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Age group seem to pop us everywhere these days, especially with entertainment such as games, films, TV programs, web pages. The usually fall into categories such as U, PG, 12, 15 and 18. Now everyone should know what these are used for i.e. 18 means you have to be 18 or older to play, view or use such material.
But moving to different age groups now. With a bit more thought, all just to do with the wonders that is the gaming industry. Firstly we have those to young to enjoy and most of the time are never allowed to touch the consoles that bring us so much fun, these are the fisher price bunch of the world. It doesn't surprise me that they aren't allowed to play them as firstly they wouldn't be able to play it the way they are supposed to as they aren't capable of doing so and secondly I am sure that most of today's consoles are not dribble proof. Not being able to physically play and enjoy games they way they are designed to means that this age group isn't really important in the aspect of gaming.
The second age group is those who are early gamers, the ones who can just control them and enjoy playing them from time to time. The don't see gaming as "a way of life" as I'm sure a lot of people do. They aren't addicted to games as much as us and don't need to play the latest releases and know all the latest information. The button bashers who like any kind of game, as long as they get to do something and it has bright colours and fancy sounds..
After that we have those who are true gamers, could be anywhere in the age from 10 to around about 50, we are the ones that love all things gaming, play all the time some even skip school or work just to play an newly purchased game. We are the ones who already know which console and games we want, the people who appreciate the good side to games and get annoyed when those who know very little about them start to blame them for problems in society (those people make me sick! : ) ). We play games for many reasons, here are a few of them, there are more.
Some of us play games for the sole purpose that they are fun to play and just like any form of entertainment they entertain us. Maybe we play them when we are bored, feeling down or just feel in the mood for some gaming action. Others play them to escape from problems, to experience things that they will never do in real life. There are probably loads more but at this moment in time they have gone straight over my head.
Probably most of us on here will fall into this category, that's probably why we are on this site reading and posting, not only to be in the chance of winning a game but also because it is all to do with gaming, giving us new information, release dates, tips and cheats (not to forget the low prices too) We may be hardcore gamers that play when ever they can and must get a daily fix on a game or they go crazy, or they could be a gamer for the fun of it and enjoy all the things that games can offer them. Also have the ability to play the games well and also appreciate everything that they do.
So why do you play games? Why do you use this site?
The next group are those who are too old to enjoy games like us, the "bingo bunch", OAP's if you like, the generation that don't know who or what Nintendo are, if you ask them who Mario or sonic is they will reply "Mario, he owns that pizza place in town doesn't he" and "Tonic ohh yes I would love a gin and tonic son, thank you". But maybe one day they did like games, chasing the metal ring down the street and hitting it with the stick and of course nowadays a lot of them play bingo. (A Simpson's moment where they were playing bingo in the old folks home - "You sunk my battleship"), a typical view on old people with their games. Maybe the reason they know very little is that they don't want to know about it as it doesn't interest them. But does this mean that we will be the same when we are older?
I mean will there be a time for us when gaming isn't what it used to be. I know there are a few on this site who are older than the rest of us yet they still love games, but when we grow up and have families will we have the time for games and more importantly will we still want the time. In the future I plan on being an OAP/G (old age pensioner/gamer) I'll sit on the bus playing my handheld console, I'll have my consoles set up in my cosy little home and after playing games for a while I will take my nap before playing again (as long as I can physically still play them of course).
But then again there are restrictions on games that mean that certain games have to be given an 18 rating which upsets the balance, these days the graphical abilities of the games and consoles means that a lot of games not only look very impressive but some also look very realistic, which leads to problems when violence, gore or sex of some sort is used somewhere in the game. Automatically the game is given an appropriate rating to prevent "children" from playing it. Games are also interactive which means you control what happens and in some (very very small percentage) can cause them to believe what they see and then want to act it out. This is a problem, but not with the games. With society and probably mostly parents, if your parents feel a game is suitable then they probably will buy you it but not enough care and attention is taken by parents to ensure that the games there children play are really "suitable" for them.
The next bit is probably most important, all to do with what age groups the consoles try to appeal too. Ever since the days of the NES - SNES and mega drive gaming has always been seen as a kiddie form of entertainment. Ever since the PSX arrived this changed, as Sony seemed to also appeal to a section of adults or "more mature" gamer. I used to be a ninty but as I got older it seemed the PSX appealed more to me and now being a PS2 owner I guess I am a Sony fan. A lot of people on here argue that Nintendo are a kiddie company and to some extents that was and is a little true but times have changed and there is a bigger market and a much larger age group to appeal to and also cater for.
