Educator Group Calls For B.C. Game Ban
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
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Perhaps BC should ban anyone who wants to ban video games for being harmful to the industry and thus its fans, ie. the children.
We have PEGI [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_European_Game_Information#Where_PEGI_is_used] in Europe and its status varies from country to country. In the UK, it's an industry adopted standard but hasn't been a legally enforced system. It will be from this September apparently. Some games have carried BBFC age ratings in the past (the GTA series probably most famously)...these are the same as used for films and are legally enforceable (but didn't require any different distribution methods).
The main problem is society's attitude to games. While it's very different from some years ago, with many more mainstream and casual games breaking the mystique around them, they are still considered "child's toys" by many. As such, an indulgent parent can and will still by titles for their child without attention to age ratings. CoDBLOPS for example has a BBFC (legally enforceable) age rating of 18, yet is still most likely played in the majority by 12-16 year old boys.
We have PEGI [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_European_Game_Information#Where_PEGI_is_used] in Europe and its status varies from country to country. In the UK, it's an industry adopted standard but hasn't been a legally enforced system. It will be from this September apparently. Some games have carried BBFC age ratings in the past (the GTA series probably most famously)...these are the same as used for films and are legally enforceable (but didn't require any different distribution methods).
The main problem is society's attitude to games. While it's very different from some years ago, with many more mainstream and casual games breaking the mystique around them, they are still considered "child's toys" by many. As such, an indulgent parent can and will still by titles for their child without attention to age ratings. CoDBLOPS for example has a BBFC (legally enforceable) age rating of 18, yet is still most likely played in the majority by 12-16 year old boys.
Wow, my geography skills have failed me again. I thought that British Columbia was some sort of island... Well, now, after Google-ing, i know the truth. Sweet. Go Canada!
But on topic, i don't really have much to say. Don't like what they're trying to do, and don't agree with it. I think they're being stupid. Heh.
But on topic, i don't really have much to say. Don't like what they're trying to do, and don't agree with it. I think they're being stupid. Heh.
Which is funny, because I'm starting to think of all of them as serial killing rapists. These people obviously have no self control or else they wouldn't take it so seriously. When you're telling other people they can't tell the difference between real life and a game - when they can - then perhaps you should start wondering if you are the one with the problem.Booze Zombie said:
OT: I'm pretty sure young crime in the US (and over here too) has gone down steadily alongside the increase in the popularity of gaming. Now, whilst gaming is not necessarily responsible, its difficult to then argue that its having a negative effect.
I mean, we take this seriously because it comes up so frequently, but when you think about it, its ridiculous. Your brain can tell the difference between real life and a game. It might light up in the same areas but that doesn't mean its processing it as real life. If it can't, you have an issue that was there long before you started gaming.
Sexually explicit? Why does this one always come up... How many sexually explicit games are there anyway? Rapelay, Sexvilla, Lula 3D, all those Jap ones... And how many have ever been sold at a retail store? Probably a couple that I've never heard of.
I could get behind sexually explicit (and maybe R-18+) games being sold in adult shops, but the standard line of 'violent and sexually explicit content' gets annoying.
I could get behind sexually explicit (and maybe R-18+) games being sold in adult shops, but the standard line of 'violent and sexually explicit content' gets annoying.
I don't know the game, but I've got to go with these folks. I do think that when you make games too violent and too realistic they will inspire violence. I enjoy a good shooter just as much as the next guy, but when guts are flying across the screem count me out. A lot of gamers often claim that games can't inspire violence because it's not real, and we can tell games from reality. I call bullshit on that one, especially if the games are getting more and more realistic.
The most worrying part was this:
'benefit from a ban on violent or sexually explicit games wherever children under 16 may be present'
So you maybe refused sale if you have a child in the house you live in? Yeah, whatever. Cuckoo, cuckoo.....
'benefit from a ban on violent or sexually explicit games wherever children under 16 may be present'
So you maybe refused sale if you have a child in the house you live in? Yeah, whatever. Cuckoo, cuckoo.....
Actually, yes I would agree with that. I assume in the same way you would not have an m rated movie clip playing in the foyer of a movie theatre. Not because I am convince it does harm, but still.4173 said:
Well, you know that and I know that, but nobody in the mainstream media seems to. And while we may be thinking of the children, how many times do you see us use that idiotic phrase?Andy Chalk said:
All I'm saying is that if someone has to outright SAY they're "thinking of the children" rather than doing so by their actions, they've crossed the line into deluded moral guardian as far as I'm concerned.
