According to the Associated Press, the videogame equivalent of a super-blockbuster dropped to retailers overnight last night with the arrival of Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV), the latest in a series of crime story style games. The game was expected to sell over 9 million copies, and at $60 a pop it’s likely to break videogame and maybe box office records. I’d like to take this opportunity to attempt and head off the Jack Thompsons in our community, and explain what this media experience is, and how it’s rated, and most importantly, if you should allow your children to have it.
(Jack Thompson is a high profile anti-game activist and lawyer; many in the gaming community revile him for his underhanded tactics and blatant lies regarding one of the most profitable industries in the world.)
The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) is a non-profit, self-regulating body created in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association with the expressed purpose of providing an easy reference for consumers and parents to take note of a game’s content.  A quick analogy would be movie ratings, though the ESRB’s system is much more robust with six categories, as opposed to the motion picture industry’s five categories. They are E (for everyone), E 10+ (for everyone over the age of 10) T (for teen) M (for mature) and AO (for adults only). Every game in the united states, be it Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony, or various PC games, carry one of these ratings.
GTA IV is rated M, informing parents that the game is not intended for those under the age of 17.
“Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language,” says www.esrb.org in their ratings section.
What does this mean for your children or grandchildren?
It means that you should not buy this game for your young ones. It’s not recommended for them, dispute the common myth that videogames are for children. It is an industry that has grown from childlike roots; however, the kids that grew up playing Super Mario Brothers have become adults, and look to adult themes when engaged in their favorite hobby. This applies to many of the so called “controversial” titles in every game company’s library.
A great resource for parents of children who like videogames is www.whattheyplay.com. It was started with the aim of not providing a review of a game, where someone tells you what they think, but with the aim of providing overview of the content of a game, and then lets the parent and consumer decide if they are going to allow the game into their lives.
Would you allow your twelve year old grandson or your ten year old daughter to watch Vito Corleone gun down fellow gangsters in a hail of blood and profanity? This movie is considered a classic by many, an essential part of an adult movie enthusiast’s library. Don’t make the mistake that videogames are just for children. Do a little research, and keep your mind open. You’ll be less outraged by the content of games like GTA IV, and, if the industry is lucky, might begin to see notice some of their artistic qualities.