Today I learned exactly why games need, and already have, a content rating system.
I work at a local EB and while I am indeed too old and skilled to work there, it was really the only thing avaliable when I was job hunting. The day after Christmas is by far the worst day of the year, the sheer volume of customers in and out of the store is mind boggling. Often the line reaches from the counter, to the back of the store, loops around, and eventually ends near the store entrance. Rarely on this day was there less than 25-30 people in the store, and never more than three employees in the store. So with that as your setting, here is my story.
Around 2pm this afternoon a kid comes in, didn't look any older than 13 maybe 14 and asks to buy a copy of Grand Thieft Auto III. Since the game is rated Mature, and as per state laws, I ask him for a photo ID and inform him that he would need be either 17 yeas of age or have a parent with him. The kid didn't like this very much, promptly declaired he was 17 but didn't have his ID with him. I polietly informed him that without a photo ID to verify his age I could not sell him the game. He really didn't like that, as he then started yelling at me about how I had it out for kids his age, and that there was nothing preventing him from buying the game. By this point in time, he was creating a scene and the line at the register was backing up even worse, so I refered him to my manager. But no! He wasn't done yelling at me yet, he then went on and started making crude comments about my age, gender, and sexual orientation, which while rather comical, was not in the least bit needed at this point in time. My manager who was fed up then told him, to either make a purchase or leave, at which point in time he again demanded we sell him GTA3. My manager, who is a 60ish year old lady, then growled at him, and told him to leave the story or she was calling security. He then blew up and started swearing at the top of his lungs as he pushed his way out of the store, as he left he shouted, 'I'm going to get you all!' After he left I looked at my manager and said, 'Geeze I guess these rating systems do keep the games out of the hands of kids who aren't ready for their content.'
We thought this was all over, but no! About half an hour later this kid comes back into the store, and this time he has his father with him. This man, who was probably 6ft 5in, and well over 300lbs, pushes his way to the register and proceedes to interrupt the transaction I was doing. He then starts to yell at me demanding to know why I wouldn't sell his son GTA3. When I inform him of the games rating, and his son's lack of photo ID, he screams, 'But it's just a god damn game!' I then tried to explain the game's content and why it was rated Mature, he again demanded to know why I refused to sell his son the game, as if he hadn't heard me the first time I told him. At this point in time I was frustrated and with a sigh told him I'd be happy to sell him the game, if he would respect the other customers waiting, move to the end of the line, and wait his turn. Apparently he sensed the contempt and frustration and literally tried to go over the counter and grab me. Well he failed to make it over the counter due to his size, and my manager stated out loud that she was calling security to have him removed. This only had the effect of pissing this man off more, as he tried to push his way through the crowd of people to get behind at both her and I. Luckly several customers managed to restrain him, and a few seconds later his son, as they both attmpted to get as us. A few minutes later mall security showed up and he tried to fight them too, took 4 of them total to get him and his son out of the store. After that things got back to normal, we thanked the people who had helped restrain the unbalanced family and moved on.
Later the police came in and asked us to make a statement, as both of them were being arrested for assult, battery, and distrubing the peace. Turns out the kid was only 13, and the cops were interested in what started the whole thing. When we told him it was over a game rated Mature, that we refused to sell to the man's son because he was not of age the cops asked what was in the game to give it such a rating. I promptly told them, 'Well the purpose of the game is to kill people, steal their cars, and outrun/shoot the police.' At which time the officer shook my hand and said, 'Thanks, those are the exact type of people who shouldn't be playing games like that.'
Ok, now I feel much better now. I know a lot of you are underage and may feel strongly about the ESRB game ratings. But today, I feel the annoyance that it is, is not only worth it, but needed. Some people, both underage and adult, are just not mature enough for some game content.
=) [ 12-26-2001: Message edited by: Tyewa Dawnsister ]
Bravo, my friend. You deserve some chili for that. 
quote:
De lid g am ond wrote this then went back to looking for porn:
I thought you were a teacher
Me too 
Who was it that said;
"Stupid people don't always get what's coming to them, but when they do, it's sweeeet."
