Grand Theft Auto IV has had a $500 mn first week sale that has broken all records. This brings the video game industry under the scanner once again. This time it is lawmakers that are examining it and not parents. A bill was introduced by Congress members with a view to regulating this massive industry.

This comes amidst reports of violent games being sold to kids inspite of a drive to have stores observe the industry’s rating system. The Video Games Rating Enforcement Act was introduced this week to force stroes to check on people purchasing games which had an M and AO rating.

An M rating means only people above 17 years of age can buy it, AO is for adults only. A violation of this rule could mean a fine of $5000 by the FTC. The current rating system is voluntary and generally major retailers refuse to carry AO rated games.

Parents are percieved as the first line of defense against objectionable games. Meanwhile a “secret shopper report has been released that showed improvements in retailers policing according to the ratings system.