Need desparate help!!!!

All right, so I really want Madworld and a bunch of other M games on Wii. However, my parents are on the fence about allowing me and I'm running out of reasons to persuade them with. I need some good persuasive reasons. Heres what I've been using so far.:

+=+- Because Chris (My good buddy) is aloud to get them and he is just as, if not less, mature then I am. I also am more use to the inappropriate stuff (Blood and curse words) than he is.

+=+- Because I could get special headphones so no one else can hear the cursing or the violence.

+=+- Because I am very mature for my age and I understand a lot of things kids in my age group don't (in general).

+=+- Because everyone in my grade at school play these games that are M Rated

So, help me guys!!!

I am unsure on my stance on this kinds of matters.

I had Turok 2 (a british 18 rated game) when I was eight and I turned out fine.

However I did have to stop my older brother showing our six year old nephew gears 2 a while back.

Basically so long as you're, say, 11-12 or over bring it to your parents attention that there isn't substatial enough evidence to suggest that playing violent video games damages children in any way. Also, there are frequently options to allow turning off of swearing/gore in videogames.

Explain to them that you realise that what happens in a video game is not what happens in the real world.

All right, so I really want Madworld and a bunch of other M games on Wii. However, my parents are on the fence about allowing me and I'm running out of reasons to persuade them with. I need some good persuasive reasons. Heres what I've been using so far.:

+=+- Because Chris (My good buddy) is aloud to get them and he is just as, if not less, mature then I am. I also am more use to the inappropriate stuff (Blood and curse words) than he is.

+=+- Because I could get special headphones so no one else can hear the cursing or the violence.

+=+- Because I am very mature for my age and I understand a lot of things kids in my age group don't (in general).

+=+- Because everyone in my grade at school play these games that are M Rated

So, help me guys!!!

The-Radiohead

I'm 13 going on fourteen. I want to say though, I have played COD 4 and Halo 3 at my friend's house. I get very good grades, and they really consider me to be very mature. And in my town, 10 year olds play M rated games, so stop asking if I'm of age. The only thing that makes my parentsdissuadedis the clerk at the store saying how gory or bloody a game is to my mom (my dad wouldn't care as much)The-Radiohead

I am not offended by the violence, its just the bad language, swearing that should not be in games. When I played GTAIV, I had to wear headphones because my wife couldn't stand it.

this one works for me

I know a ten year old who plays GTA IV

i think that madworld is one of the most violent games i had ever see

The right thing to do would be to show your parents footage of the game and allow them to decide from there.

...But obviously that's not gonna work. ;)

And I don't think that any honest approach is going to work. Usually, I'd encourage someone your age to fight to play an M-rated game, but I don't think that Madworld is worth the trouble. It looks like a fun game, but the themes and commentary are just inappropriate for someone who hasn't been desensitized to them yet. ;) If it were an M-rated game with a good story or if it exhibited any actual maturity, you might be able to make an argument to convince your parents to let you get it. But that's not Madworld.

I'll give some reasons why I don't think your strategies will work, though. I don't mean to be a downer.... I just want to give you some realistic expectations.

1. Because Chris (My good buddy) is aloud to get them and he is just as, if not less, mature then I am. I also am more use to the inappropriate stuff (Blood and curse words) than he is.

2. Because I could get special headphones so no one else can hear the cursing or the violence.

3. Because I am very mature for my age and I understand a lot of things kids in my age group don't (in general).

4. Because everyone in my grade at school play these games that are M RatedThe-Radiohead

1. This one's not gonna work. I never convinced my parents of anything using the whole "but my friend's parents let him!" The answer is always "we're not Chris's parents."

2. My guess is that your parents won't let you get the game because they want to keep you out of harm's way, so confining the experience to you isn't going to convince them.

3. This would be the most solid argument, except for the fact that Madworld is an intentionally immature game. It broadcasts its immaturity and doesn't try to hide it, which is actually part of the main draw. If your parents see any footage of the game (or even the back of the box), their response to the maturity reason might be something like "the very fact that you think this is mature means you're not ready." So be careful there. This argument only works for certain types of games.

4. Not a valid reason. "Everyone else is doing it" is usually a good sign for you to NOT do it. And I guarantee that not everyone in your grade plays this type of game, and your parents know it.

