A Minnesota Congresswoman has thrown her support behind the Annual Video Game Report Card issued this week by Dr. David Walsh and the National Institute on Media and the Family.
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) stood with Walsh on Tuesday while the NIMF executive director introduced this year's Report Card to the media. Also on hand were Senators Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and Betty Klobuchar (D-MN).
Speaking of the NIMF effort, McCollum said:
The gaming industry has clearly failed to learn its lesson here: The pattern of inappropriate content hidden in Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt is a violation of parents’ and families’ trust.
The first step to controlling inappropriate content is for the industry to earn that trust back.
To convince us they’re serious about protecting our kids from age-inappropriate content, the gaming industry should quickly embrace this Report Card’s recommendations to adopt a clearer, more universal ratings system, to always disclose content unsuitable for children, and to never market clearly adult games to younger audiences – either overtly or through hidden content revealed in convenient online "leaks."
McCollum, who parried with ESRB president Patricia Vance at NIMF's 2006 Video Game Summit, also announced this week that she will co-sponsor the Video Game Violence and Sexual Content Act of 2007. That bill, introduced by Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA) in July, would require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report to Congress on the effectiveness of the ESRB content rating system.
Rep. McCollum's full remarks here.
Comments
BTW, parents who let there little kids play Manhunt are stupid.
Or is she saying that the Industry, which is not a person, had learned its lesson then forgot?
Or am I just plain confused?
Surely parents shouldn't be buying GTA and Manhunt for their families anyway, regardless of hidden content?
Stupid cunt.
oh you fail so badly here. first of all, by rating manhunt and gta MATURE that means that they should only be accessible to ADULTS, how does that mean the ESRB hasn`t learned it`s lesson. The only person that`s failing here congresswoman, is you.
What she needs to do is shut her stupid know nothing mouth and wise up to realise that it's not the gaming industry's place to keep these games out of children's hands. It's up to retailers and most importantly the parents themselves. The gaming industry does it's part with the ESRB ratings which are more than adequate and in most cases more harsh than necessary (i.e. A Dog's Life rated Teen?!).
I also love how she refers to the AO version of Manhunt 2 being leaked as a way to market their games to children despite no one making money off of it and the fact that most children don't even know how to go about doing what is needed to get said games.
As for the hacks done to games, such as Manhunt 2, to remove filters and uncensenor the game, it is simply that: a hack, a, possibly illegal, modification of the original game design. Where were these people when the same thing was done to The Punisher? Which by the way, in a lot of ways, is more gruesome and violent than Manhunt. Another thing is that a lot of the "children" that they're "trying to protect" wouldn't even know about these exploits if they weren't constantly telling them about them themselves.
Also, these shots they take at the ESRB's ratings are ridiculous. They're far more descriptive than the movie industries ratings and the rating much easier to spot. With most movies you have to search the whole damn case just to find a small [R] symbol on the back of the case hidden away among a bunch of text no bigger than the bottom of a standard pen cap.
The government, this woman, and video game critics can all go to hell. They're idiots who know nothing about what they speak and only spout off about "saving the children" because they know it's an easy way to gain support from others. Also, if your child somehow got their hands on Mature rated games, it isn't the gaming industry who's failed, it's you as the parent who's failed. If you can't keep track of what your children are playing or what they're purchasing with money they somehow got then you are who to blame, no one else.
...What the... the heck? How much clearer can it GET? Do we need a large sticker on each package saying, "HEY DUMBASS, IF THE BOX ART WITH THE DUDE COVERED IN BLOOD HOLDING THE GUN AND THE BIG-"M" STICKER WASN'T ENOUGH OF A CLUE. DON'T BUY THIS GAME FOR LIL TIMMY."
....Actually, maybe they SHOULD make that sticker...
