@Jabrwock

That's what I'm saying. It is by far the most confusing and inconsistant industry ever! And we all know how damaging it can be for a young male to buy the wrong size outfit for a female he likes. A law to explain what the sizes mean (and maybe a standard to make clothing sizes more consistant too). That would serve all of our time better.

Violent images in video games don't effect anybody. The problem is that the older generation is in control of the government. They think it's horrible that video games are that violent. Let me tell you all how conservative they are. I've read, on the internet, that in 1979, a film called "The Warriors" came out and people thought it was so violent that they started complaining about it and after only a few weeks, Paramount allowed the theatres to remove it. I like to see very violent films, so I got it for Christmas on DVD and I watched it three nights ago. Although the film was far from nonviolent, it wasn't nearly as violent as I thought it would be. I have seen films that are far more violent than that.

That's the problem. Those same conservative people are the ones who control the government. I am a history major and I can tell you all that, in the 1920's, when films first came out, conservative people thought it was horrible and the film industry went through the same thing the video game industry is going through now. Eventually, the controversy over video games will go down. However, I am curious. What is it with New York? They seem to attack violent video games more than anyplace else.

The idea that these games are harmful, in any way, shape, or form is irrational. Images on a screen have no power over anybody because they're not real. Even disturbed people probably aren't effected. People, who are disturbed, don't have to learn how to be disturbed. The idea that these images on a screen have power is obsurd. Images on a screen are NOT real and, therefore, have no power and there is absolutely no reason for the government to be involved in this. The government needs to realize that images on a screen are fake and can't effect anybody.

Also anti-game activists say that these games help people to become more efficient killers. That's BS and I know it from years of playing. I don't know how to kill and those games haven't taught me CRAP. It's just a game and it doesn't teach anything about anything to anyone. The government needs to realize that violent images on a screen are innocent and don't teach people anything about killing. Jack Thompson is making that up to get fame and money for himself. All these anti-game activists are basing their lies on a childish idea that images on a screen can effect people. It's fantasy and fantasy has nothing to do with reality.

Living in Nassau County is far more damaging to a child then any video game.

All the legislation in the world won't make 99% of the parents who buy their kids games any less retarded.

As others, I have no true problem with this, besides the fact that alot of game retailers, Wal Mart, Meijer, Gamestop, EB Games, well, they already do this, and parents STILL somehow miss it. Honestly, the entire back wall of a game store can be clearend off, and have a giant ESRB mural painted on it and it still wouldn't make a dent in the shell of ignorance surrounding some peoples minds. Still, better than another proposed ban.

//Parents are busy and the information they need to make informed decisions to better protect their children is not readily available. Many parents are unaware of the video ranking system, and do not know what level of content is associated with each rating.The rating level printed on the cover of the game is not enough. Requiring retailers to clearly post the ratings information will provide parents with all available information and allow them to better protect their children from the violent and gratuitous behavior displayed in many video games.//

While this can help, this is sort of a double-edged sword.

On one hand, if anyone complains about the rating on a game that they got for their children, all they have to do is go to the store, and if they have the ESRB rating system sign up, then their point is null and void and deserved to be slapped.

However, on the other, it makes it seem as if the game industry and ESRB don't do enough to reinforce the already placed system. Some could say that "now it be official: that damn box be der fine prints!" or some s*** like that.

Hopefully, I just hope that this means that more people will be slapped hard in the head when they start bitching about the ratings.

@Salen

Honestly, other than just putting up a "here's what 'R' means vs PG" poster at the theatre itself, I can't recall much of a PR campaign...

@neoelasticman

It's the focusing on video games that irks me. If a parent can't be bothered to flip over the box, I can hardly see why it's the industry's fault. I'm all for providing information to those who care, but to those who don't, no amount of information will help.

As for the "what game is right for my kid", it's really subjective. That's why the ratings are just a guide. Many parental magazines and websites offer more detailed advise based on your kid's likes/dislikes, their maturity level, what level of content you personally are willing to tolerate, etc. There isn't a "one size fits all".

The best thing a parent can do is ask for advice, and talk to people about it. Just like how they check out reviews of movies and look in the TV guide or press the info button on the TV remote, there's plenty of information spilling the beans on what the content of a game is.

The trick is getting those who are uninitiated past the "games are just for kids" hurdle. Once they acknowledge that games (like cartoons) can have adult themes, then they'll look at the box to check out the content. It's the willfully ignorant ("oh, he'll play whetever, as long as it's fun I don't care") group that need prodding. Sometimes if I'm bored I'll stand by the games wall in Walmart and educate the parents who are staring blankly at the titles...