All right, so I really want Madworld and a bunch of other M games on Wii. However, my parents are on the fence about allowing me and I'm running out of reasons to persuade them with. I need some good persuasive reasons. Heres what I've been using so far.:

+=+- Because Chris (My good buddy) is aloud to get them and he is just as, if not less, mature then I am. I also am more use to the inappropriate stuff (Blood and curse words) than he is.

If Chris's parents allowed him to get a swiss army knife to carry to school, should your parents allow that? Seriously, nothing is ever won with this arguement.

+=+- Because I could get special headphones so no one else can hear the cursing or the violence.

That's not going to help your arguement. You're basically saying that you will cocoon yourself in this bloody game with no distractions from the outside world.

+=+- Because I am very mature for my age and I understand a lot of things kids in my age group don't (in general).

What do you mean by mature? Do you do odd jobs around the house? Do you have a p/t job? Do you pay for your own games etc? Do you have a way of making money outside of your allowance?? Do you understand the realities of violence? Have you viewed footage of actual gunshots and violent injuries to have an understanding if it beyond the cartoon world? I know you think you are mature but realistically, you are still only 13 and lack much of the experieinces of even an 18 year old.

+=+- Because everyone in my grade at school play these games that are M Rated

If everyone at your school jumped off a cliff...

So, help me guys!!!

The-Radiohead

Kudos to your parents for standing their ground. I understand your need to play this game but there is a reason for ratings for video games and movies and considering your still 13, I think an M rated game would be out of the question.

Edited for age and spelling.

I agree with DDRMom, what in ur opinion is maturity?

personal opinion, is that 13 year olds shouldent be playing games like madworld..

I agree with DDRMom, what in ur opinion is maturity?

personal opinion, is that 13 year olds shouldent be playing games like madworld..

I don't understand why people exagerate so much the rating on games, I mean I kind of understand it from someone who has never played games but coming from real gamers, like the ones that posted in this topic, it feels really weird

I mean I played goldeneye at my cousins house when I was like 6, I got GTA III when I was 10 and I've had many m rated games before, most of my 360 games right now are rated m and I'm still 16 and still there's nothing wrong with me, actually the only game my parents never bought me because of violence was goldeneye when I was like 6 or 7, instead they got me the south park game

Maybe you should tell your parents you don't care about the violence at all and what you care about is gameplay or some BS like that, it might work

send me a check, and I'll get you the games. lol j/k

just have someone goto the store and buy the games for you. There has to be some relative that doesn't care and won't say anything. Sister/Brother/Cousin/a friend/someone at your school???

Sorry man, I think your parents shouldn't let you get the game. There has been way to many people complain about underage kids getting mature rated games. Wait till you graduate highschool then start getting mature games.DoBo123459

[QUOTE="The-Radiohead"]I'm 13 going on fourteen. I want to say though, I have played COD 4 and Halo 3 at my friend's house. I get very good grades, and they really consider me to be very mature. And in my town, 10 year olds play M rated games, so stop asking if I'm of age. The only thing that makes my parentsdissuadedis the clerk at the store saying how gory or bloody a game is to my mom (my dad wouldn't care as much)Rocky32189

My parents are actually okay with it. They say its so ridculous that its fine with them. Also, they said I can't get a game if it has excessive amounts of nudity.The-Radiohead

No offense, but most of those reasons are terrible. If everyone your age group was killing theirselves, would you do it?

Tell them that most of the "M" rated games that are coming out are rated "M" for just violence mainly and the laungage and sexual content is fairly mild. Because it's just violence, it is no worse than the news.

I'm 13 going on fourteen. I want to say though, I have played COD 4 and Halo 3 at my friend's house. I get very good grades, and they really consider me to be very mature. And in my town, 10 year olds play M rated games, so stop asking if I'm of age. The only thing that makes my parentsdissuadedis the clerk at the store saying how gory or bloody a game is to my mom (my dad wouldn't care as much)The-Radiohead

Show her screenshots from GameSpot and point out to her how comic-book-like the blood is. This isn't blood like in realistic games. Show her screenshots of blood splatter from a realistic game (i.e. GoW2, Fear 2) so she can see that it's not at all the same thing.

Pulling the "everyone else is doing it" card on her won't work, so don't bother trying. You'll make her less likely to let you play because she won't think you're mature enough if you say that.

