FTC issues new report on game marketing

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued the third follow-up review of its September 2000 Report to Congress concerning the marketing of violent entertainment to children. According to the latest review, the electronic game industry is still making progress in including rating information in advertising that can help parents identify material that may be inappropriate for children, and it is also complying with its promise to limit ad placement in media that is popular with children and teens. Overall, the report found that while the game industry still has room for improvement, particularly in its placement of ads in media with large teen audiences, there are parts of the industry's rating disclosure requirements that merit duplication by other entertainment industries. For more information about the latest report, visit the official FTC Web site. --By Trey Walker, GameSpot PC