Games such as those offered by game websites are a rapidly changing medium with new titles and genres emerging regularly. As such, the role of government in regulating games has also become more dynamic. Games can be used to explore almost any topic, making them ripe for exploration by legislators looking to implement new laws or policies.
With so many types of games out there and new ones coming out all the time, it’s no surprise that government leaders will face a number of challenges as they create policy around this exciting medium.
Who is Responsible for Determining which Games are Approved?
As with most government decisions, legislators will decide which video games are approved.
It is their job to ensure that video games are not harmful to their audience and that they are not promoting violence or other distasteful content.
What Factors are Used to Decide which Games are Approved?
When deciding which games to approve and which ones to reject, the first thing legislators need to do is determine the purpose of their rating system. Are they trying to prevent the promotion of violence, or is the purpose of the ratings to protect children from seeing certain imagery?
The method used to determine which games are appropriate will vary based on the political climate and current events. There are many factors that legislators will use to determine which games to approve.
- The Age of the Characters: Some games will feature adult characters, but what about children? In some cases, the characters in a game may be too young for the intended audience. This can lead to the game being rejected by the government.
- The Tone of the Game: The tone of the game is important in determining which games are appropriate for children and families. This can include the use of language, the amount of violence depicted, and if sexual content is present.
- The Setting of the Game: The setting of the game may be inappropriate for certain types of games, especially if it is based on real-world tragedy or exploitation.