I'm sure there are lots of people out there who have overprotective parents similar to mine. Having just obtained permission to get my second M-Rated game, here are some tips for those in the position I used to be in:
DO:Start off by finding a suitable M-Rated game to show your parents. This should be a game that doesn't have a bad reputation, has minimal blood/gore, no suggestive themes, can instantly be recognized as a sci-fi or fantasy game (sorry, realists) and, of course, something you would want to play. Suggestions: Halo 3, Mass Effect, Elder Scrolls IV
DON'T:Whatever you do, don't pick out a game that you know your parents will automatically object to. Infamous games such as Grand Theft Auto IV are not good starting points.
DO:Now it's time for some research. Believe it or not, there are actually websites that do what the ESRB does. Sites such aswww.whatheyplay.comare great places. Try to find statements that punch holes in the ESRB's content descriptors, and quote them.
DON'T:Don't slack off on the research. Make sure every one of the content descriptors looks weak.
DO:Now it's comparison time. Find T of E-rated games similar to your game, and describe how little difference there is between them. Example: For Halo 3, compare it Star Wars: Battlefront II.
DON'T: Don't make a big stretch. Comparing Elder Scrolls IV to The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is okay, but not comparing it to something like Pokemon.
DO:Find screenshots of the game, and show your parents how non-bloody the game is. Something like this would work:
This is a good example because you can point out several things about the game:
1. The characters don't look like humans,
2. Most of the weapons (such as the one held by the screenshot taker) are unrealistic looking,
3. No blood, even though you are shooting and being shot at.
DON'T: Show your parents screenshots of extremely bloody/gory scenes.
DO:Offer to let your parents play the game with you if you do get it.
DON'T:Refuse to play with your parents. This will make them think you are hiding something about the game.
DO:And finally, suck up to them. Promise that you know the difference between video games and reality, and promise to not let games take over your life.
DON'T: Don't ask for more M-Rated games for at least a month. Your parents will probably refuse, and lower your chances of getting your next game.
I hope this helps.
Note that these techniques are not guaranteed to work.