17% of GTA 4 Owners Between Age 7 and 16

[The 1 2 P]

Seven? Yes seven. According to new Nielsen survey info, 17% of Grand Theft Auto 4 owners are minors between the ages of 7 and 16: http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/nielsen-17-of-gta-iv-purchasers-underage/. Even more disturbing is the fact that 39% of the underage gamers had relatives and friends purchase the game for them. Why is that disturbing? Because those same parents that purchased this game will be the first to blame it once their underage kids do something stupid. Such is the American way:popcorn:

[RARusk]

When I start getting emails from second graders asking me how to beat "Three Leaf Clover" at least I'll know why.

(BTW, Version 1 of my just completed GTA IV guide is now up at GameFAQs for those interested)

[j_factor]

I'm still not sure what all the brouhaha about kids playing "mature" games is about. Who cares if some kid plays GTA? I mean, if I had a 7 year old, I certainly wouldn't buy him/her GTA4, but it's not the end of the world if it happens. It just seems so trivial to me.

[Chadt74]

For all the crap DP members give GameStop I must admit they do ask for age verfication and inform parents of the contents of the game.

[carlcarlson]

I'm still not sure what all the brouhaha about kids playing "mature" games is about. Who cares if some kid plays GTA? I mean, if I had a 7 year old, I certainly wouldn't buy him/her GTA4, but it's not the end of the world if it happens. It just seems so trivial to me.

Yeah I agree, this isn't much of a surprise. I still do a little double-take, though, when I hear an obviously pre-pubescent voice on COD4 or some such game. Very strange.

[boatofcar]

Next thing you know, kids aged 7-16 will start watching R-rated movies!

[Mangar]

If a parent deems a child mature enough to play an M-Rated game, it's really nobody elses business but the parents.

This of course is coming from someone who serves a small glass of ale or wine to a 7 year old with dinner, so take it as you will.

[Hitman Tyler]

what makes me mad the most, is now all of a sudden gamestop is so worried about the M rated games. Also that parents / grandparents say when the news asks, them did you know your child was playing this; they respond by saying "OMG I had NO idea, what kind of game it was." Amazing

[Nature Boy]

What percentage of those are 7 versus 16 - any idea?

I wonder if they would have put an "M" rating on D&D back in my high school days, and if my parents would have let me play it or not...

[chicnstu]

My parents don't care if my little brother (15) and little sister (14) play violent games. They know they've raised us well enough that we won't be so stupid to repeat the things we see. I think that if my siblings used to get 2 or 3 beatings per day they should know by now.

They actually are more concerned about what movies they watch, which usually have more blood and nudity than any video game.

[eugenek]

Parents are morons. I used to work at Gamestop (when it was EB) when GTA III first came out and we were required to start asking for ID. So a kid who is 11 years old comes in one day and tries to buy the game, and of course I tell him no.

About twenty minutes later he comes back in with his mom, who says she'll buy the game for him. I figure she doesn't actually realize what's in the game (does an 11 year old even know what a hooker is?), so I tell her, at which point she responds with one of the most ignorant statements I've ever heard from another human being: "Well, if he gets a chance to play with hookers in the game and gets it out of his system, then maybe it will stop him from going to real hookers in the future."

I'm now an ardent supporter of requiring licenses to become a parent.

[chicnstu]

does an 11 year old even know what a hooker is?

Remember this story?:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/04/04/1175366282250.html

[lendelin]

What percentage of those are 7 versus 16 - any idea?


This is a VERY good question. You hit the nail on its head.

One of the oldest cheap tricks by guys with a political agenda using statistics is to conveniently reduce or expand sections in order to make their biased point. (income brackets, sales numbers among many others; expect a myriad of those dumb statistical quotes in election campaigns; look at global warming statistics about greenhouse gases and temperature shown from 1970 on but not including 1940 or earlier because it just wont fit the core of the theory)

In this case: young children are put in one bracket with younger teenagers so that the sensational "does no one think about our children" can be screamed by the over-concerned educational dictators like David Walsh.

Research shows that the effect of 'violent' media (including games) on behavior is dramatically reduced by the age of 11 while 5 to 10 year olds playfully imitate behavior observed. (I rely here on the findings by one of David Walsh's research papers, certainly not a lobbyist for the game industry)

That means it is very important to distinguish between a 14 year old and an 8 year old when we talk about those sensationalist headlines.

I bet that the percentage of owners 11 and younger is dramatically low, and 13 and up represent the vast majority of the 17 percent.

