New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has announced that the state has taken more than 2,100 registered sex offenders off of online games and forums, and has signed up another five firms to expand the banning regimen further in the future.

"The Internet is the crime scene of the 21st century, and we must ensure that online video game platforms do not become a digital playground for dangerous predators. That means doing everything possible to block sex offenders from using gaming systems as a vehicle to prey on underage victims," said Schneiderman in a statement.

The removals came as part of "Operation Game Over," which was made possible by the Electronic Securing and Targeting of Online Predators Act (e-STOP) law which requires sex offenders to detail their online identities.

Earlier this year, over 3,500 offenders were taken offline in this way, with support from Microsoft, Apple, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Disney Interactive Media Group, Warner Brothers and Sony. The five gaming companies joining the operation include Gaia Online, NCSOFT Corporation, Funcom, and THQ.

"I applaud Attorney General Schneiderman for continuing this bold action to protect New York's children from becoming victims," said Laura Ahearn, director of for Megan’s Law and the Crime Victims Center. "This is a groundbreaking effort that keeps the online community safer for our children, and sends a strong message that sexual predators can't hide behind anonymous profiles online to prey on victims anymore." ®