I'm actually an AS/400 Consultant. My degree is in History with a minor in English. I haven't tought in well over ten years now, I wish I still was, but at the time I wasn't a good fit as a High School level english/history teacher. I want to get back into teaching, but I need to go back to school first so I can meet some of the new requirements they are making of teachers these days.
I feel teaching is probably the highest calling a person can make in this world. What we teach today, will be learned by those who will make tomorrow. I just wish I could have been the person I am now 20 years ago.
quote:
Tyewa Dawnsister had this to say about (_|_):
I feel teaching is probably the highest calling a person can make in this world.
Now why couldn't you have taught at my high school? 
Most of my teachers were despondent baby-boomer assholes.
Way to go!
And God forbid anyone want to run a background check, to make sure they're not felons . . . !
Bah.
Anyone getting an education these days does so in spite of the system. And it's the NEA and the teachers, in large part, who've dorked it up. [ 12-26-2001: Message edited by: Bloodsage ]
--Satan, quoted by John Milton
Sar...
quote:
Tyewa Dawnsister had this to say about Tron:
I feel teaching is probably the highest calling a person can make in this world. What we teach today, will be learned by those who will make tomorrow.
i totaly agree,but what keeps me from getting a teaching degree is the thought of having to teach in a classroom full of adolecent,authoroty defying brats (no offense to the younger posters here),i mean,it's not like it's fun to be a teacher,unless the people in your class pay attention to what you teach (i know,good teachers teach everything) but how many kids go to school today with the intent to learn,rather then because they must? [ 12-26-2001: Message edited by: indegloriafeestbeest ]
I don't know,i just don't see myself doing that....(teaching i mean)
quote:
Tyewa Dawnsister had this to say about Optimus Prime:
Greetings,I'm actually an AS/400 Consultant. My degree is in History with a minor in English. I haven't tought in well over ten years now, I wish I still was, but at the time I wasn't a good fit as a High School level english/history teacher. I want to get back into teaching, but I need to go back to school first so I can meet some of the new requirements they are making of teachers these days.
I feel teaching is probably the highest calling a person can make in this world. What we teach today, will be learned by those who will make tomorrow. I just wish I could have been the person I am now 20 years ago.
I had an english teacher with much of the same views, he was one of the best teachers I have ever had.
He wasn't my favourite teacher at the time but he was good at teaching.
good luck with your career
I personally wonder why games like GTA are even allowed to be made.
It's called 'Soccer Mom'ism
quote:
De lid g am ond had this to say about Optimus Prime:
Cause they are fun as hell to play?It's called 'Soccer Mom'ism
It is called "Being the son of a Peace Officer", you fool
[ 12-26-2001: Message edited by: De lid g am ond ]
.
As for the IQ Rating.... If that happened, the gaming industry would go under.
quote:
Pesco had this to say about Duck Tales:
Awesome job, TyewaI personally wonder why games like GTA are even allowed to be made.
Easy, to help kids simulate stuff they wouldnt dream of doing in real life, thats what games do. It's just some people out there think that the games teach them how to do it in real life. You have to just make the mature decision and decide if the game is fitting enough for your kid's level of maturity.
Games like GTA shouldnt be allowed because there is a tie back to real life. A very WRONG tie, I might add.
yes i like nuking hte cops cause well hehe BOOM! *corpse flies onto a roof*
i still respect police alot and would never hurt a Cop IRL.
i view these games as a satire of RL its all it is.
quote:
Pesco had this to say about Tron:
Awesome job, TyewaI personally wonder why games like GTA are even allowed to be made.
It is that little thing called freedom.
If you say that they can't make one thing just because some people don't like it where does it stop?
I do however see your point as well. There are some people out there unable to tell the difference between Reality and a game. They are the ones to worry about.
Why are these games made? Because they CAN be. It's not because the creators want to promote those types of activities, because they'd get busted really quick if that were the case.