I understand your need to play this game but there is a reason for ratings for video games DDRMom

Yup, and the reason is idiotic politicians who completely mistook the purpose of a game and condemned it on false information, then jumped up and down to impress their constituents, demanding the industry form a self-regulating body to keep games that don't exist out of the hands of the ickle kidlets. That's a summary of how the ESRB was formed.

[One time I saw a guy buying SH for his daugther/lil sis... and she was top 12-13 yo. That is something that i do not agree. I got my 1st M games when I was around 18 I got it for myself, all my neighbords (guys at least) have being playing this game before, I was in "kids/teens games" I do not say that games turn kids into violence killers, their is no enough study to prove this and the one that are around are not done in a significant way to be statistically significant (for reason that i would not go into in here) but kids should not be put under this "stress" when they may not understand the meaning of this. chang_1910

Well no offense but don't you think that the father of the 13-year-old girl is in a better position to determine whether or not his daughter can understand the game and take the "stress" than you are, and if so, why should you have any opinion at all on how he decides to parent his kids?

[QUOTE="DDRMom"] I understand your need to play this game but there is a reason for ratings for video games clicketyclick

Yup, and the reason is idiotic politicians who completely mistook the purpose of a game and condemned it on false information, then jumped up and down to impress their constituents, demanding the industry form a self-regulating body to keep games that don't exist out of the hands of the ickle kidlets. That's a summary of how the ESRB was formed.

[One time I saw a guy buying SH for his daugther/lil sis... and she was top 12-13 yo. That is something that i do not agree. I got my 1st M games when I was around 18 I got it for myself, all my neighbords (guys at least) have being playing this game before, I was in "kids/teens games" I do not say that games turn kids into violence killers, their is no enough study to prove this and the one that are around are not done in a significant way to be statistically significant (for reason that i would not go into in here) but kids should not be put under this "stress" when they may not understand the meaning of this. chang_1910

Well no offense but don't you think that the father of the 13-year-old girl is in a better position to determine whether or not his daughter can understand the game and take the "stress" than you are, and if so, why should you have any opinion at all on how he decides to parent his kids?

I'm not going to get into a debate about the ESRB, the fact is these rating exists. Asking any industry to form a self-regulating body doesn't seem as evil as you make it seem.

As parents we're damned if we do, damned if we don't. If we allow our children to play these M rated games, we're the first to be blamed when they do something that may or may not be linked to a game. The theory is that if we had been good parents we would not have allowed our children to play those mature titles. To not allow our children to play them is over-protective and unreasonable and sends them looking for ways to trick us into getting the game.

As for the parent of the 13 year old knowing what's best for the child, yes most parents wouldn't get a game that they're child was not prepared for but a lot do. I think the evidence in this thread of posters admitting that they were playing M rated games while they were still under 10 shows that some parents clearly are not paying attention to the games their children are playing. I'm not saying that makes them bad parents so please don't anyone read anything into that but part of the reason the ESRB was to help parents monitor games their children were playing.

The rating system should be used as a guidline for parents, not definitive law, and each game should be looked at individually on a game by game basis. Sure most 16 year olds could handle an M rated game and that's where the parents monitoring come in but let's remember the TC is only 13 and his parents have already decided that he can't have the game. I think we should respect their decision.

I'll also add that my views have changed since I've had children. At one time I may have said that the rules were stupid and that it's just a game, clearly different that real life etc. Then when my son was 6 he went over to play at a friends house and they played a zombie game that was rated either T or M, not sure now because it was 5 years ago. The point is that clearly the children were not old enough to play it. My son had nightmares for months about zombies chasing him so he clearly wasn't emotionally mature enough to handle it. These parents had no problem with the fact that their son also had nightmares about this game, they figured it was no big deal...it's just a game.

I'm not going to get into a debate about the ESRB, the fact is these rating exists. Asking any industry to form a self-regulating body doesn't seem as evil as you make it seem.DDRMom

I think the evidence in this thread of posters admitting that they were playing M rated games while they were still under 10 shows that some parents clearly are not paying attention to the games their children are playing ... The rating system should be used as a guidline for parents, not definitive lawDDRMom

Well, what I said before, my parents are still not so sure about it, but they say they may let me get one or two games with the M on the front (Actually, I probably getting 4 for my b-day: Madworld, No More Heroes, RE4 Wii, and COD 5)

If your parents won't let you get the game then there is not much you can do. Just have to wait till your old enough.:D

Show her screenshots from GameSpot and point out to her how comic-book-like the blood is. This isn't blood like in realistic games. Show her screenshots of blood splatter from a realistic game (i.e. GoW2, Fear 2) so she can see that it's not at all the same thing.

clicketyclick

GoW2 has anything but realistic blood-splatter. Blood is purposely over exaggerated in that game to appeal to an older audience, just like in madworld.

