10 Games Parents Should Avoid For Christmas

[Gorvi]

Violent video games are bad, m'kay. The impressionable youths of America need to be protected from their vile, corruptive influence, and we now have yet another voice to help us wade through the trash and single out the most viscous offenders out there. This new voice of rightousness is US Prosecutor Kym Worthy, and here's what she has to tell us (courtesy of IGN (http://games.ign.com/articles/839/839653p1.html?RSSwhen2007-12-05_045300&RSSid=839653)):

Speaking to the Detroit News about the extreme content of some of today's biggest selling games and franchises, Worthy said, "There is no way that anyone can convince me that the horribleness and gruesomeness of the crimes that we've been seeing is not somehow a result, at least in part, of the violent video game culture."
And here are the games, complete with captions of her own creation:

1. Grand Theft Auto
"Allows to players to act out crimes and rewards players for doing so."

2. Manhunt
"Revolves around the making of a snuff film."

3. Scarface
"Involves buying and selling drugs and killing hundreds of people."

4. 50 Cent: Bulletproof
"Rapper 50 cent is involved in a web of corruption, double crosses and shady deals that lead him on a bloody path through New York's drug underworld."

5. 300: The Video Game
"Invites game room gladiators to slice their way through the Persian army."

6. The Godfather
"Opens with a 'child's version' of the player witnessing the murder of his father."

7. Killer-7
"Experienced adult gamers call this the most violent and twisted game ever played."

8. Resident Evil 4
"Shoot outs involving massive crowds of enemies in large open areas. A typical play-through can result in the killing of up to 900 enemies."

9. God of War
"A sea of unrelenting violence"

10. Hitman: Blood Money
"Self-proclaimed 'most violent' game of a series. This game glamorizes killing."What would we do without such choice words of wisdom from those in our government? Guide us, Kym, help us see the light.

[Kamalot]

I hear Mario jumps on poor defenseless creatures, crushing their head!

Seriously though, are some of those games even still on sale? 50 Cent Bulletproof? 300: The Video Game? People should avoid that shit for their own sanity cause they are bad games, violence or not.

Glad to see God of War 2 isn't on the list. :rolleyes:

[Goronmon]

2. Manhunt
Revolves around the making of a snuff film.Does it really?

[Gorvi]

Does it really?
I think the first one actually does, doesn't it?

[Dark Hamlet]

She forgot one:

11. Tetris
"Rewards players for putting phallic 'pieces' into holes."

[Ancalagon]

hey why not play Pokemon? In the game, you can capture poor defenceless creatures against their will, and force them to fight for you. Its like caged bear fighting, only with more variety.

Oh you can also force them to have sex to produce offspring. yes, yucky evil sex.

My list of games to avoid:

1. Anything made or published by EA except Crysis.
2. Anything based on a movie. Yes, anything.
3. Anything you havent read at least one review on first, even if you arent buying it for yourself. Ask the intended recipient for help in finding reviews if you have to.
4. Anything with the words Nickolodeon or Disney in the title.

[Karmakin]

Yeah, I think it does more or less. It's a Snuff-meets-reality show or something like that.

Actually, this is someone who is upset that violent video games are taking the place of violent sports. (In this case, namely football is mentioned).

[schizoslayer]

This list is also equal to the christmas list of most teenagers.

I'm not convinced this is a coincidence.

[Gorvi]

hey why not play Pokemon? In the game, you can capture poor defenceless creatures against their will, and force them to fight for you. Its like caged bear fighting, only with more variety.

Oh you can also force them to have sex to produce offspring. yes, yucky evil sex.
So Pokémon is the perfect game for Michael Vick? ;)

[Variable Gear]

I love lists like these! "Someone, please assist the parents, they can't understand the game rating system!" Alright, all you need to know is you should avoid these ten games - because they have violence and shit. So the actual rating still doesn't matter?

Nope.

How do these same people decide what movies their children should play? That is the mystery...

[Vermillion]

Why is this bad? Games you shouldn't buy your kids if you were to uninformed to know about these titles to begin with?

You guys are so gun shy that when common sense comes out you get all paranoid.

[Mdot23]

8. Resident Evil 4
"Shoot outs involving massive crowds of enemies in large open areas. A typical play-through can result in the killing of up to 900 enemies."

