Sony already added parental control for games in its handheld PSP gaming console, and will now also add it on its forthcoming PlayStation 3, but only to movies, not games

Microsoft had already placed parental controls in its just released Xbox 360, restricting users access to video games and DVDs that carry certain ratings, such as "T" for "teen" or "M" for "mature," and also on its Xbox Live online gaming service, limiting who their children can interact with. Earlier this month, Nintendo announced similar plans for its next-generation machine, Revolution, due out in 2006.

The video game industry has been under tougher scrutiny in recent years as lawmakers enacted legislation restricting sales of violent video games to minors. Industry groups have so far successfully challenged the laws in court, citing violations of the First Amendment.

"With the average age of game players now 30, our industry naturally creates content appropriate for a wide range of audiences, just as there are TV shows, films, music and books for people of all tastes, interests and values," said Doug Lowenstein, president of the Entertainment Software Association. Lowenstein commended the game console makers for voluntarily applying parental control technology that is not yet found in other media devices, such as DVD or music players.