Video games = porn!

[gofaster]

I've never played "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" so I can't really talk about that game specifically, but don't most boxes have a rating stamped on the cover?  I guess the real question is, who is responsible for controlling what the kids can access?

We're not banning them and requiring retailers to go to expensive extremes. We're just saying we need to deal with video games in the same way we deal with pornography, alcohol and R-rated movies," said McInvale.

[SunTracker]

I think that video games do desensitize kids to death and killing.

[hawker238]

So does literature, periodicals, and television.  Ban em.

[Mickey1992]

Video games already have an industry standard for labeling content.  But unlike the movie industry, retailers are not enforcing it.  Hence local/state government has to ***** slap them.  If the retailers would not sell the "M" products to minors, then the decision would be left with the parents WHERE IT SHOULD BE.

"The Florida House bill, and a similar Senate proposal, would require merchants to demand identification for any purchase or rental.  Both proposals exempt Internet sales."

Nice.  No internet taxes, and now minors can circumvent the lableing law by buying off the web.  Is there any other way the US government can screw local retailers by subsidizing web-based businesses?

[capt. apathy]

If the retailers would not sell the "M" products to minors, then the decision would be left with the parents WHERE IT SHOULD BE.

It's already left up to the parents (as it should be).  if you don't know what games your kid has loaded on his hard-drive (or pics, mpegs, and music for that matter) you're not doing your job.  expecting the shop keeper to monitor your kids game play is a bit unreasonable, they will just get an older friend to buy them what they want anyway.

the only thing that works is for the parent to know where their kids are and what they are doing, 24/7.

[Ripper29]

Originally posted by SunTracker
I think that video games do desensitize kids to death and killing.

Unlike on-line flight sims where the object is to shoot down other virtual players......  

[Mickey1992]

Originally posted by capt. apathy
expecting the shop keeper to monitor your kids game play is a bit unreasonable, they will just get an older friend to buy them what they want anyway.

So you also think that retailers should no longer require ID to buy beer or cigs?

[MrCoffee]

Nothing worse than a boring video game where theres no shooting enemies going down.

[MrCoffee]

video games = porn = cute and fund

[capt. apathy]

So you also think that retailers should no longer require ID to buy beer or cigs?

both of those are illegal for a minor to have.  suplying them makes him an accesory.  so far there are no laws to cover who's allowed to posses what games, so it makes more sense to just leave the guy alone and let him try to run a bussiness.


BTW- anybody else remember when you could go to the store and buy alcohol or cigs with nothing more than the cash and a note from your mother saying they where for her?

[Stoned Gecko]

I have no problem with a law that simply requires an ID for an MA rated game. But how much effect would it really have? It's a simply supply and demand. If enough kids want to purchase such game someone will sell it. And if the Internet is exempt, at it might do is hurt the local retail ... that's about it. The only ones that can make sure that kids are not playing an inappropriate game are the parents ... and the interpretation of what's appropriate should be left solely up to them.

[Reschke]

I agree to an extent with the ratings and having retailers police the games they sell. But what blows my mind is some woman walking in with her 10-13 year old son and him saying "Thats the game I want." then her telling the clerk to get "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" so she can see it and the clerk telling her that its appropriate for a kid...when the game clearly isn't and the mother doesn't even bat an eyelid before she throws the CC out there.

I witnessed that three times in about 15 minutes the other day while I was in Gamestop here in my town. I was checking out the bargain bin for PC games for my son. The last lady had the sense to ask someone other than the 17 year old running the register about the game. Since I was the only other person in the store I was asked and I offered up my suggestions...She ended up walking out with IL-2:FB a cheapo joystick and CFS3...us old flight sim guys will take over the game world yet...

[vorticon]

Nice. No internet taxes, and now minors can circumvent the lableing law by buying off the web

theres 2 ways to buy something off the net...check/money order and credit card kids can't get checks or credit cards (unless there parents are so stupid they dont even check whats on the cc bill) and most kids don't know how to get a money order...not to mention its usually the parent who gets mail...


in the end it all comes down to the parent

(honestly i think gta:vc is way over the line and should'nt have been made in the first place)

[Stoned Gecko]

Originally posted by Reschke
I agree to an extent with the ratings and having retailers police the games they sell. But what blows my mind is some woman walking in with her 10-13 year old son and him saying "Thats the game I want." then her telling the clerk to get "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" so she can see it and the clerk telling her that its appropriate for a kid...when the game clearly isn't and the mother doesn't even bat an eyelid before she throws the CC out there.

That doesn't blow my mind at all. If the woman really thinks that game is appropriate for her kid, so be it. I wouldn't agree with her decision, but it's her kid ... her call.

What pisses me off are the people that knowingly get violent or sexually explicit games for their kids, and then complain that it ruins their children. And what pisses me off even more are the parents that get the games for their kids without knowing what they are about, and the complain about the violence, or sexual content, or whatever.

The reason why the latter urks me more is because there is enough information out there to make an informed decision. First, there are the ratings. Second, there sales people in the game stores that probably know what's in the game. And third, you can rent damn near any game these days, pop it into the console, and the decide whether it's appropriate for your kids. There is absolutely no excuse to scream havoc simply because you're too damn ignorant and careless not to know what's going on in your kid's room.

[Tumor]

There will never be enough pr0n in video-games.