Mature Games and Mature Gamers James Cain What

Mature Games and Mature Gamers James Cain

What affects a game’s rating?

Why do they do it? • To shock or frighten gamers (ex. Horror games) • To add a touch of reality to a game’s look and feel • To appeal to the gamers that can handle (and may even enjoy) adult content • The development of new technology has created new possibilities that game makers want to exploit

When did video games become so violent and scary? !?

How did it all begin? • The first major campaign came in 1976, over the game Death Race • In 1993, the games Mortal Kombat and Night Trap caused a Senate hearing to propose federal videogame regulations • Toy stores pulled Night Trap from their shelves, and the ESRB was founded You Pedestrian Dead Pedestrian

How did it all begin? • On April 26, 2010, the U. S. Supreme Court announced that it would rule on the constitutionality of a California law passed in 2005 (but struck down in lower courts) • This is the first instance of the Supreme Court getting involved in the video game industry • Legislators have waged a failed war against virtual violence for nearly 20 years • An estimated 80% of retailers voluntarily refuse to sell mature games to minors

What’s the difference? • Games are interactive • Some games include parts that must be repeated (unlike movies) • Certain parts of games are “mandatory” – they can’t be fast-forwarded through

Violence Profanity Addiction

What harm does it do? • Violent video games cause players to become more aggressive • A University of Missouri study suggests that their brains become less responsive to violence

What harm does it do? • Profanity—profane actions, lyrics, etc. — can be found in a large number of popular games • The appeal and overall value of these games is lost to many gamers as a result • The profane parts are hard to overlook in some games due to repetition

What harm does it do? • Gambling can either be simulated or real • Slotland. com provides a number of online games in which actual money is wagered and (maybe) received • Addiction to games in general can be made worse this way

Is it worth it? • Playing M-rated games is comparable to drinking (addiction, mood changes, etc. ) • Making M-rated games is inconsiderate of your potential audience • This audience will become smaller

The End

References • • • www. esrb. org www. gamefaqs. org http: //www. time. com/time/magazine/article/0, 9171, 1985999, 00. html http: //www. sciencedaily. com/releases/2011/05/110525151059. htm wwnivny. wordpress. com www. armchairempire. com www. flickr. com brucemhood. wordpress. com www. dailytech. com www. retrogamer. net gamerillaz. com