New Video Game Consoles Allow Parents to Restrict What Their Kids Can Play

Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have all designed their newest video game consoles to allow parents to restrict what games their kids can play based on ratings given the games by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. Microsoft put the parental control technology in the Xbox system that went on sale last week, Nintendo announced it will have parental controls in its new console, and Sony also said parental controls will be in the PlayStation 3 console scheduled for launch next year.

The Entertainment Software Association, which represents U.S. computer and video game publishers, says it's very happy with the voluntary move to, quote, "put the power to regulate the games kids play where it belongs, in the hands of parents," president Douglas Lowenstein said in a statement. According to Lowenstein, there are many games produced that are made specifically for adults, since the average age of computer game player is now 30 years old.

Also...

For the parents who are smart enough to research the video games their kids ask for: A list of the top 10 most violent titles on sale this Xmas.

Video-game gore sinks to new low: Cannibalism

Games featuring graphic scenes of cannibalism, "F.E.A.R." and "Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse," were among the 12 "games to avoid" listed Tuesday by the National Institute on Media and the Family.

"It's something we've never seen before," said institute President David Walsh, warning that today's games are "more extreme" and more easily available to underage kids than ever before.

In "Stubbs the Zombie," the lead character eats the brains of humans as blood splatters across the screen.

"It's just the worst kind of message to kids," said Sen. Joe Lieberman.