The Federal Trade Commission released the findings of its "2005 Nationwide Undercover Shop," an investigation into how dilligently stores were following the industry's voluntary guidelines.

The undercover shop saw a decrease in the number of M-Rated video games sold to unaccompanied children. Video games rated "M" by the ESRB contain content appropriate for those 17 and older. Forty-two percent of the secret shoppers - children between the ages of 13 and 16 - who attempted to buy an M-rated video game without a parent were able to purchase one. In the 2003 shop, 69 percent of the shoppers were able to buy one.

So things are getting better. But, as one might expect, it's the national chains that are being quicker to shape up. Local and regional stores (individually owned stores or chains that only exist in a certain region of the country) didn't fare so well, with 63% of the minority-age shoppers able to buy M-rated games.

Source: Game Politics