Parents reminded to view video game ratings; Grand Theft Auto IV controversy

“Grand Theft Auto IV” sold 6 million copies in its first week. Parents whose kids are begging them to buy what has quickly become the most popular video game or other games, for that matter, are reminded to read ratings to ensure that content is suitable for their children.

Attorney General Rob McKenna issued a news release today, after the office received a couple of complaints from consumers concerned about violent and sexually explicit content in popular video games. “A Washington state law requires retailers to inform consumers about video game ratings,” he said. “Parents need to be aware that some of the most popular games contain content that is potentially harmful for youth and may be deemed offensive. A rating of ‘M’ for mature can include intense violence and sexual scenes.”

“Grand Theft Auto IV” follows an immigrant-turned gangster on crime missions around a fictional city. Like its predecessors, the new version permits players to kill characters and is rated “M". Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is protesting the game because of a drunk-driving sequence. A Miami Herald game reviewer writes:

It has already stirred up familiar voices calling the game out for portraying graphic violence, gyrating strippers, prostitutes, drugs, alcohol, crime, mayhem and murder. And it's true - the game has all these things and more. That's why it's rated for players age 17 and older. "GTA IV" isn't kids' stuff, and doesn't pretend to be.

Video games are rated as follows by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, a self-regulatory entity supported by the entertainment industry:

	EARLY CHILDHOOD Titles rated EC (Early Childhood) have content that may be suitable for ages 3 and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate.
	EVERYONE Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.
	EVERYONE 10+ Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.
	TEEN TEEN Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.
	MATURE Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
	ADULTS ONLY Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
	RATING PENDING Titles listed as RP (Rating Pending) have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. (This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release.)