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- FTC Study Shows Improvement in ESRB Enforcement
- Posted 4 days ago by Coop
A just-release study by the Federal Trade Commission has reported that sales of Mature rated games to minors is down to 20%, compared to 42% last year. This is fantastic news and should shut up at least some of the critics who are sure that the number is closer to a 100% success rate for minors (or, as Jack Thompson believes, 120%). The actual break down per store is below, and be sure to notice how low the sales numbers are in stores that actually cater to games, like Game Stop and Best Buy, as opposed to those who just happen to sell them, like Hollywood Video and Circuit City.
Game Stop/EB Games - 6%
Wal-Mart - 18%
Best Buy - 20%
Toys R Us - 27%
Target - 29%
Kmart - 31%
Circuit City - 38%
Hollywood Video - 40%
The only percentage that I actually find out of place is Wal-Mart’s, as I expected a store whose game section is so shoddily run to have a much higher number. The number’s sharp decline will hopefully continue, and with looming legislation making selling a Mature rated game to a minor a federal offense this news will hopefully quash the flames surrounding Grand Theft Auto IV’s release.
ESRB president Patricia Vance is enthusiastic about the findings, stating that “Video game retailers have clearly stepped up their efforts to enforce their store policies, and they deserve recognition for these outstanding results. We commend and applaud retailers for their strong support of the ESRB ratings, and will continue working with them to help ensure that these levels of compliance are sustained if not further increased.”
We will keep you posted on all of the ESRB related hijinks in the future, and good old Jack Thompson’s soon to be released “Nu-Uh! Numbers are wrong! I am right!” statement. I. Can’t. Wait.
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Jack Thompson speaks in third person now. You didn't know that about Jack Thompson? There's probably a lot you don't know about Jack Thompson. Jack Thompson thinks you should get to know Jack Thompson better....
Dear Jack Thompson,
Please kill yourself.
Love Sarah
Jack Thompson has actually responded. This is real. He said this to GamePolitics:
"I’m more than happy to take credit for the improvement. The threat of legislation has improved performance, not some altruism on the part of the Strauss Zelnick’s [or] the industry. To America’s parents: Jack Thompson is delighted to have helped."
Delusional much Jack?
i wonder how these compare to the numbers of cigarettes sold to minors, or tickets for r-rated movies sold to kids under 17...