Why do we enjoy Mature games?

[CrysisMcGee]

After reading the article "Australian Conservative Launches Anti-R18 Videogame Sit"
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/98357-Australian-Conservative-Launches-Anti-R18-Videogame-Site
I got thinking: Why do we enjoy Mature games?

Well, generally speaking it's because they are generally better. They offer more realism, a more in-depth experience, and they give a player more satisfaction.

I'm generalizing, as Teen rated games can do the same thing. But I'm making the point that we simply need blood, gore, and adult themes.

Think about it another way. Is your favorite movie Rated R, (17+) like Terminator 2? Or why do you enjoy R rated films as much and sometimes more than others?

One of my first RPG's was Diablo. The mature and Dark setting of the game is one of my favorites of all time. It's why I like it better than the second. And I really wish Diablo 3 will turn out more like it, and less like World of Warcraft.

So why do you enjoy mature games?

 

[Julianking93]

As you said, they're generally better, but humans like violence. Its in our nature.

 

[quiet_samurai]

Because mature games are also usually the most realistic perhaps?

 

[ProfessorLayton]

It means that the artistic director doesn't have to hold back. Characters can say and do what they want to do and it feels so much more natural without restrictions... that, or we just love blood and guts.

Ironically, I think that the Call of Duty series became less mature when the titles started being rated M. Just a thought.

 

[delet]

Because most companies want to have as few limits on their product as possible, so they go for the Mature rating so they can put most of everything they want to into a game. It just happens to be a good few of these end up being good.

 

[Kurokami]

After reading the article "Australian Conservative Launches Anti-R18 Videogame Sit"
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/98357-Australian-Conservative-Launches-Anti-R18-Videogame-Site
I got thinking: Why do we enjoy Mature games?

Well, generally speaking it's because they are generally better. They offer more realism, a more in-depth experience, and they give a player more satisfaction.

I'm generalizing, as Teen rated games can do the same thing. But I'm making the point that we simply need blood, gore, and adult themes.

Think about it another way. Is your favorite movie Rated R, (17+) like Terminator 2? Or why do you enjoy R rated films as much and sometimes more than others?

One of my first RPG's was Diablo. The mature and Dark setting of the game is one of my favorites of all time. It's why I like it better than the second. And I really wish Diablo 3 will turn out more like it, and less like World of Warcraft.

So why do you enjoy mature games?

Reading mostly just the title I'm gonna say this now.

Most 'gamers' don't enjoy mature games, they enjoy immediate gratification and thinking themselves some sort of a badass, whether they get that from seeing +5 on the screen as soon as they cap a guys ass or seeing huge blood splatter and blurry limbs at the click of button they don't often think about the repercussions of pulling a trigger or the meaning of their situation.

Of course that's a general term of gamers, there are those who play games for the art of it, the narrative, plot, aesthetics, innovation, etc. Those are the people I prefer to call Gamers and the reason they're attracted to mature games is because of maturity.

 

[lovest harding]

I like the fact that Mature games are allowed to touch on deeper subjects. I mean there are instances in Fable II (in the spoiler below) that I don't think could happen in a Teen game.

Spoiler

In Fable II, children get shot. One to death, the other is shot out the window and falls to his/her seeming death. I don't think that could be listed as T, but I don't know how the ESRB rates specifically

But it's not like I buy a game because it's rated M. I buy games because I think I'll enjoy them. One of my absolute favorite games, Lost Odyssey, has a brilliant story and is only rated T. Would M make it any better? I don't see how.

I prefer to look at games as stories with interaction and real immersion. And there are amazing stories to be told for any audience (be it 10 year olds, 15 year olds, 50 year olds, etc. etc.).

 

[ChildofGallifrey]

I think it's because human beings have a natural urge for violence. The Jack Thompsons and Michael Atkinsons of the world would argue that games cause the violence, but I would say it's the other way around. People have an urge for violence, so it's popular in a medium that allows the urges to be expressed, but doesn't actually hurt anyone. Violence has been a natural part of life long before video games, and indeed, long before humanity.

