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ScootaKuH · #1 02-17-2007, 12:07 PM

All too often I go to my local games shop to see people buying their children games. I see idiot parents picking up games like GTA and Manhunt thinking they're suitable for a 10 year old child. My message is this......LOOK AT THE LABEL!!! IF A GAME HAS GOT A BIG 18 INSIDE A RED CIRCLE YOU CAN TAKE IT AS A CLEAR INDICATION THAT IT'S NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUR CHILD!! In any case, it's Illegal!! In this I am referring to the UK games market because I know a lot of games in this country are governed by the BBFC and if there is a BBFC rating on the packaging then it means it's law.

It happens all too often, and I'm sorry to rant but it just makes me so angry because these parents are the first to scream when they actually see what their child is playing on, and this is how games get in the news, and possibly banned, meaning the more mature gamers miss out on extremely fun and often unique gaming experiences.

I know that there are also a lot of responsible parents out there but some are very careless and still think that all video games are for children. The message is this, the market has changed, and so have the games.

All I ask is that people buying games for their children, please check the packaging thoroughly, this way everybody is happy.

LilDevil · #2 02-17-2007, 12:17 PM

Right on!

thegeth · #3 02-17-2007, 03:25 PM

completely agree

crash1202 · #4 02-17-2007, 03:35 PM

I dont, I think if parents choose to give those games they can...It is their choice and if you have a problem with it then dont do it...I mean what is it doing to you?

ScootaKuH · #5 02-17-2007, 05:19 PM

Crash, did you actually read my post??? You appear to be missing the point entirely.
What it is doing to me, in fact, the whole gaming community is at times depriving us of games that are unique, with proper adult themes. A case in point is Manhunt, this game came so close to being banned in the UK and a lot of games stores refused to stock it because a teenager killed his friend and his mother blamed this on him playing Manhunt.
Point 1: although it was a terrible thing to happen, to blame a game is just finding something to use as a scapegoat and games are a prime target. Not the fact that he was a drug addict with some serious mental problems, it's always the game itself at fault.
Point 2: He should never have had access to the game in the first place, he was 17, the game has a BBFC 18 certificate and it is against the law for it to be supplied to anyone below that age, shops can be prosecuted if they do so.
Point 3: I mentioned that games stores stopped stocking it, and it nearly got banned. This obviously means that for the rest of the mature gaming public the choice of whether we want to play this game could have been taken away from us, which, personally, I find disgusting.

If people just used more caution and read the games packaging properly it would stop this kind of thing happening and people would be free to buy and play whatever games they choose.

After all i don't want to just play Mario and Sonic for the rest of my life.

crash1202 · #6 02-17-2007, 08:04 PM

I do not live in the UK so I did not know of any of this and how things are being banned....But this sort of this can be because of almost anything....not JUST video games...

another thing....... Did this guy have mental problems or did you just say it for an example type thing...

crispino13 · #7 02-17-2007, 08:32 PM

i agree with scootakuh. if these parents are buying games that are to mature for there child and then complain about how it is to violent. it is wrecking it for us. because now there is a chance that the game would be banned, this is a big blow to us, cuz now we wont be able to play games that we are mature enough to play.

crash1202 · #8 02-18-2007, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispino13

i agree with scootakuh. if these parents are buying games that are to mature for there child and then complain about how it is to violent. it is wrecking it for us. because now there is a chance that the game would be banned, this is a big blow to us, cuz now we wont be able to play games that we are mature enough to play.

Oh buying and THEN complaining, thats changes what I thought you meant.....

ScootaKuH · #9 02-18-2007, 02:37 AM

Exactly, are you with me now crash???

And yes, he was genuinely mentally ill. Also a court concluded that it wasn't the game's fault that he killed his best friend. The judge also said my exact words earlier, that games are often used as scapegoats instead and are NEVER the actual cause of such crimes. This indicates that there is a much more deep rooted problem, more than likely triggered through drug use, or mental instability, in which case he would probably have killed anyway, with or without exposure to the game.

I also agree that this isn't just restricted to games, it relates to most forms of modern entertainment but specifically games and movies and the same still applies. If a game or movie does get banned, it takes away our freedom of choice. Indeed I was actually very happy with the BBFC's decision not to ban Manhunt, they also agreed that the 17 year old should never have had access to the game in the first place but unfortunately it still doesn't stop people from trying and fairly recently there was even a story in the news about parents petitioning to get ALL violent games banned!!!

These age restrictions are in place for a very good reason, and this is for the protection of our younger generation, to keep them from seeing games or movies that have unsuitable content for their age. People - especially those with young children - need to be especially vigilant and need to study packaging more carefully before committing to buying it.

Just one more thing. I do actually have experience as Manhunt is one of my favourite games of modern times and it's not turned me into a raving maniac, in fact I'm not a violent person at all, I just feel very passionately that we shouldn't have our liberties taken away from us.

Lostdog · #10 02-19-2007, 09:30 AM

Powerful points made by ScootaKuH and I totally agree.

However making some parents, or even shopkeepers, not supply games/movies etc to minors is very difficult. Especially with peer pressure, kids don't want to be seen out of the loop and nag parents, so lots of parents give in just to have a easy life. this is wrong.
Parents buy these games so the shopkeepers are not breaking the law, however I was in my local 'Game' store the other week and saw one sales assistant refuse to sell a 18 cert game to an adult because their 11yr old asked his mum to buy it, to which the lady swore at the shop and left!! Classy!!

ScootaKuH · #11 02-19-2007, 02:47 PM

Exactly Lostdog and it's this kind of behaviour that gives gamers a bad reputation. It's unbelieveable that any parent could even think about buying an 18 rated game for their 11 year old and then to swear at the shop staff when they're doing their job properly just shows the mentality of this woman.

I do also agree that it's difficult to enforce this due to peer pressure, or, as you say, just for the sake of an easy life, but, at the end of the day it's all of us that suffer in the end.

Lostdog · #12 02-19-2007, 03:04 PM

A lot of groups keep jumping on the band wagon and bring politics into gaming!?!
Like you said gaming is becoming a scapegoat for anything violent. Just look at society today, kids get away with anything, for example abusing teachers in school etc. Games DON'T produce that. I was a little shit when I was at school I'll admit and I didn't blame it on my ZX Spectrum!!!!
We play games for a bit of a release not the other way round!
There is nothing more relaxing than garroting a gang member in Manhunt!!!

Old man speech over......

ScootaKuH · #13 02-19-2007, 03:35 PM

Agreed. Trouble is, as games get visually more realistic with the arrival of PS3 and 360, I can only see this problem getting worse....

renatas · #14 02-21-2007, 03:53 PM

ok i am 12. there is no absolutely no good games thaT ARE 12 OR BELOW I HAVE TO STICK to crap sporrts because i only like basket ball so wat should i do>?????????????????? and im not gonna go and kill my family because of a game!

ScootaKuH · #15 02-21-2007, 03:56 PM

Well since this was actually aimed at parents you can't do a lot. If you went into a games shop and tried to buy GTA San Andreas or some other 18 rated game, unless you look like a seriously old 12 year old you won't get served....This is assuming you're from the UK. if you're in the US or somewhere else I don't know what their laws are.

renatas · #16 02-21-2007, 03:56 PM

and what do i do

ScootaKuH · #17 02-21-2007, 03:57 PM

Wait until you turn 18 or get an irresponsible parent to buy your games for you....note i said irresponsible.

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