Posted Jul 06, 2007 at 01:36PM by Ryan C.
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The UK does it much better than the U.S., which rates a game that's inappropriate for minors and then sells it to them. I think the U.K. has got it right. You rate a game and you can't sell it to people if it falls in a certain category - the rating actually has a sanction, whereas in the U.S. the rating means nothing. |
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44 Comments
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by WelshBluebird (Unregistered) - 2007-07-07 |
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» He's right for once
wow. I can't believe this - but I actually agree with him. The first time ever.
The ratings thing is kinda pointless if they aren't being enforced. Yes, I realise violent games don't make normal people go out and kill people, but if a game is rated too violent or whatever for a 15 year old say, then the 15 year old shouldn't be able to buy it.
And yes, I am 17 myself and own a few 18 rated games, so yea, I know i'm kinda contradicting myself, but since the 18 rated games I do have were bought by my parents, they feel I am responsible and mature enough to play them.
wow. I can't believe this - but I actually agree with him. The first time ever.
The ratings thing is kinda pointless if they aren't being enforced. Yes, I realise violent games don't make normal people go out and kill people, but if a game is rated too violent or whatever for a 15 year old say, then the 15 year old shouldn't be able to buy it.
And yes, I am 17 myself and own a few 18 rated games, so yea, I know i'm kinda contradicting myself, but since the 18 rated games I do have were bought by my parents, they feel I am responsible and mature enough to play them.
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by IodineX (Unregistered) - 2007-07-07 |
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» Lol!
I bet the JackAttack could win you any lawsuit you wanted....
I bet the JackAttack could win you any lawsuit you wanted....
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by hotwax (Unregistered) - 2007-07-07 |
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» jack thompson....
.... is a CLINT (courtesy of the UK)
.... is a CLINT (courtesy of the UK)
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by Cadabena (Unregistered) - 2007-07-07 |
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» 'The US should follow UK game rating policies'...?!
Well, the UK sometimes is a bit too strict. I went into Gamestation in my local town, and got 3 UMD movies to buy. I wasn't allowed to buy them, because 2 were rated 15. I am 15 years old, and was at the time, and the clerk wouldn't accept my DOB on the profile on my phone, so I had to delay the holiday in order to be able to get my mom to come along in order to get them. If anything, the US should be less like the UK.
Well, the UK sometimes is a bit too strict. I went into Gamestation in my local town, and got 3 UMD movies to buy. I wasn't allowed to buy them, because 2 were rated 15. I am 15 years old, and was at the time, and the clerk wouldn't accept my DOB on the profile on my phone, so I had to delay the holiday in order to be able to get my mom to come along in order to get them. If anything, the US should be less like the UK.
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by blah (Unregistered) - 2007-07-07 |
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» ignore him
if you ignore him and don't write articles about him, he'll eventually go away. if you give him attention like this, then this bastard will keep on talking just to piss us all off. for everyones sake, please please please don't write anymore articles on he-who-must-not-be-named aka voldemort lol.
if you ignore him and don't write articles about him, he'll eventually go away. if you give him attention like this, then this bastard will keep on talking just to piss us all off. for everyones sake, please please please don't write anymore articles on he-who-must-not-be-named aka voldemort lol.
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by Kichigai - 2007-07-07 |
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» ESRB Is Doing It Wrong!
Am I the only one who thinks that the entire makeup of the ESRB is completely wrong? Its rating system (E, E7, T, M, AO) is too one dimensional, and its being pressured to do too much. My family has a grasp on what the ratings generally mean, but have no idea the meanings (neither do I). What exactly does a game have to do to get a T rating? Why aren't the content labels more descriptive? I personally despise the entire concept of the one/two letter rating label, and think we should just switch to content labels (realistic violence, etc.), so that parents can make a more informed decision. I think that the ESRB telling you that this particular game (Let's say Final Fantasy IX, for example) is a game for teens, when I would have no problem with a nine or ten year old playing. Consider the content for Christ's sake! FFIX had no blood or gore, its language was quite tame (maybe the worst they did was "dammit"), there was no objectification of women, nothing that would be considered "adult content," or anything like that. But the ESRB says it's still for teens and older, even though children under 13 have been exposed to far more mature content than that seen in FFIX (like maybe hearing daddy say "*****" when you were 18 months old? Or walking into your parents room when you were three, only to find them having sex? Or driving through the wrong part of Baltimore?) It's like the ESRB is telling me I'm a bad parent because I think my kids should be able to play that game.
