Underage game sales rife in US

A survey conducted by the National Institute on Media and Family in North America has discovered that teenagers are often able to but Mature rated video games despite their 17+ age restrictions.

GameSpot reports that a two-month undercover survey covering 60 US retailers found that those under 17 were able to buy M rated titles 46 per cent of the time.

The NIMF is now calling for stricter adherence to the guidelines from retailers, along with implementation and formal training and procedures and the physical separation of M-rated titles from other less violent games products.

However, the findings still put gaming ahead of many other entertainment sectors, such as movies and music.

The news comes after yesterday’s call from US senators for a review into the workings of US governing body ESRB.