New Rating System in Place for Video Games

A new rating system for video games will help Nova Scotians decide if a particular game is suitable for themselves or their families. The new regulations come into effect today, April 25.

"These new rules will allow parents and others to make informed choices about the games they rent or buy," said Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash.

Video game distributors and retailers now have a responsibility to ensure only games rated by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board are rented or sold in this province. They also must ensure that these games are rented or sold in accordance with the age recommendations made by the ratings board. That means they must ask for identification from younger players before allowing them to buy or rent a game meant for mature or adult players.

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board uses a six-tier rating system. Early Childhood, Everyone, and Everyone 10 and Older ratings cover items aimed at people ages three years and up. The Teen rating --for ages 13 and over -- may contain violent content, mild or strong language, and/or suggestive themes. The Mature category is for persons 17 years of age and older and may contain mature sexual themes, more intense violence and/or strong language. Finally, an Adult Only game can only be rented or sold to a person 18 years or older.

Full information on the new rating system is available by calling the Department of Environment and Labour's alcohol and gaming division at 902-424-6160 or toll free at 1-877-565-0556. Information is also available on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/aga/videoguides.htm

FOR BROADCAST ONLY:

A new video game rating system comes into effect in Nova

Scotia today (April 25th).

Under the new rules only games rated by the industry can be

rented or sold in the province, and video game distributors and

retailers will have to ask for identification from younger

players before allowing them to buy or rent a game meant for

mature or adult players.

Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash says the new

rules will allow parents and others to make informed choices

about the video games they rent or buy.