Treating violent games like adult mags

Gerard_Paloma · Post by **Gerard_Paloma** » 2003-11-29 09:20pm

Bill aims to treat violent games like adult mags.

So what do you think? Good idea or bad idea?

darthdavid · Post by **darthdavid** » 2003-11-29 10:26pm

And it's things like this that keep the games out to my hands, hands that can't get any crazier as it is and need some better blowie upie. Damn idiots.

CmdrWilkens · Post by **CmdrWilkens** » 2003-11-29 11:20pm

emneh. First off its Cali so its doesn't affect me. Secondly I don't really mind if they want to make M-rated games for M-aged audiences only.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-11-30 12:08am

What's wrong with making certain games R-rated so that only an adult can buy them? Seems reasonable enough to me.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-11-30 12:27am

Personally, I think it is bullshit. There is no causual relationshop between violent games, and violence. Not only that, but it is none of the governments business to determine what a person can view or play. That is, and should be, up to the individual, and their parant, if applicable.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2003-11-30 12:51am

Alright.

I fully support the restriction of games that merit the A Rating being only sold to those with ID. A Rating, you say? The rating system did, at one point, include a rating for adults only. If I had control, this would be instituted for games like Postal 2.

I have no problem with making sure this rating system is enforced, since parents clearly can't pick up the slack of actually raising their kids(Hint: If you are letting the computer raise your kid, it's not the computers fault).

I object to the fucking morons and their arguments, but hey, sometimes you take the bad with the good..

Gerard_Paloma · Post by **Gerard_Paloma** » 2003-11-30 01:15am

Darth Wong wrote:What's wrong with making certain games R-rated so that only an adult can buy them? Seems reasonable enough to me.

I agree. The rating system was never meant to be enforced like the ratings on movies, but rather a suggestion at content (much like the Parental Advisory stickers on music). The idea was that discerning parents would have an idea of what was suitable for their children and what wasn't. But since some parents don't pay enough attention to what their kids are playing, this bill seems like a good idea.

Gerard_Paloma · Post by **Gerard_Paloma** » 2003-11-30 01:20am

SirNitram wrote:I fully support the restriction of games that merit the A Rating being only sold to those with ID. A Rating, you say? The rating system did, at one point, include a rating for adults only.

Actually, the Adults Only rating still exists (I'm pretty sure, anyway), but so far, it's only been used on sexually explicit games, and has never been used for a game strictly because it was violent. From what I've heard, Manhunt would have been a prime candidate for an AO rating, but apparently tits damage kids much more than graphic violence.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2003-11-30 02:30am

SirNitram wrote:Alright.

I fully support the restriction of games that merit the A Rating being only sold to those with ID. A Rating, you say? The rating system did, at one point, include a rating for adults only. If I had control, this would be instituted for games like Postal 2.

I have no problem with making sure this rating system is enforced, since parents clearly can't pick up the slack of actually raising their kids(Hint: If you are letting the computer raise your kid, it's not the computers fault).

I object to the fucking morons and their arguments, but hey, sometimes you take the bad with the good..

I believe such a rating still exists, but some places refuse to stock such games, and having such a rating would hurt sales, so designers try to tone games down until it's only an M rating. But, that's just a theory of mine.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2003-11-30 05:52am

Gerard_Paloma wrote:I agree. The rating system was never meant to be enforced like the ratings on movies, but rather a suggestion at content

Really?? When I first saw a rating-system on a computer game case, I immediately equated it with those on VHS movie cassettes.

Shrykull · Post by **Shrykull** » 2003-11-30 12:55pm

Gerard_Paloma wrote:Bill aims to treat violent games like adult mags.

So what do you think? Good idea or bad idea?

I don't know, I've watched violent movies and things since I was like 6 years old(I remember watching terminator when I was 6) , and almost never hurt anyone, just 2 twice when I was in 3rd grade.

Gerard_Paloma · Post by **Gerard_Paloma** » 2003-11-30 03:00pm

Simon H.Johansen wrote:
Gerard_Paloma wrote:I agree. The rating system was never meant to be enforced like the ratings on movies, but rather a suggestion at content
Really?? When I first saw a rating-system on a computer game case, I immediately equated it with those on VHS movie cassettes.

Nope, they're not the same. On an R rated movie (both at theatres and on DVDs), below the rating, it says, "Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian." And the NC-17 rating says, "No one under 17 admitted."

However, on an M rated game, it simply says, "17+." The ESRB merely suggests you should be over 17, whereas the MPAA requires it.

