Serious Eats
WiiWare 'Beer Pong' Game, Now Minus the Beer
Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal didn't think minors should play WiiWare's soon-to-be-released Beer Pong, even if the beer was just virtual. Inspired by the popular frat drinking sport, the video game originally earned a T-rating (for teens), regardless of blatant alcohol references. In response to Blumenthal, the game's publisher JV Games cut the booze and will instead release Pong Toss, a "cleaner" E-rated version (for everyone).
Presumably, water fills these red plastic cups, not Natty Light, and the players launching virtual ping-pong balls aren't actually pledging a Dartmouth frat (where the tradition allegedly started). With or without the "beer" preface, "pong" still gets the point across.
Should Pong Toss still get an E-rating? (Won't someone think of the children?)