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Is the ESRB Broken?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the fixit-fixit-fixit dept.

Prompted by Senator's Brownback's legislation, an interesting discussion is taking place on the ESRB, and gaming related politics. Next Generation offers up a damning look at the ESRB, wherein author Aaron Ruby says that the organization is 'incapable of effectively communicating with consumers, nor of fending off attacks from the industry's many critics.' At the Sony Online 'Station Blog', SOE's John Smedley retorts, saying that an industry-wide mentality is to blame for the ESRB's precarious position. Meanwhile, EGM's editor Shoe has some choice words on claims the organization shouldn't have to 'play through' every game that comes to market. From this last piece: "Sure, you usually can't see 100% of a game on an average playthrough. But I guarantee if you get three guys to sit down and finish every product, you can learn a lot more about what these games contain than from watching a bunch of highlight reels, which, remember, are edited by companies who have huge stakes in what the ratings turn out to be -- talk about conflict of interest!"

2 of 88 comments (clear)

  1. Penny-arcade critique by Trevelyan · · Score: 5, Informative

    Censorship made easy

    1. Re:Penny-arcade critique by kfg · · Score: 5, Insightful

      All rating systems are inherently broken, Not just the ESRB. They are all based on giving a thumbnail description of what somebody else is second guessing you will find offensive.

      The only true record of content is an exact copy of the content. If you wish to find out if the content will offend you, you will have to risk being offended by viewing it yourself. Them's the breaks.

      If you have some special thin skinned needs to be met the ESRB ratings aren't the only ones available. Many special interest groups produce their own reviews and rating systems. They aren't printed on the box, but you can still read 'em before you buy.

      In a world where everyone has a "right" to not be offended everyone will have duct tape over their eyes, ears and mouths.

      And what is the rating for those of us who are offended by that concept? Wal-Mart does not label the bowdlerized content they sell as such. Stamping a big, red "B" on 'em might be nice, to let me know to avoid them and go off in search of a true copy.

      In future we might see somthing like an "L" rating; for "Libre."

      Warning! Warning! This media is a free speech zone. We make no guarantees against its content. Use entirely at your own risk.

      You might be surprised to find that I do not welcome that day, because I have always thought of that as the default.

      KFG