Of course, then the ESRB is a bit inconsistent at times. Take a look at the game Jaws Unleashed or Destroy All Humans. Both were rated M by the ESRB, which means that (to anyone not willing to look beyond the label, and there's a lot of those people) it's on the same level of violence, gore, language and sex as Halo 2, Gears of War, Grand Theft Auto, and Leisure Suit Larry. But to anyone who's actually played those games (or watched someone play those games) the violence is nearly comical, the gore is minimal (compared even to the original Mortal Kombat), and the language is squeaky clean. Doesn't sound quite right to me.
Of course, the ESRB is also being overworked these days. Ever since Hot Coffee, they're expected to make revisions to games because of user introduced content (I guess The Sims is AO now), and rate every single little thing, right down to the multiple endings. Again, this doesn't sound quite right, that we're making gamers and companies suffer because a few miscreants though it was funny to see boobs (OMG BEWBS!) in a game. Hell, Halo 2 for PC had to be reworked and modified because apparently half a buttock was found somewhere in its unused/never seen texture maps, and Microsoft was forced to go in and find it, and remove it, or face getting an AO rating. You see worse in episodes of King of the Hill.
So I'm going to have to say that I'm on the entirely opposite end of the Spectrum from Jack, and I think that the ESRB's importance need to be turned down a bit, and its system completely reworked.
Oh, BTW: there is evidence to suggest that violent games do have an effect on people and their level of aggression, however this research also states that this effect only lasts between twenty minutes and an hour. Of course, this is just increased aggression (like you throwing your controller on the ground in rage), not rabid murderous rampages (like you choking your friend because he won't stop camping). There always is the whole "viewing this will possibly scar the child psychologically," and that's true too, but I think the accessibility of games like that is rated a bit too high, but anyone giving a child a game like that, or having them sit through a session is outright negligence (though, we'll see how the courts rule on that one with Reiser, poor bastard). So STFU, truth hurts, but take it like an adult and don't rate someone down because they're right and you don't like it.
Am I the only one who thinks that the entire makeup of the ESRB is completely wrong? Its rating system (E, E7, T, M, AO) is too one dimensional, and its being pressured to do too much. My family has a grasp on what the ratings generally mean, but have no idea the meanings (neither do I). What exactly does a game have to do to get a T rating? Why aren't the content labels more descriptive? I personally despise the entire concept of the one/two letter rating label, and think we should just switch to content labels (realistic violence, etc.), so that parents can make a more informed decision. I think that the ESRB telling you that this particular game (Let's say Final Fantasy IX, for example) is a game for teens, when I would have no problem with a nine or ten year old playing. Consider the content for Christ's sake! FFIX had no blood or gore, its language was quite tame (maybe the worst they did was "dammit"), there was no objectification of women, nothing that would be considered "adult content," or anything like that. But the ESRB says it's still for teens and older, even though children under 13 have been exposed to far more mature content than that seen in FFIX (like maybe hearing daddy say "*****" when you were 18 months old? Or walking into your parents room when you were three, only to find them having sex? Or driving through the wrong part of Baltimore?) It's like the ESRB is telling me I'm a bad parent because I think my kids should be able to play that game.
Of course, then the ESRB is a bit inconsistent at times. Take a look at the game Jaws Unleashed or Destroy All Humans. Both were rated M by the ESRB, which means that (to anyone not willing to look beyond the label, and there's a lot of those people) it's on the same level of violence, gore, language and sex as Halo 2, Gears of War, Grand Theft Auto, and Leisure Suit Larry. But to anyone who's actually played those games (or watched someone play those games) the violence is nearly comical, the gore is minimal (compared even to the original Mortal Kombat), and the language is squeaky clean. Doesn't sound quite right to me.
Of course, the ESRB is also being overworked these days. Ever since Hot Coffee, they're expected to make revisions to games because of user introduced content (I guess The Sims is AO now), and rate every single little thing, right down to the multiple endings. Again, this doesn't sound quite right, that we're making gamers and companies suffer because a few miscreants though it was funny to see boobs (OMG BEWBS!) in a game. Hell, Halo 2 for PC had to be reworked and modified because apparently half a buttock was found somewhere in its unused/never seen texture maps, and Microsoft was forced to go in and find it, and remove it, or face getting an AO rating. You see worse in episodes of King of the Hill.