Pretty goddamn specific. 900 enemies?

[Orphiuchus]

7. Killer-7
"Experienced adult gamers call this the most violent and twisted game ever played."

Seriously? I never played it, and considering that I am a experienced adult, gamer, I'm curious about this one now.

What? Its almost 3 years old and for a dead system? oh... that is twisted.

[Ancalagon]

Why is this bad? Games you shouldn't buy your kids if you were to uninformed to know about these titles to begin with?

You guys are so gun shy that when common sense comes out you get all paranoid.

Yes, I wouldnt buy any of these games for anyone under 13, and probably not anyone under 16 or 18, depending on the content on said game and the relative maturity of said minor.

That being said, thats exactly what the recommended age ratings are for. If a game is rated M18, is it a good idea to buy it for a 6 year old? No, of course not, and I think thats what most people find so offensive about posts like this. Its not that they arent commonsensical. I could also tell you that if you buy a computer, its a good idea to make sure it comes with a keyboard. Commonsensical, practical - and utterly useless.

Shes telling parents with perfectly good eyes what they should and shouldnt buy. How about telling them to read the damn box and do some research? Why not ask little freddy whether he actually owns a PS3 before buying Lair? Thats what irritates me about things like this, its someone who knows nothing pretending to know something, and telling the world as if they are an authority and everyone else is stupid.

[YoungAlCapone]

What about ratings? These games are not for children in the first place.

"There is no way that anyone can convince me that the horribleness and gruesomeness of the crimes that we've been seeing is not somehow a result, at least in part, of the violent video game culture."

All right, fuck this.

What she fails to mention is that those are all works of fiction, with completely fictional characters that have absolutely no connection to the real world, so whatever the fuck they do is completely inconsequential to real life. Except 50 cent, I guess, though I would say that he is still just a fictional character portrayed by an actor. If you cannot seperate fiction from reality, and it seems most of the fuck ups who write these articles cannot, then you are either a child or a fucking idiot. Maybe something is wrong with you, if that is the case then I offer my apologies, otherwise you can take this bullshit and shove it straight up your fucking ass.

I am getting sick and tired of hearing these morons spew this shit, and even more sick of the idiots who lap it up.

[Squidbot]

Blacksite Area 51.
Because your child will hate you for it.

[Flatpicker]

So the baton is being passed.
I wonder if she plans for running for elected office in 08 and is establishing her credentials?

[Karmakin]

Why is this bad? Games you shouldn't buy your kids if you were to uninformed to know about these titles to begin with?

You guys are so gun shy that when common sense comes out you get all paranoid.

Actually it's more than that.

“No one can convince me that there isn’t a link between some of the gory, gritty, horrendous crime that we’ve been seeing in the past few years, particularly in the 18-25 year old group, [and] these games. I’m telling you, things are getting much more gory, much more horrific…I’m not saying it’s the only link, I’m not saying that it’s a direct link, but it’s there. Why can’t they just go play football? I don’t understand why anyone would want to be a part of glorifying violence. A game to me is Candyland, Monopoly, the games we used to play as a child. Scrabble. These are games.” - Kym Worthy, Detroit Prosecutor

One of those people who doesn't realize that video games are more than just "glorifying" violence.

Actually, I agree with much of the criticism. Such a list of overly violent games for parents is a GOOD thing, but it should be done without such rhetoric, and as well should be done without your head firmly up your...

*ahem*

Actually, it should be recent, in demand titles. As well, I'd like to see more about T-rated titles that are borderline and less about M-rated titles, which obviously have been rated as not for kids.

[The Continental]

Why is this bad? Games you shouldn't buy your kids if you were to uninformed to know about these titles to begin with?

You guys are so gun shy that when common sense comes out you get all paranoid.You'd think that if a parent cared enough to seek out information like this that they'd just do one better (and easier) and familiarize themselves with the ESRB ratings.

All of those games are rated M are they not? Here's a pretty handy rule of thumb instead of seeking out sensationalized misinformation: Don't buy M rated games for your kids, the way the ESRB intended.

[Abednigo]

Why is this bad? Games you shouldn't buy your kids if you were to uninformed to know about these titles to begin with?

You guys are so gun shy that when common sense comes out you get all paranoid.