It looks like the PS2, game cube and the X-Box are all competing for the full range of gamers from the young to the old (not reached the bingo bunch but maybe we will in the future?) Although Nintendo seem to have more games aimed at kids they still have a few that most gamers would see as entertaining which will probably be given an 18 rating. I would imagine that a lot of market research would be carried out to see just what age range they should be appealing too. Sony seem to have a good variety which allows them to cater for all, and a lot of the games that are aimed at older gamers (over 18) are in my opinion very good games. As for the X-Box I have no idea what games it will have and to be honest I am not interested due to a little dislike of Microsoft and the way they run things in the computing industry but I would be guessing that they will be trying to appeal to everyone.
So why is it that this new age group appeared when the PSX came around? Is it just that they made the games that the older people wanted to play that had never been seen in the past or that they were in the right place at the right time?
Are age groups really that important? For developers do they decide whom they plan on aiming the game at and reduce/or change the content to make it suitable for them? Will we ever see a game that is released with two different versions? One for over 18's and one for under 18's with all the adult content removed and replaced with things that children like. Will gaming always appeal to the large range of people of different ages or will it begin to cater for one particular group, i.e. the majority of gamers that give them the most money?
So what are your views on the age groups of games, do you think as we get older we will still enjoy games, maybe consoles will replace the older generation games like bingo and lawn bowls. Do you think that games should be given appropriate ratings due to their content? Post your views if you have any please.
But moving to different age groups now. With a bit more thought, all just to do with the wonders that is the gaming industry. Firstly we have those to young to enjoy and most of the time are never allowed to touch the consoles that bring us so much fun, these are the fisher price bunch of the world. It doesn't surprise me that they aren't allowed to play them as firstly they wouldn't be able to play it the way they are supposed to as they aren't capable of doing so and secondly I am sure that most of today's consoles are not dribble proof. Not being able to physically play and enjoy games they way they are designed to means that this age group isn't really important in the aspect of gaming.
The second age group is those who are early gamers, the ones who can just control them and enjoy playing them from time to time. The don't see gaming as "a way of life" as I'm sure a lot of people do. They aren't addicted to games as much as us and don't need to play the latest releases and know all the latest information. The button bashers who like any kind of game, as long as they get to do something and it has bright colours and fancy sounds..
After that we have those who are true gamers, could be anywhere in the age from 10 to around about 50, we are the ones that love all things gaming, play all the time some even skip school or work just to play an newly purchased game. We are the ones who already know which console and games we want, the people who appreciate the good side to games and get annoyed when those who know very little about them start to blame them for problems in society (those people make me sick! : ) ). We play games for many reasons, here are a few of them, there are more.
Some of us play games for the sole purpose that they are fun to play and just like any form of entertainment they entertain us. Maybe we play them when we are bored, feeling down or just feel in the mood for some gaming action. Others play them to escape from problems, to experience things that they will never do in real life. There are probably loads more but at this moment in time they have gone straight over my head.
Probably most of us on here will fall into this category, that's probably why we are on this site reading and posting, not only to be in the chance of winning a game but also because it is all to do with gaming, giving us new information, release dates, tips and cheats (not to forget the low prices too) We may be hardcore gamers that play when ever they can and must get a daily fix on a game or they go crazy, or they could be a gamer for the fun of it and enjoy all the things that games can offer them. Also have the ability to play the games well and also appreciate everything that they do.
So why do you play games? Why do you use this site?
The next group are those who are too old to enjoy games like us, the "bingo bunch", OAP's if you like, the generation that don't know who or what Nintendo are, if you ask them who Mario or sonic is they will reply "Mario, he owns that pizza place in town doesn't he" and "Tonic ohh yes I would love a gin and tonic son, thank you". But maybe one day they did like games, chasing the metal ring down the street and hitting it with the stick and of course nowadays a lot of them play bingo. (A Simpson's moment where they were playing bingo in the old folks home - "You sunk my battleship"), a typical view on old people with their games. Maybe the reason they know very little is that they don't want to know about it as it doesn't interest them. But does this mean that we will be the same when we are older?
I mean will there be a time for us when gaming isn't what it used to be. I know there are a few on this site who are older than the rest of us yet they still love games, but when we grow up and have families will we have the time for games and more importantly will we still want the time. In the future I plan on being an OAP/G (old age pensioner/gamer) I'll sit on the bus playing my handheld console, I'll have my consoles set up in my cosy little home and after playing games for a while I will take my nap before playing again (as long as I can physically still play them of course).
