The Interactive Digital Software Association, which includes every major game publisher in the industry, has made a proposal to the the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. It includes restrictions on the marketing of M-rated games. Some restrictions have been summarized on GameCenter.
Print (including game publications): Ads for Mature-rated games may not be placed in magazines where 45 percent or more of the readers are under 17.
Analysis: By our count, there are only three magazines in the industry whose audience does not fit this profile.
TV advertising: Ads for Mature-rated games may not be placed on programs where 35 percent or more of the viewers are under 17.
Analysis: By this definition, a game such as Resident Evil could not be advertised on MTV.
Internet ads: Paid ads for M-rated games shall not be placed on Web sites where 45 percent or more of the visitors are under 17.
Analysis: The document states that Media Metrix data will be used to establish the demographic of Web site audiences. Considering how many fan sites are too small for Media Metrix to measure, this could make it impossible for any independent sites to secure advertising revenue.