Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Group Warns of Growing Video Game Violence

By
Group Warns of Growing Video Game Violence

The National Institute on Media and the Family has issued its 2007 report card on the video game industry, and has reached some rather unsurprising conclusions: despite a few retailers’ steps to curtail childrens’ access to violent video games and new software and parental controls, these efforts have not kept pace with game publishers, and violence in video games continues to increase. Furthermore, the group warns the video game industry is becoming complacent about content standards for video games, and finds that children are spending too much time playing inappropriate games. Describing 2007 as an "ominous backslide," the group is calling for significant changes to the video game ratings system and warns parents about video game tournaments being used to recruit youths towards ever more-violent games.

According to the annual MediaWise poll, conducted by Harris Interactive, just over half of parents (54 percent) claim to ever use video game ratings in deciding that titles their children can and cannot play; however, 72 percent of parents know little or nothing about the ratings system and many could not identify the meanings of ratings like AO (Adults Only) or EC (Early Childhood). The poll also found few parents play the games their children play, and the amount of time children spend playing video games causes friction in families, with 38 percent of kids and families reporting arguments over when children can play video games.

The report also finds that while about two thirds of retailers try to educate customers about ESRB ratings, minors can successfully purchase M-rated games about half the time (although some retailers, including KMart, Hollywood Video, and EB Games had 100 percent compliance). Overall, older teens were more easily able to buy M-rated games, and younger sales clerks were more likely to let minors purchase inappropriate games.

So what games does the National Institute for Media and the Family recommend be kept away from children? They’re all rated M for "Mature":

  • Assassin’s Creed
  • Call of Duty 4
  • Conan
  • The Darkness
  • Jericho
  • Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
  • Manhunt 2
  • Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles
  • Stranglehold
  • Time Shift

And what titles does the institute recommend for children and teens?

  • FIFA Soccer 08
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
  • Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour
  • Madden NFL 08
  • Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games
  • Need for Speed Pro Street
  • The Sims 2: Castaway
  • Super Mario Bros. 3
  • Super Mario Galaxy
  • Viva Pinata
Topics
Geoff Duncan
Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Ubisoft confirms Assassin’s Creed remakes are in the works
Basim perched on a ledge overlooking Baghdad

In a company interview with CEO Yves Guillemot posted on the Ubisoft website Thursday, the executive reveals that there are remakes of Assassin's Creed games in the works, although he doesn't specify which ones.

"Players can be excited about some remakes, which will allow us to revisit some of the games we've created in the past and modernize them," he says, implying that it could pertain to games made before Odyssey. "There are worlds in some of our older Assassin's Creed games that are still extremely rich."

Read more
Surfaced patent shows what an Xbox streaming console would’ve looked like
An Xbox Series X sits next to both Series S models.

There have been a few Xbox devices that have never come to fruition, one of which was Keystone, a prototype for an affordable game streaming device you could hook up to your TV or monitor. Thanks to a surfaced patent, we've gotten an even closer look at what it would've potentially looked like.

The patent, first spotted by Windows Central, gives us a more complete view of the device. We've previously seen the Keystone in the flesh. Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer is known for hiding teases and interesting collectibles on the shelf in his office. In a 2022 X (formerly Twitter) post congratulating Bethesda on Fallout's 25th anniversary, you can see a small white device on the top shelf that's actually a Keystone prototype. Xbox told Digital Trends that it was a version of the device made before it decided to "refocus our efforts on a new approach.”

Read more
Wordle Today: Wordle answer and hints for June 28
Someone playing Wordle on a smartphone.

We have the solution to Wordle on June 28, as well as some helpful hints to help you figure out the answer yourself, right here. We've placed the answer at the bottom of the page, so we don't ruin the surprise before you've had a chance to work through the clues. So let's dive in, starting with a reminder of yesterday's answer.
Yesterday's Wordle answer
Let's start by first reminding ourselves of yesterday's Wordle answer for those new to the game or who don't play it daily, which was "ORDER." So we can say that the Wordle answer today definitely isn't that. Now, with that in mind, perhaps take another stab at it using one of these Wordle starting words and circle back if you have no luck.
Hints for today's Wordle
Still can't figure it out? We have today's Wordle answer right here, below. But first, one more thing: Let's take a look at three hints that could help you find the solution, without giving it away, so there's no need to feel guilty about keeping your streak alive -- you put in some work, after all! Or just keep scrolling for the answer.

Today’s Wordle includes the letter D.
Today’s Wordle uses two vowels.
Today's Wordle can refer to a large number of animals, particularly livestock like cattle or sheep, that are moving together in a group.

Read more