Posted by Doug Jacobs on 04/17/07 19:10

In alt.games.video.xbox Jay G. <Jay@tmbg.org> wrote:

> I think this double standard arises partially from a lot of people still
> thinking of video games as being mostly "for kids," much like how comics
> always get a lot a flack for adult-orientated material. Also, a lot of
> people fear that since video games are interactive they are more
> "influential" on a young person's psyche than movies can be.

Oh geeze, don't even get me started on comics... I can still remember
when some more up-tight owners would stock issues of Ranma over in the
'Adult' section because, you know, poorly drawn nekkid chicks are just as
hardcore porn as the latest collection of Hustler cartoons.

I don't buy the games are more influential than movies due to the fact
that games are interactive argument. If you think about it, a reasonably
mature kid is going to know the difference between fantasy and reality.
They also know games are just another form of fantasy, just are the
make-believe games they play with their friends. In my parents' day, it
was Cowboys & Indians. When I was little, it was Rebels and
Stormtroopers. If you think about it, games like Rainbow 6 and the such
really just a computerized version of those childrens' games.

> Whatever the reasons, I think the current ESRB ratings and notices on boxes
> are more than adequate, and the only real place for improvement is possibly
> enforcement, although that is steadily getting better according to the
> FTC's numbers.

Enforcement should be voluntary - like your example with Target. However,
it should be understood that such a policy isn't going to take the place
of adequate parental education - and more importantly - responsibility.

Heck, when my brother and I used to have to get parental permission on
every video game purchase we made for the family 2600 or Apple computer.
And this was at least a decade before the ESRB even formed. I'm sure
something like the ESRB would have been appreciated, but it wouldn't be a
replacement for their own personal choices.

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