Totally not against this law, just because most of the places I go to buy games have the ESRB poster already posted somewhere on the many shelves of games. But really, if the parents aren't even going to care to look at the game box to see the ESRB sticker thats already on there that labels whats in the game, I don't see how posting the ESRB up on a sign is gunna be a much bigger help.

How did they do this with the movie industry? I mean, I know Lucas helped get the whole PG-13 rating added back in the 80s, but at some point, there had to have been some guys who said "Hey, we should label our movies with ratings and then tell folks about them". I'd be interested to see what they did verses what the ESRB has to do in order to 'get the word out'.

The problem isn't that parents don't get the ESRB. This law accomplishes nothing.

The problem is that some parents want to know how a T-Teen game can have a "blood" and "language" warning. And an M-Mature game can also have a "blood" and "language" warning. And where the line is drawn. How much blood in each? What kind of language? The ESRB can't fit this in the box. But we can fit it in a website.

That said, this really amounts to a law that HELPS the ESRB. Right now the ESRB is nervous about rival ratings systems. CommonSense Media has one, GamerDad.com has one, and there are rumors that retailers are thinking about developing their own. Making the ESRB ratings something retailers HAVE to post is a good thing for the ESRB.

Not saying that's a bad thing. The ESRB does a great job in my opinion (we've only disagreed with them twice - on Halo and Oblivion). Just reinforcing the obvious, that this is an example of a law the ESA & ESRB are naturally behind.

"Both Republicans and Democrats are becoming big government these days. Game legislation is a fine example of this, as members of both parties are rallying to the defence of “The children”. "

I agree. Being republican and wanting "less government" like your party USED to stand for is somewhat opposed to what the party stands for these days. When you factor in greed for money and power everyone wants more government (and asinine political correctness.)

That being said..Truly the video game/retail industry should do these things without them being laws. Head it off at the pass so to speak. I'm not saying this because I'm uniformed. I'm saying this because OTHER people are. Appeal to the lowest common denominator. You can't expect people as a whole (ie "the mob") to be as attentive as you or I would be. That's expecting to much.

While I agree that more information to parents is good, I'm getting sick and tired of being labelled by these politicians as a clueless idiot who stumbles into a store, stares blankly at the shelves, and grabs the "#1" game without bothering to look at the package before shoving it and my kid into the basement.

Then again, I know from experience years ago in fast food, that when people (not just parents) are in that clueless state, they don't look at pamphlets, posters, or even signs blocking their path. These same people look quizzically at "CLOSED" on the door, and still try yanking the handle, and peering in through the windows, sometimes even knocking, as if I'll magically put down the mop and come over and let them in, even though the lights are off. Or they'll sit in complete darkness in the drive through, saying "hello?" at the speaker for 5 minutes or more (yes this happened a lot at closing), before finally driving off. They'll walk right past "NO CHICKEN" signs, look right at the "NO CHICKEN" sign on the menu and till, and still actually ask me if they can have a chicken burger, and am I sure they can't have chicken, oh, I didn't see the signs... At which point my arm twitches as I fight the urge to slap them...

Hey if there is anything anyone can do to help parents not be complete idiots go for it. Though I doubt they would pay attention to the content of games if it danced naked in front of them anyways....

...sometimes that is the case too

I have just one question: What is "gratuitous behavior", and why should children be protected from it?

Oh the children, i swear they will be the downfall of this planet. Any way, to the topic at hand. It seems like a good idea on paper, but there is no garentee that parents will still take there time to read the posted ESRB ratings. But from what i'v seen from working at toys r us, parents seem to have a good grip on the ratings system as it is now. It's only a select few that seem to have a problem with it, the bulk of that minority being the elderly and/or just plain dumb people. Also most people if they are unshure about the rating of the game, they are pritty good about asking for advice. But i'm shure the posted ratings should help someone.

"Typical Democrats and their love of big government. That said, this particular law isn’t too odious."

Both Republicans and Democrats are becoming big government these days. Game legislation is a fine example of this, as members of both parties are rallying to the defence of "The children".

This gives me a little bit of a "Parents are too busy to take care of their kids, so let's do their job for them" vibe. Although this one really isn't too bad.

I'm sure this is repetitive, but there's these things, on the back of the box...

Sorry for the double post, but I think we should force clothing retailers to post signs explaining what the different sizes mean. Really what is an L? Or what's a 0? Or what's a 32 B cup? Seriously! If we help understanding:
E, E10, T, M, AO (especially when it says right on the lable what that stands for) then why cant we have something to explain clothing sizes?

Confusing and inconsistant ever?

Watch the computer industry try to adopt a new standard.

Standards are for the week and the unadventurous.

fdhgffdhhh