CONSUMER SOFTWARE RATING SYSTEM RECEIVING STRONG INDUSTRY SUPPORT

Informative, Consistent Ratings Allow Parents to Preview Contents Before
Purchasing

October 6, 1994 (Washington, D.C.) -- The new computer game rating system
from the Recreational Software Advisory Council (RSAC) is getting a strong
industry response, with ID Software's Doom among the first programs rated.
Other major software game publishers that have committed to submitting
games include Maxis, LucasArts Entertainment Company, Interplay
Productions, and Sir Tech Software. Over 100 additional publishers have
requested rating applications in the past two weeks. RSAC is an
independent non-profit organization founded by the Computer Game Ratings
Working Group, an industry coalition that includes six software trade
associations.

The RSAC Rating System provides content advisories for parents in what has
become one of the fastest growing segments of the software industry.
Almost thirty percent of American homes now own personal computers and the
PC games sector is growing at a 38% rate, according to research from the
Software Publishers Association.

For Parents: Comprehensive, Consistent Information on Title Content The
RSAC Rating System was developed in close cooperation with Dr. Donald F.
Roberts, chairman of Stanford University's Department of Communications,
who has studied the effect of media on children for 27 years. "This is the
first media rating system that does not rely on vague impressions and
unstated criteria," said Roberts. "RSAC is rating software using clear
standards that characterize the actual content of the package, taking
context into account."

The RSAC rating system differs from other systems by establishing a
consistent rating methodology for categorizing program content. Five
levels, ranging from "suitable for all audiences" to "extreme content,"
are provided for three different categories: violence, nudity/sex and
language.

"The RSAC rating process is an objective content-labeling system which has
been designed to be informative without being judgmental," said Bob Roden,
General Counsel and Director of Business Affairs for LucusArts
Entertainment Company, and President of the RSAC Board of Directors. 'The
detailed information provided for each title allows parents to make fully
informed decisions on behalf of their children."

For Publishers: Low Fees, Fast Turnaround

The RSAC rating system was developed to meet the needs of a highly diverse
computer software industry developing products for open computer
platforms. Rating fees paid by publishers are kept low to encourage the
rating of more games. The fees range from $25 per game for companies with
revenues under $1 million to $350 per game for larger organizations. The
ratings can be assigned in just 48 hours. Publishers can submit their
application at any point during the development of the game.

About RSAC

Based in Washington D.C., the Recreational Software Advisory Council is
comprised of a board of directors, an advisory committee, rating review
panels, and an executive director. The nine member board of directors
includes representation from software developers and publishers, and
organizations representing parents, education and public health. Five of
the members are from outside the industry.

RSAC is an independent non-profit organization formed by the Computer Game
Ratings Working Group, a coalition of six software developer associations:
Software Publishers Association, Association of Software Professionals,
Educational Software Cooperative, Shareware Trade Association and
Resources, Software Entrepreneuers Forum, and Computer Game Developers
Association.

Recreational Software Advisory Council
1718 M Street N.W. Suite 139 Washington D.C. 20036

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