So I'm going to have to say that I'm on the entirely opposite end of the Spectrum from Jack, and I think that the ESRB's importance need to be turned down a bit, and its system completely reworked.
Oh, BTW: there is evidence to suggest that violent games do have an effect on people and their level of aggression, however this research also states that this effect only lasts between twenty minutes and an hour. Of course, this is just increased aggression (like you throwing your controller on the ground in rage), not rabid murderous rampages (like you choking your friend because he won't stop camping). There always is the whole "viewing this will possibly scar the child psychologically," and that's true too, but I think the accessibility of games like that is rated a bit too high, but anyone giving a child a game like that, or having them sit through a session is outright negligence (though, we'll see how the courts rule on that one with Reiser, poor bastard). So STFU, truth hurts, but take it like an adult and don't rate someone down because they're right and you don't like it.
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Re: Barakku (Unregistered) - 2007-07-07 |
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» Dunno what they mean?
Gee, I wonder what age of people shuld paly T rated games...
There are tons of content ratings out there, for all of the thins you describe--violence, sexual themes, and varying intensities of each. Suggestive themes
Gee, I wonder what age of people shuld paly T rated games...
There are tons of content ratings out there, for all of the thins you describe--violence, sexual themes, and varying intensities of each. Suggestive themes
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by Jello (Unregistered) - 2007-07-07 |
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» Good point
Point taken, Jack Thompson is crazy. If your in the know about web comics, he tends to be "friends" with a few of owners, mainly Scott Ramsoomair of VG Cats and Gabe and Tycho at Penny Arcade.
If you don't know, look it up, its hilarious.
Point taken, Jack Thompson is crazy. If your in the know about web comics, he tends to be "friends" with a few of owners, mainly Scott Ramsoomair of VG Cats and Gabe and Tycho at Penny Arcade.
If you don't know, look it up, its hilarious.
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by Avan Madisen (Unregistered) - 2007-07-07 |
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» I actually agree with 'some' of this.
Although I find Jack Thompson to be rather over-zealous with his 'abhorance' towards games and I disagree with him at every turn, I do have to agree with what he's saying here.
Being a UK citizen I've grown up around the idea of certificates being legally enforced. If a game or film has received a 15 or 18 certificate, children under that age should not be allowed to see them, therefore it makes sense they should not be allowed to buy them.
I do however, disagree with censoreship and banning, we, as adults, should be allowed to decide for ourselves what is appropriate for us to view.
Although I find Jack Thompson to be rather over-zealous with his 'abhorance' towards games and I disagree with him at every turn, I do have to agree with what he's saying here.
Being a UK citizen I've grown up around the idea of certificates being legally enforced. If a game or film has received a 15 or 18 certificate, children under that age should not be allowed to see them, therefore it makes sense they should not be allowed to buy them.
I do however, disagree with censoreship and banning, we, as adults, should be allowed to decide for ourselves what is appropriate for us to view.
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by Zer0 (Unregistered) - 2007-07-07 |
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» Political Retards
The problem isn't the ratings, it's the parents that walk into the stores and buy Manhunt 2 or GTA for little Jimmy. Retailers warn them of what's in the game, but the parents just shrug and get it for their whining brat kids to shut them up. Of course, the second little Jimmy gets the game home and start lopping body parts off and raeping hookers, the parents want to get militant, but really, if they're too stupid to realize a game titled "GRAND THEFT AUTO" isn't something a kid should be playing, maybe they should've been denied the right to breed in the first place.
The problem isn't the ratings, it's the parents that walk into the stores and buy Manhunt 2 or GTA for little Jimmy. Retailers warn them of what's in the game, but the parents just shrug and get it for their whining brat kids to shut them up. Of course, the second little Jimmy gets the game home and start lopping body parts off and raeping hookers, the parents want to get militant, but really, if they're too stupid to realize a game titled "GRAND THEFT AUTO" isn't something a kid should be playing, maybe they should've been denied the right to breed in the first place.
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by SHizzy (Unregistered) - 2007-07-07 |
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» Wow.. just wow
Someone, just go shoot him.. and while you at it yell at him something like "Hah.. and i dont even like fps!"