But then again there are restrictions on games that mean that certain games have to be given an 18 rating which upsets the balance, these days the graphical abilities of the games and consoles means that a lot of games not only look very impressive but some also look very realistic, which leads to problems when violence, gore or sex of some sort is used somewhere in the game. Automatically the game is given an appropriate rating to prevent "children" from playing it. Games are also interactive which means you control what happens and in some (very very small percentage) can cause them to believe what they see and then want to act it out. This is a problem, but not with the games. With society and probably mostly parents, if your parents feel a game is suitable then they probably will buy you it but not enough care and attention is taken by parents to ensure that the games there children play are really "suitable" for them.
The next bit is probably most important, all to do with what age groups the consoles try to appeal too. Ever since the days of the NES - SNES and mega drive gaming has always been seen as a kiddie form of entertainment. Ever since the PSX arrived this changed, as Sony seemed to also appeal to a section of adults or "more mature" gamer. I used to be a ninty but as I got older it seemed the PSX appealed more to me and now being a PS2 owner I guess I am a Sony fan. A lot of people on here argue that Nintendo are a kiddie company and to some extents that was and is a little true but times have changed and there is a bigger market and a much larger age group to appeal to and also cater for.
It looks like the PS2, game cube and the X-Box are all competing for the full range of gamers from the young to the old (not reached the bingo bunch but maybe we will in the future?) Although Nintendo seem to have more games aimed at kids they still have a few that most gamers would see as entertaining which will probably be given an 18 rating. I would imagine that a lot of market research would be carried out to see just what age range they should be appealing too. Sony seem to have a good variety which allows them to cater for all, and a lot of the games that are aimed at older gamers (over 18) are in my opinion very good games. As for the X-Box I have no idea what games it will have and to be honest I am not interested due to a little dislike of Microsoft and the way they run things in the computing industry but I would be guessing that they will be trying to appeal to everyone.
So why is it that this new age group appeared when the PSX came around? Is it just that they made the games that the older people wanted to play that had never been seen in the past or that they were in the right place at the right time?
Are age groups really that important? For developers do they decide whom they plan on aiming the game at and reduce/or change the content to make it suitable for them? Will we ever see a game that is released with two different versions? One for over 18's and one for under 18's with all the adult content removed and replaced with things that children like. Will gaming always appeal to the large range of people of different ages or will it begin to cater for one particular group, i.e. the majority of gamers that give them the most money?
So what are your views on the age groups of games, do you think as we get older we will still enjoy games, maybe consoles will replace the older generation games like bingo and lawn bowls. Do you think that games should be given appropriate ratings due to their content? Post your views if you have any please.
I pre-ordered GTA3 yesterday and today was looking at some DVD footage and magazine reviews. This game looks really great and sounds great but one thing struck me when reading a review. Nothing had to be changed or edited. It is full of violence, gore and well anything against the law. So is this a sign of things to come are games getting more violent (well the ones for over 18's) or is it just that people have learnt to except that games are games and only effect those who would be affected by anything which contains violent details.
I'd say there is a world of difference between a 14 year old and an 18 year old, I imagine many of the others who are on here that have been both would agree with me!
However, not much of the difference has got anything to do with interpretation of viewing so I'll agree with you on that point.
However, not much of the difference has got anything to do with interpretation of viewing so I'll agree with you on that point.
A good point Turbonutter, i agree with you there.
Age groups are stupid up to a point. I think you should be allowed to see a film or buy a game if your parents approve. To just let anyone see or watch films would be stupid, but I think the minimum age to watch any age should be 14. There's virtually no difference between a 14 and 18 year old these days, especially with the Internet as widespread (no pun intended) as it is.
MJswerve wrote:
> Firstly, thats one long post.
sorry, i do go on a bit sometimes don't I.
Secondly, I am sueing you for damaging my
> eyes.
you won't get much out of me, firstly I am a student and secondly I have just pre-ordered GTA3. You'll get about 50p if you are lucky MJ
Finally, I am sorry I am too tired too read it.
Good post I am sure
> anyways Ali, yours always do seem to be.
Cheers. : )
> Firstly, thats one long post.
sorry, i do go on a bit sometimes don't I.
Secondly, I am sueing you for damaging my
> eyes.
you won't get much out of me, firstly I am a student and secondly I have just pre-ordered GTA3. You'll get about 50p if you are lucky MJ
Finally, I am sorry I am too tired too read it.
Good post I am sure
> anyways Ali, yours always do seem to be.
