Video game ratings labeled a joke (OneNewsNow.com)

Video game ratings labeled a joke

Allie Martin and Jody Brown - OneNewsNow - 5/13/2008 8:00:00 AM

Grand Theft Auto game A former worker in the video game industry is calling on Congress to strengthen regulatory laws.

John Douglas began a career in the video game industry in the late 1980s, but in 1992 became a Christian and grew increasingly troubled by the violence contained in many of the games. In response to his growing concern, Douglas -- along with several friends -- formed Grand Design Productions, a company that produces family-friendly, faith-based entertainment.

But Douglas still has concerns about video game releases from other industry colleagues, and he contends that the recent release of Grand Theft Auto IV shows that the video game industry will not regulate itself. The former police officer points out that the game has received an "M" (Mature) rating, which means that anyone under the age of 17 years should not play the game.

But the success of that game, says Douglas, is proof that the distributors of violent and sexually explicit games target children and adolescents. Despite its controversial content, Grand Theft Auto IV grossed more than $500 million in global sales during its first week of release.

Douglas is especially critical of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), which assigns computer and video game content ratings. The current rating system, he says, is a joke.

"Currently the people rating these games for the ESRB don't even play these games," he laments. Instead, he explains, content reviewers watch a video submitted by the game's manufacturer, read a synopsis, then determine the objectionable content and the rating. "There's needs to be some kind of common-sense application that's put forth as to how these games are rated," he states.

According to Douglas, the industry also repeatedly fights any attempt to strengthen laws that would keep violent and sexually explicit games out of the hands of minors. Douglas also points out that although the game received an "M" rating, there is no law preventing the game from getting into the hands of children.

"Why isn't there a law to prevent it?" he asks rhetorically. "Because every time the state passes a law that says children cannot play these games, it's [labeled as] a crime," he continues. "The media coalition and the industry itself, they hire attorneys, they file an appeal, they find a judge, and they have it overthrown saying it's a violation of the First Amendment," says Douglas.

According to Douglas, the reason why the gaming industry will fight such laws is because violent video games are marketed to children and teenagers.

In a recent interview with Cornerstone TV, Douglas explained that the "photo-realistic" nature of modern, interactive video games essentially trains game players to "get better" at killing and maiming in an environment that is as close to reality as one can get. Players who get better through simulated "sadistic acts of brutality," he said, are rewarded for performing "acts of evil."