Ben-DutkaBelieve it or not, young'uns, there was a time when video games didn't have ratings. And even when the ESRB came about, most parents didn't bother to take notice because after all, didn't all games feature little Italian plumbers leaping on the heads of cuddly creatures?
Obviously, we've come an awfully long way since then, and games require a rating system in much the same way movies do; interactive entertainment can be every bit as controversial and potentially harmful these days. And as a result, parents and even kids have taken notice. According to survey results released by The Harrison Group and Activision , 82% of parents and 75% of children who play games "are familiar" with the ESRB rating system. As an extra shocking statistic for someone who came from a generation when parents never played games, the survey also revealed that 63% of parents with children who play games consider themselves to be gamers. That number goes up to 83% for parents who are 35 years old or younger, which makes perfect sense considering that 35 is about the average age of a gamer in the industry. Additionally, 70% of parents pay close attention to the ratings on video games when purchasing them for their children or the family.
Other pertinent numbers include: 76% of parents say that "video games are a part of their family's life, and are something they're very comfortable with," and 62% of parents actually do their homework before buying a game. Said Mike Griffith, President and CEO of Activision Publishing:
"Parents rely on and value the ESRB ratings in helping them decide which games to allow their children to play. Our 'Ratings Are Not A Game' education initiative underscores our commitment to helping parents better understand and utilize the ratings system as they select age appropriate games and determine the best way for the entire family to enjoy the gaming experience."
Yes indeed, the ESRB is thankfully here to stay and parents are giving those ratings the requisite attention. And does anyone else think the ESRB is just far more accurate and perhaps even stricter than the MPAA…?
Take that Ron Jeremy!
oh sh*t its conan lol cool avatar.
I was going to change mine to Coco but i love Qwark too much 😉
My facebook pic is Coco. Screw Leno and NBC.
lol remember masturbating bear? he was a shy one
When I worked at circuit city, a woman came in to buy her 8 year old son GTAIV. I told her if there ever was a game you dont want to buy your kid due to content this it. She said "I know. Sell it to me anyway." It wasn't isolated either, it happened all the time. Not so sure exacty if I believe they are really paying attention to the ratings, and if they are, they don't seem to care.
God, I hope I keep my intelligence when I become a parent and don't turn into a brain-dead "thing" not caring about my child/ren. Seriously, they should implement a law supporting the set ratings to avoid examples like the one you just told. A game meant to be played by adults (GTA for example) isn't something kids should get their hands on until they've developed enough to understand that it's not real and that they shouldn't imitate such stuff IRL.
My nephew is already yelling "die die die!" or somesuch when playing Mario or Lego Batman/Indiana Jones etc. I dread to think about how he'd turn out if I let him play GTAIV.
Last edited by Feregrin on 1/15/2010 12:55:35 PM
And that could be the problem with kids/parents these days…?
Personally, I know that the responsibility of raising good kids falls on the parents… some don't though.
I'm a 39 y.o. gamer (since Atari 2600) and my kids are gamers too. Research drives most of our choices for games we buy or rent. My Mom bought them "Rabbids Go Home" for Wii on Christmas based on reviews… I have been teaching her about "shovel-ware" LOL
You would think a kid who stole a car and went to the red light district, then ran over hookers would be on the news LOL 🙂
The MPAA is laughable sometimes. The language and innuendos that get into some PG animated movies these days is insane.
As for the ESRB, they do a pretty good job. But like it's been stated, it's up to the parents to enforce it.
I was thinking the same thing a few days ago when, for some reason, Shrek was playing in the store.
Good to know. I think the game rating system is great. Much better then the movie system.
Ummmm, sorry by being "familiar" with the ESRB has nothing to do with following its recommendations.
some parent I believe but other are lying just to covers there own butts. Just so they look like good parents. and the one who did not now about it probaly never play games or even know what a video game is. But the ESRB is easy to understand and all parents should understand it depending if they know what a video game is.
the average age of a gamer is 35? wow, i didn't know that.
i remember when games weren't rated, but then again about the worst thing back then was mortal kombat and splatterhouse…and the porno games for atari, heh
i think this won't be an issue in the future, as most new parents (like me) are gamers already and have a pretty good idea what each game is about. just as long as the esrb keeps doing a good job, and the government doesn't step in and foul everything up.
meh i doubt most of them were truthful lol
I wonder who they surveyed? Obviously not the mom who thinks gaming is the devil.
Well what mom or dad are gonna admit that they arnt familiar with the age ratings… they will thionk it will be seen as bad parenting if they say they dont know anything about age ratings…
I call bullshit on this survey.
Just stand around the counter in any Gamestop or EB store and you can do your own scientific survey, and in less than 15 minutes too.
The clerks will tell the 5 year old's mom or dad that the game's too mature for their child & the parent will "STILL" buy it.
Quite a few times, I've even butted in & explained to a mother about what questionable content is in that "M" rated game she's about to hand over to her screaming little ADD-ridden brat.
And you want to know what their #1 answer was???
"Oh it's OK, I'll be watching them"
Yeah f*cking right, you will. Bullsh*t!!!!
Sometimes I think it would be better off of some parents take a parenting class at the "Arkham Asylum for the criminally clueless" before their sons become featured on the FOX NEWS network later on in life, as juvenile father-rapers.
When I worked at blockbuster man so many stupid parents came in to let rent their kids these mature rating games and were like so what I would always say fine you're the parent and btw you can't come back and complain or return the game you got for them 🙂
Thats bull because i play with anoying ass kids all the time online on MW2