You took the words right out of my mouth. Forget about her ignorance or poor descriptions of the games. If parents are too lazy to investigate games themselves then lists like this are needed. They get media attention and will make parents aware, which is a good thing.

[shpanky]

These lists are COMPLETELY useless and ineffective. Why do they make them? To generate controversy, obviously. If they actually created a list that might have been, y'know, USEFUL, then I could applaud them. After all, who NEEDS a list of "Top 10 games to by for your 13 and under (of which Mario Galaxy should be at the very top)" when you can recycle games nobody's playing anymore (see: Killer-7...I doubt anyone's buying this game for the holiday season) in your message of doom and gloom.

These people are are just plain, useless assholes.

[Codicier]

Some of them sound like ads for movies:

"Rapper 50 cent is involved in a web of corruption, double crosses and shady deals that lead him on a bloody path through New York's drug underworld."

God of War
"A sea of unrelenting violence"

Where do I buy my ticket?

Parents should be informed about what's not a good idea for their various aged children to be playing, just not like this.

[Zander]

Some of you people without kids make me laugh.

If this list keep Manhunt out of the hands of some 10 year old whose parents are completely clueless to video games, then good.

[AspectVoid]

I'm always so happy when this list is released. It lets me know what game I need to buy for the box. I think this year I'll buy my friend a copy of CoD4 and stick it inside a 50 Cent Bulletproof box. I wonder how long it'll take him to open it and find out he got a good game.

[gzsfrk]

This list is, of course, laughable due to it being so dated. But I don't have a problem with lists like this in general, except that it goes the predictable route of villifying games as one of the sources of society's ills. Why is everyone so up in arms? I agree that responsible parents SHOULD restrict their younger children (say, 12 or younger at the very least) from playing any game on that list. (And again, a list containing more recent games likely to be on some kids' wish lists would have been much more useful.)

Impressionability varies from child to child, but it's pretty much a steady progression downward from being very high at a young age (you woudn't believe how much stuff my 2yo girl picks up and then starts mimmicking from anything she sees) to fairly low on average when you reach later adulthood (beyond 34 for adult males, if advertisers actions are to be believed). So it does make sense to me that you would want to be particularly careful about what you expose your children to when their impressionability is at its highest, and still moderately careful beyond that.

I don't think it's the huge stretch most of the gaming community acts like it is to say that violence in video games can contribute to a more violent society as a whole. I think it's fair to say that the more violent images a person is exposed to over the course of their life, the more desensitized that person will become to it. And it follows that a person is more likely to perform an act to which they've become desensitized than one which they find shocking and abhorrent. (People can and do still perform acts which they find shocking and abhorrent, but the likelihood of doing so is much lower, I would think.)

It's wrong to SINGLE OUT videogames while ignoring other media, of course. But just because games aren't the only outlet for exposure to violence doesn't mean that they don't contribute at all. We have to be careful as a community not to knee-jerk react ourselves into an untennable position on the issue. Just because the "other" side of the debate is at an extreme doesn't mean that that we need to take an equally ridiculous position on our end. You don't have to be a slavering Jack Thompsonite to hold the view that unchecked exposure of kids (and even teens) to violence via video games is a bad thing. It's a valid position which is NOT invalidated due to one nut job's ridiculous actions and statements which are little more than a caricaturization of a reasonable stance on that end of the argument.

[DevilUknow]

How to know what not to get you child:

1. Pick up the box
2. Turn it over (this is not always necessary)
3. Look at the fucking ESRB rating

WARNING: If you are the type of squeamish grown up baby who some how gets gratification from publicly being offended by things and refuse to entertain anything that does not support your dogmatic and fashionable hatred and don't actually give two shits about your kid and just want to be on TV, these steps may not work for you.

[roboninja]

The games already have ratings, three of them are based on movies that are equally violent...lots wrong with this article. Now, I am not arguing that young kids should be playing GTA, they should not. But this article does not do anything to actually help the parents, it is meaningless tripe.

[roboninja]

Some of you people without kids make me laugh.

If this list keep Manhunt out of the hands of some 10 year old whose parents are completely clueless to video games, then good.

That is what the ratings are for! If parents are ignorant of the rating system, then maybe that would have made a good article. Putting out a top 10 list is amateurish and sensationalistic.

[Bad_Buddha]

Just buy your kid the movies that some of these games are based on!

