What if ESRB ratings were ABSOLUTELY enforced?

[QUOTE="EddieTheHead84"][QUOTE="mrmusicman247"] Because the government knows a lot of parents are stupid. kaealy

That's insane reasoning, sex in its pure form without abuse doesn't affect us negatively in anyway. Violence on the other hand sure do.

I would be just fine with that, I may even say I was... Happy.

[QUOTE="XVision84"]

If a game is rated M, you shouldn't be playing it, pure and simple. 110million

Mature games are mature because they have blood, and violence. So basically people have to wait until they're 17 just to be exposed to a higher variety of games that are usually of a higher quality? I don't like that rule, if you're mature enough to play it, you'll be allowed to play it.

You shouldn't be allowed, plain and simple. Your brain isn't fully developed and graphic violence DO have an effect on the human brain. Being "mature" won't shield you from the "influence", if you can't see the issue here then that's problaby one of arguments for why you shouldn't be allowed. I'm 28 right now and working as a teacher, watching what violent media has done to our youth is very disturbing. I don't care if you think your "mature" enough, you can't make the decision what is best for you or your friends at the age of 14.

Nothing would change for me.

[QUOTE="XVision84"]

Mature games are mature because they have blood, and violence. So basically people have to wait until they're 17 just to be exposed to a higher variety of games that are usually of a higher quality? I don't like that rule, if you're mature enough to play it, you'll be allowed to play it.

You shouldn't be allowed, plain and simple. Your brain isn't fully developed and graphic violence DO have an effect on the human brain. Being "mature" won't shield you from the "influence", if you can't see the issue here then that's problaby one of arguments for why you shouldn't be allowed. I'm 28 right now and working as a teacher, watching what violent media has done to our youth is very disturbing. I don't care if you think your "mature" enough, you can't make the decision what is best for you or your friends at the age of 14.

I may be completely wrong, but I thought the ESRB was actually a guideline the parents of a child could use to determine whether or not to get him a product? It can't be directly enforced, because in the end, if a parent wants his twelve year-old son to play a mature game, it's his decision as guardian of the child.

That's how the government sees the whole age restriction here (with the exception of things that require you to be an adult, such as drinking and driving): if a movie is 15+, and the father of a 12 year old decides he wants to watch it with his son, it's his call. Same thing with games.

Anyone who cares is likely under 17. :P 110million

[QUOTE="Skittles_McGee"] Oh please. Media's only violent because people are violent. Not this crap again.110million

"Hey mom, can you walk into the store and buy me Grand theft auto plz here is moniez you gave me for my birthday, thanks"

"okay hun I'll be right back!!'

"thanks mom"

That's what I did when I was younger and if it was actually enforced it wouldn't be any different.

What I mean by this is that some kind of tech comes out that can sense if a person under the age of 17 is playing a rated m game, or if a 10 year old is playing a T game, and locks them out from the game. Now I know very well something like this would NEVER happen, but I'm just wondering how you guys think it would effect the industry. Which console would be the most affected, ect. Im going with the easy shot, and saying that Call of Duty sales would go WAY down:P!

Noj_Leakim

[QUOTE="XVision84"]

[QUOTE="110million"] If a game is rated M, you shouldn't be playing it, pure and simple. kaealy

Mature games are mature because they have blood, and violence. So basically people have to wait until they're 17 just to be exposed to a higher variety of games that are usually of a higher quality? I don't like that rule, if you're mature enough to play it, you'll be allowed to play it.

You shouldn't be allowed, plain and simple. Your brain isn't fully developed and graphic violence DO have an effect on the human brain. Being "mature" won't shield you from the "influence", if you can't see the issue here then that's problaby one of arguments for why you shouldn't be allowed. I'm 28 right now and working as a teacher, watching what violent media has done to our youth is very disturbing. I don't care if you think your "mature" enough, you can't make the decision what is best for you or your friends at the age of 14.

Right, well, when I see a 14 year old child going on a killing spree because he played Left4Dead 2 which messed with his brain and caused him to think everyone but him is a zombie, then I'll believe it. Oh and two more things 1) I don't "think" I'm mature enough, I "know" and 2) I'm pretty sure me, and my parents know what's best for me. When my marks in school start suffering from games or I get "crazy thoughts" then I'll consider it. All I see is most people putting down kids, and I don't believe it's a problem when nothing is happening to me, my friends, or my life, in fact, I make even more friends and my life is even better with video games in it. Call me a disturbing youth who doesn't know what's good for himself, either way, I'll be posting here, and I'll be playing games :)

[QUOTE="kaealy"]

[QUOTE="XVision84"]

Mature games are mature because they have blood, and violence. So basically people have to wait until they're 17 just to be exposed to a higher variety of games that are usually of a higher quality? I don't like that rule, if you're mature enough to play it, you'll be allowed to play it.

XVision84

You shouldn't be allowed, plain and simple. Your brain isn't fully developed and graphic violence DO have an effect on the human brain. Being "mature" won't shield you from the "influence", if you can't see the issue here then that's problaby one of arguments for why you shouldn't be allowed. I'm 28 right now and working as a teacher, watching what violent media has done to our youth is very disturbing. I don't care if you think your "mature" enough, you can't make the decision what is best for you or your friends at the age of 14.

Right, well, when I see a 14 year old child going on a killing spree because he played Left4Dead 2 which messed with his brain and caused him to think everyone but him is a zombie, then I'll believe it. Oh and two more things 1) I don't "think" I'm mature enough, I "know" and 2) I'm pretty sure me, and my parents know what's best for me. When my marks in school start suffering from games or I get "crazy thoughts" then I'll consider it. All I see is most people putting down kids, and I don't believe it's a problem when nothing is happening to me, my friends, or my life, in fact, I make even more friends and my life is even better with video games in it. Call me a disturbing youth who doesn't know what's good for himself, either way, I'll be posting here, and I'll be playing games :)

Exactly, sure there are people our age who shouldn't be allowed to play these games, but it should be up to the parents to decide this, not the law. Just banning those who can play something like Black Ops or Left 4 Dead without getting obsessed and having crazy thoughts about everybody being zombies is actually somewhat insulting. Yes, I know my brain isn't 'fully developed' yet but I'm 99% certain that it has enough so that playing Left 4 Dead 2 or God of War 3 doesnt have a detrimental effect on my mental health. I'm sure that I will look back on where I am now and think 'oh what was I thinking' in some areas, but I won't look back and say 'oh no, playing Left 4 Dead 2 when I was 14 has completely ruined my life, I am a disturbed, lost soul'.

[QUOTE="Skittles_McGee"] Oh please. Media's only violent because people are violent. Not this crap again.110million

Actually what's funny is that Japan has far lower rape/murder than America per person, and people are always criticizing them for some of the games they make, thinking it will affect their people negatively.

it would be hard and near enough logisticly impossible to do it.

Then again most people who agree with you will create a good ol pot meet kettle situation.

what would happen? my online experience would be 100x better. No whiney-swearing-super-racist-screaming-crap-music-playing-I-can-hear-your-mom-under-age-prepubescent-teeny-boppers.

Nothing would happen in the short term.

In the long term, many more kids would grow up lobotomized and gaming would lose a lot of popularity due to its younger audience no longer supporting it because of loss of interest.

There would be no stupid women complaining to Fox news.

what would happen? my online experience would be 100x better. No whiney-swearing-super-racist-screaming-crap-music-playing-I-can-hear-your-mom-under-age-prepubescent-teeny-boppers.

Chogyam

wont get rid of me playing my good ol melodic hardcore and metalcore sitting chillin with beer mind you 90% of the time im in party chat *shrugs*.