Following both the States of Georgia and Washington, New York State county, Nassau, enacted a law requiring video game retailers to post signs explaining the ERSB rating system.
Source: GamePolitics.com
Western Australia Adopts Tough Video Game Law
Western Australia passed the Government’s Censorship Amendment Bill last night, enacting a $5,000 fine to sell or rent MA-15 plus-rated video games (the equivalent of a mature-rated release over here) to a minor. It’s currently unknown whether any legal action will be taken to try and reverse the decision.
Sources: 1Up.com | Yahoo! News Au | ABC (Australia) NewsOnline | GamePolitics.com
China Cracks Down On Game-related Internet Cafes
The Chinese government has introduced new legislation setting tighter restrictions on Internet cafes and entertainment content, including video games, according to an Associated Press report. New regulations prohibit teenagers from entering Internet cafes or karaoke bars, deeming them unfit and potentially corrupting environments for students.
Sources: GamaSutra | GameIndustry.biz | 1Up.com | joystiq
Second Japanese Prefecture Restricts Grand Theft Auto III
The Japanese prefecture of Saitama, which neighbors Tokyo, has become the second local government in Japan to ban the sale of Grand Theft Auto III to anyone aged under eighteen, according to Japanese online reports.
Source: Gamasutra
Related Posts:
- Japan to Introduce Revised CERO Ratings System (February 17, 2006)
- Second Japanese Prefecture Restricts Grand Theft Auto III (September 20, 2005)
- Japanese Retailers Enforce Restrictions on 18-Rated Games (July 19, 2005)
- Japanese Prefecture Restricts Grand Theft Auto Sales (May 31, 2005)
Japanese Retailers Enforce Restrictions on 18-Rated Games
The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association, the Japanese counterpart to the ESRB, has announced a voluntary program to prevent the sale of games rated 18 to minors. The program is seen partially as a preemptive move to cancel possible governmental restrictions in the wake of Kanagawa prefecture’s labeling of Grand Theft Auto III as banned to minors under the legislature.
Sources: Gamasutra | Gamespot | Gamespot (earlier June 27 story)
Related Posts:
- Japan to Introduce Revised CERO Ratings System (February 17, 2006)
- Second Japanese Prefecture Restricts Grand Theft Auto III (September 20, 2005)
- Japanese Retailers Enforce Restrictions on 18-Rated Games (July 19, 2005)
- Japanese Prefecture Restricts Grand Theft Auto Sales (May 31, 2005)
Japanese Prefecture Restricts Grand Theft Auto Sales
Officials from the Japanese prefecture (an organisation of local government roughly equivalent to a U.S. state) of Kanagawa have banned stores from selling or renting the game Grand Theft Auto III to anyone under the age of 18.
Sources: Gamasutra | Capcom’s June 8 Response
Related Posts:
- Japan to Introduce Revised CERO Ratings System (February 17, 2006)
- Second Japanese Prefecture Restricts Grand Theft Auto III (September 20, 2005)
- Japanese Retailers Enforce Restrictions on 18-Rated Games (July 19, 2005)
- Japanese Prefecture Restricts Grand Theft Auto Sales (May 31, 2005)
Manitoba to Restrict Video Game Rentals to Minors
Under the new Manitoba law, a retailer who sells or rents a video game marked Adults Only to anyone under 18 can be hit with a fine of $5,000. Games marked Mature, such as the Grand Theft Auto titles, will not be available to anyone under 17.
Sources: CTV | Fradical.com | Manitoba Press Release
Related Posts:
- No Complaints About Manitoba’s Video Game Law (September 19, 2005)
- Manitoba to Restrict Video Game Rentals to Minors (May 9, 2005)
- New Ontario Video Game Retail Sales Law (March 14, 2005)
New Ontario Video Game Retail Sales Law
On March 7, 2005, the Ontario Film Review Board adopted the ESRB classifications. As a result it is now an offence to sell, rent or publicly exhibit video and computer games classified as “Mature” or “Adults Only” to persons apparently under the age of 18 years. If convicted, individuals may face up to $25,000 in fines or imprisonment for a term of not more than one year or both. Corporations are liable for fines up to $100,000.
Sources: GamePolitics.com | Fradical.com | Ontario Film Review Board Press Release
Related Posts:
- No Complaints About Manitoba’s Video Game Law (September 19, 2005)
- Manitoba to Restrict Video Game Rentals to Minors (May 9, 2005)
- New Ontario Video Game Retail Sales Law (March 14, 2005)