GTA IV (zomg my parents are n00bs)

Hey all... I'm 16, and my parents won't let me buy GTA 4 (The topic title is sarcastic btw).

I know I'm mature enough to handle this game. I've played all the GTAs since GTA3, but my parents have something against me getting this one. This is how it is with most games; if they've heard of the game, I can't get it (same with Halo 1&2, and CoD4 (I got them eventually, though)). I know drugs are bad, and I have promised myself I will never do drugs. I know your chances of succeeding as a criminal are like 0.001%, and an education is a far better choice. I know getting prostitutes is wrong, and I won't do that, either, because I'd rather not get STDs. I've seen plenty of blood and gore in other games/movies, so that isn't a problem. I also know stealing is immoral (I live in a Christian family), and I would never go so far as to steal a car. I also play the GTA games the correct way, by not killing pedestrians for fun.

My parents say "We know you're mature enough", yet they refuse to let me get the game. My dad just repeatedly says "Why would you even want to play that kind of garbage?", like the game revolves around drugs, hookers, and killing pedestrians. They also keep asking me "would Jesus want you to play this game?" like the game offends our religion in some way (It's a GAME, ffs!) Once I replied "Jesus was actually the lead programmer, that's why it got a 10/10!", and my mom laughed and left the room.

It's like they actually believe that **** in the media about this game causing kids to go on shooting sprees at school. My next-door neighbor bought it a few days ago, and he's 14. He, however, has a normal dad, who actually trusts his son not to repeat what he sees in the game.

My parents seem to hate this game simply because it's this game. neither of them want to become one of the "bad" parents that lets their kid play GTA4 . It's not like I can't handle the content. I can go buy it legally in about 6 months, but I really, really want to get it now, before my friends get bored of it and move on to different games. I really don't want to miss out on this one, please help me. What should I do?

I agree that the negative way media portrays video games is just insane and idiotic, but... It's your parents mane. Can't change much about it.

I just went with my older brother and bought the game ;)

Age ratings are there for a reason, and to be honest, your post has the feeling of an 'It's not fair!!!!!!' whine that epitomises adolesence and a lack of maturity questioning whether or not you are actually emotionally ready to play the game.

If your neighbour has got it and he is only 14 then I question the morals of his parents for letting him have it. And I would hope that if he does indeed 'turn' then they look at their own stupidity in getting him the game rather than the actual content. If they're so lax in this area then where else do they let him do whatever he wants?

I am 26, and in my time I never bought anything I wasn't old enough to.

Resident Evil 2 I bought at the age of 15, and I never played an 18 rated game until I was 18.

I in no way think a game will cause someone to go on a violent killing spree, but I do not condone the sale of any sort of material, be it consumable or entertainment to someone who is under the legal age of owning said product.

Sorry dude

IMO, you're not missing out on much, I didn't personally like the game. I just feel like you're going to be dissapointed and feel like you wasted your time convincing your parents to get this game for you if they do ever decide to let you buy it, the game is not worth it. Just what I think.alwayspureblood

I disagree. I know that hating on GTA IV has become somewhat of an internet fad, but it's also just about gaming tastes. Some would like to believe that their disappointment with something is infact the definitive truth, but it's still just an opinion.

I recommend people follow reviews. Anyways, GTA IV is a lot more tamed down in violence than previous games in the franchise, so I think it'd be fine.

If your parents don't think you should be playing that game, surely they have a reason. What you need to do is find out why and prove that you are in fact mature enough to handle the game's content.

If their issue is simply about why you'd want to play it, there's a simple reason. Because it's fun.

Get a pair of these, one of these and walk into the store and buy it yourself!inoperativeRS

I'd love to get both and enter the store singing: Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.

*Does robot dance*

It sounds like they're trying to take some responsibility and actually be parents to me, but what do I know? Too many parents just buy their kids whatever they ask for, and I applaud parents taking a stand with their kids, because if they don't the government will at some point, and the LAST THING any American (kid or parent) should want is the stuffed shirt crybabies in congress allowed more power over how kids are raised.

