If the ESRB was enforced, xbox live would be a much better place

Xbox Live is full of obnoxious kids. Even worse: obnoxious children. You know what I'm talking about: they turn on their microphones and make loud noises by blowing in them, they yell, sing, curse at each other, play loud music... you name it. Yeah, you can mute them, but doing that every match is just busywork.

I was wondering: the ESRB states that games like Gears of War and Call of Duty are rated M for mature, so that you should be at least 17 years old in order to play them (18 in Europe). Unfortunately, the ESRB can't stop children from buying and playing these games, so these little brats populate servers they weren't supposed to enter in the first place. But what if the ESRB was legally enforced? What if stores were forbidden to sell games to underage people? And even if they managed to get the games with some scam, what if kids caught playing M rated games were suspended and banned from online play? They wouldn't bother mature players with their behavior and they'd still have plenty of T rated games to play among them, leaving M rated games to people entitled to play them.

No more yelling, reduced swearing, less noise... and less complaints from parents associations too! Xbox live would be a better place to stay.

PS.: I know there also are some extremely polite and educated kids on XBL, but sadly, I think they can be defined as a minority.

If you're an adult gamer, I'd very much like to hear your thoughts about this.

And adults aren't just as bad?

You generalize all the bad stuff that happens over Live to just the younger demographic, which is completely wrong. True, there are some very annoying kids on Xbox Live, but there are those of all ages that curse and make for bad experiences. It's not that the ESRB ratings should be enforced, which some ratings for games can be debated, but it should be that Microsoft should be monitoring the mic communications in games to find and take action for those who are making it a bad time for others.

The ESRB rating is enforced by every store that matters. If you suspect a store is not following the guidelines, you can report it and cause them to face harsh fines and penalties for their lack of discipline and respect.

As for rating games post-purchase, i find it a double-edged sword. Microsoft could easily enforce such a policy, but at the risk of losing live customers (due to higher barrier of entry and lack of enthusiasm) and in turn their profit margin. A new department that did nothing but verify the true age of Live users could be enacted, but parents would simply have to sign off their children and the problem would begin anew. Making Live a worse place because children with less-restrictive parents would still get access while more-restrictive parents would lower the player base, meaning a greater chance of encountering the chat problems you already hate.

Plus you would have to hear triumphs from children that they are better than others because they can talk and their friend cannot...

First off, it IS illegal to sell a M-rated game to a minor. Most stores actually refuse to do it. Kids get the games for Christmas and Birthdays from parents. Most people either think "It's a video game THEREFORE it's for kids" or "My Kid is mature, he can handle it". Either way, if the person actually making the purchase is old enough, no one gives it a second thought.

Secondly, regulating Xbox Live sounds...impossible. Each console would need like super special voice recognition software to tell the age of the person speaking into the mic? Or an Age Gate that a kid would just put January 1, 1950?

Lastly, what you're suggesting would improve the situation, but it wouldn't fix the problem in the slightest. Many adults act like idiots too.

What I want is simple: when you receive a message, have it say "no subject" before you open it like Email does, so you're not inundated with ignorance when you hit the guide button. You see that it's from a person that you have no interest in and hit delete.

tl;dr version = Yes, I agree with the topic title, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

i believe the esrb exists to restrict only the sale of games to people under the specified age.

there's nothing to stop someone over the restricted age buying the game and then allowing someone younger to play it and enforcing rules to combat this would be nigh on impossible

Yes, and adults are the most mature things to ever buy any games, they are intelligent, not annoying, and always help out.

/end sarcasm

ible. Each console would need like super special voice recognition software to tell the age of the person speaking into the mic? Or an Age Gate that a kid would just put January 1, 1950?

MicWazowski

It'd have to be REALLY advanced.

I'm 13 and I sound 2-4 years older than 13, according to other people.

And a lot of people have deep voices, not every kid has the voice of a 7 year old, so even if they're 14-16, they can still pass the voice recognition system

[QUOTE="MicWazowski"]

ible. Each console would need like super special voice recognition software to tell the age of the person speaking into the mic? Or an Age Gate that a kid would just put January 1, 1950?

knight0151

It'd have to be REALLY advanced.

