Poll: Buying games for teenagers

[300lb. Samoan]

I guess the real issue is we can leave it to individual discretion but people would always disagree over exactly what was appropriate. Maybe someone out there really does think Manhunt is ok for kids how could you argue against those people if they thought it was quality?

That's what makes it so sticky. We are demanding an objective standard of quality (ratings) which by their nature are subjective. Back in the day we used to argue which was more graphic, Doom or Mortal Kombat. Was it worse to see a detailed exhibition of someone having their spine ripped out of their neck at the end of a three minute match, or to see and endless trail of copy-pasted guts scattered over the landscape? The ESRB considers Halo to be Mature but when I was 8 none of it would have even phased me. Then again, when I was 9 I saw that scene from Aliens where the queen rips the android in half and I, not knowing that it was an android, completely flipped out and ran home crying to momma. Worst babysitter experience ever.

 

[Plurralbles]

that's as bad as buying them tobacco.

As someone who had a pack-a-day habit from age 15 on: No. No it's not, and I consider your opinion misinformed.

I like how you conspicuously edited the post. I was making the reference simply to say that he bought stuff for under aged people.

 

[Nova5]

I like how you conspicuously edited the post. I was making the reference simply to say that he bought stuff for under aged people.

Yes, for the purpose of keeping it short. Massive quotation boxes piss me off. Forgot to place "(snip)" above that. My bad. I'll fix that after I post this reply.

On point, that's certainly not what you implied. "as bad as" implies "equivalent to".

 

[capin Rob]

You, bastard, People like YOU, will be the cause of the second Holocaust, 9/11, andcolumbine, I FUCKING HATE YOU AND I HOPE GOD STRIKES YOU DOWN TO THE WORST PART OH HELL.

It's all good, don't sweat youself, unless they were like 9 or ten,but if they were 14/ 15 it's okay, but I guess you should refrain from doing it.

 

[NuclearPenguin]

People getting strangers on the street to buy games for them.. Those are idiots.
But when its their guardians, its fine.

 

[Plurralbles]

I like how you conspicuously edited the post. I was making the reference simply to say that he bought stuff for under aged people.

Yes, for the purpose of keeping it short. Massive quotation boxes piss me off. Forgot to place "(snip)" above that. My bad. I'll fix that after I post this reply.

On point, that's certainly not what you implied. "as bad as" implies "equivalent to".

and yet the OP understood it... Isn't that weird?

 

[Nova5]

and yet the OP understood it... Isn't that weird?

In all honesty, yes, that is surprising.

 

[300lb. Samoan]

I like how you conspicuously edited the post. I was making the reference simply to say that he bought stuff for under aged people.

Yes, for the purpose of keeping it short. Massive quotation boxes piss me off. Forgot to place "(snip)" above that. My bad. I'll fix that after I post this reply.

On point, that's certainly not what you implied. "as bad as" implies "equivalent to".

and yet the OP understood it... Isn't that weird?

I think it's completely worth noting that enabling a tobacco habit is considerably different from enabling a gaming habit. I think Nova5 was just speaking from experience to back up the point that you can't equate the two except at the level of sales restriction. I took those words to mean "equivalent to" at first, until you said that games won't kill ya.

 

[mathadawg]

Well, call my opinion biased, because I'm 14 (Actually, 15 in 49 minutes ) and I also wrote 7 1/2 page paper over the lack of effect that violent video games have on the player, but I really don't see this as being very wrong. Yes, the kid got a video game. So what. If the parent didn't want him playing the video game, then there are two outcomes. If the parents don't find out, then nothing happens, and the kid gets to enjoy his game. If the parents do find out, then the game goes in the trash, and the kid gets punished for purchasing it without telling his parents. I think it's a win-win situation. In the former you helped a kid get to have fun, and in the latter you taught him that he should respect his parents wishes. Also, his parents may not have really cared. I know that there are times when I simply can't get my parents to go to the store to pick stuff up for me. They are willing to let me play the game, but they just don't feel like going to the store. So in event three, you simply helped a kid get the game he wanted. So in events one and three, you helped the kid have fun, and in event two, the kid got punished and learned a lesson. I say that in all of the possible outcomes you did a good thing. So.... nice going

 

[superbatranger]

Well, even though, it was a nice gesture, it was wrong to lie to the clerk or buy those kids that game. For all we know, those kids could have gotten in trouble when their parents found out they had an M-rated game.

 

[300lb. Samoan]

For all we know, those kids could have gotten in trouble when their parents found out they had an M-rated game.

Well if they're not supposed to have it, that's what's supposed to happen. If they get in trouble it's their fault for getting the game, not mine for buying it. That one's on them. Like I told Susan, I feel that if the kid brings home an M rated game, his parents should know about it or else they should take measures to discipline the kid. You brought home a game that is forbidden: you lose the privilege to play games in this house. Yep, I'd be the dad you love to hate.

