Poll: Not allowed to buy an M-rated game

[Kiju]

Are they right? Of course they are! It's the freakin' law! If they weren't, they'd be in for some serious lawsuits regarding delivering adult material to a minor. I'm kind of surprised you even went at all, if you knew you weren't 17 to start with. Sure, I've played M rated games before I was 17 (Quake, Doom 64, Turok, etcetera), but my dad bought them because he liked them...I just snuck on late at night to play them myself.

 

[Sovvolf]

Yes, in other words from the clerks mouth: I don't give a fuck if you have to go home to mommy to get her to buy you the game, I'm not risking my hide so you can play Murder the game.

And I think that's fair enough in all honesty. I don't want anyone getting in trouble for such a stupid reason.

You did get the odd person pissed off, understandably so, usually means another journey to the store. All I can say is there the rules, Its not my fualt your underage or you forgot your ID, so don't take it out on me. I did feel bad now and then but I can't do anything about it.

luckily I don't have to deal with that anymore, I'am however sympathetic towards clerks when they ask me for ID because there only doing there job and I know how they feel.

Yeah it's tough, I've felt like a real bastard doing it some times, I don't work in a video game store but I occasionally cover for my mum on the tills at the garage she works in. Once got some kid in trying to buy a gaming magazine, the magazine said 15+ so I couldn't sell it to him. The kid insisted that he was 15 and left his I.D at home, but well I still couldn't let him have it. Then the kid starts to cry, telling me how he'd begged his mum for the money to get it and he's scared they'll run out before he gets back home which was quite a walk away... I still had to say no... and I felt like a right arsehole... kid slobbering there with tears drenching out. I told him that I'd save the magazine behind the till and even put his name on it for when the shift ended, so he'd have time to go get the I.D or go fetch his mum, because I felt such an arsehole and felt sorry for him. He did come back with his mum and I sold his mum it for the kid but jeez it's not as easy as most people think for us clerks... where not soulless.

 

[PrayerofRefugee]

The reason why I went to get the game was because of the sale. I had forgotten about the M rating on it.

Yes, in other words from the clerks mouth: I don't give a fuck if you have to go home to mommy to get her to buy you the game, I'm not risking my hide so you can play Murder the game.

And I think that's fair enough in all honesty. I don't want anyone getting in trouble for such a stupid reason.

You did get the odd person pissed off, understandably so, usually means another journey to the store. All I can say is there the rules, Its not my fualt your underage or you forgot your ID, so don't take it out on me. I did feel bad now and then but I can't do anything about it.

luckily I don't have to deal with that anymore, I'am however sympathetic towards clerks when they ask me for ID because there only doing there job and I know how they feel.

Yeah it's tough, I've felt like a real bastard doing it some times, I don't work in a video game store but I occasionally cover for my mum on the tills at the garage she works in. Once got some kid in trying to buy a gaming magazine, the magazine said 15+ so I couldn't sell it to him. The kid insisted that he was 15 and left his I.D at home, but well I still couldn't let him have it. Then the kid starts to cry, telling me how he'd begged his mum for the money to get it and he's scared they'll run out before he gets back home which was quite a walk away... I still had to say no... and I felt like a right arsehole... kid slobbering there with tears drenching out. I told him that I'd save the magazine behind the till and even put his name on it for when the shift ended, so he'd have time to go get the I.D or go fetch his mum, because I felt such an arsehole and felt sorry for him. He did come back with his mum and I sold his mum it for the kid but jeez it's not as easy as most people think for us clerks... where not soulless.

Also, I would hate to be placed into that situation...

 

[Flight]

The rules are there for a reason. They could get in trouble for selling an M-rated game to someone who is not of the right age to buy it - fines, getting fired, etc.

 

[PrayerofRefugee]

Also I wanted to say that this was a great experience for me (this thread) as it 'knocked' some sense into me. There are reasons behind rules.

I should have expected the insults I got because it is the internet but for the most part, everyone here was understanding and gentle. Thanks for helping me out and I (I want to say can't wait but I know that is a lie. The games aren't important, just inconvenient that the sale might be over before I can buy them)

Thank you and I hope to see you all later on the forums (if this thread dies).

