Ethical Dilemmas -- Page 4
- October 31, 2005 17:10 PM PST
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What's more, a whopping 95% state they find the system helpful. Nine out of ten are further confident that these ratings accurately describe game content. Feedback speaks highly towards raters' ability to assign ratings too; 83% of the individuals surveyed agree with their findings.
Many developers heap praise on the organization as well.
"The ESRB doesn't dictate morals to America," says Desi, whose own darkly satirical shooter Postal 2 ranks among the rudest and crudest of games. "They just present some information/general guidelines and let consumers make up their own minds. If you're up-front with them, they're extremely easy to work with."
Tecmo general manager John Inada concurs. "It's easy to abide by ESRB regulations," he says. "They're reasonable."
At the very least, much more so than the alternative, say opponents of governmental oversight.
Foreign software ratings boards such as Germany's USK and Australia/New Zealand's Offices of Film and Literature Classification can impose hefty fines or even jail time against offenders who sell mature content to minors.
But such heavy-handed measures ignore questions concerning citizens' fundamental freedoms. Argue critics: shouldn't it be parents who have the final say over what's safe for their kids to consume?
"If the government is allowed to regulate freedom of speech in such a manner, the First Amendment isn't worth the paper it's printed on," says Doug Lowenstein, president of the ESA. "You can't enforce censorship based on arbitrary views."
"Once we start regulating videogames, comic books, and television," he cautions, "who's to say we don't begin banning depictions of gay lifestyle next because someone doesn't approve? You can see where this road leads..."
Nor has it been scientifically proven that Japan's CERO or Europe's PEGI rating systems -- similar in design to the ESRB's icon/descriptor-driven model -- are any more effective.
So regardless of certain political rivals' and even publishers' vocal opposition, one thing's obvious... evidence indicates that, while theoretically in need of improvement, the organization and its signature ratings system aren't going anywhere soon.
"It's easy to attack the ESRB given recent events," says Lowenstein. "But ask yourself honestly. Movies, TV... all are subject to self-regulation. Even music's rated directly by the record labels. Why are videogames the only form of entertainment people suddenly deem fit to criticize?"
-Scott Steinberg is a contributing editor for GamePro magazine and GamePro.com
For GamePro's complete guide to ESRB ratings, please click here.
For the best in holiday games and recommendations, visit the Games.net Holiday Gift Guide.