It's much more wholesome to see Al Pacino, as a real human being, kill hundreds of other real human beings, than it is to see it happen to computer generated images.

[Bone]

I just called my local talk radio station to yell at them for reading this list as a public service. I told them "why don't we spend some time and money listing all the R-rated movies your kids shouldn't watch? This is the same thing. Don't buy Mature games for your kids and you're doing your job!"

[handsalad]

<RANT>I don't want my 5 year old playing God of War or any of those games on the list. All the games on the list also happen to be rated M. Some parents are barely competent enough to feed their kids and get them off to school because they are so preoccupied with their lives and careers that they do not have time to know or care what their kids or watching, playing or listening to. So steps in our government to protect the children from things their parents should be aware of because they care about their kids, not because they read the headlines on CNN, while checking the stock ticker, that read "Death Simulators Train your kids to Kill". They run home and tear up their kids room looking for this horrible garbage that is not allowed in their house, since recently reading a hyperbole filled article about how bad video games are.</RANT>

[Variable Gear]

Off-Topic: If your username is yellow are you ignored (or at least ignored more often)?

(Thinks about donating to EvAv in order to become more respected...)

On-Topic: This is a good but misguided list. It really does help out the ignorant parents out there select games for their kids. No one really needs the list, and that's why it's misguided - all these "guardians" need to do check the back for content descriptors before buying a game for their children.

[Baron Samedi]

Ummm....where are all the 360 titles? Like Bioshock, CoD4, Halo?

[TheFlyingOrc]

The list is so...random. I think it just came straight off of JT's desk - She SPECIFICALLY says Resident Evil 4, but then just mentions "Grand Theft Auto" Watch out that your kid doesn't accidentally get a game from 1999!

[Citizen Philip]

Hitman does not glamorize violence. Hitman glamorizes the beauty of the Silent Assassin who can specially avoid killing people, innocent people, to kill his target: who is always a character that editorially deserves what is coming to them. The game punishes you for failing to be either silent or an assassin.

i guess it made the list, because of the movie: she is an attention whore.

[gzsfrk]

Ummm....where are all the 360 titles? Like Bioshock, CoD4, Halo?

Well, since some of the games she listed were current while the Gamecube was still in its heyday, I think it's fair to assume she isn't exactly operating on the cutting edge of videogame freshness. :)

[TheFlyingOrc]

Off-Topic: If your username is yellow are you ignored (or at least ignored more often)?

(Thinks about donating to EvAv in order to become more respected...)


Not ignored - but people do assign a little more weight to your opinions if you are a subscriber. For instance, as a green, my opinion is actually paid attention to. Were I a yellow, people would ignore my random stupid posts, as they should.

[ECM]

This list is, of course, laughable due to it being so dated. But I don't have a problem with lists like this in general, except that it goes the predictable route of villifying games as one of the sources of society's ills. Why is everyone so up in arms? I agree that responsible parents SHOULD restrict their younger children (say, 12 or younger at the very least) from playing any game on that list. (And again, a list containing more recent games likely to be on some kids' wish lists would have been much more useful.)

Impressionability varies from child to child, but it's pretty much a steady progression downward from being very high at a young age (you woudn't believe how much stuff my 2yo girl picks up and then starts mimmicking from anything she sees) to fairly low on average when you reach later adulthood (beyond 34 for adult males, if advertisers actions are to be believed). So it does make sense to me that you would want to be particularly careful about what you expose your children to when their impressionability is at its highest, and still moderately careful beyond that.

I don't think it's the huge stretch most of the gaming community acts like it is to say that violence in video games can contribute to a more violent society as a whole. I think it's fair to say that the more violent images a person is exposed to over the course of their life, the more desensitized that person will become to it. And it follows that a person is more likely to perform an act to which they've become desensitized than one which they find shocking and abhorrent. (People can and do still perform acts which they find shocking and abhorrent, but the likelihood of doing so is much lower, I would think.)

It's wrong to SINGLE OUT videogames while ignoring other media, of course. But just because games aren't the only outlet for exposure to violence doesn't mean that they don't contribute at all. We have to be careful as a community not to knee-jerk react ourselves into an untennable position on the issue. Just because the "other" side of the debate is at an extreme doesn't mean that that we need to take an equally ridiculous position on our end. You don't have to be a slavering Jack Thompsonite to hold the view that unchecked exposure of kids (and even teens) to violence via video games is a bad thing. It's a valid position which is NOT invalidated due to one nut job's ridiculous actions and statements which are little more than a caricaturization of a reasonable stance on that end of the argument.

