Each of the latest consoles by Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo enable parents to limit access to games based on ratings from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), according to the Entertainment Software Association.
The association "is extremely pleased" by the voluntary move by the console makers to "put the power to regulate the games kids play were it belongs, in the hands of parents", said president Douglas Lowenstein in a written statement.
"The combination of these new controls, the existing ESRB rating system, and voluntary commitments by retailers not to sell Mature and Adult Only games to minors strikes the right balance between strong self-regulation and the ultimate responsibility of parents to take charge of the media their kids consume," Lowenstein said.
The association represents US computer and videogame publishers accounting for 90 percent of the $7.3 billion in entertainment software sold in the United States in 2004, and "billions more" sold abroad, it said.
Independent groups monitoring videogame content have criticized the gaming industry and warned parents that the ratings are not always a reliable guide, saying that some games deemed suitable for children contain scenes of violence and abuse of women.
According to Lowenstein many games are tailored for adults because the average computer game player age is 30.
"Our industry naturally creates content appropriate for a wide range of audiences, just as there are TV shows, films, music, and books for people of all tastes, interests and values," Lowenstein said.
"I am proud that each console maker has taken the initiative to give power to the parents."
Microsoft put parental control technology in the Xbox system that went on sale last week, and Nintendo announced that it would include parental controls in its new console.
Sony officials confirmed that parental controls were designed into the company's PlayStation 3 console, which is in development and scheduled for a 2006 launch.
"At Sony we've always been a proponent of responsible gaming," a company spokesman said. "We want to make sure mature games are marketed to the appropriate audiences."
The previous generation PlayStation console enabled parents to filter video content, a company spokesman said.
According to the Entertainment Software Association, software has been available for installation on consoles without built-in controls.
"We haven't heard any negative feedback at all," said association spokesman Dan Hewitt.
The new controls are "something that has been in the works for a while and being announced now because details about new consoles are coming out", said Hewitt.
© 2005 Agence France-Presse
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