Ratings

Open Internet Ratings Provider Quantcast Raises $5.7 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 22, 2007 - 4:05pm.

San Francisco - Quantcast, a provider of open Internet ratings data, has raised $5.7 million in its first round of financing, led by The Founders Fund and Revolution Capital, PEHub.com reported.

Retailer GameStop Launches "Respect the Ratings" Campaign

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 8, 2006 - 2:20pm.

Grapevine, Texas - GameStop, the nation's largest specialty game retailer, announced on Friday the launch of a "Respect the Ratings" campaign, which includes the addition of in-store signage at its 3,600 locations, and the creation of a website intended to provide parents with a detailed explanation of the industry's ESRB game ratings system.

Survey: 68% of Parents Find Video Game Ratings Effective

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 5, 2006 - 2:43pm.

Santa Monica, Calif. - A recent survey commissioned by video game publisher Activision found that 84% of parents are very familiar with the industry's game ratings system, and 68% believe the system is effective in helping them make game purchases for their children.

Video Game Report Card: Big Retailers Get "A," Specialty Stores "F"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 30, 2006 - 3:09pm.

Washington - The National Institute on Media and the Family (NIMF) has released its annual "Video Game Report Card," giving large retail stores like Wal-Mart and Best Buy an "A" grade for enforcing video game ratings, while specialty retailers -- which include stores like GameStop and Electronics Boutique -- were given a failing grade.

Nielsen to Launch Video-on-Demand Ratings Service Next Month

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 16, 2006 - 3:11pm.

New York - Nielsen Media Research announced on Thursday that it will launch a national video-on-demand measurement service next month. Among other things, the service will allow clients to compare the broadcast ratings of a program with that same program's video-on-demand performance.

Nielsen to Launch Video Game Rating Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 18, 2006 - 1:37pm.

New York - Nielsen Media Research announced on Wednesday plans to launch a new video game rating service, which will seek to establish new metrics for the buying and selling of in-game and other video game-related advertising. GamePlay Metrics, from the company's new wireless and interactive services division, will harvest data from Nielsen's existing measurement system on the most popular titles among gamers, and combine it with other demographic information and data such as which TV shows they watch. "A reliable and accurate standard of measurement for video gaming will drive advertising investment in this medium and help convert video game advertising from a discretionary advertising experiment to a must-have option," said Jeff Herrmann, vice president of Nielsen wireless and interactive services. Nielsen's GamePlay Metrics Service is slated to begin providing weekly video game ratings data in mid-2007.

Time Warner Cable to Offer Common Sense Media Ratings

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 6, 2006 - 5:22pm.

Stamford, Conn. - Time Warner Cable announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with parental advocacy group Common Sense Media, and will offer the organization's reviews, ratings, program information and media parent tips into its cable TV and broadband Internet services.

Judge Blocks Louisiana Video Game Law

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 25, 2006 - 1:17pm.

Baton Rogue, La. - A federal judge has blocked a Louisiana law that would ban the sale of video games to minors if an average person would conclude the games "depict violence in a manner patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community with respect to what is suitable for minors."

House Bill Would Mandate Ratings Board Play All New Video Games

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 7, 2006 - 3:41pm.

Washington - A new bill in the U.S. House would mandate that the video game industry's ratings board play all video games in their entirety before issuing its ratings.

Buzz Watch: American Idol Kellie Pickler – Mindless Entertainment? Not necessarily.

Authored by Jay Baage on July 18, 2006 - 12:17pm.

On Monday Kellie Pickler became the fourth season-five finalist to sign a recording contract, signing a deal with Sony BMG's Nashville-based country label BNA Records and American Idol producer Simon Fuller's 19 Recordings Limited.
Kellie joins Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry and winner Taylor Hicks on the 19 Recordings roster that is now getting bigger and bigger.

Now, will the TV ratings success continue to translate into album sales? Millions and millions have tuned in when American Idol aired on Fox and if just a little share of them buy the albums that these Idol contestants produce, they will become instant hits.

Buzz Watch: Tommy Lee Rocks on the Internet

Authored by Jay Baage on July 10, 2006 - 10:28am.

The TV ratings are in for the summer so far. Those who belived that the end of reality and talant competitions were over – think again. Led by the two hits of the summer, “America's Got Talent” and “So You Think You Can Dance”, Fox is the winner. CBS' “Rock Star: Supernova” was not so super at a third-place in the ratings for its time slot. However, if you look at the Buzz online, don’t count out the show just yet: It has been number one in the searches for TV shows on Yahoo and Tommy Lee is an old online favorite. A good website hoted by MSN does not hurt its chances either.

Senators, Video Game Industry Unveil "Commitment to Parents" Initiative

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 21, 2006 - 2:21pm.

Washington - Major video game retailers and the industry's Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) announced on Wednesday an initiative called "Commitment to Parents," that will aim to educate consumers about game ratings and enhance enforcement of store policies on the sale of Mature-rated games.

Game Developers Who Undermine Ratings to Suffer $1 Million Fine

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 16, 2006 - 12:51pm.

Washington - At a Congressional hearing this week on the video game industry, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), an industry self-regulatory group that determines game ratings, announced a new $1 million fine on game publishers whose games turn out to be inaccurately rated as a result of their submitting incomplete descriptions.

