ESRB ratings on Xbox 360, PS3, PC games simply don’t work
By Jonathan Schlaffer
The problem with game ratings set up for all games/systems/consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) is not that the package is clearly labeled by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) as to who can and who can’t purchase a game but that it is up to the retailer to enforce them. Most retailers like Best Buy, Gamestop and similar are only concerned with one thing; making a sale which breaks the whole system.
I left Nintendo out of that for one simple reason, it doesn’t have nearly the amount of "violent" titles that exist for the other platforms. When I think of Nintendo, "violent" games is the last thing that comes to mind. Cartoony and "unrealistic," yes, violent, no. I can think of maybe one or two games on the Wii that could be but that’s the exception; not the rule.
There have been cases where a store refused to sell a game to someone who was underage for that particular title but that’s the exception and not the rule. Back in the late 90s before I turned 18, I could pretty much walk into any store, buy any game I wanted and walk out without being questioned.
I remember one time after I had turned 21 and was buying a game that was rated M and was asked to show my ID at a particular store. That’s not a problem but sometimes I’m put off by people who ask to see my ID because now I’m only a few years away from reaching 30. I guess that’s the only problem with looking younger than you are.
At the same store during the same day I saw teens buy games that they should not have been able to buy; if the store was enforcing the rating system. They don’t and even if they do, it’s not standard across the board.
Some cashiers, and it appears to be up to the cashiers to ask for ID and some don’t; more often than not, they don’t.
The ESRB might be able to fool themselves that they are doing some good but based on my experiences they really aren’t. It could be argued that the system is in place for parents to decide which games their kids can and can’t play, well, I don’t see that working either.
Most parents (that have the means) will buy their kids whatever they want and not think twice about it, especially when it comes to games. And even if the parents say no, I’ve seen older siblings buy the game for his/her younger brother/sister anyway and behind the parents’ back. Again there are exceptions but based on my observations is not the rule.
Kids are going to get what they want one way or another unless it becomes illegal to own or play "violent" video games but I don’t see that ever happening. Even if someone did try to institute legislation like that, it would never pass because that could infringe on rights that are laid out in the Constitution.
A rating system only works if it is enforced and in my experience, almost 95% of the time, it is not. There would also be no real way for the State or Federal government to force the stores to enforce that, unless violent games became classified as "pornography."
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March 30th, 2008
I’m 19 but still look kind of young. i’ve been carded for both orange box, bioshock at best buy and for GTA ps2 pack and prey at frys. and yes they do card.
it’s illegal for them to sale to minors now so carding is defenitely done. you have no idea what you’re talking about. i thought you might begin this article with a discussion of how muiltplayer games can easily be rated M due to heavy swearing and vulgarness.
and infringes on rights in the constiution? do you not know that movies were censored and banned in the 40-60’s? esrb ratings are necessary. just because you’ve seen one eample of irresponsible parents doesn’t mean alot are. if the ratiungs stop just a handful of kids from playing a mature and offensive game, then it succeeded.
March 30th, 2008
So, what is your point? That violent video games should be banned? That they should be considered pornography?
March 30th, 2008
I don’t care about ESRB they full of shit plus I’m 21 years old. If any kid i know wants to buy rated M games i will be glad to buy the game for them as long as is for a PlayStation system only…
March 30th, 2008
I don’t care about ESRB they full of shit plus I’m 21 years old. No store cares about the the rating system well EB Games and GameStop do but those store are gay and sell bad games. If any kid i know wants to buy rated M games i will be glad to buy it for them as long as is for a PlayStation brand system only…
March 30th, 2008
My point is that the current system has failings and if the ESRB wants it to work it needs to be revised.
And what you suggest is the farthest thing from my mind.
I agree there should be a ratings system but it needs to be more effective than it currently is.
March 30th, 2008
I totally agree with John (above). Most places I go to wont let me buy it unless i show ID. I once even came into gamestop with my mom, (yes, im only 16, and so my mom had to come) and i thought if my mom left a note, it would be ok, but they said absolutely not.
I wish this would discus how game ratings suck because the are off base. COD4 is rated M because of many things. One being “strong language”. Guess what, so was “Army of two”. BUT, COD4 only says the F*ck once. My brother and I counted in army of two over 70 F*ck words, and over 100 Sh*t words. So, why the same ratings? My parents can stand 1 F*ck word, but when the come into the living room, they dont want to hear the F*ck word every 10 seconds.
March 30th, 2008
Not quite sure what you would suggest. Even in a new system, it would most likely be left up to the individual retailer. If this is not the case, then it would have to be a DRASTIC change that could make things worse for those trying to legitimately purchase the games.
As with everything, those that really want something will get it no matter what. It doesn’t matter what steps are taken in the name of “safety,” M rated games will still fall into the hands of minors if they really want them.
March 30th, 2008
The best cussing game of all time, so far, is Kane and Lynch!!! I only play that game to hear them swear so much
It is hilarious! Lol. You gotta love it!!!!!
March 30th, 2008
If a game has swearing, it is AUTOMATICALLY a cool game!!!
March 31st, 2008
nintendo doesnt have violent games???
*cough* resident evil *cough*
March 31st, 2008
*cough* Super SMASH brothers *cough* *cough*
March 31st, 2008
*cough* Zelda *cough*
March 31st, 2008
ESRB ratings are a waste of time. Until proof is shown linking violent games to violent behavior, i doubt anyone will take them seriously. I know i don’t.
April 1st, 2008
Okay I love this topic I hate the fucking esrb they dont have to play the games so why in the fuck should they care if I buy the damn thing Im 15 and I hate being told you have to have a parent. IT IS BULLSHIT because all I want to do is play gears of war I mean wtf ESRB you suck dick. I have been playing gta games sense at least 7 have I killed some one no. I have all M games in my game set I have halo3-M gears of war-M mass effect-M shadow run-M farcry-m and many more Ms but I have not killed anyone have I no so wtf is in esrbs assholes
April 1st, 2008
sorry for miss spelling things
April 2nd, 2008
Ummm, yeah, sorry to disappoint you, but it is not the fault of the ESRB, you can’t buy M games because of the government, The ESRB is only in place to put a letter on the box denoting the “assumed” appropriate age. Too bad you’re not of the appropriate age. ahahaha :p.
April 3rd, 2008
Well, I have to admit that it is really annoying when you have all these like 9-year-olds swearing their faces off when I play Halo 3 online. (think high-pitched pre-puberty boys’ voices calling me a shitface (and many other things…) for almost 10 minutes straight because they got killed with the flag while I was nearby shooting at someone else and I didn’t want to turn around and get shot in the back.)
I don’t own a 360, I play at my friend’s house, so I don’t know if that type of thing is common, but either way, it’s obvious those kids didn’t learn to talk like that from video games.
If they want to censor video games, why don’t they censor elementary school hallways and people’s houses, cause that is where kids are learning to talk like that.
I am 17, and I don’t mind showing my drivers license, but it ticks me off when I have to show my ID and other people don’t for the same thing.
I say, either make it the law for people to show ID for video games or just forget about it completely. Don’t make me show ID for CoD4 when some 13-year-old in the next line is buying Manhunt 2 without having to show ID. (that actually happened. I got CoD4 with some dough my grandma gave me for Christmas, I gotta pay for college…)