June 25^th, 2002 (12:00am) - June 24th, 2002 – After many consecutive meetings between Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony and the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), it was announced Monday that all have agreed on banning extremely violent and explicit video games from Canada.

“We know there haven’t been many cases as of yet, but we want to make sure we stop it before it happens.” Says Michael Casserly, Executive Director of ESRB. “We don’t want to take the risk that people could play games with strong violence and explicit content and then it effects their life. People could get seriously hurt, possibly killed.”

The games that will now be banned in Canada include all games rated Adult Only and some games that push the Mature rating to its limit.

“Obviously games such as these have been banned from some states in the US, but now we strongly feel that it could have a great impact on Canada’s youth and young adults.” Casserly continues. “ And fortunately all of our great friends at Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo agree.”

While they haven’t confirmed a date for when the banning will begin, Late 2002/Early 2003 is being discussed.