And since she clearly has just fraudulently accused Rockstar of intentionally "leaking" Manhunt 2's original AO version, I think she better get together her evidence and get a good lawyer because unless she does have such evidence that it was intentional, she should serve a couple of years prison time for fraud (the intentional lying and deceiving to deprive others of their finances (Take Two's/Rockstar's) as well as Rights (individual Freedom of Speech Rights as well as the Rights of Parents to make their own decisions regarding what is or is not appropriate for their own children).
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
People would still complain that the content exists, and that somehow because an experienced hacker unlocked content, all the other copies are magically unlocked.
I've said it before, i'll say it again. People are idiots.
What hidden content? There's been a stolen pre-release version put on the net, and some people figured out how to easily mod a graphic that really wasn't needed for an M rating. Neither of those is hidden content.
No, the first step in controlling inappropriate content is for parents to monitor their kids. The second step is parents enforcing limits on their kids, as well as teaching them so that when they older, there is no content that is inappropriate for them unless they personally chose to avoid it for some reason. Incidentally, I'm assuming you mean "inappropriate for young children" here, not inappropriate in general.
Working so hard? Judging but the inconsistencies between this years and years past, it doesn't seem that they worked hard enough.
At least she tossed parents into the mix. But really it should only be retailers and parents. Lawmakers and producers only in the sense that they should work hard to ensure that parents and retailers are properly educated and enforcing the ratings.
Hey something that makes sense!
Should have know that would not last long. The tools are already there lady.
Please show me the kids that know how to hardware hack their game console, transfer the ISO from the game disk to their computer. Hack the ISO to change the code needed and then transfer that hacked ISO back to their hacked game console to access that content.
You know, every time I hear a variation of the word "hide" in these statements, it makes me think that these people believe that Hot Coffee was done on purpose and that Manhunt 2 wasd meant to be hacked. Sorry lady that does not happen.
When you say "universal ratings system" do you mean NIMF's ratings system (whatever that is) or do you mean a better rating system from the ESRB? As for the rest of it, all content is already revealed to the ESRB. As Ms. Vance has already stated in the wake of the Manhunt 2 hack, the unblurred content was still in line with the M rating and was fully disclosed.
As for the "convenient online 'leaks'" you are implying that Manhunt 2 was leaked on purpose. That is absolutely false and the video game industry deserves a public apology. Any cheats and bug exploitations are the works of consumers with way to much time on their hands.
I am sorry that huge signs, easily accessible fliers, and employees flat out telling parents that the game they are trying to by for their 5 year old child is rated M and not suitable for the kid is not enough effort from the retailers. Perhaps parents need to take some effort themselves.
I am hopeful that parents will do everything in their power to keep unsuitable games away from their own children. If not maybe lawmakers should do something about bad parents.
Good luck with that Bill. You'll need it.
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
T is for Teen
M is for Mature
How hard is that to understand?
There was no hidden content in Manhunt 2, all it was was Hackers illieagly(sp?) removing the blur filter from the kills.
Apparently they think that something being under a blur constitutes "hidden". Never mind that the ESRB was well aware of what was under the blur, and still rated the game M, so it's not like it was hidden from them.
Let's continue to ignore the fact that both games are rated M and AREN'T FOR KIDS TO BEGIN WITH.
"...adopt a clearer, more universal ratings system..."
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the ratings system. It's basically the same system as the MPAA rating system. Actually, it's even simpler to understand. How much clearer can it possibly be? Beating people over the head with the game going "This is not for little Timmy!".
i cant help my self but pattern has two t's
anyways having a Act passed in congress is the first step to having censorship in the media NO BUENO
That "mature" business is to keep other people's children/grandchildren/nephews/nieces/godchildren/friend's children away. MINE are mature.
Then when some major story breaks, we must blame Rockstar and cause a fuss before somebody thinks of blaming us.
damn...
I believe you are the one that has failed on this subject. Violent games are not easily accessible to children. The most recent FTC report found that only 42 out of every 100 people under age 17 were able to buy M-rated games without parental consent. That is less than half the time. Another deterrent from children buying M-rated games are the parental controls in the XBox360, the PS3, and the Wii.