U.S. House Committee Hearing Targets Violent Video Games

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 15, 2006 - 2:01pm.

Washington - Lawmakers railed against the video game industry's ratings system and lackluster enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) during a hearing yesterday held by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Nielsen Expanding Ratings to Include Internet, Mobile TV

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 15, 2006 - 1:44pm.

New York - Nielsen Media Research, a provider of audience ratings, on Thursday announced plans to implement an all-electronic ratings system for TV that tracks viewing on traditional sets as well as on the Internet and via cell phones, iPods and other mobile devices.

Louisiana Governor Likely to Sign Video Game Bill Passed in Senate

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 9, 2006 - 1:32pm.

Baton Rogue, La. - The Louisiana State Senate has passed a bill banning the sale of violent video games to minors, which puts games to a similar legal test as that used to determine obscenity.

FTC Settles With Take-Two Over Hidden Sex Content in "Grand Theft Auto"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 8, 2006 - 5:16pm.

Washington - Video game publisher Take-Two Interactive and its Rockstar Games unit on Thursday settled charges brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that they failed to disclose information about sexually explicit content in their "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" video game to consumers.

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Bill Fining Minors Who Purchase Violent Games Passes Minnesota House

Authored by dmw on May 22, 2006 - 7:03pm.

St. Paul, Minn. - The Minnesota State House has passed a bill that would compel retailers to post clear signs informing consumers of the video game ratings system, and -- in a twist not yet seen in such state-sponsored legislation -- would impose a $25 fine on minors under 18 who try to purchase Mature- or Adults Only-rated games. Introduced by State Rep. Jeff Johnson (R-St. Paul), the bill passed the House in a 114-17 vote. "We were trying to pass the narrowest bill possible just to try something different from a constitutional challenge standpoint," Rep. Johnson told GamePolitics.com. To date, similar laws passed in a number of states have been routinely struck down by the courts as unconstitutional restrictions on First Amendment free speech protections. Johnson's bill will now move to the Minnesota Senate.

Another Video Game With Hidden Sex Content Given Stricter Rating

Authored by dmw on May 3, 2006 - 10:52am.

New York - Another video game has been given a more strict rating after it was discovered that players could unlock sexually explicit and more violent content hidden in its source code. The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) said that the PC version of developer Bethesda Softworks' "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" will be raised from T (Teen 13+) to M (Mature 17+), following the revelation that a locked "skin" in the game's code can be unlocked by downloading a patch on the Internet. The skin introduces more detailed depictions of blood and gore than were considered in the original rating, and also allows users to play with topless versions of female characters. "Rating changes are extraordinarily rare, but if ever one does occur, ESRB recognizes that parents must be made aware of the change as quickly as possible so they are certain to have the most current and accurate information," said ESRB president Patricia Vance. The PC version of "Elder Scrolls" will now carry an additional content descriptor for "Nudity" until it can be re-mastered and released with the skin removed. A similar incident where a downloadable patch unlocked a hidden sexual mini-game within Take-Two Interactive's "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" caused the top-selling game to be removed from shelves and given an "Adults Only" rating -- the equivalent of an X-rated movie.

Court Throws Out Michigan Law Restricting Video Game Sales

Authored by dmw on April 3, 2006 - 6:33pm.

Washington - The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan has thrown out a Michigan state law that restricted the sale or rental of mature or adult-rated video games to minors. Judge George Caram Steeh placed a permanent injunction against implementation of the bill, which was signed into law by Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm in September -- calling it unconstitutional. The Michigan law would have fined retailers who sold such games to minors $5,000. "Judge Steeh's ruling represents a sweeping rejection of the state's claims regarding the harmful effects of violent video games and we will move immediately for reimbursement of the substantial legal fees incurred in this court fight which the state could have, and should have, never triggered," said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a video game industry trade group. Courts have consistently ruled thus far that laws banning the sale of video games to minors are unconstitutional restrictions on First Amendment free speech rights, having overturned similar laws in Illinois, California and Washington.

Open Internet Ratings Provider Quantcast Raises $5.7 Million

Retailer GameStop Launches "Respect the Ratings" Campaign

Survey: 68% of Parents Find Video Game Ratings Effective

Video Game Report Card: Big Retailers Get "A," Specialty Stores "F"

Nielsen to Launch Video-on-Demand Ratings Service Next Month

Nielsen to Launch Video Game Rating Service

Time Warner Cable to Offer Common Sense Media Ratings

Judge Blocks Louisiana Video Game Law

House Bill Would Mandate Ratings Board Play All New Video Games

Buzz Watch: American Idol Kellie Pickler – Mindless Entertainment? Not necessarily.

Buzz Watch: Tommy Lee Rocks on the Internet

Senators, Video Game Industry Unveil "Commitment to Parents" Initiative

Game Developers Who Undermine Ratings to Suffer $1 Million Fine

U.S. House Committee Hearing Targets Violent Video Games

Nielsen Expanding Ratings to Include Internet, Mobile TV

Louisiana Governor Likely to Sign Video Game Bill Passed in Senate

FTC Settles With Take-Two Over Hidden Sex Content in "Grand Theft Auto"

Bill Fining Minors Who Purchase Violent Games Passes Minnesota House

Another Video Game With Hidden Sex Content Given Stricter Rating

Court Throws Out Michigan Law Restricting Video Game Sales

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