ESA responds to Truth in Ratings Act

Like any federal game legislation, "Truth in Video Game Rating Act", recently introduced by Rep. Cliff Stearns' (R-FL), raised a few eyebrows in the gaming industry.

Among other things, the act would require the Entertainment Software Ratings Board to review the content of a game "in its entirety" before providing a rating. Currently, the ESRB rates games based on a video tape of each game's most objectionable content, as determined and compiled by the publisher submitting it for review.

An ESRB representative told GameSpot that the board isn't commenting on the proposed legislation, but Entertainment Software Association president Douglas Lowenstein is not so tight lipped on the subject.

"We share chairman Stearns' commitment to the continued effectiveness and accuracy of the ESRB's ratings system," Lowenstein said in a statement. "However, as introduced, we do not believe his legislation will serve consumers and parents. For example, the proposal that every video game be played through in its entirety before a rating is issued means that the only people rating games will be professional gamers with the skills necessary to play through games that can take more than 100 hours and who are not likely to be representative of the mainstream American parent."

Another part of the bill calls upon the US general comptroller to study possible alternatives to the ESRB, including a universal ratings system that would also cover movies, music, and TV. Lowenstein didn't address the prospect of a universal ratings system directly, but he did stick up for the ESRB.

"It is not broken," Lowenstein said of the ratings system. "Neither is it perfect, and we are always exploring ways to ensure it retains the respect it has earned from American families. We look forward to working constructively with chairman Stearns and his colleagues on these issues in the weeks ahead."