Seeking Other Sources for Video Game Ratings

Regarding “Debate Flares Anew Over Violence in Video Games,” Oct. 5:

If this weren’t such an important issue, I would find it laughable that the Entertainment Software Ratings Board claims that its video game ratings are a reliable way for parents to protect their children from violent content.

There are two fatal flaws -- not widely known but well known enough by those with a vested interest in the matter -- that make the current “on-pack” video game ratings system virtually worthless:

First, the ratings board is an arm of the Entertainment Software Assn., which is the lobby group for the video game developers.

As stated on the software association’s website, “The Entertainment Software Assn. is the U.S. association exclusively dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies that publish video and computer games for video game consoles, personal computers and the Internet.”

There is no mention of serving the public interest. These industry insiders are rating the very games they’re trying to sell. Some would call that a classic case of the fox guarding the henhouse.

Second -- and most alarming -- is that no one at the Entertainment Software Ratings Board actually plays the video games they rate. They rely on the gaming publishers to submit edited footage depicting the action in the video game.

This is why more and more parents are starting to rely on independent video game rating services (such as that offered by PSVratings) to help them decide whether a game is appropriate for their kids.

PSVratings can be accessed via www.familymediaguide.com. Additional ratings services can be found at www.independentratings.org.

David G. Kinney

Chairman, Coalition

for Independent

Ratings Services

CEO, PSVratings.com

Brentwood