On December 19, 2002 the National Institute on Media and the Family released their Seventh Annual MediaWise Video Game Report Card and gave the gaming industry a failing grade for the first time in the seven-year history of the report. The report provides a snapshot of the interactive gaming industry with a focus on issues related to child welfare. Areas of special concern include growing levels of video game addiction; inaccuracy of ratings; parental lack of awareness regarding content; and the failure of many retailers to restrict children from "M" for mature-rated games. Among this year's findings was the growing tendency to depict graphic violence against women in the industry's most popular games. For example, in this season's best-selling game, GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE CITY, players are rewarded for kicking a prostitute to death. "I am outraged that millions of children are playing video games that include such graphic images of violence. This is fantastically inappropriate," said Dr. David Walsh, president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family. "Video game violence is now an epidemic, and violence against women has become a black mark on the entire industry. Rewarding players for having sex with, and killing, a prostitute is a frightening example to set. This failing grade is a wakeup call for everyone: manufacturers, retailers, and parents." The National Institute on Media and the Family is an independent, non-partisan, non-sectarian, non-profit organization with a mission to maximize the benefits and minimize the harm mass media have on children through research and education. For more information, visit www.mediafamily.org. The top ten games for children to avoid as cited by The National Institute on Media and the Family are: 1. BMX XXX
2. GRAND THEFT AUTO: VICE CITY
3. DEAD TO RIGHTS
4. BLOODRAYNE
5. RUN LIKE HELL
6. HUNTER THE RECKONING
7. HITMAN 2 8. RESIDENT EVIL 0
9. TIME SPLITTERS
10. WACKED!
