We could use more 'Adults Only' games, says ESRB's Vance

I think hmm, yeah, I think I agree... You ?

The possibilities hmmm.....

:lol:

For SW purposes, likely not to be found on Wii U :twisted: :P

Thoughts ?

The Story.

---

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/168266/We_could_use_more_Adults_Only_games_says_ESRBs_Vance.php

You wouldn't know it from browsing the shelves at retail stores, but game ratings from the Entertainment Software Rating Board actually go higher than the standard "Mature" tag. Publishers and retailers generally reject any game branded with the infamous "Adults-Only" label, but ESRB president Patricia Vance said she'd love to see that stigma fade.

Speaking to Gamasutra in a recent interview, Vance explained that contrary to popular belief, the Adults-Only (AO) rating doesn't only apply to sexually explicit games. Rather, the label can just as easily be used to describe violence or any other themes deemed best suited for adults.

"You know, up to this point most people associate AO with sexual content," said Vance. "We've actually assigned AO ratings for violent content as well; it's just that most of the time that product gets edited or changed in order to warrant an M rating, so you never see it in the market."

Vance speculated that as games transition from retail shops to digital storefronts, the industry might see more AO-rated games, as retailers would have no more influence over the types of content consumers can get their hands on.

"It's very possible that there will be greater acceptance of an AO rating going forward," she said. "And by the way, I think that would be a good thing for the system. It's very frustrating that publishers can't release AO product, in many cases."

For more of Vance's thoughts on managing the ESRB and video game ratings at large, check out the extended interview, which is now live on Gamasutra.

We could use more video game stories that don't suck balls.

What could we use them for?Pug-Nasty

[QUOTE="Pug-Nasty"]What could we use them for?SecretPolice

[QUOTE="SecretPolice"]

[QUOTE="Pug-Nasty"]What could we use them for?Pug-Nasty

is it true that stores wont carry AO games,why is that? im sure stores like fye carries rated x movies so why cant gamestop do as well?

That Mass Effect pic is funny, but how would it be? "oooo yeah this air and emptiness feels so good baby."SaltyMeatballs

[QUOTE="SaltyMeatballs"]That Mass Effect pic is funny, but how would it be? "oooo yeah this air and emptiness feels so good baby."SecretPolice

Then stop using :twisted:

I guess he means "adult" like birds and bees? Cause 3/4 of my collection is mature games..

[QUOTE="SecretPolice"]

[QUOTE="SaltyMeatballs"]That Mass Effect pic is funny, but how would it be? "oooo yeah this air and emptiness feels so good baby."waltefmoney

Then stop using :twisted:

is it true that stores wont carry AO games,why is that? im sure stores like fye carries rated x movies so why cant gamestop do as well?

TheShadowLord07

is it true that stores wont carry AO games,why is that? im sure stores like fye carries rated x movies so why cant gamestop do as well?

TheShadowLord07

To be honest, I would just settle for a larger gaming portfolio that represents the actual average age of gamers which is 35 not 12.

SEANMCAD

You're on a roll. :P

We could use more video game stories that don't suck balls.

waltefmoney

This. A thousand times this.

I don't even think it is the content that warrants an AO rating keeping AO games off consoles and store shelves. Look at God of War and Gears of War. Neither Sony or Microsoft have issues with excessive violence. There is also quite a bit of nudity and sex in Heavy Rain. It is just a stigma with a phrase like, "Adults only," which makes people think of porn. It doesn't help that we have a Mature rating in addition to the AO rating. Pug-Nasty

For movies R is 17+ and X/Adult is 18+.

Not gonna happen. AO games are for PC only if you know where to look that is. :P

This could be the start of a new genre of games... Anyone remember the Playboy Mansion game on Xbox last gen.... Yeah.

[QUOTE="Pug-Nasty"]I don't even think it is the content that warrants an AO rating keeping AO games off consoles and store shelves. Look at God of War and Gears of War. Neither Sony or Microsoft have issues with excessive violence. There is also quite a bit of nudity and sex in Heavy Rain. It is just a stigma with a phrase like, "Adults only," which makes people think of porn. It doesn't help that we have a Mature rating in addition to the AO rating. Nintendo_Ownes7

For movies R is 17+ and X/Adult is 18+.

