Governments Stepping up Gaming Regulation

After declaring that Soldier of Fortune is so violent that its sale will be regulated in the same way as the sale of adult movies, the government of British Columbia revealed yesterday that it plans to develop its own legally binding game rating system. According to a Reuters report, the rating system is intended to provide more information for parents buying or renting games for children and to institute a mandatory enforcement mechanism to ensure that retailers do not make violent games available to kids below a specific age.

This is the first challenge by a North American government to the ratings system that the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) established in 1994. Though the ESRB was originally intended to pre-empt government regulation, British Columbian officials do not think it goes far enough. "I think many parents would be shocked as to what the industry considers 'mature' as opposed to 'adult,'" said Andrew Petter, the attorney general of British Columbia.

The Canadian Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA) questions the practicality of independent ratings systems. From 1994 to 1998 alone, the ESRB tested and rated over 5000 software products. Only 7 percent of those received a 'mature' rating.

In a separate action, a major US city is taking steps to make sure those under 18 don't play violent arcade games. The mayor of Indianapolis, Bart Peterson, signed a city ordinance Monday that will require games containing graphic violence or strong sexual content to be clearly marked and separated from other games. Arcade owners must place the restricted games least ten feet away from other gaming machines, with a curtain or wall obstructing the view of minors. It has not been revealed which games will be included in this category. The ESRB does not rate arcade games.

The mayor defended the law by saying this was just an extension of existing arcade game regulation. "Without a city permit, you cannot display, or make available for use, a video game. So that gives us the authority to say that if you're going to display them, you've got to display them a certain way."

Starting September 1, Indianapolis businesses can be fined US$200 per day per violation. An AP report suggests that game industry groups are considering legal action against the city.