 

[300lb. Samoan]

Well, call my opinion biased, because I'm 14 (Actually, 15 in 49 minutes ) and I also wrote 7 1/2 page paper over the lack of effect that violent video games have on the player, but I really don't see this as being very wrong. Yes, the kid got a video game. So what. If the parent didn't want him playing the video game, then there are two outcomes. If the parents don't find out, then nothing happens, and the kid gets to enjoy his game. If the parents do find out, then the game goes in the trash, and the kid gets punished for purchasing it without telling his parents. I think it's a win-win situation. In the former you helped a kid get to have fun, and in the latter you taught him that he should respect his parents wishes. Also, his parents may not have really cared. I know that there are times when I simply can't get my parents to go to the store to pick stuff up for me. They are willing to let me play the game, but they just don't feel like going to the store. So in event three, you simply helped a kid get the game he wanted. So in events one and three, you helped the kid have fun, and in event two, the kid got punished and learned a lesson. I say that in all of the possible outcomes you did a good thing. So.... nice going

Well that's a pretty mature way of looking at it, considering all the possible outcomes practically. Although I'm also rather biased, towards believing I'm doing a good job... Ethically it wasn't the right thing to do and it also wasn't a good representation for the community but considering the specifics no one's really hurt by what I did.

 

[300lb. Samoan]

Spoiler: Final count:

86 think what I did was wrong for various reasons. (1, 3, 5)
85 think what I did was ok for various reasons. (2, 4, 6)
68 think I usurped the parent's authority.
53 think media violence doesn't affect teens.
6 think I'm a liar.
13 think restriction will never quash all sales to minors.
12 think I misrepresented the gaming community.
20 think I was being appreciably helpful.
8 think I should get fucked and die. (total 96 wrong)
6 think Red Dead Redemption is a crowning achievement which warrants exception. (total 90 ok)
23 people can't be bothered with lots of reading. What they're doing on a forum, I haven't any clue. Tards.
209 total votes. Thanks!

 

[recoverytwo]

I've been playing 18+ games since i was 13, so like Furburt said, Teenagers do know the difference between a Fruit and Vegetable.

Except for the tomato.

 

[AllLagNoFrag]

Well, I dont see anything wrong with what you did. Maybe you were in a good mood

Side Note: Anyway, I played what was considered to be violent games (I don't think so) such as borderlands in front of a 12 year old kid (mum's friend's son). He just kept on popping in my room when visiting. He didn't go "yuck" or anything like that, just watched. Maybe this shows how desensitized kids have becomed to violence but, then again, maybe this shows how violence in games are exaggerated by the media.

I dunno about where you live but, in my local game store, I have not been asked for my age (not beacuse I look old... I hope) when buying even age:18+ games.

 

[YouCallMeNighthawk]

HAHAHA! you're making it sound like your going to burn in hell for eternity because you bought a game for a kid underage.

But if you see him on fox news driving down a street lasooing people and shooting guns off dressed as a cowboy, i would feel bad lol

 

[e2density]

To be honest, I think the ESRB ratings are too extreme, too much like movie ratings.

I was so amazed to finally get my hand on my first rated M game, Resident Evil 1. My sister even kept pointing out that it was rated M to my mom in an attempt to keep her from buying it for me.

I played and played, and was surprised...M ain't that bad. Really. Take Counter Strike for instance. I find the attitudes of the online players more offensive then the actual game material... now I just play M games like they are E games, because honestly, compared to R rated movies, M rated games look like child's play, depending on the game.

 

[Kwaren]

My only rules for buying things for people are that I don't but things I consider bad habits or that I can get arrested for. Other than that I will do it.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

OK, so this is my story: I was walking out of a store in Westerville near the GameStop and a kid leans out his car window and says "hey mister, can you buy a game for us?" I asked him which one and he said "Red Dead Redemption". Since RDR is a great game, and not the most despicable one these kids will see in their entire lives, I said sure. I lied right to the guy at the counter, something I am not proud of. But like I told the kids, my birthday is coming up and soon I'll be playing this game myself, I don't see why they should be denied just because they're underage. Is what I did wrong?

FAQ:
Q: How old are these kids?
A: I didn't ask. They appeared to be at least 15, one had to be 16 since they were driving.

Q: Why couldn't/wouldn't their parents buy them the game?
A: I didn't ask. My first thought was to help a fellow gamer in need, now I am considering the moral and ethical implications of my actions.

Q: Would you do the same thing if they asked for alcohol or cigarettes?
A: No. Those cause bodily harm and are restricted for what I find to be good reasons.

Q: What about firearms or drugs?
A: Seriously? Hell no! I'm not a complete nihilist...

Q: Isn't it illegal to buy games for minors?
A: No. Multiple users have posted noting that in the U.S. it is not illegal to purchase games for minors, it is only a recommendation backed up by our ESRB ratings that is strictly enforced at many retail establishments. However, this is not the case in the U.K. and other areas unknown to me. Feel free to voice your opinion relevant to the codes and standards of your area.

Aaaaaannnnnnnnd... GO!

Wait, the game is 15+. What's the problem?'

EDIT: Ah you're US, I'm thinking AUS.