PlayStation 3 puts censorship in parents' control

by James Ransom-Wiley { Oct 24th 2005 at 1:30PM }

In a discussion with the Tokyo government, Sony confirmed that the PS3 would feature a comprehensive system for controlling accessible content. Sony has made a firm commitment to put the power in the hands of parents, taking some heat off of the developers, publishers, and retailers that have been under attack in recent months. A built-in parental control system is hardly a new concept, but perhaps by spreading awareness about this feature to parents, we can prevent governments from censoring what can and can't be featured in a video game; and prevent them from taking severe action against publishers and retailers that distribute this content.

During the same discussion, several publishers (including Square-Enix and Namco) reiterated that before any government takes action, we must be certain that there is a correlation between violence in video games and youth crime. But before this is decided, do you think a user-friendly (but hard to crack) parental control system will keep concerned parties satisfied?

[Thanks, The1]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Stu @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Hmmm that's interesting, especially how the ps2 already has a feature for movies and the xbox has a feature for both games and movies that is password controlled. They are going to shoot it down as much as they can. There new arguement will be something like "They are still making that filth" Video games is just this generations hot button, much like Rock and Roll or comic books in years past.

ymmv @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

It's not just Sony. Micosoft has already said that the Xbox 360 will have a parental control option: http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6723

"In an interview conducted by the IDG News Service, Bach has spoken at length about the new 'family settings system' for the Xbox 360. According to his description and already-released information, the system controls what game content can be played on the console, with a password being needed to access mature content and to log on to Xbox online. The controls can be varied by the parent to enable voice communication, whether the user�s identity is revealed and other details.

The interview also noted that Bach will apparently be using his time in Europe to talk to regulators in Brussels about the Xbox 360's parental controls system, which in Europe will be mapped to the new PEGI game ratings syste � the titles in the U.S. refer to the ESRB ratings, which were used in an earlier version of parental controls for the Xbox.

On the subject of mature content, Bach claims: "We shouldn�t be reacting to the latest piece of legislation." According to Bach, Microsoft aims to have a �leadership position� in this area, both in regards to parental controls and game industry workers, with Bach even commenting: "We give employees choice. If there�s a game they are uncomfortable with they can move on to work on something else, no questions asked."

OTAM @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

It won't make the parents happy because it's the parent's fault to BEGIN WITH. They don't bother to give a shit what the kid plays or watches so why would they even care to use the parental locks on the consoles? The Xbox has parental controls for games and movies already and the PS2 has it for DVDs so why is it going to matter now?

Samuel Febres @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Most parents will probably need their kids to help them set up the parental controls, if they even read the instructions and know there are parental controls to begin with.

Chris @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

This will not work. Maybe a parent should simply take part in their child's life and find out what they are doing.

I know what games my child plays and I know what movies my child watches. But then again, I am a gamer and I am informed.

r.brooks @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Thats awesome - too bad it means parents are gonna have to get involved in their kids lives - which if they'd been doing that all along we wouldn't be where we are.

I just can't wait until the current generation that has grown up with video games starts having kids - it *should* reduce the amount of "I didn't know an M rated game wouldn't be appropriate for my little 7 year old"

Kajex @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Sam speaks the truth.

Hell, my dad doesn't even have a friggin' clue on how to hook up the VCR. Or DVD. Not to say this applies to all parents, but I still worry they won't know exactly how to approach the technology if they don't know how it works.

See... nobody reads the manuel. That's apparent because if they DID, then nobody would be COMPLAINING about the game themselves because they'd also be paying attention to the game rating and the contents inside, and NOBODY would be suing because the game triggered an epilepsy that little Jimmy had to suffer.

See, my parents may not pay attention to game ratings for my little sisters, but that's because they specifically told me to be in charge of that area in entertainment- and my parents love my siblings, don't get me wrong, so even though they admit they can't be good judges in what they should and shouldn't play, they're at LEAST employing someone who has better knowledge on that subject.

Now don't get me wrong- I'm actually glad that console developers are creating parental locking programs in the system (short of the Revolution, as far as I'm hearing, but then, the Nintendo caters to a younger audience, as most people know). At the very least, it shows that they are committed to making games that are inappropriate for children inaccessible to them. The only flaw? The people who complained enough about the game enough for console developers to add in this little tidbit in order to get stupid parents to shut up are the same parents who were too ignorant and stupid and all-in-all didn't give a flying purple f*** about little Jimmy to bother paying attention to the ratings in the first place! The simple fact of the matter is that it's not going to stop the complaints as much, as good as the intentions are, because every parent who brings up the issue in the manner that they do wants to think automatically that gaming is a pasttime for children, not adults. And as long as He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named leads the pure bred parents (no, not freakin' Voldemort, I'm talkin' Whacko Jacko here), there's bound to be some flak all the same. My guess is that Jack is going to use this opportunity to pull off another Badass-Buddy move, with him saying that console developers' decision to add this is in a freakin' "admission of guilt." As much as I hope to whatever diety above this won't happen... well... I come on, it's JT, ain't it?