Vendetta · Post by **Vendetta** » 2003-11-30 06:50pm

In the UK this is moot.

Games can already be submitted to and rated by the BBFC, which gives them the exact same ratings a film with the same content would get, and carries the same legal weight.

The teacup-typhoon that is Grand Theft Auto is neatly avoided by it carrying an 18 rating, proclaiming to all that children are not it's intended audience.

Bob McDob · Post by **Bob McDob** » 2003-11-30 09:46pm

Gerard_Paloma wrote:Bill aims to treat violent games like adult mags.

So what do you think? Good idea or bad idea?

So what? Kids can steal them from their uncle's secret stash when he's drunk? :p

In all seriousness, if this'll take some heat away from video games, I'm all for it. I mean, don't some stores already have this in place? If the parents won't buy it for them, the kids probably wouldn't be able to buy it either. (This might mean a massive upswing in piracy, though ... but then, stealing has always been more accepted in this country than violating people's moral standards :p)

YT300000 · Post by **YT300000** » 2003-11-30 09:52pm

I think that the ratings should be changed. Currently, M is anything a little too strong for a T rating, up to anything a little too weak for an AO rating. They should break it down further (like in the Canadian film system, 14A and 18A instead of R). That way, my mom would let me play Halo.

Where can I find UK ratings for games, anyway? EDIT: I want them, 'cause they have ages in the ratings, and are more comprehensive.

Uraniun235 · Post by **Uraniun235** » 2003-11-30 10:20pm

I have no problems with it... if their parents are fine with them getting the games, their parents can buy the games for them.

Shinova · Post by **Shinova** » 2003-11-30 11:43pm

As long as they don't actively try to keep M+ rated games away from the whole public, it's fine I suppose.

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2003-12-01 12:29am

No wonder everyone wants to kill Bill.

Peregrin Toker · Post by **Peregrin Toker** » 2003-12-01 07:51am

Slartibartfast wrote:No wonder everyone wants to kill Bill.

Bad pun, bad pun....

Bill Door · Post by **Bill Door** » 2003-12-01 08:15am

The British ratings seem to work OK.

Slartibartfast wrote:No wonder everyone wants to kill Bill.

Why does everyone want to kill me? Its just not fair!

Rye · Post by **Rye** » 2003-12-01 08:56am

Bill Door wrote:The British ratings seem to work OK.

Slartibartfast wrote:No wonder everyone wants to kill Bill.
Why does everyone want to kill me? Its just not fair!

They're all just morticidal maniacs. I blame the video games.

Post by **Lagmonster** » 2003-12-01 09:44am

Rating games is fine. Like I read a label at my age.

The gist is this: If they do this, they put the responsibility for children gaming into the PARENT'S hands. So there's NO FUCKING WAY the parents can blame the video game industry if little Johnny goes and takes a shotgun to his school and wipes out the 3rd grade.

It helps protect the companies, and that is good for those of us who like GTA3.

Post by **weemadando** » 2003-12-01 10:37am

I'd support this if more developers took themselves seriously.

The OFLC in Australia has banned a few games, notably the ones that are just plain stupid such as BMX-XXX and Postal2.

Why? Because there is no redeeming feature.

Max Payne 2 got an R-18 rating - why? Because its a goddamn mature game! And the developers made it that way.

SoF2 got a M-15 rating because of gore, lots of gore.

If there was a reason for as game getting a high rating other than developers catering to the tit and arse crowd or just making a highly detailed damage engine, I'd be all for a lot of these classfication changes. But as long as developers keep aiming firmly for the lowest common denominator, little Billy who shot someone because he played Pong is still going to be the face of gamers in the press.

Meest · Post by **Meest** » 2003-12-01 03:01pm

"Yee also plans on introducing a bill that would require retailers to put mature-rated games on a separate shelf from games rated for teens or general audiences.
Violent video games are among the most popular. In 2002, the carjacking crime fantasy "Grand Theft Auto" was the biggest-selling title in the industry"

Note the "fantasy" word, if kids can't suspend disbelief, they should be put into special schools.

Shinova · Post by **Shinova** » 2003-12-01 03:16pm

Meest wrote:Note the "fantasy" word, if kids can't suspend disbelief, they should be put into special schools.

No! It's Television and the gamemaker's responsibility to teach kids what's real and what's not! We parents are too busy planning which game company to sue next!

Doesn't apply to all, but yeah.

StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Treating violent games like adult mags

Treating violent games like adult mags

Re: Treating violent games like adult mags

Re: Treating violent games like adult mags