If you walk into a game store or a retailer that sells games, chances are pretty good that the cases will harbor a sticker declared by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Ratings Board) that dictates its content rating. But they are not legally required--much like the MPAA ratings given to films, they're voluntary self-classification on the industry's part. Representative Jim Matheson (D-Utah) wants to get rid of that "voluntary" part.
Matheson introduced House Bill H.R. 287 on Monday, which would fine any person up to $5,000 per violation for: selling any game without a rating on its packaging, selling any game rated "Adults Only" to anyone under 18, or selling any game rated "Mature" to anyone under 17. The "Video Games Ratings Enforcement Act'' would also require retailers to clearly display information about the ratings within 180 days of its enactment.
AO-rated games are rare and many retailers are at least supposed to card customers buying M-rated games. But the bill would bring the U.S. in line with several European Union countries, including the UK, which have legislation requiring PEGI ratings on any games sold.
From the bill's text, it appears this could be used to prosecute smaller game creators for selling their projects online. So indie games releases could see a fine slapped on them and other games released on platforms like Steam could be in trouble as well.
What future does this spell out for games and the market for games?
-Daniel, Jedi Editor
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