Your comments on the alleged pattern of game companies hiding content is nothing short of wrong. Rockstar got heavily punished and scruitinized for the Hot Coffee scandal. They have learned their lesson and would never intentionally do that act again. There was no hidden content in Manhunt 2 anyway. Those were blurred kills, which were not possible to remove without hacking into the game, which is illegal and too complicated for a child to do.
I agree with you when you say that parents need to be more involved in the games their kids play. However, it should be the parents and ONLY the parents that make those decisions. If those parents are either too leiniant or just don't pay attention to what their kids play, that in no way is the fault of the industry or the ESRB.
I find that your faith in the NIMF is a little disturbing. They have a long and documented history of lying and deception. Read this: http://www.d3dgames.com/bbb.html (whether this complaint went anywhere is not the point at this time).
The video game industry and the ESRB are doing a better job than the MPAA. The previous FTC reports show this. The ignorance of you and other politicans on this matter results in many bills passed that will be marked unconstitutional and cost the tax dollars, thousands of tax dollars, of the voters that put you in office or in your seat. All of the previous efforts to legislate againt the industry have failed. Let's not attempt another try, especially with the lies that you are putting out.
Wait, excuse me? First off how does the games of a singular company show the failures of the entire industry. Secondly this did not a violation of parents trust because ITS A MOTHER FUCKING M RATED GAME, DON'T BUY IT FOR YOUR KIDS YOU TOOLS. My god, its like buying a porno magazine for your kids then getting mad because there is violence in it.
"This porn is too violent for my children!"
Exactly, her statement is redundant. She blames the industry for the retailers' shortcomings. You don't sue Playboy just because a child manages to buy a copy from a gas station mart.
Also when ever I go to a store with games like best buy there is a sign that explains what the ratings mean. Usually its pretty big. Explaining to us what E, T, and M mean.
It seems like enforcing the safety of children is a new thing these days.
I can just see the day now. Police busting into your house with a warrent to arrest you because you are letting your kid play grand theft auto. And taking your kid away from you because other people know whats best for your child. Not their child your child. And once that child is safe from the evils of video games. They forget about them and move on to the next. The child taken away from there good parents grow up with out loving parents cause he is that problem child that played grand theft auto. He is a murderer in training. We don't want a child trained to kill by a video game.
On a serious note it just seems like there are alot of other things out there these people can be doing to help children. Yet they are wasting money on things like this.
For the ratings to get any clearer, Patricia Vance would have to personally stand in GameStop or whatever and smack parents in the face with an orange in a sock.
http://media.gtanet.com/illspirit/randompics/ratings_deathmatch.jpg
I don't see why publishers or the ESRB should be blamed for this.
This woman is claiming that two out of 6800 constitutes a "pattern?"
Oh yes, in case you're interested, of those 6800 titles 1929 were rated E whereas only 526 were rated M. Also, if this woman is actually interested in patterns in the game industry, in 2005 there were 597 E games, in 2006 there were 645 E games and so far in 2007 there have been 687 E games.
She's lying for political gain. It's disgusting.
ooh, orange, (drools) :-)
"Do not buy M rated games for you kids!"
My response: We are not stupid parents. But people who buy for their kids are idiots.
Just think, eventually there will be politicians who are gamers. Video games have become very mainstream and I think in the not too distant future we will see gamers who are also politicians.
I can see the smear campaigns coming already. "Jo Schmoe played Grand Theft Auto at age 15, he is not fit to be our Congressman! -Paid for By Luddites for America"
I think if we make it through the storm eventually things will change. I am not saying that justifies anything going on now.
Hidden content or not, the games clearly don't belong in the hands of children. An M rating isn't an invite for little kids to play violent games, it's basically one year behind the Adults Only rating.
