game ratings
Australia might not get an R18 thanks to Attorney General Atkinson
It seems that the situation in Australia concerning video games ratings isn’t getting better any time soon as the debate will be dragged along again by the South Australian Attorney General, Michael Atkinson.
We previously reported that the Australian government was soliciting public opinions concerning an R18 rating for video games. The government released a paper with arguments for and against the new ratings system so people would be informed before casting their vote. This seemed to be a fair and objective method for consulting the Australian population about an issue that affects them but, now, the whole thing will be moot thanks to Michael Atkinson.
Atkinson said that the public consultation isn’t fair and the anticipated overwhelming vote in favor will be biased because only gamers will vote. Additionally, Atkinson said that because he has received death threats and abusive emails he won’t change his posture on the subject…
Enforcing game ratings may be a waste of time
Do game ratings even matter if kids can get their paws on M-rated games either way? That’s what Cnet writer Don Reisinger contemplates in a recent editorial, and he concludes that the answer is a big fat “No.” Citing a recent survey that found that 17 percent of Grand Theft Auto IV buyers were under more »
Tanya Byron recommends game ratings overhaul in Britain
Dr. Tanya Byron, a clinical psychologist, who is heading an independent review into the ill effects of games and internet on kids, published a report on Thursday (March 27, 2008). In the report titled “Safer Children in a Digital World” she has made several recommendations regarding children’s safety in cyberspace and ways to keep them away from adult content.
She has recommended greater cohesion between the UK government, game industry and parents, and also prescribed a greater role for the British Board of Film Classification in assigning ratings to the game. She wants BBFC to assign rating to all games 12 and above…
Best Buy to start using some Common Sense (Media)
Best Buy has announced that it will begin using Common Sense Media’s video game ratings to help parents decide what games will be safe for their children to play. CSM is a nonprofit organization that rates media – movies, TV shows, web sites, books, DVDs, music and video games – using a combination of scales. more »
