ESRB: Time to change?

Last time, we reported on how Aaron Ruby, book author and writer for Next Generation, was disappointed with the ESRB System. He now gives his personal suggestions on how the system could be more effective to the buying public and less controlled by the people in the U.S. Gov.

1. Make the rating systems transparent, clear, and more in tune with the kind of media it is assigned to rate. In the article, he suggests that there should be a simpler rating system instead of having 5 categories of violence. He’s suggesting one with increasingly restrictive ratings.

2. Gameplay oriented rating methods. Last time, playing games before reviewing was presented as a viable suggestion, but some naysayers mentioned that going though WOW and EQII was impossible. Aaron recommends that the raters be allowed to access any part of the game under any kind of level. Cheat codes, level skipping, etc. would be useful under these circumstances.

3. Add technology to new-gen consoles/PCs that can restrict certain rated games from playing. The writer also complains that the three major next-gen consoles have not installed this parental control technology on their platform. He advices that the three giants focus more on cultural wars.

4. Institute a system of online privacy seals. Rather than just rate particular websites, the board should find a way to indicate games with online components to be privacy safe. This means that with all the hackers these days, most people can obtain personal info or can monitor online activity without your knowledge.

He ends his article by saying this: “To some a project like this may seem like rocket science, but in an industry chock full of rocket scientists, this is should hardly be an obstacle.” Well, do you think all of his suggestions are feasible or is he just aiming for something unreachable? Do you have other recommendations? You can discuss it here by commenting below.

Last time, we reported on how Aaron Ruby, book author and writer for Next Generation, was disappointed with the ESRB System. He now gives his personal suggestions on how the system could be more effective to the buying public and less controlled by the people in the U.S. Gov.

1. Make the rating systems transparent, clear, and more in tune with the kind of media it is assigned to rate. In the article, he suggests that there should be a simpler rating system instead of having 5 categories of violence. He’s suggesting one with increasingly restrictive ratings.

2. Gameplay oriented rating methods. Last time, playing games before reviewing was presented as a viable suggestion, but some naysayers mentioned that going though WOW and EQII was impossible. Aaron recommends that the raters be allowed to access any part of the game under any kind of level. Cheat codes, level skipping, etc. would be useful under these circumstances.

3. Add technology to new-gen consoles/PCs that can restrict certain rated games from playing. The writer also complains that the three major next-gen consoles have not installed this parental control technology on their platform. He advices that the three giants focus more on cultural wars.

4. Institute a system of online privacy seals. Rather than just rate particular websites, the board should find a way to indicate games with online components to be privacy safe. This means that with all the hackers these days, most people can obtain personal info or can monitor online activity without your knowledge.

He ends his article by saying this: “To some a project like this may seem like rocket science, but in an industry chock full of rocket scientists, this is should hardly be an obstacle.” Well, do you think all of his suggestions are feasible or is he just aiming for something unreachable? Do you have other recommendations? You can discuss it here by commenting below.