Most living beings are naturally violent, to an extent, but society has put acceptable limits on it. Why do you think wrestling, boxing, and the UFC are so popular? Because society has told us that violence is not normal, but people still have a desire for it, so here's some organized, legally sanctioned violence.

It's all about fulfilling our natural urges.

 

[Ubilaz]

I don't enjoy games based on if they're mature rated or not, I like games if they have good gameplay and a good story. If they happen to be mature rated then so be it.

 

[Wodan]

snip

Most 'gamers' don't enjoy mature games, they enjoy immediate gratification and thinking themselves some sort of a badass, whether they get that from seeing +5 on the screen as soon as they cap a guys ass or seeing huge blood splatter and blurry limbs at the click of button they don't often think about the repercussions of pulling a trigger or the meaning of their situation.

off course that's a general term of gamers, there are those who play games for the art of it, the narrative, plot, aesthetics, innovation, etc. Those are the people I prefer to call Gamers and the reason they're attracted to mature games is because of maturity.

The average gamer age is around 35. It could be that mature games are popular because the audience themselves is mostly an adult and mature audience. But Don't split gamers into two imaginary groups you came up with, as it makes you come off as "holier than thou".

 

[DeadlyYellow]

One of my first RPG's was Diablo. The mature and Dark setting of the game is one of my favorites of all time.

I fail to see how Diablo3 will really differ in aesthetics. Perhaps it's because I CAN see. It took the whole "Dark" theme a little too literally. Of course at the time it was more due to technical limitations.

I play mature games because I seek a fulfillment of brutality I can't find in lesser rated games. Hell, I can't find it most Mature games either. Even rarer is a 'mature' gaming feel that doesn't degrade into shameless sex appeal and chronic swearing.

 

[TheTim]

It is 100% natural for us to enjoy bloodshed and violence that is why

 

[e2density]

Have you ever tried watching any Disney Channel show and not laughing at how childish and stupid the jokes are?

It's the same reason we enjoy PG-13 or R movies.

 

[Georgie_Leech]

I find I only enjoy M-rated games when the M-rated material contributes to the game in a decent way. What I don't like is people throwing M-rated stuff in just to get more sales. *cough Mass Effect cough* I also find it laughable when people demand more sex and/or violence for the sake of making a more "mature" game. I find that the more mature people that I know look beyond that kind of stuff.

 

[Kurokami]

snip

Most 'gamers' don't enjoy mature games, they enjoy immediate gratification and thinking themselves some sort of a badass, whether they get that from seeing +5 on the screen as soon as they cap a guys ass or seeing huge blood splatter and blurry limbs at the click of button they don't often think about the repercussions of pulling a trigger or the meaning of their situation.

off course that's a general term of gamers, there are those who play games for the art of it, the narrative, plot, aesthetics, innovation, etc. Those are the people I prefer to call Gamers and the reason they're attracted to mature games is because of maturity.

The average gamer age is around 35. It could be that mature games are popular because the audience themselves is mostly an adult and mature audience. But Don't split gamers into two imaginary groups you came up with, as it makes you come off as "holier than thou".

I don't believe they are not unless the majority are invisible and mute (or more likely not in my location since you seem so sure of yourself), and I split it into two groups of gamers I recognize and consider relevant to the discussion, both of which are arbitrary. I don't really see why that made you take such an offense to it. (or atleast that's how you come off as to me) Though I'll admit I rarely consider 35 year olds when talking about gamers, that I will apologize for.

 

[h_the_king_of_blargh]

Probably because they are the most fun.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I don't know, why do YOU enjoy Mature games? Try speaking for yourself next time eh?
I play games to be entertained, and often to enjoy a good story in the case of RPGs, the games rating is irrelevant. In fact some of the games I've enjoyed the most are defiantly not among the "Mature" category.
If I were to hazard a guess as to why certain people only enjoy the so-called "Mature" games, I would say it's because either they're lacking in intellect or they're closet psychopaths. ...or both.

 

[The_Healer]

Ohh "Mature" games... Not Adult Games....

No but seriously, games with more mature and explicit content just generally appeal more because they are more INTERESTING. They provoke greater emotional reactions. Which is why they are rated differently and (in some places like lovely Australia) banned.