But how will that work, when none of the major companies want those games on their systems?001011000101101

True. They're too concentrated catering to the casual audience.

ESRB president is a woman? This explains SO many things...N30F3N1X

Run..

...run like the wind !! :P

Lil kids play games too so never gonna happen.Chrome-

Why not make a game and add extra content for adults as DLC. There are parenting controls and stuff on the consoles to prevent kids from seeing adult rated material. It wouldn't be that hard.

Why not make a game and add extra content for adults as DLC. There are parenting controls and stuff on the consoles to prevent kids from seeing adult rated material. It wouldn't be that hard.

DeadMan1290

Tho get ready for some High priced DLC me thinks. :P

I don't really see the point. Practically no game, no matter how violent, gets a rating above M. The only way a game gets the AO is for very explicit sexual content, which I don't believe adds anything worthwhile to games.

[QUOTE="DeadMan1290"]

Why not make a game and add extra content for adults as DLC. There are parenting controls and stuff on the consoles to prevent kids from seeing adult rated material. It wouldn't be that hard.

SecretPolice

Tho get ready for some High priced DLC me thinks. :P

Yeah, but I wouldn't be surprised if people bought them.

P.S. Since when are you a Ranger?

[spoiler] I now dislike you and will troll you 'til the end of time [/spoiler]

[QUOTE="SecretPolice"]

[QUOTE="DeadMan1290"]

Why not make a game and add extra content for adults as DLC. There are parenting controls and stuff on the consoles to prevent kids from seeing adult rated material. It wouldn't be that hard.

DeadMan1290

Tho get ready for some High priced DLC me thinks. :P

Yeah, but I wouldn't be surprised if people bought them.

P.S. Since when are you a Ranger?

And umm about your spoiler...

:lol:

I can rip another man's heart out with my bare hands: How much more violent does it need to get to warrant an "M" rating? I don't think things canget much more violent, they can only get more deviant, meaning killing and gore in unusual ways.

The problem with this isn't just that platforms and retailers won't support allow games with the AO rating, it's that making a game both compelling and warranting an AO rating is difficult. What amazing mechanic requires the game be AO?

You can have a great game and have it require a Mature rating; Heavy Rain demonstrated that. I've never come across a situation - which is not to say that it does not exist - where having the developer tone down an AO title to M made a dramatic difference in the gameplay or impact of the story.

I just don't think we "could use more 'Adults Only' games." If a game is made that happens to be good and its content warrants the rating, fine, but developers need not go out of their way.

Happy gaming,

Boz

Oh yes, I think they would sell fur chur !!

And umm about your spoiler...

:lol:

SecretPolice

:lol: That just made my entire day:lol:

I can rip another man's heart out with my bare hands: How much more violent does it need to get to warrant an "M" rating? I don't think things canget much more violent, they can only get more deviant, meaning killing and gore in unusual ways.

The problem with this isn't just that platforms and retailers won't support allow games with the AO rating, it's that making a game both compelling and warranting an AO rating is difficult. What amazing mechanic requires the game be AO?

You can have a great game and have it require a Mature rating; Heavy Rain demonstrated that. I've never come across a situation - which is not to say that it does not exist - where having the developer tone down an AO title to M made a dramatic difference in the gameplay or impact of the story.

I just don't think we "could use more 'Adults Only' games." If a game is made that happens to be good and its content warrants the rating, fine, but developers need not go out of their way.

Happy gaming,

Boz

Bozanimal

To be honest, I would just settle for a larger gaming portfolio that represents the actual average age of gamers which is 35 not 12.

SEANMCAD

This.

"T" rating often does enforce compromise, and especially sexuality is portrayed in a very juvenile way, in games.

*Looks at Bioware*

Lil kids play games too so never gonna happen.Chrome-

[QUOTE="Chrome-"]Lil kids play games too so never gonna happen.PC360Wii

I wonder if there are more adult gamers than kid gamers.