It's no secret that non-gaming parents need help with videogame purchases for their children. Hell, some parents don't even like games! There are media groups that offer up their over-opinionated guidance, but most experts prefer to focus on game violence, which often scares non-gaming parents away from the gifts their kids really want. These parents are probably better off making game purchase decisions for themselves.
We like to see that at least one expert has their head on straight. Samantha Blackmon, a Purdue University associate professor of English who studies representations of race and gender in video games, doesn't go the "videogames kill" route. Instead, she offers up solid, sensible advice for parents looking at holiday gaming gifts, and encourages parents to take an interest in the games their kids play.
"In a perfect world, video games would be rated in terms of content and complexity," says Blackmon, who is also a gamer who owns a dozen video-game systems and hundreds of games. "But the content of video games can be surprising. The way video games are drawn can remind us of cartoons and feel safe for children, but sometimes the language and innuendo that accompanies the images is anything but child-friendly."
Hit the jump for Blackmon's holiday buying tips.
- Visit the game developer's Web site to view trailers for specific games. These trailers, just like for movies, will give you a good feel for the game.
- When at a gaming store, ask if you can play the game. If you are not a video game player, then ask someone who works there to demonstrate the game for you.
- Unless a child is going to be supervised, avoid role-playing games utilizing the Internet to connect the players. You don't know what the other players are going to do, which can very quickly change the content of games.
- Even if buying a game for a specific teenager, be aware if there are other children in the house. A game may be suitable for a 17-year-old, but chances are the 8-year-old will be playing it, too. Look for games that are appropriate for all ages.
- Pay attention to the video-game rating system. It is more complicated than the motion picture code. The Entertainment Software Rating Board explains the ratings.
- Look for video games that involve puzzles or quests. These types of games teach and offer logic challenges rather than just entertain.
- Before buying the latest system, make sure age-appropriate games are available for that console.
- Make yourself familiar with how the parental settings on computer consoles work. You can block images, text messages and chat from strangers online.
We wish more non-gaming parents had the sense to think of these helpful tips on their own. What's more is that the other "gaming experts" would be better off approaching the issue like Blackmon has, but I think the difference here is that this expert actually plays games. Imagine that!
[Via Ascribe -- Thanks, JR]
Contest:
5:32 PM on 12.05.2007
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Action, puzzle, roleplaying..
I've lost count of the amount of times I've warned a parent that the game they are buying for their child is an 18, only to get the response 'Oh thats fine, he plays them all the time'.
I wish that reasoning worked on the police for Rape. "Its okay officer, I rape them all the time."
Really? I think the ESRB is so much easier. I always forget if PG is worse than PG-13 but I know E for everyone is easy, T for Teens is simple, and going along those same lines, M for mature should be obvious.
I understand what you mean with the PG/PG-13 rating but with the ESRB ratings the age limit is unclear.
I'm British so I don't fully understand how it works, T means Teens but how old is 'Teens' and M is Mature but how old is 'Mature'?
If im not even sure how it works how can they expect uneducated parents to acknowledge it?
M = 17+
AO = 18 +
anyone else find the AO rating kinda pointless?
it was just an observation
was shinobe any good?
During the holidays, even with 2-3 seasonal employees on the floor, the chances of this happening are slim. When I worked at GameStop, I barely even had the time to think let alone demo games for people. Just asking the clerks about the game would be far more productive for everyone involved.
If you really need to play the game and the game you want isn't in the demo system, get a used copy. The return policy for used games is really loose.
As an example, here's the Common Sense Note for Mass Effect, which is rated Pause to 17+:
Parents should know Mass Effect is a robust role-playing game with an incredibly interactive storyline. Parents should know that this game has one brief sex scene involving an apparent female alien. The scene more alludes to sex as opposed to showing graphic acts. However, the encounter occurs even if you create a female character, which opens the door to same sex relationships. The in-game violence is on par with most shooters, but isn't gratuitous. This is a robust role-playing game with an incredibly interactive storyline. Players decide the dialogue of their character, and can traverse the galaxy as either a diplomatic hero or a renegade willing to bend the laws. The game is littered with moral choices the player must make, which have consequences.
Families can talk about how Mass Effect compares to other role-playing games. Did you feel conflicted making some of the moral choices in the game? Should more games involve equally engrossing storylines where you decide your character's reactions?
I haven't read many specific reviews but looking at the more recent titles they seem to know what they're talking about (at least more so than certain other media sites oriented for parental education regarding media). Feel free to criticize me for bringing this up, but I've never seem them brought up before and I thought at least the idea of this kind of rating deserves consideration.
Ec= for Early Childhood
E= for Everyone
T= for Teens
M17+= for Mature players aka those 17+
is exactly a hard process with the corresponding letters and all, but thats just me...
employees not knowing their games also seems to be the problem with awareness.
I really wonder when the government will realize a letter with some small print letters above that big letter will realize not all parents read above the big letter. People hardly read well now. Just stick the age and things change completely.
and it also doesn't help that if a parent is buying a M game for their underage child, the register and or cashier will think it's for them or KNOW they're smart enough (which they aren't) to give it to the right age group. Cause registers still ask if [insert random b-date] was born before this date.
What game do you want? Fuck that... we got you this"
I turned out fine...sort of
In short, just buy them puzzle quest and be done with it.