So you think there are too many M-rated games? [Archive]

kai123

08-04-2004, 05:49 AM

In the new issue of Computer Gaming World they have an interesting article about how many games are rated what. The news may shock some of you. This was originally in an issue of PSM by John Davison.
These stats are for every rated game released in 2003 as per the article. I assume they got the info from the ESRB since they interviewed them.

E-rated games 57%
T-rated games 32%
M-rated games 10%
EC accounted for 1%

Let's hear some thoughts on this.

Biff_McFresh

08-04-2004, 06:48 AM

Going by the "average age of a gamer is said to be 29 (some survery released at E3 if I remember correctly)" thing, no I don't think there are too many M-rated games. And seeing as 10% isn't that much to begin with, no.

DEBRO

08-04-2004, 06:55 AM

Interesting...

Who rates these games? For instance, I think the movie rating is goverened by the movie industry. This is how a lot of old PG material is sneaking into G rated movies. Are we seeing the same here? Are most shoot-em up's rated with a T? I haven't bought a lot of modern games lately. I am surprised to see so many E rated games. These could be all of those kiddy PS1 titles I've seen lately LOL

kai123

08-04-2004, 06:59 AM

The ESRB rates games and has been for a long time.

tholly

08-04-2004, 08:55 AM

to me....what a game is rated does not affect my decisions at all....i buy games based on if i want them and if i feel that it will be a good game that i would enjoy to play

MarioAllStar2600

08-04-2004, 09:38 AM

christianscott27

08-04-2004, 10:17 AM

i want more M games dammit. i like a well told story, and if that involves cursing, violence and sex so be it. no worse than an R-rated movie.

captain nintendo

08-04-2004, 10:21 AM

Doesnt bother me , I am 30 and really dont worry about what I play. But I guess I wouldnt let my 3 year old play GTA Vice City ;)

Does it say how many games were released in 2003? What were the total numbers in each category ? I dont think 10 % at an "M" rating is bad at all.
It leaves alot of games in the areas where I would let my son play.

Algol

08-04-2004, 11:06 AM

That sounds about right to me, though I would like to know how many games were released in each category.

kai123

08-04-2004, 04:46 PM

JJNova

08-04-2004, 05:04 PM

I really like the idea of having to have a parent though, as much of a pain in the ass it is. My dad has told the people at my local gamestop at least 10 times to let me buy whatever I want.

I was always against this. As a 21 year old gamer, I was past the age of buying M rated games when they began enforcing this, but it sill seems so wrong to me. I would have missed out on a few enjoyable games this way. True, I can't recall many games become classic with an M rating (Please....no one say GTA......) but there are plenty of games that pushed the boundaries. Video Games was one of the only places that as a Teenager I got to see freedom of speech or expression exercised.... The part that bothers me the most, is that it had to of been a disgruntled gamer turned politician that started all this, because there was a time when no one paid attention to video games. Perhaps I should blame it on the Playstation1 and it's damn popularity making video games mainstream. ;)

sku_u

08-04-2004, 05:24 PM

Those numbers are very reasonable, however, there are a lot of E rated games that shouldn't be E rated. There's a great deal of virtual violence in rated E sports titles that are licensed by the MLB, NBA, NFL, etc. In MLB Slugfest 2004 for example, you can punch out players if they try to tag you out. Is that the kind of violence that's permissable in E rated games? For the ratings systems to properly work, the ESRB needs to pay more attention to these kinds of titles. Slugfest should be T rated as should many other E rated games.

I'm in my 30s, so when buying a title for myself, I could care less what the rating of the game is as longs as it's a good game. I do, however, want to know if there is violence/strong language/sexula innuendos in certain titles I may be buying for someone like a 7 year old.

YoshiM

08-04-2004, 06:00 PM

sku_u brings up an interesting point: what is "violence"? When asked if his movies were "violent", Jackie Chan describes violence as something with blood/gore, which is what his movies typically do not have. He considers them "action" flicks. What about the antics of The Three Stooges? The view of violence can be pretty subjective.

Is Slugfest violent? I guess I'd have to say "yes". M rated material? I'd say "no". AFAIK there is no blood and the box description clearly makes the title out to be a over-the-top almost parody of baseball games. Besides, the sports leagues have to give their okey-dokey before their logo goes on the box. I doubt if Slugfest had blunt decapitations we'd see the MLB emblem on it.

Like anything worth while these days, you gotta do research. The box can give you an idea of what the title has and the ESRB ratings include the things that stand out as "questionable" but it may not be enough for some people.

Me personally, I don't care if it's M rated or not. If it's a fun game, I'll give it a whirl.

Gamereviewgod

08-04-2004, 06:03 PM

Here's what I wonder: What percentage of sales does that 10% take up? That is a stat that would be interesting.

vincewy

08-05-2004, 04:06 AM

The problem isn't the number of M-rated games, but rather the quality and mentality of those games. It seems like most companies try to cash in on blood/gore/violence, when Mortal Kombat fisrt came out I got so intrigued not just by violence, but also great game plays. Now many games simply are out for blood and guts only.

I also don't like the way games are censored here in US, we tend to be liberal on violence, yet very strict on nudity and political incorrectness. Quite the opposite in Europe.

doomedpeasant

08-05-2004, 02:20 PM

Kepone

08-05-2004, 03:06 PM

Not at all. I think if it gets up past 25%ish I think we should start to worry. They want to attract old gamers, but definatly not eleminate younger gamers. I really like the idea of having to have a parent though, as much of a pain in the ass it is. My dad has told the people at my local gamestop at least 10 times to let me buy whatever I want.

No matter what your dad says, they cannot do this. What if a kid buys a M rated game and then goes out and shoots up people? The store clerk and the parent would be at fault: Clerk for selling it, parent for not stopping kid.

Think about it.

musical

08-08-2004, 09:33 PM

No.

In fact I'd like to see some X-rated games. When Jill Valentine fights those zombies, let's see her shirt tear off! LOL

Griking

08-08-2004, 10:17 PM

I was always against this. As a 21 year old gamer, I was past the age of buying M rated games when they began enforcing this, but it sill seems so wrong to me. I would have missed out on a few enjoyable games this way.

I don't see it being any different than needing parent consent to view a 'R' rated movie or to purchase on of the magazines "behind the counter" .

Some things were just never intended for children.

Griking

08-08-2004, 10:29 PM

Im 15 and was expossed to r-rated movies at about age 6 or 7, so the m rated games have never bothered me, and infact i enjoy those games better than most others cause they have a lot more freedom with the m rating than they do with an e rating.

They may never have "bothered" you but who's really to say that they haven't effected you at all?

For example, I think that its safe to say that what people find to be acceptable language today has dramatically changed since I was a kid. Is it only a coincidence that cursing has become more acceptable in the movies, regular television and the radio in past years? I can't help but believe that when children grow up hearing foul language thay're going to find it acceptable when they grow older. And then what about that person's children? Why should it be any different with violence and sexuality?

frodo2968

08-08-2004, 11:05 PM

They may never have "bothered" you but who's really to say that they haven't effected you at all?

For example, I think that its safe to say that what people find to be acceptable language today has dramatically changed since I was a kid. Is it only a coincidence that cursing has become more acceptable in the movies, regular television and the radio in past years? I can't help but believe that when children grow up hearing foul language thay're going to find it acceptable when they grow older. And then what about that person's children? Why should it be any different with violence and sexuality?

I agree with Griking, BTW...

No - I don't think that 10% is too much...

I'm 15 and my parents don't let me play M rated titles...not that I've ever pushed the subject before...same with R rated movies...I've only seen 3 R rated movies before...

Yes, we're Christians, so I guess that's why they screen everything...heh, at least they don't mind some violence...so at least I've seen The Patriot, Braveheart, and Passion of the Christ...and I'm hoping to get Halo/Halo 2...

Dahne

08-08-2004, 11:18 PM

Take into account that almost all sports games generally fall into the E-rated category.

The only thing that bothers me about the "maturity" trend is that a lot of companies seem to equate "mature" with "the complete palette consists of brown, dark brown, and really dark brown." Some of these games make my friggin' eyes hurt.

That, and that a lot of really good games get scoffed at for being too "kiddy." I just rented Ape Escape 2 the other day. It was goofy, obviously made with a young audience in mind, and a hell of a lot of fun.

musical

08-09-2004, 07:02 AM

An "M rating" on a game doesn't exclude young people. Many parents buy the games like Vice City and give it to little Johnny/Susie, so the young kids are still seeing these games.

The POINT of ratings is to get the parents involved. Without ratings, a 15-yr-old could buy/play "Playboy Mansion" and mom/dad would never know. Ratings ensure mom/dad okay the purchase first.

It makes sense.

MarioAllStar2600

08-09-2004, 08:04 AM

Does anyone else realize that teenagers wont play a game if it has an E rating? It is the most annoying thing in the world. They think there to old for it or something. Mature games are the cool thing to play. We went to play Mario Party 5 the other day and my one friend was like "This games for little kids, it sucks". It annoys me more then anything.