At least you'll have a great game to look forward to in a couple years. :)

So why do you think parents should control the media content they are exposed to at the age of 16 anyway?

SEANMCAD

Key word.

I believe that parents raising their kids is going to yield better results than the government doing it, which is where I believe this is heading if self-governing doesn't work.

I'm not saying which direction the parents should lean, one way or the other. Only that it should be their responsibility, their choice, their decision.

Drugs are good, hookers are good, stealing is good, blood and gore are good, halo 1&2 suck, STD's are good, killing pedestrians is good and jesus being the lead programmer is good

Seriously...

Do you think i told my parents about my first sigarette, drugs, alcohol, prostitute session i bought? Yes they eventualy are going to know and then hell might break lose (well not in my case :D). But what holds you from getting this game? Your 16 man old and hopefully wise enough to know what you want and what you can take. Tell your parents whether they want you hanging on the street till late with your gangster homies or just sid home with a glass of lemonade playing a game? Then if you still can't get the game buy a couple of paintball guns for you and your gangster homies and shoot your place appart....

Realy seriously....

I am glad i didn't have strict parents (couple of my friends had and it was no fun for them), i could do anything and i did about anything and still no addictions, well... smoking... but theres only 1 thing in the world that kills and that will be living.

Just buy it secretly whats the big deal anyways.haemorrhagiae

Well, he could get into a lot of trouble when his parents find out.

you're 16 and the game is meant for mature audiences, even though you may say you are mature enough to handle the game, the greater populace has deemed you still under age by the rating system that is set forth. Wait a couple years, or find other meand of getting it. Your parents are just looking out for your best interests, and I agree with them.Sacif

I definitely agree with you. This game is way to mature for young aduiences. Your parents would be irresponisble to let you play.

Although I am only a year older than the subject in question, I strongly encourage the parents involved for taking action rather than adapting a pseudo-nihilist outlook on the harmlessness of it all.

My father allowed me to purchase the game only because I met its age recommendation, and even then, he showed little support for the purchase. I greatly enjoy the game, but take heed: this is not light stuff. Whereas violence and sex will usually sink a game to its pseudo-grisliest ESRB status, this game's messages of nihilism, natural human depravity, and glorification of the criminal element would be enough to deter me from purchasing it for any Duckyhunter Juniors that pop up in the near or distant future.

Take pride in the fact that your parents have taken an active role in your own maturity rather than stood aside and fluttered their hands at the harmlessness of it all. It certainly tops the degree of not-parenting that has risen so sharply in society today.

Although I am only a year older than the subject in question, I strongly encourage the parents involved for taking action rather than adapting a pseudo-nihilist outlook on the harmlessness of it all.

My father allowed me to purchase the game only because I met its age recommendation, and even then, he showed little support for the purchase. I greatly enjoy the game, but take heed: this is not light stuff. Whereas violence and sex will usually sink a game to its pseudo-grisliest ESRB status, this game's messages of nihilism, natural human depravity, and glorification of the criminal element would be enough to deter me from purchasing it for any Duckyhunter Juniors that pop up in the near or distant future.

Take pride in the fact that your parents have taken an active role in your own maturity rather than stood aside and fluttered their hands at the harmlessness of it all. It certainly tops the degree of not-parenting that has risen so sharply in society today.

Duckyhunter

Pardon the redundancy of this post. I wrote it between computer sessions without proofreading.

[QUOTE="haemorrhagiae"]Just buy it secretly whats the big deal anyways.LordAndrew

Well, he could get into a lot of trouble when his parents find out.

Well he should be careful enough and he wont get caught.

Although I admit the structural inferiority of my initial post, I still stand by my opinions on the issue.

Immature players are, incidentally, in the process of maturing. Through education, experience, observation, and what have you, they develop views on life that will generally supplement the kind of environment that they have grown up in. For a grown man to play Grand Theft Auto IV is little more than a man acknowledging something that satisfies him (playing the game) and responding positively. For a youngster to play it, much more is involved.

He or she is more likely to respond to the game, subconsciously or otherwise, by reciprocating behaviors that he deems admirable in one way or another. Positive messages, such as Niko's refusal to abuse drugs and alcohol and the strong familial ties shared by most of the game's cast, certainly have a place in a developing child's psyche. However, negative messages can also spring up, and it is at the discretion of the parent that the child be exposed to these messages.

The ESRB is certainly a far cry from the justice of the free market, but it is also not the extreme "clamp" that would likely be governmental censorship. If regulation is a must, then it may as well be as light as possible.

you're 16 and the game is meant for mature audiences, even though you may say you are mature enough to handle the game, the greater populace has deemed you still under age by the rating system that is set forth. Wait a couple years, or find other meand of getting it. Your parents are just looking out for your best interests, and I agree with them.Sacif

My thoughts entirely.

Wait just a minute... you guys who disagree with my opinion... what the hell are you thinking? Do you seriously believe that 17 years is the magic age that marks the level of maturity necessary to play this game? And in 6 months, the moment I wake up on my birthday I'll suddenly view the world in a whole new light?

You're wrong; I can't understand how you could come up with such a stupid generalization about my maturity. I am more mentally mature than many of my 17 and 18 year old friends, and the ESRB system simply cannot reflect such a factor.

Now, I understand this game has its Mature rating for a reason. I understand this game is far worse than many other M games. But I've played the previous games, enjoyed them, and wasn't affected by them at all, due to the comedic way the criminal/violent/sexual elements were presented. From what I've seen and heard, GTA 4 isn't any different, albeit the graphics overhaul.

My parents know I can handle the content (or so they say), but they don't want to "expose" me to the game, as if it will scar me in some way.

"Dad, I know prostitutes exist. I know drugs exist. I know drug-abusing prostitutes exist. Don't fret. I won't be persuaded by this game."

"Yes, but you were our gift from God, and we don't expose our gifts from God to this kind of 'pollution'. Go find another game."

My family isn't as religious as they sound in these posts. They just use religion because they know it's the one thing I can't argue against without coming up with a clever (and sometimes desperate) counterargument to what God's opinion is.

It's as if they don't want the game in their house, like it will kill us in our sleep or something.

By the way, when I created this topic, the title was intended to be sarcastic, because I know titles such as this are commonly used amongst 11 year-olds when creating similar threads. Please don't take it seriously.

Edit: Yes, I realize the rating is there to protect me, and it worked. But many of the game's negative aspects can be found in my school. I have some druggy/alcoholic (many underage) friends... A guy on my bus pulled a knife last year... I see more (dry) sex than I would care to... and the swearing is worse than I have EVER heard in a movie or viceo game. The ESRB doesn't take into account the side-knowledge picked up from public schools. These experiences allowed me to acknowledge that these things exist, and that my parents have good reasons behind being strict with me.

It isn't as if they're worried about the game itself causing me harm. They're worried the game might affect my judgment, encouraging me to do things against their will. But because of high school, I am capable of making my own (right) decisions. I am aware that I'm only 16, and have much to learn, but I know GTA 4 is just a game, and it won't affect my decision making ability.

Age ratings are there for a reason, and to be honest, your post has the feeling of an 'It's not fair!!!!!!' whine that epitomises adolesence and a lack of maturity questioning whether or not you are actually emotionally ready to play the game.

If your neighbour has got it and he is only 14 then I question the morals of his parents for letting him have it. And I would hope that if he does indeed 'turn' then they look at their own stupidity in getting him the game rather than the actual content. If they're so lax in this area then where else do they let him do whatever he wants?

I am 26, and in my time I never bought anything I wasn't old enough to.

Resident Evil 2 I bought at the age of 15, and I never played an 18 rated game until I was 18.

I in no way think a game will cause someone to go on a violent killing spree, but I do not condone the sale of any sort of material, be it consumable or entertainment to someone who is under the legal age of owning said product.

Sorry dude

eregol

It's not about that, but more the ignorance of these said individuals who think a film or video game can dictate a persons tendencies, which they can't as the human mind is too intelligent. People who are affected are subjectively unstable in various ways anyway, and anybody who is affected in the "Manhunt" style was most likely an obsessive individual before they went near the game in the first place.

