With all the controversy surrounding the Wii's Manhunt 2, we're reminded of a question we've been pondering for some time. In fact, since we here at DS Fanboy were discussing the issue just today, it seems like a good time to get your take on it: do game ratings even matter? It seems as though we all had stories that seemed to indicate that they didn't; so many people don't seem to pay attention to the content of games. In her column at GameSetWatch, Leigh Alexander mentioned something along these lines recently when talking about our It's funny because it's true. Too many parents don't pay attention to anything except the cover, if that, and sometimes it seems that the ratings don't even matter. Anyone who's worked in retail around games can testify to that. It's much worse than with the movie industry, wherein the rating actually seems to make a difference at times. But that's just our opinion -- we're here to find out what you think.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-22-2007 @ 9:35AM
Lard Of Dorkness said...
Perhaps, when translated, they'd notice the "Touch Lucious Witch Jubblies To Unlock Their Dark, Forbidden Witchery!" on the cover.
...No, I don't know if that's what it says, but it's what I imagine it says... sometimes... when I'm lonely...
...oh god help me...
Reply
6-22-2007 @ 10:21AM
greatslack said...
Maybe they should follow the example of Conker's Bad Fur Day:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Conkersbfdbox.jpg
or even go as far as cigarette packaging:
http://www.notestomyself.net/notes/images/050612_english_fag_warning.jpg
so parents and politicians finally get it through their thick heads that video games aren't just for kids.
Reply
6-22-2007 @ 11:49AM
Sarah said...
I'm 26 so ..no.. I don't pay attention to the rating system. It doesn't apply to me.
Reply
6-22-2007 @ 12:45PM
bobbyDS said...
I really don't care about ratings. I'm only 11 years old and I like Diablo 2. Besides, most kids today dont think their age.
It's not that I don't like ratings but I don't make a fuss over it.
Reply
6-22-2007 @ 1:45PM
grgspunk said...
Does that mean if the witch-touching game comes to the US with an M rating, parents will just ignore the ESRB label altogether?
Reply
6-22-2007 @ 2:20PM
Kristi said...
I think it's safe to say the great majority of parents in the US don't pay any attention to the game ratings. They simply don't care, or they don't want to deny their child something that Ricky next door gets to play with. That would make them a BAD and MEAN parent, or so they think, and parents want to be their kid's friend.
I realize this makes me sound old and cranky, and both of those are accurate.
Reply
6-22-2007 @ 9:20PM
Steve said...
Guys, if you're going to link to a page that is admittedly somewhat NSFW, do you think you could maybe mention that when you're linking? Thanks.
Reply
6-22-2007 @ 10:04PM
Robert Baldwin said...
As someone who works retail I make certain I point out the game ratings when someone is purchasing something rated M, I once had a set of parents who were going to buy the Family Guy game for their young daughter based on the fact that it was a cartoon.
Honestly, I have no problems with the rating system, its a tool for parents to have some idea of what their child might be playing, what I do take issue with is when the government tries to pass legislation on the issue, meddling in matters where they really shouldn't.
Reply
6-22-2007 @ 11:04PM
Chazz said...
I think they work pretty well. I just turned 16 and every time i try to buy an M game, the cashiers rush me like i'm trying to rob the place and won't let me buy it. Plus, If my parents see the M logo on the box they won't even consider letting me play it. My parents don't care if they're being a bad or mean parent.
Reply
6-22-2007 @ 11:18PM
NeverSage said...
@Chazz
Man, your parents are mean.
@Lard Of Dorkness
I loled
I don't think the ESRB ratings are considered nearly as much as movie ratings. I hesitated before seeing Fantastic Four because it's rated PG. I only justified seeing it since the old Indiana Jones and Star Wars movies are also PG. But I'll pick up any game regardless of rating. In fact, the last time I thought about ratings was when this whole Manhunt 2 thing happened.
Reply
6-23-2007 @ 8:48AM
ShaneLucPicard said...
It depends on where you live or purchase the games because for example, I live in Mormonville Utah and they seem to be sticklers when it comes to the ratings. But say somewhere like Colorado or California where the people are more laid back about violence (cause they are used to it or something). I don't think I've ever been asked for ID when purchasing an "M" rated game. And by the way I'm 24 so this problem doesn't stop me it is just annoying.
Reply