I'm 13 and I sound 2-4 years older than 13, according to other people.

And a lot of people have deep voices, not every kid has the voice of a 7 year old, so even if they're 14-16, they can still pass the voice recognition system

i suggest requiring age validation for xbox live. require the person paying for xbox live to specify who the account is for, also a valid state id/drivers license for the "of age" folks and perhaps even a bank account/checking account (ie: something that requires you to be 18 to own teh account singlehandedly) if the mother is getting it for her 12 year old son who in turn starts cussing like a sailor, ban him, alert the mother (automated email perhaps?) and keep the money. i think that'd be enough for a whoopin' "you made me waste $50 you rotten little so and so"

i haven't mic'ed up my ps3 yet, but i might also be making these suggestions to sony

If Live wasn't a crappy peer to peer matchmaking mess, we'd have self-regulating servers which would enable admins and players to enforce rules and kick/ban jerks. So you find a server(s) with the type of rules that you like (no swearing, racism, etc.) and stick with it. That's how it's done on PC and from my experience, it works.

Ya i've heard both old and young people on xbox live swear their hearts out just because they get killed. then i yell back "Dont yell at the person who owned you but yell at yourself for stinking so bad". but Live would be a much better place.

Ya i've heard both old and young people on xbox live swear their hearts out just because they get killed. then i yell back "Dont yell at the person who owned you but yell at yourself for stinking so bad". but Live would be a much better place.

rangegear

The thing is most of the people I've played with who sound mature are actually respectable people who don't bust a nut over a video game. They swear occasionally, but they don't go over the top. On the other hand, about 90% of 12 year old sounding people think swearing for 10 minutes makes them cool. Besides, hearing a 12 year old talk for 3 minutes straight in that annoying, high pitched voice is much less tolerable then an adult swearing.

If Live wasn't a crappy peer to peer matchmaking mess, we'd have self-regulating servers which would enable admins and players to enforce rules and kick/ban jerks. So you find a server(s) with the type of rules that you like (no swearing, racism, etc.) and stick with it. That's how it's done on PC and from my experience, it works.

UpInFlames

[QUOTE="rangegear"]

Ya i've heard both old and young people on xbox live swear their hearts out just because they get killed. then i yell back "Dont yell at the person who owned you but yell at yourself for stinking so bad". but Live would be a much better place.

infested_ramza

The thing is most of the people I've played with who sound mature are actually respectable people who don't bust a nut over a video game. They swear occasionally, but they don't go over the top. On the other hand, about 90% of 12 year old sounding people think swearing for 10 minutes makes them cool. Besides, hearing a 12 year old talk for 3 minutes straight in that annoying, high pitched voice is much less tolerable then an adult swearing.

Here's my issue.

I can't possibly see this happening, because sales would be reduced remarkably, and instead of all the kids being annoying over Xbox Live, what are they gonna do? Shove sticks up their noses, run wild in the streets, eat dog faeces, you name it...

In the world as a whole, uncontrollable kids are far better off inside bothering people they will never meet, rather than doing it to someone who really isn't afraid to give them a few punches.

Besides, since I'm 15, that would mean that I wouldn't be able to play Gears, CoD or any other of the GOOD games coming out. Let's face it, most games in today's library that are actually good, are M rated (well, focusing on the 360 library anyway, since that's the only current gen console I have). Seriously, you can't enforce something that will just become a serious issue for those who don't deserve such treatment. I have just as much right to play Gears, like any other person 17 or older. And I say that, because I seem to be in the select few that are actually sane while playing video games online.

Basically you want to take away peoples right to raise their kids. I don't want the government raising the youth.Master_St3ve

First off, it IS illegal to sell a M-rated game to a minor.

MicWazowski

No it is not. Games are protected by the first amendment. Get your facts straight.

I sorta wish that would happen.

That way I would never find a whiny loud mouthed brat on Counter Strike.

