[Mhurron]

Originally Posted by Feba

There's a helluva big difference between a parent being responsible with what their kids do and using one fucking word on a sticker to decide what is appropriate for their children.

Unless the parent is going to play every game their kid may want, you have to use something to draw the line somewhere. Far too many parents refuse to do so and just give kids whatever they want in the hopes that they'll be quiet which leads to the drooling idiots and entitled morons walking around today.

Because I'm a murder/rapist/dinosaurhunter/spy/thief because I play video games. If anything, video games have made me less violent by being an outlet, not more.

I was merely stating an opinion. However the real reason is probably closer to the fact that you're an asshole. No one here knows how many people you've killed or raped, how many dinosaurs you've bagged, espionage convictions you have or how many things you've stolen.

[Feba]

Unless the parent is going to play every game their kid may want, you have to use something to draw the line somewhere.

I disagree with that, but even if you do consider that the case, a simple bit of research on the subject would help. Gaming magazines, fellow parents/gaming friends, neighbor kids, hell, turning the freaking case over and seeing WHY it has that rating. Or take three minutes and ask an employee wherever you're shopping for advice.

Looking at an ESRB sticker makes you almost as lazy as a parent that buys your kid anything at all. There are plenty of "Teen" games that are just fine for the average 7 year old, and there are also plenty of "Teen" games that are pushing it for the average 14 year old. There are some Mature games that aren't out of the ordinary to what the average 12 year old already sees plenty of, and there are plenty of M-rated titles that could scare the shit out of a fully grown adult.

However the real reason is probably closer to the fact that you're an asshole.

Well yes, but I'm an asshole because I hate pretty much all of humanity, not because I play video games. I'd probably be more of an asshole if I'd been born a hundred years ago.

No one here knows

Actually, Balfree does. And he hasn't fucked with me since then.

[TheGrandMom]

I recently watched a video on CNN about video game ratings. It seems that many parents are still confused even with the rating on the box. I guess you can think of it like this. The parent sees M on the box and says no. The child goes "Oh mom it just has people dying in it so they have to give it a M rating. There isn't any naked people or swearing or other stuff so its not bad." Of course a parent wants to believe their child because they would know better than them but yet there is that rating.....what should I do? My personal opinion, if you are confused do NOT buy it. Like Feba said you can talk to the sales people though I will say this doesn't always work. Not all parents buy their games at Best Buy or Gamestop and at some other stores like Sears, Walmart, etc. not everyone is familiar with games. I actually helped a parent that was in Sears once since the sales person didn't have a clue. Ultimately the decision is up to the parent and the parent needs to educate themselves. I'm sick and tired of lazy parenting and people expecting our government or other outlets to police what our children should be doing or not doing.

As a gaming parent, I never had an issue knowing what my kids could or could not play. More parents should take the time to sit down and play games with their kids. At the very least they could sit and watch and be interactive with them while they play. (That means no reading the paper or talking on your cell phone. >< ) It opens avenues of discussion that might not naturally occur. You can take situations from a game and apply real life morals to them and talk to your kids to see what their views are. Treat your children with the respect that they deserve and you will reap the benefits.

Sorry....this is a very sore spot with me. LOL

[LyonheartLakshmi]

Originally Posted by TheGrandMom

I recently watched a video on CNN about video game ratings. It seems that many parents are still confused even with the rating on the box. I guess you can think of it like this. The parent sees M on the box and says no. The child goes "Oh mom it just has people dying in it so they have to give it a M rating. There isn't any naked people or swearing or other stuff so its not bad." Of course a parent wants to believe their child because they would know better than them but yet there is that rating.....what should I do?

I've personally found that even the "rating" itself isn't adequate any more. I remember picking up God of War because I had heard so many good thing about it. I was expecting a friend from my church to come by for a night of gaming later that week, and I thought it might be a nice addition to my library. It's a good thing I decided to play it on my own first. I was rather shocked when I saw topless women.

Afterwards, I double checked the ratings box. Sure enough, they listed nudity. However, I personally would have labelled something with nudity as being AO for Adults Only, rather than M for Mature.

My conclusion: forget the E / T / M type ratings. Keep a close eye on the list of objectionable material.

[Mhurron]

Originally Posted by LyonheartLakshmi

I personally would have labelled something with nudity as being AO for Adults Only, rather than M for Mature.

AO is reserved for pornography. Nudity != pornography.

[TheGrandMom]

The problem with "topless women" in a video game is the context in which it is used. If they are topless women in a strip club, AO. If they are topless 1/2 women, 1/2 serpent, M. Topless women at a beach, AO. Topless women in paintings, M. Personally I think you can "hint" at nudity and acheive the same effect so explicit nudity is just not needed. Any hint at nudity is a M rating so a younger audience shouldn't even be exposed to that (as long as parents are smart).

EDIT: My apologies for helping derail this topic. Let's keep on topic and talk about the 20th anniversary please. I am going to start another topic covering this so if anyone would like to retort please do so here:

Video Game Ratings...How useful are they?

[Feba]

TGM reminds me of another option, ask someone lurking around the games section for help. I've helped people pick out games for their kids at least three times.

Oddly enough, all at best buy. And my clothing looks nothing like their uniforms.

And Lyon, you were expecting to be in ancient greece without topless women? They fit right in the theme. Nudity does not make something only appropriate for adults, tons of great art has nudity, and it would be a great disservice to deny art to children.
------------------------------------------

If they are topless women in a strip club, AO.

Vice City disagrees.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

As always with our society, massive amounts of bloodshed is all well and good. But a topless woman? Yeah, that's the deal breaker. We're more comfortable about talking with kids about guns than nudity and what goes on in a bedroom between two people.

At any rate, I like how its FFVII that gets the lip service, yet an FFIV character gets in the 20th Anniversery logo. FFIV and VI and still tops in my book.

[Feba]

As always with our society, massive amounts of bloodshed is all well and good. But a topless woman? Yeah, that's the deal breaker.

Well, yeah, what if a boy were to see a boob? It could lead to horrible things!

[Mhurron]

There's a logo?

[Feba]

http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff20th/

apparently.

[LyonheartLakshmi]

The differing view points on the acceptability of nudity underscores my main point:
- Listing potential objectionable material helps educate parents so that they can make their own choices.
- The T/M/AO rating doesn't help educate buyers, and instead attempts to make the decision for them based on someone else's standards.

Originally Posted by TheGrandMom

The problem with "topless women" in a video game is the context in which it is used. If they are topless women in a strip club, AO. If they are topless 1/2 women, 1/2 serpent, M. Topless women at a beach, AO. Topless women in paintings, M. Personally I think you can "hint" at nudity and acheive the same effect so explicit nudity is just not needed. Any hint at nudity is a M rating so a younger audience shouldn't even be exposed to that (as long as parents are smart).

Out of curiosity, where would you put two topless women lounging around on a bed beckoning for the main character to come join them?

[Feba]

lyon: new thread. check it.

[Mhurron]

I mean really, *tsk* *shakes head*, some people.

[LyonheartLakshmi]

Originally Posted by Feba

lyon: new thread. check it.

Feba's tactic: get in one last pot-shot, and then treat everyone else's response as having no place.

I will not post any further responses to this thread, just so Feba can insure he does indeed get his "last word".