Universal ratings? Yes, please

When is an E not an E? When it's a G. Or a Y. Are you confused yet?

Ratings systems for video games, movies and television programs are confusing in that there's no uniformity. A video game that's rated E for "everyone" would probably be labeled G for "general audiences" were it a movie, but perhaps as low as Y for "all children" were it a television program. Of course, a television program that's rated Y is more likely to be rated EC as a video game, since that's the designation for "early childhood" games. And I suppose technically a video game rated E could, in theory, as a movie get bumped up to the PG for "parental guidance suggested" rating. Why? Well, that's because an E game is allowed to have "mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language." That sounds more like a PG movie than a G movie, doesn't it? But if that movie were a television program, there's no way it could get the Y rating. It wouldn't even have a shot at the Y7 for "directed to older children" rating because of the "mild language" content. It'd almost certainly score a PG.

And — oh! — see what happened there? Because the PG rating was repeated, you instantly had a better idea of the product's content. It's funny how a little uniformity can go a long way.

That each product line has its own rating system is downright silly and overly complicates a situation that should really be rather simple. Video games have six standard ratings (EC, E, E10+, T, M and AO). Television programs have seven standard ratings (Y, Y7, Y7FV, G, PG, 14 and MA). Movies have five standard ratings (G, PG, PG-13, R and NC-17). Which of these make the most sense? Movie ratings. Which of these are most familiar to us? Movie ratings. Which of these would be the best basis for a universal rating system? Movie ratings. To be clear, I'm not saying the Motion Picture Association of America is perfect. Far from it. But their system is, in my opinion, far better than anything the TV or video game overseers have yet devised.

I opine about this because the feds are currently mulling the notion of creating a standardized (and compulsory) rating system — and I love the idea. The Entertainment Software Rating Board, which oversees video game ratings, is already crying foul at the notion: "Universal ratings will, in the end, only serve to confuse consumers, violate the Constitution's first amendment, and are a solution in search of a problem."

Poppycock. Universal ratings are needed to alleviate the confusion and solve a clear and present problem. I wholeheartedly support the notion. Should we force everyone to adopt the MPAA rating system? No. Should we critically evaluate each rating system, borrow what works best and work toward a standardized system? Yes.

Stop the confusion. Please.