ESRB Asks Publishers To Audit All Games

Following the drama from the ‘Hot Coffee’ incident, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has sent out an email to all the major publishing houses. In the email it is reported that they must perform internal audits on games to see if they contain similar elements, dating back to September 1, 2004. Furthermore the ESRB mandates that this industry-wide, internal audit must be finished by January 6th, 2006.

According to industry publication Gamasutra, the email further states: "If you fail to notify us of previously undisclosed, non-playable, pertinent content by January 9, and such content becomes playable through a subsequent authorized or unauthorized release of code to unlock it, rendering the original rating assignment inaccurate, punitive in addition to corrective actions may result."

ESRB also addressed other third-party modifications like that of Counter-Strike and GTA: Multi-Theft Auto, with a large focus placed on mods with violent and/or sexual content. The email went further to say, "ESRB remains concerned about third party modifications that undermine the accuracy of the original rating, and we are exploring ways to maintain the credibility of the rating system with consumers in light of modifications of this nature."

ESRB has no bearing on games rated within NZ. NZ has it's own set of rating standards.

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