Excellent post. Agreed 100%.

Off-Topic: If your username is yellow are you ignored (or at least ignored more often)?

(Thinks about donating to EvAv in order to become more respected...)


Given some of the posts by the "enlightened" I sure as hell hope not.

[Citizen Philip]

Off-Topic: If your username is yellow are you ignored (or at least ignored more often)?

(Thinks about donating to EvAv in order to become more respected...)



You're an idiot. Of course we ignore you, your post count is all that matters, so fill as many threads with inane one-liners and pointless comments to get that post count up. Your colour is icing on the post-count cake.

[Citizen Philip]

Not ignored - but people do assign a little more weight to your opinions if you are a subscriber. For instance, as a green, my opinion is actually paid attention to. Were I a yellow, people would ignore my random stupid posts, as they should.

I have to agree, I really care more for what you say, because of the colour change.

[Callador]

I just called my local talk radio station to yell at them for reading this list as a public service. I told them "why don't we spend some time and money listing all the R-rated movies your kids shouldn't watch? This is the same thing. Don't buy Mature games for your kids and you're doing your job!"

Agreeing with Bone here. If our hypothetical 10 year old's parents let him into an R-rated movie because they "don't understand" the rating system, whose fault is that? The movie studio's? Not a chance. If your kid is playing video games, isn't it your responsibility to learn the ratings system beforehand?

[Flatpicker]

Some of you people without kids make me laugh.

If this list keep Manhunt out of the hands of some 10 year old whose parents are completely clueless to video games, then good.

There is no problem with a list, but at least make the descriptions less sensationalistic. Maybe even somewhat inline with the actual game.

[Baron Samedi]

I have to agree, I really care more for what you say, because of the colour change.

Yes, we here at Evil Avatar believe in affirmative action. Being a little green man from mars, TheFlyingOrc gets 20 brownie points towards every post.

[Godboo]

The people who find her descriptions of these games ridiculous are old enough to go out and buy/play them without their parent's permission anyways.

[Lunar Blue]

Some of them sound like ads for movies:

What I was about to say. I have no what happened here but it almost sounds like she's trying to sell these games. To who, no idea.

Oh and kiddies, get Grand Theft Auto for PS1, the PC version doesn't work too well on Windows XP! Also, I would like to add Mortal Combat and Doom to the list.

[J-Dizzle]

I loved this list purely because of the comments against each name.

Each comment was an incredibly effective advertisment for each title. Some of them are even made to sound far cooler than they actually are.

Fried gold.

[MosBen]

Throw me in with the crowd that doesn't think lists like this are bad per se, but thinks this list in particular is worthless at best. As has been mentioned, no kid is going to be asking for Killer 7 this holiday season, but they might be asking for Kane & Lynch. If a parent has read this list and thinks that these are the games they really need to avoid then they might not think about checking the ESRB ratings on the game that their kid is *really* begging them for. After all, if the game was so bad it'd be on the list, right? Let's also remember that there are movies that are rated R that I wouldn't mind having a kid see (movies, say, where the only really objectionable content is some swearing), and there are probably M-rated games that, if I really thought about it, I wouldn't mind a kid playing. While parents should definitely be familiar with the ESRB system it's possible that the rating alone might not be enough. Of course, we can all agree that they should be reading reviews and such to get a fuller picture of the game's contend. I'm just saying that such a list could be useful if it was done properly.

This list, on the other hand, is just jump-on-the-band-wagon attempt from someone trying to get press, blaming video games for all the bad in the world and not offering anything constructive.

[Hellstorm]

7. Killer-7
"Experienced adult gamers call this the most violent and twisted game ever played."

Seriously? I never played it, and considering that I am a experienced adult, gamer, I'm curious about this one now.

What? Its almost 3 years old and for a dead system? oh... that is twisted.

Killer 7 is one of the best most twisted, violent, and in your face games ever. Ever. You have to get the cube version if you want to play the uncut version. Do it and then get ready for No More Heroes.

