December 4, 2007 -
ESRB president Patricia Vance (left) wasted little time in responding to criticism leveled against her organization by this morning's release of the National Institute on Media and the Family's annual Video Game Report Card.GamePolitics has received a statement from the ESRB which reads, in part:
...In many significant ways, this year's NIMF Report Card contradicts recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) findings related to parents' awareness, use and satisfaction with ESRB ratings, as well as retailer support of the ratings.
In addition, NIMF exhibits a significant lack of understanding of and, as a result, grossly misrepresents the facts surrounding last month's hack into pirated versions of Manhunt 2... At a time of year when parents are looking for helpful guidance about video games, this year's Report Card does little more than sow unwarranted doubt about effective tools like ESRB ratings.
The FTC's report... called the ESRB rating system "a useful and informative tool that parents increasingly use to help them make informed decisions about games for their children." Its nationwide survey of over 1,300 parents showed that nearly nine in ten parents with children that play video games are satisfied with the ESRB rating system, three in four use it regularly, 94% find the ratings easy to understand, and 59% never let their children play Mature-rated games.
The most recent FTC mystery shopper research concluded that "substantial" progress continues to be made by retailers to enforce their store policies regarding the sale or rental of M-rated games to those under 17...
Comments
BBFC: Government
There is a difference
Since when do independent regulators have a say in government?
The BBFC doesn't enforce the ratings it arrives at, local councils do. They also have the authority to overrule the ratings the BBFC decides. BBFC ratings don't have any weight on their own, and have been overruled before (Spiderman 2 was the most recent, I think, several councils dropped the rating from 12 to PG).
The primary difference I've noticed between the ESRB and the BBFC is that the BBFC comes down harder on violence, and is more lenient about sexual content.
same can't be said about the BBFC and the OFLC who are still government controlled.
It's a giant frickin' M. On the front of the box. C'mon.
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Talking to a wall?
They aren't going to come out and say "Well she makes a good point, let's go change the ESRB's grade shall we?"
what like Manhunt 2?
I've heard of these games you are referring to, and most of them have nothing to do with ESRB. Those games are usually just plain not considered by company for US release.
"...NIMF exhibits a significant lack of understanding..." really sums them up.
As for the ESRB/BBFC it is likely they are different concepts of what belongs in a game based on the society they represent. This is not bias it is common sense. And as mentioned some titles just do not go to different countries for various reasons which is Not part of thier review (or lack thereof) and likely expected sales.
If only politicians would keep their fingers out of the ESRB's pie. I know, I know they cannot seem to help themselves but at least should bloody well TRY.
Welcome to www.bbfc.co.uk – the official website of the British Board of Film Classification, the independent regulator of the film and video industry in the UK.
Now the OLFC... yeah, that is Government controlled.
It's one thing to be ineffective, it's another to actively promote the opposing side.
If they're independent, then why is Manhunt 2 banned in the UK?
I'm sure the NIMF means well, but they are only able to represent a fraction of the total parents, retailers, and market data, and they constantly lean towards whatever direction the wind blows. The score was low, because of Manhunt 2. If there was no Manhunt 2 scandel, the score would be netural or higher.
Manhunt 2? Pfft. It's a mediocre game anyway.
@IanC
Sanity does exist in people. You are one of a few.
Your point is taken.
I cannot say I am concerned about the BBFC. Curious yes. My feelings are more along the lines of "their ball, their yard, they rules". For myself I have no problems with the ESRB to date and the BBFC does not control my games.
I honestly did not know they did not have the civil liberties taken for granted here in the states. Rather not see a flame war over that issue either.
they should make it so all games that have content intended for an adult audience fall under a single rating. ive seen alot of M games that have content that is equal or if not worse than the stuff in an AO game, i dont see the point of keeping those games separate from each other in terms of rating.
Ha, I knew it. I've been hearing so much garbage relating to the ESRB's "unreliable" rating system and what-not, and the whole time I've been finding trouble fully believing it. I mean, I AM aware that there are parents who still don't pay attention or care but... eh...
I hear so much complaining from younger kids whose parents will not let them get any game higher than a T rating (M or AO). Especially when I play free, online FPS games on the 'net. Sometimes I'll read things like that.
...I even remember the time Prince of Persia went from T to M (why Ubisoft, why?). I heard mild complaints from those who have parents who refuse to get M rated games for their children.
Seconded. If you asked me to explain why, I couldn't be certain; but Pat Vance strikes me as damn near the consummate diplomat. As many times as there have been controversies in recent memory; I'll admit, I haven't always agreed with her logic and resoning, but her presentation is usually just shy of immaculate. The public statements are usually calm, heavily researched and quite logical.
I halfway want to elect the woman to congress, but then we'd get some wierdo running the ESRB!
What I meant in my statement was that if the BBFC was independent from the British government, then why is Manhunt 2 banned there?
I don't know exactly how the BBFC works with the British governemt if they do. If not...well, I've been wrong before.
Also the BBFC dosent use its 18+ level as much as it should I am sorry but at least you guys have a usable classification for adult/mature content Man hunt 2 should have been filed off to that and forgotten like the crap fest it is.
1. Research the game BEFORE you buy it. There are hundreds of review sites, and even video review podcasts.
2. Spend time with your child and watch what they play.
They both stem from a novel little idea called: PARENTING. I am so sick of lazy parents who want to regulate because watching their children in too hard for them.