An 8-year old wants Gears of War 2
- Thread starter Bob_F_It
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I see it every day, children who are way too grown up at their age or know and see things they shouldn't at their age. But thats bad parenting for you. Timmy wants to play "rape whore bloody gore mess" and throws a huge tantrum and so I just have to give him what he wants or I get no rest when I get home from work and I can't possibly put my foot down or he might hate me waawaa blah blah blah.
To add to what I said earlier about parents being ignorant of ratings, I found something else.
We went to Toys R Us to get some Christmas shopping for some of the younger people on our lists. I was flipping through one of their big Christmas shopping books. It was marketed towards children, full of pictures of kids between the ages of toddlers to pre-teens. And what games did I see in there? Gears of War 2, Fallout 3, Far Cry 2, Call of Duty: World at War, and the God of War game for the PSP. Yep, Toys R Us was marketing M-rated games to children. More specifically, the page had pre-teens on it. I'm sure that it would certainly confuse parents looking at the magazine. I mean, after all, it shows pre-teens in and around the video game section, and they don't include R-rated movies in these magazines, so why would they include mature video games?
So the ignorance also includes retailers, not just parents.
We went to Toys R Us to get some Christmas shopping for some of the younger people on our lists. I was flipping through one of their big Christmas shopping books. It was marketed towards children, full of pictures of kids between the ages of toddlers to pre-teens. And what games did I see in there? Gears of War 2, Fallout 3, Far Cry 2, Call of Duty: World at War, and the God of War game for the PSP. Yep, Toys R Us was marketing M-rated games to children. More specifically, the page had pre-teens on it. I'm sure that it would certainly confuse parents looking at the magazine. I mean, after all, it shows pre-teens in and around the video game section, and they don't include R-rated movies in these magazines, so why would they include mature video games?
So the ignorance also includes retailers, not just parents.
the ESRB has no real say in that.Chickenlittle said:
They just rate the games.
now if Walmart or EBgamestop or any of those companies want to broaden their policy, they's their prerogative.. but I'm sure most gamers who buy M-rated games would get sick and tired of being asked if they're buying the game for an infant
damn, that's exactly what we don't need.Raven28256 said:
I realize that the ESRB needs to push for some speak in something that matters, at the very least, putting ages on the package instead of letters.Altorin said:
This is true. These companies exist to make money, and they don't have any qualms about sacrificing a few kids' principles.
This is why I'm happy that this current generation of parents will die out soon, leaving us, the new generation to pass on our values to our kids.Raven28256 said:
Please help us Mr. Jack Thompson! /sarcasm
No but seriously, parents need to be taught what the ratings mean, as a couple of people have said already, a great way of doing this would be through advertisements on TV and in the newspapers (stuff grown-ups pay attention to), in which they explain that games are NOT only for kids anymore, and that there are games that arent good for kids to play, therefore the rating system.
No but seriously, parents need to be taught what the ratings mean, as a couple of people have said already, a great way of doing this would be through advertisements on TV and in the newspapers (stuff grown-ups pay attention to), in which they explain that games are NOT only for kids anymore, and that there are games that arent good for kids to play, therefore the rating system.
Personally, I would differ from the majority here. I played numerous M-rated games when I was young, namely Return to Castle Wolfenstein and Max Payne, and watched Heavy Metal at the age of 12. I think that, while keeping your kids sane is nice and all, a lot of parents underestimate the metal stability of their children.
How come you lot are all whining about kids playing mature games but when people like Jack Thomson complain you slag him off. Make your mind up whos side ur on.
I work with kids from ages 5-12, all of them experiencing different stages of emotional, mental, and social development. I have noticed a trend among the kids that play violent video games- They play violently with other children as well, with very little forethought for their own safety (which is common for crazy, crazy children)or the safety of others (which is where I have a problem). I can only assume that the parents of the kids involved are either apathetic towards the material their child is exposed to or are trying to encourage an intellectual understanding of fiction that their kids are NOT mentally or emotionally prepared for. I often hear the excuse of "I thought I could do it because I saw (character's name) do it," or "It didn't look like it hurt on the tv/xbox/whatever." The parents may have the best of intentions for their children, but the ability of the children to analyze these ideas and images is often overlooked completely. I don't want to sound like Mrs. Lovejoy from the simpsons (Won't somebody think of the children?!) but the parents sure as hell aren't doing very well in my town. 
I'm 15 myself, and I personally have no problem with violent/profane/sexual games. I fully am aware of the consequences of having unprotected sex, or violently assaulting someone.
I think there is an age limit of sorts, but it's a kind of limit that is elastic and based on the morals/understanding of the children
I honestly think it's a combination of the media hyping and exploitation, the parents apathy, and the childrens general lack of education that causes things like this to happen.
I think there is an age limit of sorts, but it's a kind of limit that is elastic and based on the morals/understanding of the children
I concur. Parents are becoming more apathetic these days. Very few try to reprimand their children, perhaps because most of them are under the false misconception that punishment involves physically hurting your child. It can be something as simple as setting a curfew instead.homoagogo said:I work with kids from ages 5-12, all of them experiencing different stages of emotional, mental, and social development. I have noticed a trend among the kids that play violent video games- They play violently with other children as well, with very little forethought for their own safety (which is common for crazy, crazy children)or the safety of others (which is where I have a problem). I can only assume that the parents of the kids involved are either apathetic towards the material their child is exposed to or are trying to encourage an intellectual understanding of fiction that their kids are NOT mentally or emotionally prepared for. I often hear the excuse of "I thought I could do it because I saw (character's name) do it," or "It didn't look like it hurt on the tv/xbox/whatever." The parents may have the best of intentions for their children, but the ability of the children to analyze these ideas and images is often overlooked completely. I don't want to sound like Mrs. Lovejoy from the simpsons (Won't somebody think of the children?!) but the parents sure as hell aren't doing very well in my town.
I honestly think it's a combination of the media hyping and exploitation, the parents apathy, and the childrens general lack of education that causes things like this to happen.
I remember getting Perfect Dark when I was like 10 and bro was 12 or something. All I can say in defense is that no one is dead/dying as a result of me, my brother, or any of our friends we played it with. Parents should be able to tell whether or not their children are mentally stable.
I am only 14...Since my EARLY childhood(try 3) I have been gaming. With Spyro and the like...and Metal Gear Solid(granted at four MGS was unbeatable, but playable) and many other games. I have never been restricted from playing a game. My parents were always smart enough to realize that I was smart enough not to go slit someones throat or cut off their genitals...I don't think those ratings are anything but a way of the "elite" parents making everyone think they care about what their kid's do...
Bearing in mind M games are technically 17+, I'd have to say the parent is automatically going to be listed in my "Idiot" book for not saying no immediately. And chances are if they buy it, the parents will blame the videogame industry for not making the ESRB rating in 6 inch red letters that cover the front of the box.
I was playing Quake, Duke nukem 3d and Hexen when I was 6 and I have never had a problem deciding not to kill someone.