But then again... I'm only 15. I couldn't even buy it.. :|

Those little kids who play are pretty annoying, but so are some adults who play too.marinerfan182

not much you can do bout it...it would be a waste of time and money for any organization to enforce any underage activity online...how would they moniter it? then how would they prove who was on the mic? would they really waste time to investigate it? doubt it..(I personally would'nt want more censorship, there is plenty already..pretty soon you'll get a ticket for swearing in the streets or at the mall talikng with your friends)....I hate it just as much as anyone, but I don't see anything that can be done, except maybe parents should'nt allow their underage kids to play them games...it sucks, but if they bother you that much you probably are going to just have to mute them...or revenge is fun too

and yes like others said, don't narrow it to just underage kids...I've had plenty of grown dudes acting like they were 10 on a mic before...

It doesn't really bother me, sure i see where you come from, it's just i always play games when i'm in a party or private chat.
One thing that makes me laugh is the kids who think they're pro :lol:.

You say you mute them every match just mute them on their gamercard buddy.

[QUOTE="MicWazowski"]

First off, it IS illegal to sell a M-rated game to a minor.

No it is not. Games are protected by the first amendment. Get your facts straight.

If Live wasn't a crappy peer to peer matchmaking mess, we'd have self-regulating servers which would enable admins and players to enforce rules and kick/ban jerks. So you find a server(s) with the type of rules that you like (no swearing, racism, etc.) and stick with it. That's how it's done on PC and from my experience, it works.

UpInFlames

I don't think Sony has a set policy, but Warhawk was moderated and perhaps as a result of that, the community was great (I've played hundreds and hundreds of games and trash talking is incredibly rare).

If a company wants a healthy online community which will buy the map packs and what have you, its smart to have dedicated mods.

I don't think it would make it any better. Also a lot of the adults I run into on XBL are just as bad or if not worse then some kids I play with. Also it would take some of the fun out in my opinion. Just my two cents.

you assume that all kids are annoying, not all are, if it bugs you so much just use the party system, thats what i do and i haven't had to deal with annoying people ever since.

BTW im 14

Black_Knight_00 I couldn't agree with you more. I'm currently taking a 400 level class on obscenity and amendment rights. The ESRB really needs to get in and try to do something about online play and small kids. I mean you get XBOX live points and it's more dangerous than letting your kid surf RedTube, why, cause it's 100% interactive, people spout hateful racial smut, sexual connotations even in gamer tags, the list goes on. I wouldn't mind having to create an acct that requires a drivers license to prove my age and allow me to play on live. Sure, you can't prove everyone is who they are on the mic, but you can get a bunch of kids out of there. As for the adults, yeah, I mute them every chance I get...talk to the hand! Why must people go on the mic to incite hate amongst players? I've met some great people online, we all feel the same about the haters and the kids. Does it take a Senator listening to the party chat to push for legislation?ARSENAL6619

Pretty sure parents buy them for the their children anyways.. so enforcing the ESRB is impossible.

hey so what if they sing , theres a mute button use it

now cursing yelling , thats a serious matter,

but esrb wont be enforced lol hello they barely enforce children not playing the m rated titles any way because all they have to do is have mothers buy it for them

bottom line you hear somthing you dont like mute the m

The ESRB isn't you have to be 17+ to play it if its rated M, Its that you must be 17+ to buy it. All the stores in my area enforce this rule, but as long as your parents are with you and they say its alright, then its ok. There are many adults that are pains in the derriere also. The second a kid comes in to the game and starts talking, but doesnt want to cause trouble, just wants to play the game and talk, all the adults who think they are superior step up and tell the kids to shut up. Then the s*** talking begins. Thats just one example.

Actually I find much more people who are of age and older to be more annoying online. They tend to be extremely rude, ignorant, and for some reason just more hateful. Regardless though the ESRB doesn't enforce the law on who can play the games just on who can purchase them. It's up to the parents to decide what games they feel are appropriate for their child/children to play. It's not illegal for the parents to allow their kids to play games that are recommended for older people to play.

There are many adults that are pains in the derriere also.wiifreak93