We couldn t agree more. However, the video industry also has a responsibility to help parents by clearly labeling products marketed to children that are based on adult games. Pober s response is that the industry is now sponsoring a public relations campaign to educate parents about the ratings system. The industry needs to act responsibly to stop the merchandising of adult fare to children, and to clearly label gateway games for what they are. The ratings system needs to be refined and improved.
Parents deserve more than a public relations campaign.
If each sector of society points the finger at the other, we will get nowhere. Evidence presented last week at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing indicates that several top companies are aiming adult-rated movies and video games with high dosages of murder and mayhem at young teenagers. This is unethical and unacceptable. The final report is due out in about a year. We ll report on the findings as soon as they are released.