The growing popularity and sophistication of video games has been paralleled by increased calls for regulation of the medium. Politicians, parents, and other critics of games have been especially concerned about the interactive depictions of violence in particular titles, such as the Mortal Kombat and Grand Theft Auto series. Solutions proposed by pro-regulation forces include outright bans and legislation targeting retailers, and the industry has countered with self-regulatory responses. This entry discusses regulation within the video game industry, including a historical overview and review of regulatory options.

Early Video Game Regulation

Calls to regulate video games came shortly after their emergence as a popular medium in the 1970s. The primitive arcade game Death Race (1976), which involved little more than driving a small blocky car and running ...

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