 

[Jamieson 90]

The reason why I went to get the game was because of the sale. I had forgotten about the M rating on it.

Yes, in other words from the clerks mouth: I don't give a fuck if you have to go home to mommy to get her to buy you the game, I'm not risking my hide so you can play Murder the game.

And I think that's fair enough in all honesty. I don't want anyone getting in trouble for such a stupid reason.

You did get the odd person pissed off, understandably so, usually means another journey to the store. All I can say is there the rules, Its not my fualt your underage or you forgot your ID, so don't take it out on me. I did feel bad now and then but I can't do anything about it.

luckily I don't have to deal with that anymore, I'am however sympathetic towards clerks when they ask me for ID because there only doing there job and I know how they feel.

Yeah it's tough, I've felt like a real bastard doing it some times, I don't work in a video game store but I occasionally cover for my mum on the tills at the garage she works in. Once got some kid in trying to buy a gaming magazine, the magazine said 15+ so I couldn't sell it to him. The kid insisted that he was 15 and left his I.D at home, but well I still couldn't let him have it. Then the kid starts to cry, telling me how he'd begged his mum for the money to get it and he's scared they'll run out before he gets back home which was quite a walk away... I still had to say no... and I felt like a right arsehole... kid slobbering there with tears drenching out. I told him that I'd save the magazine behind the till and even put his name on it for when the shift ended, so he'd have time to go get the I.D or go fetch his mum, because I felt such an arsehole and felt sorry for him. He did come back with his mum and I sold his mum it for the kid but jeez it's not as easy as most people think for us clerks... where not soulless.

Also, I would hate to be placed into that situation...

Yep know the feeling lol, can deffinetely relate, Had the odd kid start crying on opening days for certain games, Like you said scared the game would sell out before they could get there parents to come back, felt bad for one kid who said he had been saving up his pocket money for months, He came back with his mum about 20mins later and I was relieved, I didn't have to feel like bastard for the rest of the day.

Also I wanted to say that this was a great experience for me (this thread) as it 'knocked' some sense into me. There are reasons behind rules.

glad you understand PrayerofRefugee.

 

[crazycanuck17]

It's entirely fair. M rated game are (for the most part) inappropriate for individuals under 17. I know this doesn't speak for the majority but lets be serious, there are far too many easily influenced teenagers out there who give the industry a bad name. While I know most 14-17 year olds are fine to play violent gory mature games (myself being a hypocrite if I said otherwise back when), there are tons who are affected negatively.

I feel that this isn't really the problem however, when compared to the massive amount of parents who buy their children of 7-12 any game they want. It seems parenting has gone to shit when you've got 9 year olds sitting around playing modern duty. I mean really, lay some ground rules and bring your kids up right. Parents are increasingly becoming too uninvolved with their kids lives and are complete push overs to avoid confrontation. This is a big problem today with why kids grow up with little respect and reduced moral boundaries.

 

[Viewtiful SNAkE]

I actually work at GameStop, and yes I completely agree with what he did. Very much so, pecially cause I don't want to get a fine slapped on me...
So yea...
xD

 

[Sleekgiant]

Why should a company get in trouble because of you, your not special. Just wait till your 17 then get the game

 

[WolfThomas]

Just grind RL for a while, eventually you'll reach the necessary level.

 

[Falseprophet]

I always see the same confusion about this. In the US and Canada, ESRB ratings are not the law. They are a rating system the gaming industry has imposed on itself to prevent the government from making laws. Just like the MPAA system for US movies and the (now largely defunct) Comics Code Authority for North American comics. The major retailers enforce the ESRB ratings as a matter of corporate policy because they're part of the gaming industry too. But it's not a crime to sell M-rated games to minors.

I get the sense from the posters above outside of North America games usually are regulated by the government. In that case, it is a crime.

That said, I still side with the GameSpot employee. His job and the reputation of the company is on the line, and as my own experience in public service has taught me a policy is useless if not enforced consistently.

 

[teisjm]

Well it's illegal for them to sell it, so they couldn't care less, if you have otehr M rated games, or that you turn 17 in a month, you're not old enough yet so their asses get in trouble if someone finds out.
Like for instance, if you had a hysterical game-hating mom/dad who would march down to the store, and yell at them for selling their "little angel" (i know you're almost adult, but this is how some parents see their kids) a violent evil game where you shoot people and murder little girls.

