Custom Search

Monday, March 1, 2010

"M" is for Mature



When I’m playing Left for Dead or Halo I expect to find a well rounded bunch of players (mostly boys) who are ready to kick some bad butt, not a screaming nine-year-old.

Both of the games mentioned are rated “M” for mature (or immature, depends how you look at it) players due to sex, violence or language. I understand the video game industry has some of the most stringent guidelines in ratings, but I think it’s better safe than sorry, especially when you consider how sue happy people are.

However, it is very unsavory to me to find a nine-year-old playing online at one a.m. on a school night. Sure they may be home schooled, but it still isn’t healthy for them to keep such irregular sleeping hours.

I understand some fathers buy games for themselves and want to enjoy it and let their children enjoy the fun, but at the same time it frightens me knowing children are shown such adult themes and violence. It may not be real, but why expose a child to it in the first place, especially when they may not understand what is happening.



I feel like the parent is being shellfish or downright irresponsible when they buy or let their children play mature games. I know kids games can be boring, but your parents suffered through endless board games with you.

I do feel that children’s games have become a bland mix of un-adventure and ground down plot, but there are still a few games out there appropriate for kids and fun for adults. It may take more work to find these games, but it’s the responsibility of the parent, not the gaming companies, to guide the child to appropriate games.


There is also a lack of knowledge to what these games hold within their boxes. I advise parents to buy a gaming magazine and read the reviews for upcoming games their children may want. Of course they may wine and complain, but you are the influential adult, so just say no.

I do believe this world is trying to make children grow up too fast and this has made the gaming industry loose touch with their child like side. Kids buy games too, but it doesn’t mean they have to be bland or boring, everyone was a kid once, just try to remember what excited you then and make a game out of it.



It’s hard to find games appropriate for Timmy, especially when he reaches the pree-teen age, where being a child is questionable, but being an adult is impossible. Gaming industries seem to have forgotten how to tell a good story and go for shock value.

For me, this has made games a little more than grotesque at times. There is a large difference between pushing the envelope and plainly for the sake of gore. I wouldn’t say Left 4 Dead or Halo have crossed this line, but games like Dante’s Inferno have crossed it, mainly with the excuse, “we’re in Hell”.

Parents, it’s time for you to just say no and tell video game companies what you want. There are games for kids, adults and families, the gaming industry has tried to accommodate but. we are the power consumer, we control what our children buy, take advantage of that power and give your child a healthy happy life.




Games I Recommend for Kids:
A Boy and His Blob: Wii
Legend of Zelda: Windwaker: Gamecube
Any of the Lego Adventures (Batman, Indiana Jones, Star Wars): Multiple Consoles
Any of the Super Mario games (I really liked Mario Galaxy): Wii, Gamecube, ect
Banjo Kazooie: Nintendo 64, New game on X-Box 360 (You can download it on the X-Box)
Pokemon Snap (or any of the Pokemon series, this is just my favorite): Nintendo 64 (Downloadable on Wii)
Spore: PC
Zoo/Roller Coaster ect...: PC



Little Big Planet: PS3
Viewful Joe: Gamecube
Pacman: Multiple consoles
Dance, Dance, Revolution: Multiple Consoles (and different versions, or plain rip-offs)


These are just a few of the games I grew up with and played (and still play), but don’t be afraid to explore yourself. I find these games are the least lame children’s games available.