SickNic @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

What is the point of this "parental system" when parents are just going to go out and buy their kids the game they want?

It's no longer a question of "should my kids be playing this", It's a question of "Will this game shut my kid up for the week?"

OtakuCODE @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

This might be a problem if a videogame every hurt anybody. Luckily, it never did and it never will because it's just a bunch of flickering pixels on a screen. Whether it shows the tragedies of war, the depths of human depravity, or hardcore sex scenes, it's still a simulation and the human brain is more than capable of distinguishing it from reality except in cases of defect or damage.

Parents need to stop worrying about what their kids play and watch and listen to and realize that they're slitting the throat of their childs future freedom... in reaction to what? The lowest crime rate in decades?

Andy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

This is an age old battle...parents supervision...if a parent buys their kid any game, then i think its obvious they are unlikely to use parental controls on a VGS. but the thing is the option is available if a parent does have an interest in what the kid is playing/watching. This isnt designed for 16 year olds, it is designed to keep 6 year olds from playing inappropriate games. Parents should be more active in knowing what media their kids are viewing and should be more proactive in controlling this, parental controls features assist in doing this. The problem with violent video games, is that they reward you for violence. in the real world this is inappropriate. for adults we can easily tell that killing 4 people and yelling "KILLTACULAR" is not just wrong...but its murder. for a child who's mind has not fully developed and there is a very large grey area of what is right and wrong has a more difficulty understanding that violence is not socially acceptable.

OtakuCODE @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Andy: Videogames reward you for pressing buttons. No matter what is happening on the screen, the player is not committing violence. The player is not taking actions which would educate them on HOW to commit violence. They're pressing buttons. They're sitting (mostly) still.

What is more education for a child, letting them see that violence is OK in games and not OK in real life or never letting them see violence in videogames but getting their ass kicked on the playground?

CRod @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

It wont keep them satisfied. The parents that complain are just looking to put the blame on something other than themselves. These are the same ones who purchases M rated games. Yesterday I saw Doom and there was kids with their parents watching this. Hellooooo. Heres an idea be a parent. My son doesnt play M rated games or watch R rated movies there is enough content out there to keep him entertained. The problem is lazy parenting. The gaming industry has done a good job with how they manage their own content. Hot coffee yeah I saw it. But guess what, my son never played the game, why because theres an M on the box. He asked about it because kids in school talk about it but thats when parenting comess in. Just like I explained how he couldnt see Doom. (BTW hes 8). I applaud Playstation on there efforts (yes I used the censor code on the PS2) and parents can learn how to program VCR (for those who still use them) and Tivo etc etc. Unfortunately they will always be someone to complain about something or place blame elsewhere. This is nothing new. (Books->Music->TV->Movies->Games)

Ise @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

BOOM HEADSHOT!

Andy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

#10 thank you for the response. as you can imagine i am a gamer, i read and post to this site. I agree with you its just button mashing. but you are arguing for the sake of arguing and your point does not have anything to do with mine. you are right, video game violence is much different than play ground violence. please realize games are a different medium than movies, you are not just watching violence when playing a game but you are actively participating. a kid pulling a trigger on a game controller is not much different than the same kid pulling the trigger of a gun. i am all for video games and strongly dislike censorship, but is it appropriate for kids to play violent games? thats up to the parents, so parental controls can only help. as far as parents being lazy...its not just lazy, this is a big deal. Parents are not around is the problem. in the usa two parents need to work in the average family to pay the bills and live check to check. the kid walks home from school and is a latchkey kid. the parents are working all the time and dont have time to monitor their kid. its basic parenting...spend time with your kids!!!

Lex @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

I say it is the parents fault to begin with. First of all they just buy anything the kid wants, than when somthing goes bad, they blame the game, well it is there fault to even buy it. What a bunch of dumbasses who blame the game industry, when they cant even blame there ownself, they are the ones that caused the problem to begin with.

OtakuCODE @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

#13: You say that pulling a trigger on a gun is not much different from pulling a trigger on a controller. You are absolutely wrong. You commit the same logical fallacy that all of these parents commit when trying to argue that their children should be shielded from violent content. The parents don't have the ability to distinguish between reality and fiction. Luckily the children can. If you let a kid play GTA all day and then ask them at the end of the day what they did, they would say "I played videogames". If you ask a parent, they would say "Little Jimmy there killed a hooker and then stole from an old lady!". Children don't have the problem, parents do.