[YoungAlCapone]

Killer 7 is one of the best most twisted, violent, and in your face games ever. Ever. You have to get the cube version if you want to play the uncut version. Do it and then get ready for No More Heroes.

Definitely true. That game was so fucked up. I didn't even have much fun with it, in fact I thought the gameplay was pretty weak, but I played through the whole thing cause it was so surreal, twisted and all around fucked up. It was interactive art more than a game if you ask me.

I guess I should say that as bothered as this particular list made me, I do not think listing off games that parents should avoid is a bad thing. I do think that parents should familiarize themselves with the ESRB if their children play games, and by familiarize I mean turn over the box and read the rating and the reasons it earned that rating.

I also think it might be more beneficial maybe for one of these lists to tell parents what games they should be getting for thier children. Like what are the great games this year that would be appropriate for all ages. Granted they would have to get someone who knows what they are talking about or they will come off looking like idiots, but it would be less idiotic than this list.

[Ten19]

I particularly like that 4 out of the 10 games are based on movie/franchise licenses.

Odd, where are the Top 10 Movies Parents Should Avoid for Christmas lists? Hmm? However will I know exactly how to prevent my child from mutating into a anti-social killing machine without a list to guide me?!

[[Jez]]

You're an idiot. Of course we ignore you, your post count is all that matters, so fill as many threads with inane one-liners and pointless comments to get that post count up. Your colour is icing on the post-count cake.
the post-count cake is a lie...

tbh I think if your buying games for your kids and not even bothering to look at the back of the damn box you deserve to get stabbed 23 times with a glass shard

[Ancalagon]

mind you, if I was a kid, this would give me a lot of ideas about what to ask ol' kindly but ignorant Aunt Jemima to buy for me.

[gzsfrk]

I particularly like that 4 out of the 10 games are based on movie/franchise licenses.

Odd, where are the Top 10 Movies Parents Should Avoid for Christmas lists? Hmm? However will I know exactly how to prevent my child from mutating into a anti-social killing machine without a list to guide me?!

In fairness, there's no shortage of sites around the net which rate movies on their appropriateness for children/teens/anyone. However, I'm not aware of a government sponsored site or list that does so.

[gzsfrk]

mind you, if I was a kid, this would give me a lot of ideas about what to ask ol' kindly but ignorant Aunt Jemima to buy for me.

The only thing I ever want my Aunt Jemima bringing me is her sweet, sweet syrup (preferably warmed and with some melty butter stirred in). Mmmmmm.....

And, cue sexual innuendo comments in 3... 2...

[Ancalagon]

The only thing I ever want my Aunt Jemima bringing me is her sweet, sweet syrup (preferably warmed and with some melty butter stirred in). Mmmmmm.....

Must have missed the sex ed classes, I have no idea where the butter fits in. Lube?

[Karmakin]

I also think it might be more beneficial maybe for one of these lists to tell parents what games they should be getting for thier children. Like what are the great games this year that would be appropriate for all ages. Granted they would have to get someone who knows what they are talking about or they will come off looking like idiots, but it would be less idiotic than this list.

QFT.

Except then they'd have to acknowledge that video games are not all blood and guts and murder and all that. And that's not sensational enough to keep the soccer moms riveted.

[bKangy]

Some terrible reasoning by her but the list is sound, you shouldn't be buying these titles for kids.

[Ancalagon]

QFT.

Except then they'd have to acknowledge that video games are not all blood and guts and murder and all that. And that's not sensational enough to keep the soccer moms riveted.

I think people are conditioned to respond more to people preaching doom and gloom, than to people preaching joy etc. Look at early religion - you are doomed to hell. you are all doomed to hell. look at newspapers. fear this, fear that.

same story here. pay attention to the negative. she gives us a list of outdated games, with no practical information. someone could avoid manhunt but buy a japanese game thats even worse (which surely must exist). she didnt give parents any enlightening information, such as the ESRBS contact number or general guidelines. no, she highlighted a select few games, ignored the rest, and painted gaming as a scapegoat.

[YoungAlCapone]

Except then they'd have to acknowledge that video games are not all blood and guts and murder and all that. And that's not sensational enough to keep the soccer moms riveted.

Exactly, people are much more interested in hearing the sensationalistic bullshit apparently, rather than educating themselves and making thier own decisions.

Who needs to think when you can just let the news and government make all of your decisions?

