So since our title is The "Retail" Gamer, I figured I would talk about something retail related. While on the fore front it looks like I'm going to rant about the ESRB, in actuality this is more about parents than the ratings. So whats my angle? What does it have to do with the ESRB then? How does that relate to retail? Read on and I'll show you...
Let me paint a picture for you, to kind of help spring board this topic. I'm going to run you through an actual "word for word" (best I can remember at least) situation I've had, in dialog form. Tell me if you find anything strange about this?
Me: Hello.
Mother: Can we look at a few games?
Me: Sure which system?
Mother: Umm..
Kid: DS.
Me: Which game?
Kid: Star wars.
Mother: Um, the clone wars one I guess, whats that rated?
Me: It's E10.
Mother: Oh, nevermind then...
Me: Has he seen the movies or the animated TV series?
Kid: Ya I watch them all the time, they are great!
Me: This is rated E10 for "mild fantasy violence" which is going to be the same as the movies or less.
Mother: Do people die?
Me: *confused look*?
Mother: I mean do they fall over and disappear or something like that?
Me: Oh, yeah basically. The Star Wars series has always been good about not having blood or gore.
Mother: Hmm no thank you, we don't like that. We prefer the lego games where they just fall into lego pieces.
Me: ... ok.
Kid: Batman!
Me: Lego Batman?
Mother: Do you have that one? *to kid*
Kid: No.
Mother: What's it rated?
Me: Umm, its E10 but it's a lego game like the othe..
Mother: Never mind then.
Me: It's literally just like the other lego games, they just fall into lego pieces.
Mother: Yes, but clearly its more violent.
Me: Are yo...
Mother: Oh didn't you want this Olympics game?
Kid: Oh yeah, I love Sonic!
And so he left with "Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games". Not to say that it's a bad game (it's a lot better of a choice then half the "shovelware" in the case), but the point here is that the kid wasn't allowed to get either game he actually wanted. All because of an ESRB rating. The mother lacks knowledge of games and/or has a lack of faith in a retail clerk's opinion (which in most cases I wouldn't blame her).
So what's the moral to this story? Well this isn't the first time, nor is it the hundredth time I've had a parent fall back on the ESRB as an out. Typically they use it as a way to buy the kid a cheaper game, which is sometimes sickening to watch when the kid has no idea what is going on. But this lady's lack of common sense is suppressing this kid's childhood of gaming. If she continues to monitor his games this way, he's going to miss out on gaming experiences that most of us look back on with fond memories. The kid was 8; when I was 8 I was playing Mortal Kombat, a crap load of Street Fighter, and I had already been playing games like Battletoads. All of which are extremely violent games.
Honestly, think back at your most fond memories of being 8 years old and playing video games. Unless you were raised like "Kid A" from the story above, you're going to find that you were also playing something that would have been rated "E10" or higher by todays ratings. Now imagine your parents saying you cant play
Mega Man, Altered Beast, or Street Fighter. Thinking about that now as an enthusiastic gamer who grew up with the opportunities to play these games in my youth, I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like. Looking back at a game like Street Fighter 2 after playing Street Fighter 4 and saying "Man I love this, why haven't I played the other games? This game rocks! ... oh right I wasn't allowed to." It would be utterly depressing to know you missed out on the "hay day" of the game you now absolutely love because of your parents' incompetence. Imagine just erasing that part of your childhood; just trying to think about this brings me down.
This is something you don't typically think about as a gamer, because most of the time you're not exposed to it. As a gamer working in retail, you really see how wide spread this issue is. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to start a movement or anything ridiculous like that. But rather just express my sympathy for these young gamers growing up and missing out on games that may shape the future of their gaming experiences, as well as giving you a chance to see the video game industry through my eyes without the survey scores, hypocrisy, and Black Friday sales. *shivers*
It's really tough to draw a conclusion on this; the easy way would be to blame the ESRB and say the world of video games would be better without them. Even though I personally think the ESRB's system is broken and too specific in many aspects, I also understand its existence. So then it has to be the parents right? Not doing their role in moderating the video games their kids play, and instead just lazily using the ESRB as an out... Well no, that's not really the answer either. You're never going to get parents who don't play games to fully understand them and be able to make logical decisions. I think the conclusion I'm going to end this on is that it's the gamers. "Did he just say it's my fault?" Not exactly. The ESRB isn't going anywhere, and even if they find a better way to rate games, there would still be parent issues. However, we as gamers can help filter this out, because its what we know and love.
As a retail worker, try to express your expertise and years of experience in order to help parents understand why it's okay for "li'l Jimmy" to play E10 games even though he's not 10 yet. Also, as gamers in general, helping friends or family know not to take the ESRB so seriously, and even go the extra mile and tell a stranger that shows an unknowledgeable interest.. If you're in a retail store and you hear a mom say they can't get a game because "it has this or that in it," have some balls and speak up. Say "I've actually beat that game, the rating is exaggerated. My li'l brother plays it with me." Sometimes thats all they need. I've actually seen this and had someone interrupt me and reassure my customer without me having to say anything. Sure, it's not always going to work, and someone may scoff at you or tell you off, but it's our job as gamers to help maintain the integrity of our passion.
Still not convinced by my conclusion? Imagine again your favorite game from when you were 8. Now imagine your parent saying you can't get it, and then some stranger saying its actually not that bad. Your parent then gets the game for you based on that, and then having all the amazing experiences you had with that game.
Looking back, that guy is your hero.
Be a hero.
I've thought about this too... It frustrates me to see parents do this sort of thing with Teen ratings especially... I understand that you choose what is okay for the child and I have no say over how you go about parenting that child, but I'm sure they have seen/done worse without your knowing. Sheltered children typically rebel the most... Teach them right from wrong, and let them make their own decisions. It's a game. Get over it. He'll see worse things in school... Hell, if you're religious, the Bible speaks of foul things that you probably don't want your child to hear/see. A good parent doesn't hide them from the world, because they realize that it'll only make them worse off later on. Raise them properly, and it won't matter if they're playing Grand Theft Auto at the age of 10. But to each their own.
ReplyDeleteYou two have raised good points.. my input would be that ESRB has given me a fair share of laughs over the years.. personally when I have a kid it really doesn't matter what they play as long as they have fun, cause to me that is all gaming is about. Back to what makes me laugh tho, parents who think the number means the age.. like parents who wont buy the latest mario game because they're son is a teenager and it says e10 or just an e on it and they think that it is too young of a game for them.
ReplyDeleteBut as to your blame point, i think that it is very true... now im going to go hang out by the game case and get some TPS angry while being a hero to thousands.