...but I guess a headline "Two percent of GTA4 owners between age 7 and 10" isn't just newsworthy enough.

[ac3ins4ne]

Wow, I'm guessing people don't pay attention to the rating system.

[josekortez]

This of course is coming from someone who serves a small glass of ale or wine to a 7 year old with dinner, so take it as you will.

For some unknown reason, I thought this was hilarious. Then, I had the idea that parents should start rubbing copies of the PS3 version of GTA IV on the gums of teething babies to soothe them.

It's been a weird night.

[Tommy]

That's just all types of discombobulated (spellcheck)! Kids are really impressionable and to see them playing a game of this nature is ridiculous. If I saw a mere child playing a M rated game I would surely call out the parents and ask why. Why would you allow your child to play such a game. This is why kids are growing up de-sensitized to the world around them. :shameful:

[The 1 2 P]

Remember this story?:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/04/04/1175366282250.html

What.....the......fuck??????????????????

[Nature Boy]

Why would you allow your child to play such a game.

Because I'm intelligent enough to make the call for my child, rather than allowing some 3rd party who has never met him dictate what he should or shouldn't see or do or experience.

You know, like what everybody who likes to harp about parents *wants* a parent to do - be involved and make the appropriate decisions.

Here's a better question: why do people without kids think they can understand what it's like to raise a child? And I'm not talking about the people behind the ratings system (they're a useful guideline that I have no issues with whatsoever).

[Graham Mitchell]

You know, I think people should be allowed to parent the way they feel is best, and in the end they get what they deserve. I don't tell you how to raise your kid, you don't tell me how to train my dog.

That said--when I bought GTA IV (back in late June--I haven't played it in awhile) it was right at the time of year when all the kids are out of school. Regardless of the time of day, every time I went to play multiplayer in GTA IV, it was me and 3 prepubescent boys in the lobby. And they were yelling "faggot faggot faggot fuck shit fuck fuck faggot fuck" the whole time. I kicked one of them from the lobby because I got so tired of hearing it.

We have friends that have a daughter who just turned 12. Mom and dad are pretty cool, and they let her come over and spend the night, and we play video games until 4 in the morning sometimes. And they don't care what she plays--her favorite is Bioshock (I think that's going to be our costume for Halloween). But the one game we won't let her touch is GTA IV, and it's only because of the sex. That just seems to be one thing in American culture that people freak out over, so we just avoid it. She's still at that age where she asks a lot of questions and doesn't really filter out the things mom and dad shouldn't know about, and I don't need her going home talking about hookers.

I remember once we were playing Castlevania Symphony of the Night. Inspired by an enemy in the game, she asked her extremely superstisious Moroccan father (who has trinkets around the house to protect them from the evil eye) if she could have a Ouija board. It wasn't pretty.

[Tommy]

Because I'm intelligent enough to make the call for my child, rather than allowing some 3rd party who has never met him dictate what he should or shouldn't see or do or experience.

You know, like what everybody who likes to harp about parents *wants* a parent to do - be involved and make the appropriate decisions.

Here's a better question: why do people without kids think they can understand what it's like to raise a child? And I'm not talking about the people behind the ratings system (they're a useful guideline that I have no issues with whatsoever).

Right, sure you would

[Rob2600]

Parents are morons. I used to work at Gamestop (when it was EB) when GTA III first came out and we were required to start asking for ID. So a kid who is 11 years old comes in one day and tries to buy the game, and of course I tell him no.

About twenty minutes later he comes back in with his mom, who says she'll buy the game for him. I figure she doesn't actually realize what's in the game (does an 11 year old even know what a hooker is?), so I tell her, at which point she responds with one of the most ignorant statements I've ever heard from another human being: "Well, if he gets a chance to play with hookers in the game and gets it out of his system, then maybe it will stop him from going to real hookers in the future."

I was in a similar situation. I worked at EB when Grand Theft Auto III was released. A mother came in and asked to buy it for her seven year old son. I pulled her aside and explained the contents of the game to her (violence, crime, prostitutes, etc.). Her response: "So what?"

[Sniderman]

My wife is an elementary school teacher, so she hears a lot of conversations amongst her kids (8 through 10 years old). They discuss their favorite videogames (often M rated); movies (often PG-13 or R rated); and favorite TV shows (South Park and Family Guy often comes up, as does Dexter).

She often comes home horrified. I just shrug.