Cheers. : )
Firstly, thats one long post.
Secondly, I am sueing you for damaging my eyes.
Finally, I am sorry I am too tired too read it.
Good post I am sure anyways Ali, yours always do seem to be.
MJ
Secondly, I am sueing you for damaging my eyes.
Finally, I am sorry I am too tired too read it.
Good post I am sure anyways Ali, yours always do seem to be.
MJ
Views?....
Well, my first thought is of how stupid our game ratings are... We seem to have the same ratings for games as we do for the cinema which is daft!
If we have a mature 15-year-old girl who wants to go see an '18' with her sister, why shouldn't she? I think that the ESRB, that decides the US game ratings (taking into account the theme, content and what-have-you), should have their methods implemented into our cinema and games rating system. Most parents don't care what their kids play anyway... why should a Year 11 boy who's just turned 16 not be allowed to play Conker's Bad Fur Day?
I don't know.... I have mixed views... on that subject.
The other question about gaming replacing some old sports:
I can't see this happeneing.... different people like differnet games, on different days in different months at different times with different views and different life-styles..... So, No... Gaming will be for gamers...
Game
Well, my first thought is of how stupid our game ratings are... We seem to have the same ratings for games as we do for the cinema which is daft!
If we have a mature 15-year-old girl who wants to go see an '18' with her sister, why shouldn't she? I think that the ESRB, that decides the US game ratings (taking into account the theme, content and what-have-you), should have their methods implemented into our cinema and games rating system. Most parents don't care what their kids play anyway... why should a Year 11 boy who's just turned 16 not be allowed to play Conker's Bad Fur Day?
I don't know.... I have mixed views... on that subject.
The other question about gaming replacing some old sports:
I can't see this happeneing.... different people like differnet games, on different days in different months at different times with different views and different life-styles..... So, No... Gaming will be for gamers...
Game
Age group seem to pop us everywhere these days, especially with entertainment such as games, films, TV programs, web pages. The usually fall into categories such as U, PG, 12, 15 and 18. Now everyone should know what these are used for i.e. 18 means you have to be 18 or older to play, view or use such material.
But moving to different age groups now. With a bit more thought, all just to do with the wonders that is the gaming industry. Firstly we have those to young to enjoy and most of the time are never allowed to touch the consoles that bring us so much fun, these are the fisher price bunch of the world. It doesn't surprise me that they aren't allowed to play them as firstly they wouldn't be able to play it the way they are supposed to as they aren't capable of doing so and secondly I am sure that most of today's consoles are not dribble proof. Not being able to physically play and enjoy games they way they are designed to means that this age group isn't really important in the aspect of gaming.
The second age group is those who are early gamers, the ones who can just control them and enjoy playing them from time to time. The don't see gaming as "a way of life" as I'm sure a lot of people do. They aren't addicted to games as much as us and don't need to play the latest releases and know all the latest information. The button bashers who like any kind of game, as long as they get to do something and it has bright colours and fancy sounds..
After that we have those who are true gamers, could be anywhere in the age from 10 to around about 50, we are the ones that love all things gaming, play all the time some even skip school or work just to play an newly purchased game. We are the ones who already know which console and games we want, the people who appreciate the good side to games and get annoyed when those who know very little about them start to blame them for problems in society (those people make me sick! : ) ). We play games for many reasons, here are a few of them, there are more.
Some of us play games for the sole purpose that they are fun to play and just like any form of entertainment they entertain us. Maybe we play them when we are bored, feeling down or just feel in the mood for some gaming action. Others play them to escape from problems, to experience things that they will never do in real life. There are probably loads more but at this moment in time they have gone straight over my head.
Probably most of us on here will fall into this category, that's probably why we are on this site reading and posting, not only to be in the chance of winning a game but also because it is all to do with gaming, giving us new information, release dates, tips and cheats (not to forget the low prices too) We may be hardcore gamers that play when ever they can and must get a daily fix on a game or they go crazy, or they could be a gamer for the fun of it and enjoy all the things that games can offer them. Also have the ability to play the games well and also appreciate everything that they do.
So why do you play games? Why do you use this site?
The next group are those who are too old to enjoy games like us, the "bingo bunch", OAP's if you like, the generation that don't know who or what Nintendo are, if you ask them who Mario or sonic is they will reply "Mario, he owns that pizza place in town doesn't he" and "Tonic ohh yes I would love a gin and tonic son, thank you". But maybe one day they did like games, chasing the metal ring down the street and hitting it with the stick and of course nowadays a lot of them play bingo. (A Simpson's moment where they were playing bingo in the old folks home - "You sunk my battleship"), a typical view on old people with their games. Maybe the reason they know very little is that they don't want to know about it as it doesn't interest them. But does this mean that we will be the same when we are older?
