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Dr. Tanya Byron’s UK government-backed video gaming study recommends that video games have ratings similar to those used in the film industry, based on a statutory requirement, rather than the current voluntary system being used. If Dr. Byron’s rating system is adopted, it could greatly affect the types of games available - in addition to the possibility that some are released after the content has been tampered with to some degree.
As an immediate measure, Neil Thompson, Senior Regional Director of Microsoft’s Entertainment Division for the UK and Ireland, issued a statement that in essence, welcomed the measures related to games ratings and Internet safety.
While no one disputes the importance of safeguarding children, there always seems to be a consumer advocate group ready to pounce on any creative endeavor that can easily be blamed for corrupting children or the general ’demise of the civilization.’
There is some concern that impending games, such as GTA IV - may suffer in some way, in terms of the kind of release it will be allowed to have or in its content. However, there is likely no way that any government will be in a position to amend the classification system in such a short period of time in order to affect GTA IV. Of course, future games are another matter entirely.
No serious gamer wants to see large parts of exciting gameplay clipped by an over-zealous censor, as it would greatly impact the whole experience of gameplay, which defeats the purpose of playing games in the first place.
It would also seem that if the government or any company is seriously considering adopting rules that will dictate what content is released and by what methods, a much more independent study should be initiated first, rather than devising a system based upon the suggestions of a clearly biased review board.
Basically, no amount of scrutiny or interference by any outside agency is going to matter much, if parents do not step in and take responsibility for raising their own children.
It is really ultimately the job of parents to monitor a child’s usage of the social networking, video sharing and game playing web sites, that Dr. Byron recommended be independently monitored.
As an immediate measure, Neil Thompson, Senior Regional Director of Microsoft’s Entertainment Division for the UK and Ireland, issued a statement that in essence, welcomed the measures related to games ratings and Internet safety.
While no one disputes the importance of safeguarding children, there always seems to be a consumer advocate group ready to pounce on any creative endeavor that can easily be blamed for corrupting children or the general ’demise of the civilization.’
There is some concern that impending games, such as GTA IV - may suffer in some way, in terms of the kind of release it will be allowed to have or in its content. However, there is likely no way that any government will be in a position to amend the classification system in such a short period of time in order to affect GTA IV. Of course, future games are another matter entirely.
No serious gamer wants to see large parts of exciting gameplay clipped by an over-zealous censor, as it would greatly impact the whole experience of gameplay, which defeats the purpose of playing games in the first place.
It would also seem that if the government or any company is seriously considering adopting rules that will dictate what content is released and by what methods, a much more independent study should be initiated first, rather than devising a system based upon the suggestions of a clearly biased review board.
Basically, no amount of scrutiny or interference by any outside agency is going to matter much, if parents do not step in and take responsibility for raising their own children.
It is really ultimately the job of parents to monitor a child’s usage of the social networking, video sharing and game playing web sites, that Dr. Byron recommended be independently monitored.
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