Flash Flash Revolution - View Single Post

**devonin** · 08-26-2007, 10:45 AM

If the ESRB has said that the game is intended for those over a certain age only, then barring your parents deciding that you are capable of handling it at your age, then it is functionally a preventative measure rather than a guideline.

It says "Nobody under age X can play this game, unless their parents decide they ought to be able to." So yes, I grant that it is not something that sets a hard and fast law like the drinking age/smoking age etc. You shouldn't be punished for being 14 and playing an AO game, but since stores can be punished for selling such a game to a 14 year old, it seems a little stronger than simply a guideline.

Bear in mind also, that nowhere in this discussion have I said that the ratings are especially accurate, or even especially useful. Education of the parents is vastly more important and helpful when it comes to newer forms of media. The rating system is worthless if the people who make the decisions about acquiring these games are ignorant about the system and how it works.

08-26-2007, 10:45 AM	#62
devonin Very Grave Indeed Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 40 Posts: 10,098	Re: is the esrb doing a good job If the ESRB has said that the game is intended for those over a certain age only, then barring your parents deciding that you are capable of handling it at your age, then it is functionally a preventative measure rather than a guideline. It says "Nobody under age X can play this game, unless their parents decide they ought to be able to." So yes, I grant that it is not something that sets a hard and fast law like the drinking age/smoking age etc. You shouldn't be punished for being 14 and playing an AO game, but since stores can be punished for selling such a game to a 14 year old, it seems a little stronger than simply a guideline. Bear in mind also, that nowhere in this discussion have I said that the ratings are especially accurate, or even especially useful. Education of the parents is vastly more important and helpful when it comes to newer forms of media. The rating system is worthless if the people who make the decisions about acquiring these games are ignorant about the system and how it works.