I mean will there be a time for us when gaming isn't what it used to be. I know there are a few on this site who are older than the rest of us yet they still love games, but when we grow up and have families will we have the time for games and more importantly will we still want the time. In the future I plan on being an OAP/G (old age pensioner/gamer) I'll sit on the bus playing my handheld console, I'll have my consoles set up in my cosy little home and after playing games for a while I will take my nap before playing again (as long as I can physically still play them of course).
But then again there are restrictions on games that mean that certain games have to be given an 18 rating which upsets the balance, these days the graphical abilities of the games and consoles means that a lot of games not only look very impressive but some also look very realistic, which leads to problems when violence, gore or sex of some sort is used somewhere in the game. Automatically the game is given an appropriate rating to prevent "children" from playing it. Games are also interactive which means you control what happens and in some (very very small percentage) can cause them to believe what they see and then want to act it out. This is a problem, but not with the games. With society and probably mostly parents, if your parents feel a game is suitable then they probably will buy you it but not enough care and attention is taken by parents to ensure that the games there children play are really "suitable" for them.
The next bit is probably most important, all to do with what age groups the consoles try to appeal too. Ever since the days of the NES - SNES and mega drive gaming has always been seen as a kiddie form of entertainment. Ever since the PSX arrived this changed, as Sony seemed to also appeal to a section of adults or "more mature" gamer. I used to be a ninty but as I got older it seemed the PSX appealed more to me and now being a PS2 owner I guess I am a Sony fan. A lot of people on here argue that Nintendo are a kiddie company and to some extents that was and is a little true but times have changed and there is a bigger market and a much larger age group to appeal to and also cater for.
It looks like the PS2, game cube and the X-Box are all competing for the full range of gamers from the young to the old (not reached the bingo bunch but maybe we will in the future?) Although Nintendo seem to have more games aimed at kids they still have a few that most gamers would see as entertaining which will probably be given an 18 rating. I would imagine that a lot of market research would be carried out to see just what age range they should be appealing too. Sony seem to have a good variety which allows them to cater for all, and a lot of the games that are aimed at older gamers (over 18) are in my opinion very good games. As for the X-Box I have no idea what games it will have and to be honest I am not interested due to a little dislike of Microsoft and the way they run things in the computing industry but I would be guessing that they will be trying to appeal to everyone.
So why is it that this new age group appeared when the PSX came around? Is it just that they made the games that the older people wanted to play that had never been seen in the past or that they were in the right place at the right time?
Are age groups really that important? For developers do they decide whom they plan on aiming the game at and reduce/or change the content to make it suitable for them? Will we ever see a game that is released with two different versions? One for over 18's and one for under 18's with all the adult content removed and replaced with things that children like. Will gaming always appeal to the large range of people of different ages or will it begin to cater for one particular group, i.e. the majority of gamers that give them the most money?
So what are your views on the age groups of games, do you think as we get older we will still enjoy games, maybe consoles will replace the older generation games like bingo and lawn bowls. Do you think that games should be given appropriate ratings due to their content? Post your views if you have any please.
But moving to different age groups now. With a bit more thought, all just to do with the wonders that is the gaming industry. Firstly we have those to young to enjoy and most of the time are never allowed to touch the consoles that bring us so much fun, these are the fisher price bunch of the world. It doesn't surprise me that they aren't allowed to play them as firstly they wouldn't be able to play it the way they are supposed to as they aren't capable of doing so and secondly I am sure that most of today's consoles are not dribble proof. Not being able to physically play and enjoy games they way they are designed to means that this age group isn't really important in the aspect of gaming.
The second age group is those who are early gamers, the ones who can just control them and enjoy playing them from time to time. The don't see gaming as "a way of life" as I'm sure a lot of people do. They aren't addicted to games as much as us and don't need to play the latest releases and know all the latest information. The button bashers who like any kind of game, as long as they get to do something and it has bright colours and fancy sounds..
After that we have those who are true gamers, could be anywhere in the age from 10 to around about 50, we are the ones that love all things gaming, play all the time some even skip school or work just to play an newly purchased game. We are the ones who already know which console and games we want, the people who appreciate the good side to games and get annoyed when those who know very little about them start to blame them for problems in society (those people make me sick! : ) ). We play games for many reasons, here are a few of them, there are more.
