Re:In that case... (Score 1)

This argument misses the fact that the ESRB is a voluntary, self-regulatory organization. The gaming industry, Rockstar included as one part thereof, agrees to rate their own games because it looks better in the public eye, and because if it doesn't, there is the risk that the government will step in and regulate. This would probably be a much more painful solution for the industry and a wasteful one for the government. No individual company wants to get slapped with an AO, but the companies collectively recognize that having a rating agency that acts independently of their individual interests is a good thing for them overall. Rockstar, fairly or not, is already in the watchdogs' bull's-eye, and Take-Two has had enough recent legal troubles on its hands anyway. The lawyers don't pay themselves, and I suspect it will be Rockstar's greater interest to negotiate for an M rating than to bypass the ESRB.