with making noise and a big stink to get exposure. I'm not even sure if Christian groups like this one even care so much about the outcome of their actions as much as long as they get to come around to their way of thinking. Maybe they might as well call themselves the National Institute for Advertising Christian Values?

Re:Take responsibility for once.

[steveo777]

Quit trying to legislate morality, and start teaching it instead.

The problem is that too many people are too lazy to teach their kids. And too many people who we don't want teaching our kids are trying legislate their beliefs into them. Yes, teaching the kids works great. But there are too many poeple with too loud voices that are reaching throught the law to try to make what they want to be right, right. In other word (not saying they're the best institutions) private schools will teach your kids what you want them to, but public schools will teach what the loudest complainer wants them to.

The majority can only rule if they'll get off their asses and do something about it.

I think the ESRB is right on this one.

[hal2814]

Adults Only is a pretty bad rating to have on your game as it severly cripples your potential shelf space. Looks to me like the NIMF wants the ESRB to start handing out AOs like candy. That's just a bad idea. Watering down what AO stands for will just lead to more stores stocking AO titles and will lead to the need for some sort of Super AO category.

Why should only Christian parents be challenged?

[WidescreenFreak]

Whereas the essence of your post is correct, I find it irresponsible of you to target Christians in your post. The simple fact of the matter is that whereas most people might identify themselves as Christians, the majority of them probably don't live up to the standards that they claim Christ represents.

Personally, I'm agnostic. So, why do you not also direct your challenge to me? The simple fact is that parents regardless of their religious beliefs or identification should be should be held to the same level of responsibility. Whether the parents are Jewish, Muslim, Christian, agnostic, or even athiest, personal responsibility and the need to properly raise children in moral and ethical values is totally unrelated to their religious beliefs. All parents should be challenged to lead by example, not just Christian parents.

Now, I understand that NIMF is a Christian group, but to target your challenge solely at Christians is irresponsible - some might argue that it's mildly inflammatory as well. I'm sure there are parents in other religions who would love to legislate morality as well, and that's just as wrong. One need only look to non-Christian theocracies in other parts of the world to see what life is like when morality is dictated by law. So, from that perspective we're in complete agreement; however, all parents should be teaching their kids right from wrong, regardless of religious beliefs - or lack thereof - or the target of said teaching, be it video games, TV, movies, music, etc.

Re:AO and M should be combined.

[Pxtl]

The difference, though, is what the poster noticed - you can have a movie with tons and tons of sex, nudity, etc. and get an "R" rating. Eg. "Eyes Wide Shut" - a similar game wouldn't stand a chance of dodging the Ao bullet.

The fact is that by the MPAA's standards, GTA would still be an "R" rated project instead of higher "adult" ratings.