I'm going to have to tell you to obey your parents. I know from experience that putting your desire to play a certain game over your parents wishes translates into your parents believeing that video games are more important to you then they are.

[QUOTE="clicketyclick"]

Show her screenshots from GameSpot and point out to her how comic-book-like the blood is. This isn't blood like in realistic games. Show her screenshots of blood splatter from a realistic game (i.e. GoW2, Fear 2) so she can see that it's not at all the same thing.

mAD_ADaption

GoW2 has anything but realistic blood-splatter. Blood is purposely over exaggerated in that game to appeal to an older audience, just like in madworld.

[QUOTE="DDRMom"]

My point was that it was formed under false pretenses and there really is no legitimate, scientifically demonstrated reason for the rating board to exist. It was formed in the wake of a foofaraw over false information about a game (Night Trap). Merely pointing to the existence of a rating system as being evidence of the need to keep games away from children is circular reasoning and question begging.clicketyclick

I don't think it's circular reasoning, I mean we rate everything else in society why not games as well. It make things easier for everyone when you can glance at something and know wheather it's appropriate or not for you or your child. I wouldn't go to the video store and allow my 11 year old to rent an R rated movie any more than I would an M rated game. The fact that the ratings are there makes it easier to make my decisions without having to watch the whole movie or playing the game beforehand. We do many things and have many laws that exists without scientific evidence. I don't need scietific evidence to tell me that my 11 year old should not be playing a game that beats up hookers?

[QUOTE="DDRMom"]I think the evidence in this thread of posters admitting that they were playing M rated games while they were still under 10 shows that some parents clearly are not paying attention to the games their children are playing ... The rating system should be used as a guidline for parents, not definitive lawclicketyclick

I omitted the sentence in between these two not because I want to do what you warned me not to do (that is, claim you're saying that makes them bad parents) but instead, in order to juxtapose these two sentences. You see, the second thing you said there is a rebuttal of the first. You defeated your own argument.

You can't say that the mere fact that children under 10 are playing M-rated games is "clear" evidence that parents aren't paying attention, especially when you think that the M rating "should" be only used as a "guideline". You have to admit of the possibility that there are parents out there doing exactly what you wish they would do - just using it as a guideline. That they don't follow the guideline as if it were a rule does not "clearly" show that they aren't paying attention.

I don't see it as defeating my argument. As I mentioned in the part that you snipped, a 16 year old is probably mature enough to play an M rated game and that's where the guidelines come in, the parent makes that call based on their child. Sure I admit the possiblity that some of the parents of the posters in this thread were using their own discretion in allowing their children to play M rated (and that's why I wrote some in the original paragraph) but from reading this thread and others on this site I'm more tempted to believe that most of those parents are not truly aware of the content of the games their children are playing or have a real concept of the ratings system. I have a hard time though believing any parents would think their child is mature enough at 10 to play a game meant for adults 18+.

If you were advocating teens playing M rated games I would probably agree with you but you just can not justify (IMO) anyone under 12 playing an M rated game.

If you're a kid, you shouldn't be playing these types of games. Props to your parents for not allowing you to get them.Zhengi

you should not get the game... the game is made for an adult audience and should be played by adults. ag1052

I don't think it's circular reasoning, I mean we rate everything else in society why not games as well. It make things easier for everyone when you can glance at something and know wheather it's appropriate or not for you or your child. I wouldn't go to the video store and allow my 11 year old to rent an R rated movie any more than I would an M rated game. The fact that the ratings are there makes it easier to make my decisions without having to watch the whole movie or playing the game beforehand. We do many things and have many laws that exists without scientific evidence. I don't need scietific evidence to tell me that my 11 year old should not be playing a game that beats up hookers? DDRMom

Some functionality does not mean it's sound logic to point to their existence as evidence that they are needed. If you're pointing to the ratings and saying there's a reason for them as evidenced by their existence in a discussion over whether they should mean anything at all (or at least be observed), your proof that they're needed (i.e. their existence) assumes that they were needed in the first place in a discussion over whether they're needed. That's question begging. And it's circular to depend on a thing's existence to justify its existence.

