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ESRB state what age group they think games (American games that is) are suitable for. 'Everyone' being the equivilent to the BBFC's 'Universal' or 'U' rating.
They are printed on boxes, and sometimes the cartridges and discs, and are clearly visable. They are there basically to advise parents what the contents of games are like, and their suitability for certain age groups.
So why is it that when a violent game is released, we usually hear of how an American mother of six has tried taking a games company to court for making the games so violent?
As far as I can tell, no one can win these cases other than the developer who has clearly marked the game as not suitable for certain age groups. Therefore, if somebody buys the game as a present for someone, shouldn't it be their fault for not checking in the first place?
Even so, this is not the point I am trying to raise.
"TV causes children to become thugs!"
"Computers are the cause of all of todays troubles!"
Ever heard people say these things to you? I have! And I totally disagree with these points!
Violence in videogames is better than violence in the streets!
Ok, violence on TV and in videogames may cause people with behavioural problems to go out and do something unlawful, however, those who are completely sane can take out their stress and tention in videogames without hurting anyone in real life!
I often get annoyed and frustrated by my brother doing one thing or the other, but instead of trying to hurt him, I would rather blast his brains out in a Perfect Dark Deathmatch or vent my anger on him in an Extreme G race! That way, my brother is too preoccupied to carry on being frustrating and annoying, and we're both having fun beating each other at games!
I wonder what a lot of you would be doing right now if we didn't have computers, TV, Radio, and videogames? Maybe you would hang out with your friends. But to do what?
Some people would actually prefer to hand out with their friends, sitting on somebody elses garden wall, waiting for some reaction from someone as an excuse to cause trouble. Those people cause violence, the people who seek attention, but not of the right sort.
Videogames tend to be a relaxant, an anti-depressent, a stress reliever, and basically calm a person. They get so involved in a game and want to win so much that they forget about the troubles of the outside world and don't need to worry about anything. With the aid of a small level of imagination, you shouldn't have the urge to hurt anyone at all if you vent your anger on a three-dimensional figurine that is supposed to represent a humanoid creature!
Just remember that whilst a person is shooting Cassandra's bodyguards, blasting their way through pig cops, or fighting for the triforce, they aren't causing harm to anyone else around them!
Edgy your just generally violent!
lol :)
I'm not violent at all (well in videogames I am)
It's just Psycho Edgy that's violent :) Not me :)
Actually i agree i am normally a very angry person and so playing computer games calms me letting out my frustration on at foe!
Edgy your just generally violent!
And why can't we always balme the Nazi's?
Now, if you'll excuse me, someone just looked at me funny so I'm going to slam his head repeatedly in a car door and wrap him round a lampost before plugging him into the mains.
Now I know not all cases are to do with the Nazis, you can't blame them for everything, and in those cases when they are, you'd've thought the parents would have noticed the big red, white and black flags hanging on the walls!
Some children are easyly influenced so it is the fault of the parents if the child is playing a game with violence.
Age rating are on the game for a reason and it is the role of the parents to ensure their child isnt playing unsutable material. Blaming the games companys is just wrong. They didnt force wee Jimmy to play the game with big guns, in fact im sure it was the parents who bought the game for the kid in the first place.
And they can't ban violent games because they are forgeting about the other medias like film and TV. They are, in my view far more influential.