After providing several
irritating and
confusing annoyances to the gaming community in the last few weeks, the ESRB has followed up with an announcement that I actually ... agree with. In a recent press release, the ESRB and PTA have declared their "shared commitment to educating parents about videogames," something that most definitely needs to be done if we're to move away from the ridiculous hysteria that surrounds children and gaming in these supposedly enlightened times.
The ESRB will be sending out over 1.3 million brochures to PTA groups across America in a bid to teach the idiot populus what their ratings mean so that in future, parents will know what games are suitable for little Billy Twatsticks. Of course, this won't stop parents ignoring the ratings and buying Billy that copy of Grand Theft Auto anyway, but this is a definite move in the right direction. Open communication, education and understanding are all keys to making sure that reactionary parents know what they're getting into when they let their children play games.
[Via Firing Squad]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
9:17 AM on 07.02.2007
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Games wouldn't need to be banned if more parents were aware of age ratings and game content.
Definately good news.
We used to call our friend Fingers Magoo because he liked fingers in his butt. Now he's a teacher. Is this weird?
Satan : 0
eff you terrorists.
I was going to step-in and try to explain why that kid shouldn't be playing GTA, and the employee just gave me a look that said "whoa, stay back, you don't want this kind of trouble," so I kept on browsing. When the mother walked out the door, I did give the kid the advice of playing that when his mom wasn't watching, since I have a feeling she's the kind of person to complain about violence in "a toy marketed towards kids."
Somehow, I doubt this mom is going to pay attention to the ratings, no matter how much awareness the ESRB tries to spread; I bet she'd much rather just have all games censored.
However, ESRB are taking a step toward open discussion, which is a step toward acceptance of the medium. For that, I approve highly.
Agreed. An AO rating is not unfair. I blame the licensers/ console manufacturers.
As for the post, it makes me happy to see something good happening in the gaming world to do with ratings.