The functionality of ratings you describe could just as well be covered by a "contents" label, just as you might see on food packages at the grocery store. "This product contains F-bombs, partial nudity, and may contain traces of nuts."

...If you were advocating teens playing M rated games I would probably agree with you but you just can not justify (IMO) anyone under 12 playing an M rated game.DDRMom

And here's what it comes down to. You say that parents should only use the labels as guidelines. You say you're not here to call anyone a bad parent for not paying attention to what their children play.

Before you took the fact that ≤10 year olds were playing M-rated games as clear evidence that parents weren't paying attention. Now you admit the possibility that they actually made a conscious decision in letting their ≤10-year-old kids play them. You think it's completely unjustifiable for any kid under 12 to play an M-rated game. So wouldn't that also mean it's unjustifiable to allow your ≤10 child to play? And wouldn't that mean you're making a judgment on them as a parent?

If these are merely guidelines as you say — arbitrary, with no studies having been done to ascertain what is actually suitable for which age group — how can you justify making judgments on other parents about what they should and should not be allowing their kids to do? You avoided this problem at first by assuming that the parents were "clearly" just negligent and therefore not culpable.

[QUOTE="DDRMom"]

Some functionality does not mean it's sound logic to point to their existence as evidence that they are needed. If you're pointing to the ratings and saying there's a reason for them as evidenced by their existence in a discussion over whether they should mean anything at all (or at least be observed), your proof that they're needed (i.e. their existence) assumes that they were needed in the first place in a discussion over whether they're needed. That's question begging. And it's circular to depend on a thing's existence to justify its existence.

The functionality of ratings you describe could just as well be covered by a "contents" label, just as you might see on food packages at the grocery store. "This product contains F-bombs, partial nudity, and may contain traces of nuts."clicketyclick

I personally don't see the difference between your 'contents' label and the rating system that you seem to dislike. Other than the fact that the rating is madatory and in place because games did not have a content label. In Canada our food labels must also list health information such as calories and fat content so I don't think asking game developers to give their game a rating based on who their expected audience is as a big deal.

[QUOTE="DDRMom"]...If you were advocating teens playing M rated games I would probably agree with you but you just can not justify (IMO) anyone under 12 playing an M rated game.clicketyclick

And here's what it comes down to. You say that parents should only use the labels as guidelines. You say you're not here to call anyone a bad parent for not paying attention to what their children play.

Before you took the fact that ≤10 year olds were playing M-rated games as clear evidence that parents weren't paying attention. Now you admit the possibility that they actually made a conscious decision in letting their ≤10-year-old kids play them. You think it's completely unjustifiable for any kid under 12 to play an M-rated game. So wouldn't that also mean it's unjustifiable to allow your ≤10 child to play? And wouldn't that mean you're making a judgment on them as a parent?

If these are merely guidelines as you say — arbitrary, with no studies having been done to ascertain what is actually suitable for which age group — how can you justify making judgments on other parents about what they should and should not be allowing their kids to do? You avoided this problem at first by assuming that the parents were "clearly" just negligent and therefore not culpable.

If you're trying to get me to say that parents that allow they're children to play M rated games are bad parents, it's not going to happen. It takes a lot more than a game to make someone a bad parent. I think you are twisting my words to take whatever meaning you want to from them. For example I said some (bolded again because you seem to keep missing this small word) parents may think that their children are mature enough to play an M rated game and it was my opinion that no one under 12 year old is should be playing these games. You may not agree with my opinion and that's fine.

Are you telling me that if you had a 10 year old child you would let him/her play Madworld? Because it sounds as if you are defending a 10 year olds right to play a game that is not intended for him/her. And that what it comes down to, an M rated game is not intended for young children.

I personally don't see the difference between your 'contents' label and the rating system that you seem to dislike. Other than the fact that the rating is madatory and in place because games did not have a content label. In Canada our food labels must also list health information such as calories and fat content so I don't think asking game developers to give their game a rating based on who their expected audience is as a big deal.DDRMom

If you're trying to get me to say that parents that allow they're children to play M rated games are bad parents, it's not going to happen. It takes a lot more than a game to make someone a bad parent. I think you are twisting my words to take whatever meaning you want to from them. For example I said some (bolded again because you seem to keep missing this small word) parents may think that their children are mature enough to play an M rated game and it was my opinion that no one under 12 year old is should be playing these games.DDRMom