I seem to remember posting this kinda thread when GTA Vice City came out, well now GTA:SA is out the parents and BBFC and various organizations are all crying out about violent games leading kids to follow in the footsteps of games such as GTA and Manhunt etc.
The thing I don't get is in the UK (not sure about other countries) these game carry an 18+ cert, not a guidline cert, a real BBFC 18+ not to be sold or aquired to anyone below that age.
So parents go out and buy them for their kids then moan cos of the content? :huh:
I guess the same parents go out and buy their 10y/o the Exocist on dvd do they?
Either that or the shop is illegally selling these games to minors.
Talking to a couple of mates the other day at work about GTA:SA, this 9y/o lad butted in and said "I finished all the mission yesterday" , I asked him how he got the game, he said he bought it, I asked if he meant his mum bought it, No he walked into Wollworths and bought it without anyone being with him.
I'm guessing this happens a lot, quite suprised at Wolly's being a big chain store but can quite well believe it of lesser stores.
So the blame if any lays firmly with either the parents for not checking the game or the store for selling it to minors.
We don't sell alcohol to a 10y/o, same thing, same age limit (in the uk).
Is it because it's a game that some people don't respect the content because it's "Cartoon"?
Whatever way you look at it there is no blame on the Games companies here, they are providing what people want.
It's upto the parents and stores to make sure the 18+ cert is enforced.
This is an age old argument with games and was resolved when games started gaining certs, they can do no more except stop production which I would think would piss a lot of people off.
Jonno :cool: