Mobile Industry Rolls Out Game Rating System

[wraggster]

Mobile telecom trade group CTIA and the Entertainment Software Rating Board will roll out a rating system for mobile applications (http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/112911-mobile-industry-rolls-out-gaming-253529.html?hpg1=bn) similar to ratings on other electronic games, the groups announced Tuesday (http://www.ctia.org/media/press/body.cfm/prid/2147). Six mobile application storefronts will support the rating system and will roll out the ratings in the coming months, CTIA said. AT&T, Microsoft, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile USA, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless are the founding members of the rating system."An opinion piece at Gamasutra points out that this initiative falls a bit flat without Apple or Google on board (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/38789/Opinion_ESRB_Mobile_App_Initiative_Underscores_Ind ustry_Power_Shift.php), since iOS and Android are so vital to the current mobile gaming industry. "In the long run, the ESRB/CTIA announcement could be another sign of shifting power in the gaming industry. Normally, the ESRB gets what it wants. But it has no leverage against Apple and Google.

http://games.slashdot.org/story/11/12/01/0519205/mobile-industry-rolls-out-game-rating-system