Create new account
Forgot password?

NEWS

ESA Wants App Store Games To Carry Ratings

Tom Ivan's picture

By Tom Ivan

June 9, 2009

  • Login or register to post comments

See also:

Related Articles:

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has said it would like to see App Store games carry ratings, and that it has reached out to Apple about classifying titles that appear on its platforms.

"… It's wise for (Apple) to make steps in that direction so that this is addressed up front and there is an environment that is hospitable to children and families," ESA president Michael Gallagher told reporters last week, according to Kotaku. "It would be wise to do that, we would welcome the opportunity to work with them, we are reaching out to encourage that."

Gallagher went on to acknowledge that it would prove problematic to rate all of the titles on the App Store.

"That doesn't mean that every entrepreneur, every software engine that is able to write code and put up an app on the App Store is going to go through this process. It simply says that if a game is rated it needs to pass through and be filtered appropriately by the controls that are on the iPhone," he said. "That would be a big step in the right direction and it is virtually friction free."

Alex Hardy's picture
On June 10th Alex Hardy said:

Apple have announced parental controls for iPhone OS 3.0 (due next week). Developers will be required to rate their own apps.

Indrema's picture
On June 9th Indrema said:

People are so quick to judge the ESRB.

It's not about the $2,500 fee - accurate, x 15,000 apps - equalling $37.5 million.

It's about making this device safe for families. Without ratings, kids would run amok on a device that stays in their parent's pockets, goes with them to work, & requires an adult's credit card for all game transactions. It's a veritable "Pandora's Box".

Jack_'s picture
On June 9th Jack_ said:

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has said it would like more money, and that it has reached out to Apple about classifying titles that appear on its platforms.*

E. Zachary Knight's picture
On June 9th E. Zachary Knight said:

The question is, who will rate them? The ESRB would be out of the question fro 90% of the game developers on the iPhone as they will not have the funds to get an ESRB rating.

I self labeling system could work if Apple cleans up their review process.