Where Politics And Video Games Collide

The ESRB is superior to other ratings systems, because it is clear and insightful. They don't just stamp "T" or "M" on the box. They also include content warnings like, "Strong Sexual Content" and "Partial Nudity," or "Mild Violence" and "Blood and Gore." Unless you're illiterate, you should know what's in the game before buying it, simply by turning it over and reading the ESRB.

Of course, while the ratings are fine, the ESRB itself needs some work. They don't play the games all the way through (Oblivion got a Teen rating at first, even though it was obviously an M game), and they're too easily swayed by public outcry (the Hot Coffee incident was just shameful, they shouldn't have changed the rating).

The bigger problem with the Universal Rating system is that most of its backers are legislators. As in, governmentally run instead of independant and voluntary. This is just another way for the government to try and exert control over the gaming industry. If the ratings system was officially sanctioned, or run, by the government, they'd finally be able to pass laws based on that ratings system.

I don't agree with Universal Ratings, but I would only accept it if it was managed by an independant group and was voluntary (like the ESRB currently is).