Colorado's RTD Blocks Proposed Game Ad Ban

Much like the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority decided late last year, Colorado's Regional Transportation District has voted to continue allowing advertisements of mature-rated games on its vehicles. The proposal to ban the ads came from the Parents Television Council and the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, who postulated that the advertising of M and AO rated games "expose young riders to graphic violence and explicit sexual content." Peggi O'Keefe of the Entertainment Software Association described the proposed ban as unneeded due to strict advertising regulations employed by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, which the ESA (then Interactive Software Board) formed in 1994. "It was a tough decision because I think our hearts as a board were with trying to limit exposure to advertisements that promote violence," explained board member John Tayer. "But the overwhelming weight of the legal advice was that if we pursued this, we would face an uphill battle in court."