Oh, and guys, I left out an important detail: My dad refuses to let me bring the game in our house even after I'm old enough.

This is just stupid IMO, since my xbox 360 is in the basement and I'm usually the only one down there.

1. Get your own money and stealth buy it. Don't play it in front of them. Move your 360 to another TV if you have to.

2. If you want to take a less criminal approach, you can always try persuasion. They might succumb to multiple requests; my parents did, but then again, that's my parents for you. Do not whine, be humorous or be insulting. Take a defensive if you have to and say that you are 16 years old and that you have the right to make your own decisions, including whether or not to follow your parents' religion.

3. Wait a few months until they forget.

1. Get your own money and stealth buy it. Don't play it in front of them. Move your 360 to another TV if you have to.

2. If you want to take a less criminal approach, you can always try persuasion. They might succumb to multiple requests; my parents did, but then again, that's my parents for you. Do not whine, be humorous or be insulting. Take a defensive if you have to and say that you are 16 years old and that you have the right to make your own decisions, including whether or not to follow your parents' religion.

3. Wait a few months until they forget.

Oh, and guys, I left out an important detail: My dad refuses to let me bring the game in our house even after I'm old enough.

This is just stupid IMO, since my xbox 360 is in the basement and I'm usually the only one down there.

CheeseGuardian

you can always use the silver tongue. Think up several points, including his own blind belief that it is a bad video game and how ridiculous the whole thing is. Question their intelligence...

Then if that doesn't work, try emotional black mail.... "blah blah, you just don't trust me"

If not that, be slightly more assertive and get aggressive with the ignorance etc... without being offencive. Show them your persistence and will.

After that you can try the higher echelon emotional blackmail of "look I might as well leave home, because at least that way... blah... freedom opinion".

If that fails there is always that other guys plan A.... dress up like a Mexican bandit and get a voice changer, Ohh and pretend to smoke a cig before you go in the store.

Until you turn 17 you will have to respect your parents choice. Not only are you not old enough to buy the games yourself, you are still a child whose parents are responsible for. Be glad that your parents actually care about you. And why not just play Vice City again? It's better anyways...foxhound_fox

I would be inclined to disagree with that. GTAIII was better than both that and san andreas in terms of "wow" factor. GTAIV lived up to the standard imo.

1. Get your own money and stealth buy it. Don't play it in front of them. Move your 360 to another TV if you have to.

2. If you want to take a less criminal approach, you can always try persuasion. They might succumb to multiple requests; my parents did, but then again, that's my parents for you. Do not whine, be humorous or be insulting. Take a defensive if you have to and say that you are 16 years old and that you have the right to make your own decisions, including whether or not to follow your parents' religion.

3. Wait a few months until they forget.

SovietMudkipz

1. A possibility, if it comes down to it. Although I would really prefer just to get them to understand my viewpoint instead of going against them.

2. I'm fine with my religion, but they just use it as an excuse. My dad will only listen to what I have to say about the game if he is in a really, really, REALLY good mood. Mostly he just says "It's GARBAGE. FORGET ABOUT IT" before I can finish talking. I've tried taking a defensive approach by saying "I'm 16, I'm mature enough to play this game, and I probably know more sexual innuendos than you've ever heard in your life." But, again, my dad with his "IT'S DIRTY STINKING FILTH" comments.

3. This is probably what I'll do.

I would be inclined to disagree with that. GTAIII was better than both that and san andreas in terms of "wow" factor. GTAIV lived up to the standard imo.leejohnson7

[QUOTE="leejohnson7"]I would be inclined to disagree with that. GTAIII was better than both that and san andreas in terms of "wow" factor. GTAIV lived up to the standard imo.foxhound_fox

But the problem is in both GTAIII and Vice city they so badly wanted to make a scarface game that it was distracting, although that doesn't matter much I will admit.

But the problem is in both GTAIII and Vice city they so badly wanted to make a scarface game that it was distracting, although that doesn't matter much I will admit.leejohnson7