Good afternoon gamers, Booth babes. I'm all for supporting the out-of-work models and struggling actresses of the Greater Los Angeles area. Really, I am. But the uproar about the Entertainment Software Association's crackdown on "inappropriate attire" and booth babes at E3 is a little silly (see TG Daily story). First, I doubt being fined $5,000 on the spot will deter some companies from showing skin at their booths. Sex sells, as does controversy. Can you imagine the publicity you'd get from if you were busted (bad pun) by the E3 police? I wouldn't be surprised if there was a competition among some game developers to be the first company fined this year.

Second, I'm curious as to how this ESA fining system will really work. Who will decide what's "sexually explicit or provocative"? Is there a rating scale that will be used? Will there be a floor judge (if so, where can I sign up)? And how will the fines be levied? Is $5,000 per booth, per babe, or per pasty? Finally, for all the complainers out there, just remember that booth babes don't make the show. They never did Comdex much good. And if the games can't get people to your booths, well, then maybe they're just not that good.