Now i think the rating system is totally screwed, but thats not teh game store employees fault, i bet they would like to be able to sell any game to whoever wanted to pay for it. They do like making money after all, who doesn't.

So while this is a retarded situation, it's not gamestop who is to blame, it's the tards in ESRB.

 

[SextusMaximus]

Rules is rules. I went to buy a game when I was under 15 (Ma is 15+ in Aus) and I was refused. Mum had to go and buy the game for me. I think it's fair. If a game has been deemed unsuitable for a particular audience then the store has to impose the classification. Otherwise what's the point? I think at least if your parents do buy it they know what they are getting.

Rules are rules. (I'm really sorry, I had to).

And yes, I agree that a supervising adult should be allowed to buy the game for their child, not the child. But I have nothing against employees who give games to underaged children. I once bought an 18+ game despite being 10. But I think my voice had broke by then so he may have thought I was small. (?)

 

[Firia]

EDIT::::

After the responses I have received from this thread (along with convincing reasons), I also believe they are right.

Good to hear you didn't feel wronged.

I used to bartend, and the state laws around here are pretty tough on the distribution of alcohol (I know it's not the same as a game). A person could be a week away from legal drinking age, or a day away. Hell, an hour away, it didn't matter. If they weren't legal by time they set food in my bar, they shouldn't be there.

It's a similar theme you experienced. You weren't yet the legal playing age for your game. You will be, and really soon. Wait it out, you'll be fine. Let your excitement for the game mount, and it'll make playing it all the better.

 

[ae86gamer]

Rules are rules. If they didn't do that then they'd get in trouble and I'm sure that they don't want that to happen.

 

[Eri]

EDIT::::

After the responses I have received from this thread (along with convincing reasons), I also believe they are right.

Good to hear you didn't feel wronged.

I used to bartend, and the state laws around here are pretty tough on the distribution of alcohol (I know it's not the same as a game). A person could be a week away from legal drinking age, or a day away. Hell, an hour away, it didn't matter. If they weren't legal by time they set food in my bar, they shouldn't be there.

It's a similar theme you experienced. You weren't yet the legal playing age for your game. You will be, and really soon. Wait it out, you'll be fine. Let your excitement for the game mount, and it'll make playing it all the better.

I wouldn't want people bringing food to my bar either

 

[Firia]

EDIT::::

After the responses I have received from this thread (along with convincing reasons), I also believe they are right.

Good to hear you didn't feel wronged.

I used to bartend, and the state laws around here are pretty tough on the distribution of alcohol (I know it's not the same as a game). A person could be a week away from legal drinking age, or a day away. Hell, an hour away, it didn't matter. If they weren't legal by time they set food in my bar, they shouldn't be there.

It's a similar theme you experienced. You weren't yet the legal playing age for your game. You will be, and really soon. Wait it out, you'll be fine. Let your excitement for the game mount, and it'll make playing it all the better.

I wouldn't want people bringing food to my bar either

If that's the best typo of mine you can find to tease, I'm okay with that.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

Rules are rules, kid. It's what they're for. You don't get to drink because you're almost 21, you get to drink when you are 21.

 

[Lonan]

I went to Gamestop to buy BioShock because of their sale and I was asked for id. I showed him my driver's license and he said he was not allowed to sell the game to me.

I turn 17 in less than one month! (M-rated games say 17+)

Also, the majority of my game collection are rated M to begin with.

So do you think they were right to say no to me buying the game?

EDIT::::

After the responses I have received from this thread (along with convincing reasons), I also believe they are right.

My ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE shop owner told me that he was forced to sell Grand Theft Auto 3 or 4 to a 5 year old because his mom let him buy it. He asked her if she realised there was gang fights and prostitution, but she didn't care. And this is in Calgary, I thought we were the sane ones.\
To add though, I think it's a stupid system and wish Canada would get it's own game rating system similar to the rest of the Commonwealth rather than having the stupid American one that goes from 13 to 17 and never uses 18.