This guy makes my IQ drop every time i read something by him.. its redicilus
Someone, just go shoot him.. and while you at it yell at him something like "Hah.. and i dont even like fps!"
This guy makes my IQ drop every time i read something by him.. its redicilus
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by Dodo - 2007-07-08 |
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» ..
I don't know about US, but ID checking in UK is pretty strict. I'm 20, but I look pretty young for my age, like 16-17. I always get asked for ID. It's not pleasant, but at least they are doing their job.
Ultimately, it's up to kids' parents to take responsiblity and protect them from buying or playing violent games. Parents should supervise their kids playing games just as much as chatting online to potential paedophiles. It's because of lazy, ignorant parents kids turn out f**ked up.
I don't necessarily agree with BBFC's decision, but I think they do a better job at ratings. I just don't think banning the game or sticking an A/O rating is the solution to protect kids, when it can be simply dealt with better awareness. BBFC/ESRB could just issue a stict notice to all game retailers to take extra caution when selling particularly violent game.
I don't know about US, but ID checking in UK is pretty strict. I'm 20, but I look pretty young for my age, like 16-17. I always get asked for ID. It's not pleasant, but at least they are doing their job.
Ultimately, it's up to kids' parents to take responsiblity and protect them from buying or playing violent games. Parents should supervise their kids playing games just as much as chatting online to potential paedophiles. It's because of lazy, ignorant parents kids turn out f**ked up.
I don't necessarily agree with BBFC's decision, but I think they do a better job at ratings. I just don't think banning the game or sticking an A/O rating is the solution to protect kids, when it can be simply dealt with better awareness. BBFC/ESRB could just issue a stict notice to all game retailers to take extra caution when selling particularly violent game.
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by jack thompson (Unregistered) - 2007-07-08 |
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» wrong
Excuse, but the assertion by "Jonathan" above that in some states fines have to be paid when mature games are sold to minors is utterly false. There is no such law on the books in any state in the Union. That's precisely why we need them--there is no sanction against selling these adults materials to kids?
I'm "crazy for wanting that? Then the entire nations of UK, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Gernmany, others in the EUk--they're all "crazy." Get a grip, people. Jack Thompson
Excuse, but the assertion by "Jonathan" above that in some states fines have to be paid when mature games are sold to minors is utterly false. There is no such law on the books in any state in the Union. That's precisely why we need them--there is no sanction against selling these adults materials to kids?
I'm "crazy for wanting that? Then the entire nations of UK, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Gernmany, others in the EUk--they're all "crazy." Get a grip, people. Jack Thompson
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Re: Kincyr (Unregistered) - 2007-07-08 |
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» Jack is what's wrong
There's no such law when it comes to 'R' rated movie either, and the FTC found in April 2007 that seven in ten underage shoppers (that's 70%) were able to purchase 'R' or un-rated (which are likely to be rated NC-17) movies. The 14th Amendment ensures that if you go after one type of media, you must go after them all. A chart I have provided at http://members.aol.com/KinCryos/FTC.png shows that of all violent media sold to children, videogames have taken a nosedive while other forms of media remain strong. Of course, none of that compares to the violence and sex found in the Holy Bible.
http://englishatheist.org/indexr.shtml
There are no better porn writers than the authors of the Bible. Consider the unbridled eroticism of the Song of Solomon. Or if you want hardcore smut, incest, rape, sexual mutilation, voyeurism, watersports, fornication, adultery, etc., look no further than your family Bible. And this is practicly given to children.
There's no such law when it comes to 'R' rated movie either, and the FTC found in April 2007 that seven in ten underage shoppers (that's 70%) were able to purchase 'R' or un-rated (which are likely to be rated NC-17) movies. The 14th Amendment ensures that if you go after one type of media, you must go after them all. A chart I have provided at http://members.aol.com/KinCryos/FTC.png shows that of all violent media sold to children, videogames have taken a nosedive while other forms of media remain strong. Of course, none of that compares to the violence and sex found in the Holy Bible.
http://englishatheist.org/indexr.shtml
There are no better porn writers than the authors of the Bible. Consider the unbridled eroticism of the Song of Solomon. Or if you want hardcore smut, incest, rape, sexual mutilation, voyeurism, watersports, fornication, adultery, etc., look no further than your family Bible. And this is practicly given to children.
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