Ratings are probably to some degree meant for both age AND maturity level. People actually test these games on different age groups. This father/son combo just demostrates when regardless of age, maturity level plays a part too.
To quote an article I can't recall the source:
quote:
"A psychotic kid may play Duke Nukem, but Duke Nukem didn't make the kid psychotic."
quote:
Azymyth had this to say about Jimmy Carter:
Why are these games made? Because they CAN be.
Actually, no.
Because it's FUN. That's all.
quote:
De lid g am ond had this to say about Tron:
I'm agreeing with Cadga, does that make me insane? Or lawgiving?
I don't know, but I agree with him also..
Sig pic done with Microsoft paint, Work that doobie Pikachu.
quote:
Kameks had this to say about Pirotess:
Come on guys lay off Pesco remember he's from TEXAS he has to act like that.
Him being from Texas has NOTHING to do with it. Him having issues (and damn good onesm, too)) with a game promoting cop killing and/or felonies has to do with it. Don't just be like "He's from Tezas, so he's mad."
That game nauseated me. You can take out a gun and shoot innocent bystanders and police.
I watched as my step sons 18 year old friend rammed his stolen police car into a group of pedestrians and them proceeded to get out of the broken and smoking car... to beat and kick an old lady to death. Then mused at the fact that when he ran away from her... his shoes left blood prints on the side walk.
Some of you might find that funny.
But, I think it's hard core evil.
I will never own that game... or have it in my house again. It is a disgrace to my PS2. BUT... should it be sold. I do not believe that game should be made available to anyone under the age of 18. It's too violent and desensitizing. If I thought I could get away with saying only 21 year should be able to buy it... I would.
). All and all, its a good game in my opinion (I still wouldn't sell it to a 17 year old...I have always carded kids to make sure they are AT LEAST 18.). But then again there are people who can't tell the difference between what's real and what's not...I would have done the same thing in your shoes
It seems logical to why the game is being pulled now...
It just gives a bad name to the video game companies who put the rating convention on themselves... and are struggling to make sure people realize that video game violence is no TOO MUCH.
In my opinion... GTA3 is TOOOOOOO Much.
That's my opinion though. I don't think anyone else is using faulty logic for wanting to play it or own it.
Sig pic done with Microsoft paint, Work that doobie Pikachu.
The people in that game just stroll along and there are a LOT of them. Just idly wandering about not running from you... not screaming (unless you have a bazooka). And then, you run up to one and punch her... she's in a jogging suit... then you beat and kick her to death... then take her money.
And once you're done with that... then you pull out your rifle with scope and aim to shoot a person in the neck to watch the blood squirt straight up and pool all around the body.
I do not believe that video games teach a person to be violent. I think that argument is stupid and baseless. But something about GTA3 just sets me off. I think it's the fact that no other game lets you kill the innocents. I just don't know.
I like hearing everyone's views on it though. That helps a lot. Hear from all the different character types see what that character type has to say about this kind of game. [ 12-26-2001: Message edited by: Woody ]
Sig pic done with Microsoft paint, Work that doobie Pikachu.
A friend of mine was having some real problems with rage he was bottling up, with no real outlet for it. A friend lent him GTA3; he was able to get his agressions out through it, to the benefit of his mental state.
I would be a fool, however, if I used that to say "GTA3 helps people with pent-up rage". Just the same, I would be a fool if I said "ESRB is a joke and should be abolished". The fact is, people are too different for there to be one effective means of controlling who's allowed access to what medium of entertainment, or what facet of it. I do not agree with ESRB, and I was slightly bothered when I was carded for Max Payne (thankfully, mom was there)--but by the same token, I understand that people aren't willing to put forth the effort necessary to utilize a better system.
However, I think it's worth mentioning that in a thread involving violent idiots, a game about murdering and destroying, and the human race's attitude towards the maturity of minors, the thing that's bothered me most has been Pesco's statement to Del.
-Carl.
