The battle to keep violent games kept out of public view has moved to Denver. Yesterday, the Parents Television Council and the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood is asking the Regional Transportation District to discontinue advertising of games rated Mature and Adults Only.

Last year, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories was advertised on a number of RTD trains. Though the RTD is not currently housing ads for any M-rated games, its policy allows for future advertising on its buses and trains.

"Our public transportation network serves more than half the residents of Colorado and is doing them a disservice with its tacit approval for the dangerous content in the Mature-rated video games that are advertised throughout the system," said PTC Denver Chapter Director George Robison in a recent RTD board meeting. "I'm here today to remind Chairman Chris Martinez and the board that they have a responsibility to act in the best interest of those who voted you into these important positions. You can take a step towards being a better steward of the public good today by no longer accepting advertising from violent video games that can have long-term harmful effects on the youth in our community,"

"It is unconscionable that RTD would accept advertisements for a game like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories," said CCFC member Peter Simonson. "In Vice City Stories, players are rewarded for killing innocent bystanders, law enforcement officers and rival gang members, as they attempt to set up illicit businesses, such as drug dealing and prostitution rings, and commit armed robbery. As a father and a Denver-area resident, I want to know that my children can ride public trains and buses without being subjected to ads that promote violence and lawlessness."

In November 2006, the CCFC convinced the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to refuse future advertising for M-rated titles. With the ESA recently teaming up with Senators Joe Lieberman and Hillary Clinton, this issue could soon broaden to a larger public policy. The government imposes limitations on public advertisements for alcohol and sexually-explicit content. Videogames could follow.

Supporters of the videogame industry's right to advertise M-rated games in public spaces have cited the acceptance of R-rated movie trailers and posters.

The RTD has not yet made a decision on this issue. It is unknown when a decision will be made.

Via IGN

I strongly agree, with this. No one under 18 should be able to buy mature games. There are so many idiot kids out there that ARE 17 that still do copy actions. I mean wtf, remember Jackass from Mtv, there are so many people that are over 15 and conscience to know what they were doing...yet they are still swinging baseball bats at each other and frying each others nuts because they think its funny. What a bunch of idiots. Its ok to distribute to adults, but you know...some adults aren't even mature enough.

i totaly agree with you dude

<rant>
um... yeah ok.. if some dumbshit wants to team up with another dumbshit and fry his nuts so fuckin what? does that hurt u?? does it hurt your family?? NO!

i see horror movies on TV with all sorts of sex and gore.... i was watching fosters home for imaginary friends with my 6 year old and hear some charicter say "blow me"
they have been trying for a long time to kill GOOD games... its never gonna happen... as for advertizing?? wtf is the problem??

if your to young to know the difference from right and wrong your A: to young to read or B: you parents really suck at being parents

helloooo?? fantasy?? was there a titty shot on the ad?? whas there a grafic sciene of the khan building a tower of heads??

jesus crist this shit pisses me off so bad, and you guys jump on the bandwagon.... WHAT ABOUT MOVIE POSTERS??

dident i see a billboard for the movie BLOW?? where was hillary?

soon we will all be using words like un-good and up-good... thought-crime anyone??

what the hell is wrong with the government?? when can they tell a company who they can and cannot sell wallspace to anyway? think peaple dont u see whats happening??
sooooo stupid...
</rant>

I agree at the end of the day it should be up to the parents and the retailers to police usage of unsuitable material for minors, I have two young buys and let them play video games, but not even stuff like Mortal Kombat etc.

Retailers should not sell games without ID. As for advertising as long as it's not graphic, violence, sexual etc it doesn't matter.