European politician urges game clampdown

Life could be about to get a bit tougher for gamers and retailers in Europe. European Union Justice and Security Commissioner Franco Frattini plans to introduce legal harmonisation across the EU's 27 countries to restrict the sale of violent video games to under-16s, reports Reuters.

The commissioner, who hails from Italy, believes that the current controls aren't working, and retailers do not check the ID of youngsters buying restricted games. He plans to present a proposal to justice ministers on ways to "harmonise sanctions" to retailers.

Frattini has made his feelings on games clear before, most recently with his comments on the planned European release of horror game Rule of Rose. As one of the key campaigners against the game's release, Frattini said, "These types of games are dreadful examples for our children." The game's planned November EU and Australian releases were subsequently cancelled.

Frattini said, "I do want to harmonise rules...punishing people illegally selling products, people not controlling and checking identity." But the Commissioner declined to specify how or when decisions would be made about which games should be prohibited.