By Rachel Cericola, Nov 29, 2005

People might be lined up to get each of the next-generation gaming consoles, but not everyone will be smiling. USA Today is reporting that Sony has just joined the ranks of video game console manufacturers that will be including parental controls in their upcoming releases.

The Xbox 360, which was released to much fanfare last week, already has the capability. Sony just announced that the future release of their PlayStation 3 will join them and Nintendo's Revolution in including a V-Chip-like feature -- not that a lot of people seem to be using that. The feature is designed to allow parents to lock out violent video games, based on the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).

Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) is also currently shipping with such controls.

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), who is also pretty excited about the move, also says that such controls are currently available for PC games. Programs like Smartguard's Wallfly lets you limit access based on ratings and even content descriptions.