[Deadend]

So I went look in Detroit Free Press's news archives...

December 21, 2004 •• 409 words •• ID: 0411825505
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich deserve credit for educating the public, after schooling themselves, about the graphic violence contained in video games such as the popular "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas." But both should confine their efforts to ensuring that buyers and parents know the content of these games, not to legally regulating sales, which has constitutional as well as practical problems. The link between real life and video

Notice anything?

I wonder why IGN UK looked at an article from 3 years ago in a newspaper from Detriot, about a local prosecuter and a govener doing something useful, and twists it. So full of fail.

[MosBen]

I just went to the Detroitnews.com and they have an article from Dec. 3 of this year involving this same prosecutor. I get the impression she's been releasing lists like this for several years now.

[YoungAlCapone]

So I just saw this (http://www.koat.com/family/14770974/detail.html) posted up at my local news site, and it is actually not half bad.

This is a step in the right direction. Bad grades for parents and retailers for continuing to allow children access to mature rated games.

[Grey]

Thank God I live in germany where these titles are mostly banned and the kids living therefore in peace and harmony, dancing with butterflies on green hills, knowing no pain, guns or violence.

[Dukefrukem]

anyone else think God of War should be #4? or close to the top? It has nudity and you can fuck the girls on the bed!!!!!!!

[Deadend]

Jeez, it's the same list from years ago... Ok, no excuses for her, my bad.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712040375

But also, she is in Detroit, and helped by Hood Research.

http://www.hoodresearch.org/

..just wow. I wonder if I should offer to inform her on what games are today.

[Goronmon]

So I just saw this (http://www.koat.com/family/14770974/detail.html) posted up at my local news site, and it is actually not half bad.

Super Mario Bros. 3Awesome game, but probably not what I would be buying a kid for Christmas, haha.

[smashp]

i think they need to enforce literacy and not that games are violent. true, games are much more violent than they ever have been, but so are movies and everything else. just like others have said, would most parents go buy their kid a copy of the godfather or scarface movies and leave them under the tree this christmas? no, so why would they treat a game that way?

[Achilles]

I'm alright with a list of M rated games that parents should avoid getting for their underage kids. But I don't like this quote:"There is no way that anyone can convince me that the horribleness and gruesomeness of the crimes that we've been seeing is not somehow a result, at least in part, of the violent video game culture."Even if the crimes were performed by someone who never played video games? Take the recent Amish massacre for example; what that guy had planned was horrifying, and he didn't play video games. This makes her sound like a fanatic who won't listen to anything that conflicts with this arbitrary conclusion she's come to. Personally I think movies like SAW4 glamorize gore and killing more than the video games on this list.

[Heretic Machine]

Anyone want to count for me how many GTA games came out in the past six months? I'm coming up with zero every time! Surely this person isn't just a bandwagoning slub?

[YoungAlCapone]

Awesome game, but probably not what I would be buying a kid for Christmas, haha.

True, but it is a step, it all starts with just one step.

[Wraith]

So I just saw this (http://www.koat.com/family/14770974/detail.html) posted up at my local news site, and it is actually not half bad.Recommended Games

FIFA Soccer 08
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour
Madden NFL 08
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games
Need for Speed Pro Street
The Sims 2: Castaway
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario Galaxy
Viva Pinta
>_<

Okay, the rest of the list is at least decent.

[sprankton]

I am all for lists that make parents aware of which game is which, but this list is stupid. 300 on the PSP? Killer 7? Did these people google "Violent games that sold under 100 copies" ?

[Variable Gear]

Awesome game, but probably not what I would be buying a kid for Christmas, haha.

Well, you could always do this (http://wii.ign.com/articles/830/830566p1.html) as a stocking-stuffer.

[MosBen]

Could or should the ESRB produce a list like this along with a list of recommended games?

[Wolvie]

Man that is one up-to-date list right there...yeah. :rolleyes:

[Bydo_Empire]

Seriously though, are some of those games even still on sale? 50 Cent Bulletproof? 300: The Video Game? People should avoid that shit for their own sanity cause they are bad games, violence or not.A friend of the family's 8-year old LOVES 50 Cent. He really, really wanted the game (his mom won't let him play anything with guns) and didn't care what the reviews were. I really don't see what the big deal is about this listing. The industry contantly touts how it wants to make parents aware of game content - that's what this list does (...or, at least tries to do). Of course, making parents MORE aware of the existing rating sytem, or pushing the ESRB to FIX the rating system would probably do more a lot more good in the long run.