[SegaAges]

I have been playing violent video games since back when everything was text based, and I got a good job as a computer programmer.

All those young kids can't play violent video games because it warps their minds argument = FAIL

You know, I never played a game that involved drug use. Drug Wars, but that was selling, not using. I used drugs and then cleaned up over 3 years ago, but it was my choice to start, and my choice to end.

It is not my problem that parents don't show their children the difference between fantasy and reality (yes, I know what it is like to raise a child).

It is not your job to tell a kid to not play a violent video game. Tell them to play it more. In fact, play the game with them. Let them know that even though they are doing something in a virtual world, that when they are done, they still deal with the real world (yes, the child I am raising is young and knows the difference). Stop trying to pussy-fy children. What happens when they have no exposure to violence, and then are put in a violent situation?

I say let the parents do their job. If the parent fails to do their job, then it is not GS or EB's place to try and parent the child. If you are that worried, get a job at Wal-Mart, they sell happy music without naughty words.

EDIT: hey Joe, I see another topic for you show written all over this thread

[Press_Start]

Here's a different way to look at:

17% of GTA4 is sold to kids/teenager group, then 83% belong to adults majority from the gamer population. Not surprising from an M rate game, but as a scary reflection of the direction of the industry when the sales numbers are included. Think it over, the gaming industry is catering to matures audiences, with a majority of upcoming popular titles labeled for 18+ backing up this notion. With nearly all resources on this generation, where are the plans to include the next generation of gamers? Will this be a reenactment of the 90's comic book impulsion within a decade or so?

Something to think about.

[Nature Boy]

Think it over, the gaming industry is catering to matures audiences, with a majority of upcoming popular titles labeled for 18+ backing up this notion. With nearly all resources on this generation, where are the plans to include the next generation of gamers? Will this be a reenactment of the 90's comic book impulsion within a decade or so?

Dude are you serious? Ummm, can I introduce you to my friend Wii? He's a shy quiet type, not at all prone to violence, and seems to make friends with everyone!


Right, sure you would

Uhhh, I know you are but what am I? ....

[otaku]

I'm usually a fairly liberal guy when it comes to morals and when I sold games for a living (and sell my personal stuff now) stuff like GTA I would not sell/recommend to people of these age groups. My cousins son (who's 6) saw something on tv at my place the other day where to women were making out he asked if they were lesbians, man was that awkward!

[Press_Start]

Dude are you serious? Ummm, can I introduce you to my friend Wii? He's a shy quiet type, not at all prone to violence, and seems to make friends with everyone!


The Wii has brought new blood into the fold, but it is unhealthy for a fraction of the industry to be bringing in new audiences (anyone who hasn't played a video game) as opposed to other companies who catered to a small demographic (men, age 16-35).

Unfortunately, most "hardcore" groups don't want to associate themselves with a "gimmicky" toy.

[modest9797]

I am 14 and I own GTA III. My parents know I play games like that as well as Halo, FEAR, Rainbow 6, ect. But they also know that I am not a violent person and would never try anything from GTA. (Which I personally hate.)

[8-bitNesMan]

@ Modest: Off topic, but would you please fix Intellivision in your sig? It bugs the crap out of grouchy old timers like myself! ;)

[Nature Boy]

The Wii has brought new blood into the fold, but it is unhealthy for a fraction of the industry to be bringing in new audiences (anyone who hasn't played a video game) as opposed to other companies who catered to a small demographic (men, age 16-35).

Why unhealthy?

And can you *really* refer to the Wii's market share as a 'fraction' of the industry? I'll grant that anything less than 100% is a fraction (I do have a BMath after all), but their piece of the pie is more than 50% these days, isn't it? The word fraction is more than a bit misleading!

I don't think there's anything wrong with it at all. I think it's good business on the part of all parties. Know your audience and cater to them. That's what smart businesses do.

[Jorpho]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wGr8njEWjtI/SKMANokVzKI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/1zg1bWRJh5I/s400/happy4th.jpg
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-believe-children-are-our-future.html

[modest9797]

Thats not good for young kids. They are like sponges.

[mailman187666]

I think anybody that is 12 or older should easily be mentaly stable enough to tell what is right and wrong in the world even after playing and beating all GTA games. If not, maybe they can point the fingers at the parents who raised kids to think that shooting people is OK. If I had a kid, I'd let him shoot his own gun at age 12. I'd take him/her to a firing range and teach him the proper gun safety when using one. It IS the parents, not the games.