"Yet in one instance, the game 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' had hidden content with scenes of explicit sex. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission found that video games labeled 'Mature' routinely were marketed to children under 17. Our goal is to ensure that parents have information on the content of their children's games and that these children are protected from inappropriate content and marketing."
Pfft, it's not like a game called Grand Theft Auto would have anything illegal or unsavory or even anything a parent might want to keep an eye on or talk to their child about. Jeeze. That's like expecting a parent to think about not buying their kid a fifth of Jack.
All this over one instance? An instance that is still questionable as to the actual "intent" of the hidden content. It's clear to me that often times, the politicians that are addressing the issues are clueless as to the actual facts and nature of what they're dealing with. Do they bother to review the specifics of the "Hot Coffee" incident? Did anyone bother to determine the plausibility of the argument? In other words, is there any scientific or legal evidence to support that there is a problem here in the first place? Are parents really not informed, and are kids really at risk of anything? It's just another "feel good" campaign - B.S.
I'm still searching for the meaning of "...routinely marketed to children under 17." as well. That's quite an alegation.
Re: Just out of curiosity...crimson_mageJune 14 2006, 20:05:01 UTC
Yeah, overall, I feel that Kim Thompson will do more good for the ESA's side in this little pow-wow than she'll do harm. HSPH's findings might be nice sound-bytes for Thompsons of kookier persuasions, but the line that Dr. Thompson is plugging (as she did in a TV interview I saw earlier today), that the ESRB should actually play the games it rates, sounds agreeable and doesn't give much encouragement to opportunistic bill-happy politicians. It's also a course of action that I've been convinced of ever since I took a proper look at the issue.
The nearest thing I could think of them doing as "Marketing to children" would be to put an add in a magizine that just happened to feature kid friendly games that month...
I'm disappointed to see so few pro-games people on this list. Although they only talk about awareness I doubt that's the only thing that will come from this and I don't think the sides are fairly represented.
"Yet in one instance, the game 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' had hidden content with scenes of explicit sex." Err, hello? Ive seen worse in a PG film.
I better see some discussion on content in television then considering there are some shows on channels like FX and TNT that makes Hot Coffee look like a skit on Sesame Street.
Comments 39
Reply
Sounds to me like they can skip the meeting.
Seriously though. WHERE are these kids' parents?!
Reply
Reply
"Yet in one instance..."
All this over one instance? An instance that is still questionable as to the actual "intent" of the hidden content. It's clear to me that often times, the politicians that are addressing the issues are clueless as to the actual facts and nature of what they're dealing with. Do they bother to review the specifics of the "Hot Coffee" incident? Did anyone bother to determine the plausibility of the argument? In other words, is there any scientific or legal evidence to support that there is a problem here in the first place? Are parents really not informed, and are kids really at risk of anything?
It's just another "feel good" campaign - B.S.
I'm still searching for the meaning of "...routinely marketed to children under 17." as well. That's quite an alegation.
Reply
Reply
I confess to little knowledge of Buckleitner (i'll have to rectify that)
Reply
Reply
Reply
I'm disappointed to see so few pro-games people on this list. Although they only talk about awareness I doubt that's the only thing that will come from this and I don't think the sides are fairly represented.
Reply
Are they ever?
Reply
Err, hello? Ive seen worse in a PG film.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment