ID checks for video games

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

http://money.cnn.com/2003/12/09/commentary...aming/index.htm

 

Want the game? Show some ID.

 

Video game stores join bars and liquor stores in demanding age verification.

 

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – As I expected, "Manhunt," the latest game from the makers of "Grand Theft Auto," is turning some heads. In a surprising twist, though, the game's over-the-top violence might end up doing the gaming industry some good.

 

A couple of weeks ago, I suggested the game, which features some of the grisliest acts of violence to ever be seen in a video game, had skated by the ratings board. It's rated M – which is akin to an R movie rating, but the level of violence in the game probably should have earned it an AO, which is an NC-17 in movie terms.

 

Anytime the subject of video game violence comes up, the letters start pouring in – often from gamers eager to point out that it's not the industry's responsibility to raise the nation's children. So naturally, when my inbox started overflowing I wasn't too surprised. What did turn my head, though, was the overwhelming support from both gamers and game developers with my position.

 

"I work in the industry and couldn't agree more. ... I find it completely irresponsible of the ESRB to rate something like Manhunt as Mature (M). ... It seems as though the ESRB mimics the MPAA. Violence is OK but sex is out. Well, I completely disagree with that philosophy and think that this mistake is going to bring a lot of unwarranted attention to our industry." - Jason

 

"Manhunt's" sadistic action has raised gaming violence to a new level.

 

It definitely seems as if violence is ok in video games, while sex is taboo. Virtually every game that has received the AO rating got it because of strong sexual content. Perhaps because of that, you rarely see love stories played out in the storylines of video games. Sexuality, in fact, is existent only in the buxom form of Lara Croft or another of the current crop of gaming heroines with exaggerated curves – and all of them live chaste lives.

 

With the hot button of sexuality removed – and with the Electronic Software Ratings Board willing to give such leeway on violence - gaming industry opponents focus on the violent content of games. And Manhunt's sadistic content is an easy target.

 

"I hope your voice & the voices of others will successfully call the [ESRB] to examine itself before politicians decide to do so. It would be a tragedy if one of gaming's best defenses against legal regulation were to lose credibility." - Jimmy.

 

"The problem with the ESRB is that if something is 'M' rated we need to have enough enforcement in place. ... Right now it's pretty easy for a kid to get around it either at the store or by getting Mom to go get the game because she doesn't think anything of it. - Joseph

 

Both excellent points. And here's where that twist I mentioned above comes into play. There's no telling whether it's in response to the outcry over "Manhunt" or simply a matter of serendipitous timing, but it looks like retailers are actually tightening up enforcement of game ratings.

 

The Interactive Entertainment Merchant's Association, a retail trade group which includes Wal-Mart (WMT: Research, Estimates), Kmart (KMRT: Research, Estimates), Target, Toys R Us (TOY: Research, Estimates), CompUSA and more, has unveiled a new program that will demand ID checks of anyone buying an M-rated game. Ideally, the program, which won't be totally in effect until Christmas 2004, will reduce the sales of M rated games to children and teens under 17.

 

Obviously, it's not foolproof. Online sales will be much more difficult to police. Retailers might argue that since a credit card is required to purchase anything online, that's an effective deterrent, but there's a pretty big hole in that reasoning. Any 13 year old can open a bank account and get an ATM card - and those cards often double as debit cards, which can be used at many online retailers.

 

The biggest loophole, of course, will be parents who still buy the games for their kids. And it's not like fake IDs haven't been used to circumvent these sort of restrictions before. But it's a start – and a pretty good one at that. 

[Damaramu 0]

Well I'm 18......so I don't know if I have much to worry about.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Why card for video games when most places don't even card for R-Rated movies?

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Why card for video games when most places don't even card for R-Rated movies?

My place did -- it sucked.

 

Fine, card little Bobby before buying GTA. I feel safer already...

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

I don't think carding is really going to stop anything. It's the teens that don't know games from real life so they go around shooting people. And then the families sue everyone for all the money they can get.

[Nevermortal 0]

The worst part of the M rated game sell is after we inform the parent of all the bad stuff contained within, they still buy it for the kid.

[DangerousDamon 0]

Well I'm 18......so I don't know if I have much to worry about.

I'm 14 years old so this will be a bit of problem for someone who plays games as much as me.

 

 

Well, I can just give my older brother the money to buy an M rated game for me.

[Youth N Asia 0]

I think it's funny that you can pretty much buy any movie or book without ID, but not video games. I bought Doom on my SNES in Jr High, that had an MA rating.

[SpikeFayeJettEdBebop 0]

Seriously, Manhunt is FAR overated, its not THAT violent. You get over the violence after playing like two levels and its all about the stealth. I think it's stupid, Mature is a fine rating for the game, and if someone is MATURE(As am I) then they have the right to play it. That's all. Plus, Mature says 17+ right on the fucking cover, its not hiding anything. I am personally only 13, but my mother buys all my M rated games for me to buy. Why? Simply because she IS doing her job, she feels I am mature enough to play them, so I do play them. I don't go around and brag that I am playing M rated games, or any shit like that, if they suck, then they suck, and in my oppinion, Manhunt would still be good without ANY violence. However, if the violence was taken out it would make the game VERY different. Lastly, the violence didn't hit me as much as the language did. You can expect to hear "fuck" "shit" and references to drug use from the hunters, including the narrator using "fuck" on more than one occasion. I would also like to bring up the point that the guy above(Whoever wrote the article) obviously does'nt know what he is talking about concerning the violence in Manhunt. Manhunt really isn't any bloodier than any GTA games, its just the darkness of the game and the attitude towards killing. In my opinion, its more the hunters begging for their lives than the violence itself that is the big deal. The playable character kills other characters in MOST games out there(maybe thats a little too much, but alot of games atleast) but I think Manhunt deals with this better. The man isn't killing for pleasure, or money, or anything else(The hunters are though). He is fighting for his life, a life that he doesn't deserve, as he is a BAD person. The hunters, although other bad people(Killing for money/pleasure) are going after him, trying to kill him, because they want the above stated goods and because he isn't a good person. No one in this game is a good person, and I think that's the big reason for the controversy. You are james Earl Cash. You play as a man who is a bad man, a man that SHOULD be dead for what he is done, yet you are killing others to keep that same BAD man alive. As to say that bad men can become better by killing for the lives.

 

I personally have nothing against this game, or any other M rated games that are GOOD(Alot of them, BMXXX comes to mind right away when trying to think of horrible ones.) Other than BMX XXX, Mature games are made for Mature players. The huge deal all around is that immature kids are getting these games and they SHOULDN'T be getting them. That isn't anyones fault but the parent's and the child's. See, if a player isn't mature enough, they SHOULD not play, as simple as that, but I guess it's not that simple these days. Games are not to blame for ANYTHING that happens. It's always a person to blame, games have never told anyone to go and kill anyone in the real world, and I can't think of why anyone would think that it is okay to do so. Just imagine, if video games were really as they are treated, we would all be dressed up by gorillas, throwing barrels at Italian Plumbers. That never happens. So, you know, people just need to get over it. If a kid stabs another kid, then put the first kid AWAY forever, dont blame fucking video games. It's simple and I think mostly everyone here knows it, but I just needed to vent, as this whole problem pisses me off(As most of the people who make a fuss have NO FUCKING idea what they're talking about).

 

Anyway, Thanks For Reading.

 

SFJEB.

[jimmy no nose 0]

Well I've passed 17 years ago, but this is stupid any way. Kids can still just get some one of the age to buy it for them. It could be any one, a parent who doesn't care/doesn't know better, a sibling, a friend, or just some random they find in the store.

[Garth 0]

I live in the UK so this won't affect me, but you already have to be a certain age to buy some games here. Most noteable example being the GTA series of games as you've had to be 18 to buy any of them.

[chirs3 0]

Carding for games is a great idea. No, it won't stop kids from getting the games, but it will stop parents from blaming the wrong people. They can't point their fingers at retailers anymore.

[NoCalMike 0]

I remember when I was around the age of 10-16. No one was ever carded for rated r movies, no one was bothered about buying movies and/or videogames at the store. No one I have EVER KNOWN has gone out and done something as a direct result of playing a video game or watching a movie. The entertainment industry is a scapegoat for bad parenting, since bad parents will never admit to not teaching their children logic when it comes to r-rated movies & video games.

[EricMM 0]

They should card.

 

That way parents are responsable, not videogame makers.

 

Not that this isn't the case now, but still.

[Jingus 0]

Hell, I'm 24 years old, with a mustache, goattee, and male pattern baldness, and I still get carded half the time going into R-rated movies. I don't know if it's just a Nashville thing, but they're really strict about that around here.

[SpikeFayeJettEdBebop 0]

Yeah, it's cool that they're carding, but the blaming won't stop. I am 13(I am 6 ft. 3 though) and I bought a rated R movie(Along with plenty of PA CDs) by myself without parents or anyone and they didn't do anything about it. Anyway, I doubt they will card 40 year old(my mom is 40 LOL) but it wont matter my mom knows about ESRB ratings and everything and she's cool with it.

[lomasmoney 0]

Well I'm 18......so I don't know if I have much to worry about.

I'm 14 years old so this will be a bit of problem for someone who plays games as much as me.

 

 

Well, I can just give my older brother the money to buy an M rated game for me.

how do you get so much money all the time. Shit you look older than me anyway, just take my oldid and buy your own games

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Anyway, Thanks For Reading.

 

SFJEB.

Sorry, but when I scolled down and saw how long your post was I skipped it.

 

Did I miss anything worthwhile?...

[Guest Random Hero]

I've never been ID'd for anything including buying beer and stuff when I was 15 and 16. EXCEPT one time when I was 16 and I bought Driver from Toy R Us, which I felt was a bit strange.

 

Well she didn't really ID me, she just asked If I was 15, and theh woman on the checkout next door laughed at her and said 'Of course he is' and that was the end of that.

[Damaramu 0]

Actually I'm 19 so I haven't had the problem for quite some time........give me your money young kids......I will buy you video games, cigarettes, and porn. In 2 years you shall get beer from me......but no hard liquor....that would be irresponsible.

[AndrewTS 0]

Actually I'm 19 so I haven't had the problem for quite some time........give me your money young kids......I will buy you video games, cigarettes, and porn. In 2 years you shall get beer from me......but no hard liquor....that would be irresponsible.

Bah--21 here. I'll get you all of that, but that'll be a 15% commission.

[Damaramu 0]

Actually I'm 19 so I haven't had the problem for quite some time........give me your money young kids......I will buy you video games, cigarettes, and porn. In 2 years you shall get beer from me......but no hard liquor....that would be irresponsible.

Bah--21 here. I'll get you all of that, but that'll be a 15% commission.

Screw this guy!

I'll do it free of commision......and you'll get special coupon days!

However you'll have to give sacrifice a virgin to me at the end of every month.

[AndrewTS 0]

Actually I'm 19 so I haven't had the problem for quite some time........give me your money young kids......I will buy you video games, cigarettes, and porn. In 2 years you shall get beer from me......but no hard liquor....that would be irresponsible.

Bah--21 here. I'll get you all of that, but that'll be a 15% commission.

Screw this guy!

I'll do it free of commision......and you'll get special coupon days!

However you'll have to give sacrifice a virgin to me at the end of every month.

No beer, though. Heheh.

 

Oh yeah, topic. Rockstar makes another game that heavily depends on racy content, big shock.

[Slayer 0]

I'll combine the best of both worlds from above and buy youngin's all that stuff at the mere cost of a one of your young lady friends every now and then

[Jingus 0]

I think it's funny how parents and pussies have been bitching for years about how violent video games could effect youngsters, even back when it was completely fake crap like Mortal Kombat or Doom. But now, we get the GTA series, which is legitimately as amoral and brutal as anyone could claim, and it took the whiners FOREVER to catch onto its existence, so that only over the past few months have people actually been complaining about it.

[AndrewTS 0]

I think it's funny how parents and pussies have been bitching for years about how violent video games could effect youngsters, even back when it was completely fake crap like Mortal Kombat or Doom.  But now, we get the GTA series, which is legitimately as amoral and brutal as anyone could claim, and it took the whiners FOREVER to catch onto its existence, so that only over the past few months have people actually been complaining about it.

We have the ratings system now, that's the major difference.

 

They had to gather their data proving that the parents are fucktards who don't pay attention to the ratings anyway. It's true, too. Four times I had to warn parents that MAYBE this game isn't appropriate for your 10 year old you irresponsible dispshit!

[Jingus 0]

Can we have a similar rating system forbidding anyone over the age of 12 from buying a copy of Final Fantasy X-2?

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

It's funny.

 

Back in the late 90s a lot of stores tried carding and quit after a few weeks.

 

Why......

 

b/c they would tell a kid they couldn't buy a game and not even a half hour later the parent would be in there bitching at them for not selling their kid the game.

 

And even if this is installed parents will still try to blame video games for not having an "understandable" rating system.

[AndrewTS 0]

And even if this is installed parents will still try to blame video games for not having an "understandable" rating system.

"Rated E for Everyone"

"Rated K-A for Kids to Adults"

"Rated T for Teen"

"Rated M for Mature."

 

They're on the boxes (with explanations of the content), in ads, in reviews, spoken aloud on TV. If the parents can't understand them they don't deserve the right to reproduce.

[chirs3 0]

And even if this is installed parents will still try to blame video games for not having an "understandable" rating system.

"Rated E for Everyone"

"Rated K-A for Kids to Adults"

"Rated T for Teen"

"Rated M for Mature."

 

They're on the boxes (with explanations of the content), in ads, in reviews, spoken aloud on TV. If the parents can't understand them they don't deserve the right to reproduce.

A-men.

 

There was an article in some paper, I think the Boston Globe, about the Haitian community all pissed off at Vice City. A radio show host said:

 

"A Videogame is something you buy to please the kids."

 

And then went on about how of all the messages a game could send, why did Vice City have to be filled with Haitian hate?

 

All the problems with that ridiculous argument aside, how the hell is a game with this clearly visible M FOR MATURE - 17+ on the box something "to please the kids"?

 

Oh, that's right. It's not.