US SOFTWARE PUBLISHERS CREATE INDUSTRY-WIDE GAME RATINGS STANDARDS

Mendocino, CA - Four major software trade groups announced today that they
have joined the Software Publishers Association (SPA) to work together in
order to finalize a comprehensive computer game ratings system. The
groups, representing over 3000 U.S. software developers and publishers,
have endorsed product labeling designed to inform parents and retailers at
a glance about the contents of games, making it easy to determine which
are suitable for children.

Although only a minority of games for PC's contain objectionable material,
industry spokesperson Karen Crowther stated that most already label
violent or sexual content.  The new ratings system will standardize this
labeling. "We are committed to providing consumers with the facts they
need to make an informed decision," she said.

Under the plan, software packages would be clearly labeled with
easy-to-understand symbols indicating the type and degree of potentially
objectionable material. Highlights of the system include provisions for
electronically tagging games with their ratings, and permitting a
"lockout" procedure for parents. The rating system will be made available
to all software publishers.

Standing apart from this industry-wide effort is the Interactive Digital
Software Association (IDSA), formed earlier this year by about a dozen
videogame manufacturers. IDSA seeks to establish a separate commission to
review and rate games prior to commercial release. According to Rosemary
West of the Educational Software Cooperative (ESC), preliminary reports
indicate IDSA's proprietary plan, developed for cartridge videogames,
would be unworkable and economically untenable for the majority of
educational and recreational personal computer software publishers.

IDSA Executive Director Arthur Pober declined to reveal the estimated costs
and has stated that his system will not yield consistent ratings when used
by anyone other than his staff.

IDSA maintains a professional lobbyist in Washington DC, and has close ties
with Congressman Tom Lantos (D-Calif), who earlier this year introduced
legislation which would mandate software ratings and eliminate antitrust
protections for small businesses. At a public hearing last month, Lantos
reaffirmed his support for IDSA and stated he did not care if small
companies were destroyed. Ironically, IDSA members Nintendo and Sega
publish the videogame "Mortal Kombat" which Lantos has described as
"filthy and disgusting".

Crowther said she hopes that IDSA members will accept a standing invitation
to join the software industry in implementing the new labeling standards,
which are scheduled to be in place by November, in time for the holiday
season.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen Crowther
P.O. Box 892
Mendocino CA 95460
Voice/Fax: 707 937-3320
CompuServe: 71501,3553

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