If a parent bought their child an M rated game, I seriously doubt the AO rating is going to be a bigger obstacle for irresponsible parents to choose to ignore... sorry... 'not be aware of' because as we all know, parents are completely innocent in this, and are merely uneducated in how the very confusing rating process of the ESRB works.
E for Everyone
E10 for Everyone 10 and Up
T for Teen
M for Mature
AO for Adults Only
YOU'RE SPEAKING IN SOME KIND OF FOREIGN CODE ESRB! NO ONE IS ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THOSE RATINGS! IT'S PURE MADNESS.
If politicians really wanted to protect kids they'd put the punishment in the parents hands when the child has a violent game.
This is more proof that these people do not know a damn thing about the world of gaming. (or anything for that matter). These fools only want to look good in the eyes of others by spitting out lies about how they want to "save teh childrenz!1".
Two games out of many thousands wow. Also both games were made by rockstar so don't you think it's unfair to blame the entire industry for that?
There is so much ignorance in her paper that I'm not even going to bother to shift through it. Suffice it to say that she is blaming things on the wrong people and making a big issue out of minor problems.
She also advocates legislature and claims the industry markets violent games to children. Not that again.
That's the way I feel about a lot of the people in the "think of the children" crowd.
And the "convenient online leaks" comment? Does she really think that Rockstar released a pirated version of their own game? Now that's being ignorant.
I think it should be repeatedly pointed out that even with the unblurred ‘hidden’ content manhunt 2 still gets an M rating. It also already has a rating for intense violence so what difference does it make?
Agreed. It keeps bugging me that the counter arguments focus on the fact that it's a user mod, and not that the ESRB already accounted for what was under the blur in their rating.
she shows no understanding of the Manhunt2 events. how many kids really have the skill or will to alter the hardware and programing on their PSP just to see screens from a crap game.
shes needs to be put in her place by someone calling her out on these mis truths in the mainstream media.
thats one big problem with these politics is that the truth and our perspective are rarely represented to the mainstream instead all we get is crusaders and politicians who have no clue what their talking about and just want face time on tv and votes.
I really don't see why you need two different ratings systems.
Reduce the complexity and you reduce the misinformation and miscommunication.
It's not perfect, but it will reduce the amount of people who use the miscommunication of ratings as a political tool.
You'd think so, but I don't think the MPAA will switch to the ESRB ratings, or vice-versa. They are essentially the same though. E = G, E10+ = PG, T = PG13, M = R, AO = basically NC17
I mean this woman doesn't have the intelligence of a trained monkey so what the hell is she doing in a position of power???
"Ignorant Congresswoman hick writes:
The gaming industry has clearly failed to learn its lesson here: The pattern of inappropriate content hidden in Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt is a violation of parents’ and families’ trust."
Would you please point out what is hidden in Manhunt....
The pattern of you blabbing your mouth about things you know nothing about is just as clear as the pattern you speak about, because apparently, for you, a pattern is once since the creation of the industry...
""Ignorant Congresswoman hick writes:
The first step to controlling inappropriate content is for the industry to earn that trust back."
How??? By banning any and all games for a year? Would that make you feel better?
or should they just make good wholesome family movies like Hostel 2 or The Girl Next Door(2007 not the one with porn stars...)
"Ignorant Congresswoman hick writes:
To convince us they’re serious about protecting our kids from age-inappropriate content, the gaming industry should quickly embrace this Report Card’s recommendations to adopt a clearer, more universal ratings system, to always disclose content unsuitable for children, and to never market clearly adult games to younger audiences – either overtly or through hidden content revealed in convenient online “leaks.”"
I can't wait for you to attack the RIAA and the MPAA for "convenient online “leaks.”" of age inaproriete lyrics and movies on to the internet...
Sorry for calling her an ignorant Congresswoman hick, but I can't find any more words for her insane rant... well maybe that she is simply lying but I don't want to call her a lier since she seems like she actually believes what she said...