date: 10 Dec 1998
This article appeared in USA Today on the 2nd December:
(Page 09D - Copyright 1998)
"Most electronic games played on personal computers and
console game systems now carry accurate content ratings, say two senators
who
were instrumental in the game industry's voluntary rating systems.
But game companies continue to use violence to target young children
through
game marketing and Net-based gaming sites, says Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis.,
who five
years ago with Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., began a campaign for game
ratings. "There are still a few manufacturers that just don't get it,"
Kohl
says. He pointed out ads for games Dead in the Water and Project Overkill
and
action figures for Duke Nukem and Resident Evil as attempts to aim kids
toward
games rated for mature audiences.
The senators' report issued thumbs-up for all ages to games such as Crash
Bandicoot: Warped, Banjo-Kazooie and Starship Titanic . Cautionary
approvals
were given to these games as being suitable for teens: Grim Fandango,
Legend of
Zelda and Tekken 3. For mature audiences only: BioFreaks, Metal Gear
Solid and
Unreal.
Copyright c 1998 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Ken Gordon of Simon & Schuster adds: " I've always thought it's a great family title - not a kids' title per
se, but one of very few games that adults and children can play together and
enjoy... Like the best of the Disney films that offer something for
both the kids and the parents to enjoy...Just my two cents".