Where Politics And Video Games Collide

I think the motivation behind the "unrated games" isn't merely an issue of games that preceeded the ESRB rating system. The bill can really only control brick and mortar retailers. So even free games or online independants may be excluded for the most part.

It's more likely an attempt to do something about "pre-orders". However, if that is the case, then it's further evidence of lack of intelligence on the part of the creators of this bill.

A game that is "RP" can still be pre-ordered from a variety of sources. No actual product is delivered into the hands of the person doing the pre-order. In most, or at least many cases, a retailer that has an age limit policy will require ID to actually receive the item. It's also true that in most, if not all cases, by the time of publish and delivery of the title to the retailer, the ESRB has officially rated the product.

Therefore, that section of the bill is nothing more than a political stunt to misinform the general public about the issue of ESRB ratings as well as a sign of the lack of knowledge and comprehension on the parts of the politicians on the subject of video games and their nature (industry, content, effect, etc).

nightwng2000
NW2K Software