An interesting scenario

[Iwata]

Alright, I came across an interesting situation today, and would like to hear your opinions.

I went to a large chain store today, and they have a huge gaming section, with a few consoles running playable demos of the latest games. On one of those consoles they had the new Medal of Honor game. The game is rated 18, and the XBOX HUEG banner next to it clearly stated that. Yet the demo was being played by a kid that looked about 10.

Is that legal?

 

[Stoic raptor]

uhhh
Thats a good question.

Was there a parent nearby that gave consent?

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Good question.

I think it is, if there was parental supervision, but I doubt if it was llegal if anyone would force punishments.

 

[RatRace123]

That is a good question, I honestly can't think of an answer to that.

I want to say no, but...

 

[TheTurtleMan]

I guess that if the parents were ok with it, of course maybe the rating on games only apply to the purchase of games and not the playing of them. I'd say that it would be pretty legal because those big chain stores wouldn't want to risk any lawsuits.

 

[Infinatex]

I'm pretty sure it's not an issue. I guess a store is private property, but then it does have access by the general public. A fine line but I'm sure they would get away with it. Most of those games online modes are populated with children anyway...

 

[FlyAwayAutumn]

No.

But it's not like it's a very strict rule, if a parent was there no one would care. If no gaurdian is present a store clerk might keep an eye on him or ask where his parents are. Also depends on if the kid looked especially young or not.

 

[Egitor]

As far as I know the ratings are just an advisory system, telling people what age the games are appropriate for. It'd only be illegal if there was actually a law stating kids under age 18 can't play games rated 18+.

 

[Iwata]

To clarify, the kid had no parents around that I could see.

 

[Skorpyo]

It's legal to demo, not to purchase.