Rating Game Content Here and Abroad

Gamespy has a piece on the game content rating systems across the globe. The article discusses both the actual systems used and the history of the choices made to shape them. From the article: "But the question now is: are these ratings effective? Most gamers would certainly agree that the ratings are accurate, and the majority of retailers do have rules against the sale of mature-rated games to children ... but it's always disheartening to see a mother buying GTA for her 10-year-old saying 'he'll just play it at his friend's house anyway.'"

Comments

Parental Purchases

[StingRay02]

but it's always disheartening to see a mother buying GTA for her 10-year-old saying 'he'll just play it at his friend's house anyway.

This idea is really starting to annoy me. Having worked in retail, I rarely had anyone purchase GTA for a minor. A simple phrase like "You do know that this game is rated M for extreme violence and sexual content?" worked just about every time. And the only times parents would buy the game for kids is with the line "We've talked about it, and I think he can handle it." I've never, in 3 years, heard "He'll just play it at a friend's."

Re:Parental Purchases

[Red Flayer]

"A simple phrase like "You do know that this game is rated M for extreme violence and sexual content?" worked just about every time."

Did I just hear you discourage someone from spending money in my store?

You're fired.

Seriously though, this is the kind of example that people outside the gaming community need to hear -- that individuals at retail establishments are making an effort to prevent kids from buying age-inappropriate content.

Re:Parental Purchases

[StingRay02]

Did I just hear you discourage someone from spending money in my store?

You're fired.

While I appreciate the humor, it actually works out in the retailers favor to be up front with them. It makes them more likely to come back to me for their kid's next purchase, since they know they can trust me to be honest with them.

And to any customer that asks me why I'd not want to make a $50 sale, I just tell 'em I don't want Jack Thompson suing me. They may not know who he is, but they understand lawsuits.

Please.

[trekstar25]

but it's always disheartening to see a mother buying GTA for her 10-year-old saying 'he'll just play it at his friend's house anyway.

You know what? That's not the game industry's problem. The ESRB does an excellent job of telling consumers what to expect from a game. If kids are still playing these games, it's the parents' fault. And TFA agrees:

It seems like no matter how many warnings you slap on the box, there will always be some parents willing to ignore them in order to appease their pleading youngsters. From that point on, the responsibility should lie solely with the parents who purchased the product -- and no amount of legislation upon the game industry can solve the social problem of poor parenting.