Gears of War escapes media watchdog's blacklist, appears kid-safe
As the National Institute on Media and the Family puts the finishing touches on its 11th annual Video Game Report Card*, rating parents', retailers', manufacturers' and the ESRB's efforts to keep M-rated content out of children's hands, we get an sneak peek at the media watchdog's holiday blacklist:
Dead Rising
Gangs of London
The Godfather: Mob Wars
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
Just Cause
Mortal Kombat: Unchained
Reservoir Dogs
Saints Row
Scarface: The World is Yours
The Sopranos
It's unclear how high-profile shooter Gears of War escaped damnation -- perhaps sawing apart aliens isn't as distasteful as bludgeoning has-been humans (you know, zombies). Why the National Institute on Media and the Family chooses to single out the titles it does remains a mystery. All of the games listed above already carry M-ratings, as do countless others not on the list. Wanna protect your kids? Just go with the rating on the box.
*The "report card" presentation is scheduled to conclude at noon today.
See also:
(Don't) BUY these 10 violent games
Game industry receives a D+, deemed "beyond repair"