This is a VERY important point. For a bit of enlightenment on the subject of how simulation of killing and how actual killing differ, I recommend the book "On Killing." It is a rare study of human beings and how they react to the concept and action of killing. If videogames were in any way exposing children to the actions, emotions, or experiences involved in real killing, they would not be popular. GTA: Vice City could not be the fastest selling product (of any kind) in all of human history. Because the vast majority of people in our society have no experience whatsoever with actual murder beyond the realm of flimsy imagination, we have almost completely lost the ability to respect it for the monumental crime which it is. In almost all cases, it destroys the killer. Even if the killing is done in self-defense, the person committing the act almost always (except in the case of sociopaths) suffers severe psychological anguish. This act, killing a human being, is what this fallacious argument proposes children around the world are participating in sometimes hundreds of times a day. That is not the case. It should be clear that this is absolutely not the case.

Overreacting to small things, like violent videogames, only serves to inform your children that you are incompetent once they are old enough to experience the games for themselves and they discover most of them are no big deal.

SteveS @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

I don't see the existence of parental controls being directly related to the issue of who's to blame for kids playing games they shouldn't. I would welcome parental controls if they were designed to actually reduce the effective rating of a game. I review the content of games before I let my son play them, and there are some I've hesitated on, and some I've disallowed, only due to certain parts of the game. For example, in Jak 3 I only really have a problem with the language on some of the between-mission scenes. In Tony Hawk Underground 2 I only have a problem with the language used. If the controls were designed to take a T-rated game and switch it to an E-rated version (or M to T in some cases), I'd be likely to purchase games that I otherwise wouldn't.

Of course, some games are hopeless for children. My son will not be allowed to play GTA, Prince of Persia 2 or Devil May Cry at any time, as well as several others that are only for me.

I think parental controls can be a good thing in the hands of the parents who keep an eye on the things their kids play.

Andy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

I think everyone needs to take a step back and realize that children are not as emotionally adept as adults are. Sure a kid might know that killing someone is wrong...but all they know is right and wrong...they dont realize the reason why it is wrong, just that its wrong. Sure there are plenty of whacked out kids and adults that are not in touch with society, but the fact remains that children have not emotionally developed to understand the deeper meaning of what violence is and its effects on others. My question to all of you above me is would you allow YOUR six year old to play a game called "the suffering"??? Anybody that answers yes should not be a parent...

Exbzurg @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

I would like to comment on the issue of parenting and video games. First of all I'd like to clarify that i am only 16 years old. I have been playing many violent video games since I was about 6. I'd also have never commited any crimes or even got into a pyshical fight. What did my parents do to keep me this way? It wasn't a parental lock. They told me violence was bad. They explained it in detail (actually their anti-violence was more geared toward what I was watching on tv and movies but it also applys to games.) And when they stopped their lectures on the issue school started their lectures about anti-violence. And then theres all kinds of church groups and other individuals trying to get the same point across. My point is is that despite all the violence I've witnessed either through games or other media, I'm still a non-violent person.I also have easily distinguished between right and wrong even though I can easily imulate the wrong with a few button presses. And I can say the same holds true for others I know of the same age. At my school there are roughly only 1 or 2 fights a month. And those fights are largely pushing matches which last about a minute. So despite what ever the experts say or whatever is said about the few overblown cases of youth violence, videogames are not the problem. And even in some cases Parenting is not the problem. So go ahead and say what you want, this was my opinion based on events I've witnessed in my own life. And remember im 16 and in the group being "protected" by these kinds of devices and parenting arguments and I have to say this: We do not need more protection from violence, we need more discussion about violence and the effects of it from experienced people.

virtualthinker @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Thats what they said about the PS2 ...
Now I have to call my son at the university to get the code so that I can use his PS2 to watch a parental guidance DVD... All they will do is get dad locked out of the PS3 ... again.
Sony is so so STUPID.

Kajex @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Amen. I'm 20. I've been playing since I was 3. the first game I beat royally? Duck Hunt. With a flash gun. I'm a hell of a marksman. I play Time Crisis. And Crisis Zone, which is the same with, only with a sub-machine gun. And I've never killed a human being.
But you know something? I learned my marksmanship from the shooting ranges. First shot I ever fired? 2 feet from the mark. By then, I was 18 years old. And I missed, despite playing gun-games all my life. =P

JustChris @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM

Actually, parental controls in a gaming device are a good thing, and I'll tell you why, from my own experience years ago when I was a child (I'm 28 now).

Not every game I played when I was a child, was a game I owned, or that my parents bought for me. Trading games, and even game systems, happens fairly often among children of a certain age. And while Bobby's parents may be very conscientious and only purchase games rate E for him, Jimmy's parents are not quite so vigilant, and sometimes Bobby sees the fun games Jimmy plays, and will trade his games for Jimmys for a few days, and see things his parents don't want him to see.

Realistically, it doesn't matter what material a child is exposed to, so much as how they are exposed to it. Watching violence or even playing a violent game can be mitigated by a parent being there along with the child. A well adjusted personality comes from being exposed to both good and bad, and learning which is which from a trustworthy source.