The New York Attorney General's office and several game companies have come to an agreement to shut down the online gaming accounts of 3,500 registered sex offenders in "Operation Game Over," Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Thursday.

Participating companies included major players like Microsoft, Sony, EA, Blizzard and Apple.

New York is the first state to restrict sex offenders from online gaming, which Schneiderman says allows predators to "establish contacts with children they would never be able to establish" in person.

In New York, sex offenders are required to register their email addresses and online gaming handles with the state, which allowed law enforcement to easily identify and close the accounts.

No word on how many of the now-banned sex offenders have been convicted of offenses against children.

[nyt]