I just don't get motions like this.
Why limit the sale on video games, or any offensive material, if you're so worried about your kid buying it.
I mean, you could always, you know, tell them they can't have it?
Take it away when they do buy it?
You do pay attention to what your child is doing right?
Why tell the stores what they can and cannot sell, when you as a parent should tell your kids what they can and cannot buy!
You don't want your kid playing something, don't forbid the store from selling it, forbid your kid from buying, sheesh!
Why limit the sale on video games, or any offensive material, if you're so worried about your kid buying it.
I mean, you could always, you know, tell them they can't have it?
Take it away when they do buy it?
You do pay attention to what your child is doing right?
Why tell the stores what they can and cannot sell, when you as a parent should tell your kids what they can and cannot buy!
You don't want your kid playing something, don't forbid the store from selling it, forbid your kid from buying, sheesh!
The elitist "Save teh childrens" organization makes a typical proposal for typical restrictions on a faulty basis. This isn't about saving anyone or their children; it's about propping up their public image by banging an old, worn drum.
Think of the children! They will get those games without having money (and thus) access to them somehow! Think of the children!
We shouldn't blame the parent for buying a game with an obtuse sticker that says "EXPLICIT VIOLENT/SEXUAL CONTENT"! If we did, we wouldn't have an excuse to run our Save Teh Childrens organization!
THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!
That won't work: Gamestop has no conscience.4173 said:
But what if some magical fairy drops one of those games into that child's hands?Layzor said:
Think of the children! They will get those games without having money (and thus) access to them somehow! Think of the children!
We shouldn't blame the parent for buying a game with an obtuse sticker that says "EXPLICIT VIOLENT/SEXUAL CONTENT"! If we did, we wouldn't have an excuse to run our Save Teh Childrens organization!
THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!
Canada's got a more complex take on these topics than the absolute nature of the US 1st ammendment.
In the States the ESRB and MPAA ratings can only serve as suggestions and standards that stores/theaters choose to adhear to since Supreme Court rulings say no third party board can be assigned as a legal standard by the government.
In Canada, each province has their own "Theater" act or "Motion Picture Act" in BC. I don't know how they are able to ammend it as I live in Ontario and can only speak for how we dealt with it.
Due to the law in Ontario, you legally cannot let a minor buy/into a movie rated "R" or higher, possibly "18A" as well, I'm not sure on that. When Manhunt was released, the Ontario Film Board stepted in and gave the game a "R" rating to prevent it from being sold to children. After that, the Ontario government steped up and added video games under the theatre act. The exact styling of the act says that the "Lt. Governer can assign a third party ratings board as the legal rating for entertainment covered under the act". That means once games were incorporated, the ESRB rating became legally binding in Ontario.
I know a few other provinces have done this, but why BC isn't considering it as an alternative to make everyone happy (Kids can't buy it themselves, adults can), is beyond me.
In the States the ESRB and MPAA ratings can only serve as suggestions and standards that stores/theaters choose to adhear to since Supreme Court rulings say no third party board can be assigned as a legal standard by the government.
In Canada, each province has their own "Theater" act or "Motion Picture Act" in BC. I don't know how they are able to ammend it as I live in Ontario and can only speak for how we dealt with it.
Due to the law in Ontario, you legally cannot let a minor buy/into a movie rated "R" or higher, possibly "18A" as well, I'm not sure on that. When Manhunt was released, the Ontario Film Board stepted in and gave the game a "R" rating to prevent it from being sold to children. After that, the Ontario government steped up and added video games under the theatre act. The exact styling of the act says that the "Lt. Governer can assign a third party ratings board as the legal rating for entertainment covered under the act". That means once games were incorporated, the ESRB rating became legally binding in Ontario.
I know a few other provinces have done this, but why BC isn't considering it as an alternative to make everyone happy (Kids can't buy it themselves, adults can), is beyond me.
No good can come of a greek letter society that doesn't know how to spell their own name. Protip: Use greek letters.
NICE EDUCATORS YOU GOT THERE, DKG
NICE EDUCATORS YOU GOT THERE, DKG
Am I the only one who finds the concept of a "Women Educator" group sexist? Think about it, if someone were to start a "Male Educator" group he'd have every equality group down his throat and up on his arse. I know, not really relevant to the topic at hand, but stuff like this just rubs me the wrong way...