Some of us play games for the sole purpose that they are fun to play and just like any form of entertainment they entertain us. Maybe we play them when we are bored, feeling down or just feel in the mood for some gaming action. Others play them to escape from problems, to experience things that they will never do in real life. There are probably loads more but at this moment in time they have gone straight over my head.
Probably most of us on here will fall into this category, that's probably why we are on this site reading and posting, not only to be in the chance of winning a game but also because it is all to do with gaming, giving us new information, release dates, tips and cheats (not to forget the low prices too) We may be hardcore gamers that play when ever they can and must get a daily fix on a game or they go crazy, or they could be a gamer for the fun of it and enjoy all the things that games can offer them. Also have the ability to play the games well and also appreciate everything that they do.
So why do you play games? Why do you use this site?
The next group are those who are too old to enjoy games like us, the "bingo bunch", OAP's if you like, the generation that don't know who or what Nintendo are, if you ask them who Mario or sonic is they will reply "Mario, he owns that pizza place in town doesn't he" and "Tonic ohh yes I would love a gin and tonic son, thank you". But maybe one day they did like games, chasing the metal ring down the street and hitting it with the stick and of course nowadays a lot of them play bingo. (A Simpson's moment where they were playing bingo in the old folks home - "You sunk my battleship"), a typical view on old people with their games. Maybe the reason they know very little is that they don't want to know about it as it doesn't interest them. But does this mean that we will be the same when we are older?
I mean will there be a time for us when gaming isn't what it used to be. I know there are a few on this site who are older than the rest of us yet they still love games, but when we grow up and have families will we have the time for games and more importantly will we still want the time. In the future I plan on being an OAP/G (old age pensioner/gamer) I'll sit on the bus playing my handheld console, I'll have my consoles set up in my cosy little home and after playing games for a while I will take my nap before playing again (as long as I can physically still play them of course).
But then again there are restrictions on games that mean that certain games have to be given an 18 rating which upsets the balance, these days the graphical abilities of the games and consoles means that a lot of games not only look very impressive but some also look very realistic, which leads to problems when violence, gore or sex of some sort is used somewhere in the game. Automatically the game is given an appropriate rating to prevent "children" from playing it. Games are also interactive which means you control what happens and in some (very very small percentage) can cause them to believe what they see and then want to act it out. This is a problem, but not with the games. With society and probably mostly parents, if your parents feel a game is suitable then they probably will buy you it but not enough care and attention is taken by parents to ensure that the games there children play are really "suitable" for them.
The next bit is probably most important, all to do with what age groups the consoles try to appeal too. Ever since the days of the NES - SNES and mega drive gaming has always been seen as a kiddie form of entertainment. Ever since the PSX arrived this changed, as Sony seemed to also appeal to a section of adults or "more mature" gamer. I used to be a ninty but as I got older it seemed the PSX appealed more to me and now being a PS2 owner I guess I am a Sony fan. A lot of people on here argue that Nintendo are a kiddie company and to some extents that was and is a little true but times have changed and there is a bigger market and a much larger age group to appeal to and also cater for.
It looks like the PS2, game cube and the X-Box are all competing for the full range of gamers from the young to the old (not reached the bingo bunch but maybe we will in the future?) Although Nintendo seem to have more games aimed at kids they still have a few that most gamers would see as entertaining which will probably be given an 18 rating. I would imagine that a lot of market research would be carried out to see just what age range they should be appealing too. Sony seem to have a good variety which allows them to cater for all, and a lot of the games that are aimed at older gamers (over 18) are in my opinion very good games. As for the X-Box I have no idea what games it will have and to be honest I am not interested due to a little dislike of Microsoft and the way they run things in the computing industry but I would be guessing that they will be trying to appeal to everyone.
So why is it that this new age group appeared when the PSX came around? Is it just that they made the games that the older people wanted to play that had never been seen in the past or that they were in the right place at the right time?
Are age groups really that important? For developers do they decide whom they plan on aiming the game at and reduce/or change the content to make it suitable for them? Will we ever see a game that is released with two different versions? One for over 18's and one for under 18's with all the adult content removed and replaced with things that children like. Will gaming always appeal to the large range of people of different ages or will it begin to cater for one particular group, i.e. the majority of gamers that give them the most money?
So what are your views on the age groups of games, do you think as we get older we will still enjoy games, maybe consoles will replace the older generation games like bingo and lawn bowls. Do you think that games should be given appropriate ratings due to their content? Post your views if you have any please.