[YoungAlCapone]

>_<

Okay, the rest of the list is at least decent.

Hey! I doubt you have even played Hannah's latest, yet you hate. Your uninformed opinion gets no recognition here.

Seriously though, the list wasn't that great, but I was more reffering to the fact that there even was a list of recomended games, and that they rated parents and retailers lower than the ESRB for letting kids have access to the games. Though they should have got someone who knew what they were talking about, cause they came off sounding like idiots.

[tenchiker]

Quote:
Speaking to the Detroit News about the extreme content of some of today's biggest selling games and franchises, Worthy said, "There is no way that anyone can convince me that the horribleness and gruesomeness of the crimes that we've been seeing is not somehow a result, at least in part, of the violent video game culture."

This is the worst statement in there and typical of the ignorance of the majority of the population. If you just take a step back and look a little at history you will see that these types of crimes and far worse have been going on since the beginning of human history. Long before a video game was the twinkle in someone's eye.

[Variable Gear]

Long before a video game was the twinkle in someone's eye.

But, the Bible told me that God beget video games which in turn beget all violence. :confused:

[jacktion]

Wow! Someone is making a list of violent video games for parents! Quick! Vilify her!

No, seriously, why all the hatred of this? I don't see the problem. If we can limit any child's exposure to violence then that is a good thing. It is true that we are desensitized to murder and violence with the prevalence of it in our media (especially video games) these days.

We don't joke about rape much but we joke about killing and murdering. We don't joke about child molestation (much) but we joke about homicide and dismemberment. We are just inured to the idea of murder as being shocking or bad. It is commonplace and normal to think of killing or hurting someone, even if we would not actually do it. I think this explains a lot of things about American society these days.

Can you imagine a society where murder was considered bad and taboo and not acceptable to emulate? A society where it was considered shocking for someone to be killed or assaulted? I can and I wish more people did.

[YoungAlCapone]

Wow! Someone is making a list of violent video games for parents! Quick! Vilify her!

No, seriously, why all the hatred of this? I don't see the problem. If we can limit any child's exposure to violence then that is a good thing. It is true that we are desensitized to murder and violence with the prevalence of it in our media (especially video games) these days.

We don't joke about rape much but we joke about killing and murdering. We don't joke about child molestation (much) but we joke about homicide and dismemberment. We are just inured to the idea of murder as being shocking or bad. It is commonplace and normal to think of killing or hurting someone, even if we would not actually do it. I think this explains a lot of things about American society these days.

Can you imagine a society where murder was considered bad and taboo and not acceptable to emulate? A society where it was considered shocking for someone to be killed or assaulted? I can and I wish more people did.

Goddamn, did you even read this thread, or the article for that matter?

We don't mind the listing of violent videogames for ignorant parents who refuse to turn over a box and read a label. We mind videogames being villified for things that are quite simply not due to them, violent behavior being the case here.

And in what society do you live in that human life is of so little value?

[Variable Gear]

Wow! Someone is making a list of violent video games for parents! Quick! Vilify her!

No, seriously, why all the hatred of this? I don't see the problem. If we can limit any child's exposure to violence then that is a good thing. It is true that we are desensitized to murder and violence with the prevalence of it in our media (especially video games) these days.

I take it that you use the ESRB rating system. In comparison to the information provided by the ESRB, this list is so limited. Why does this list need to exist? Here's an idea: LOOK AT THE GODDAMN BOX BEFORE YOU BUY THE GAME!

...It's really that simple.

[Kamalot]

Wow! Someone is making a list of violent video games for parents! Quick! Vilify her!

No, seriously, why all the hatred of this? I don't see the problem. If we can limit any child's exposure to violence then that is a good thing. It is true that we are desensitized to murder and violence with the prevalence of it in our media (especially video games) these days.

We don't joke about rape much but we joke about killing and murdering. We don't joke about child molestation (much) but we joke about homicide and dismemberment. We are just inured to the idea of murder as being shocking or bad. It is commonplace and normal to think of killing or hurting someone, even if we would not actually do it. I think this explains a lot of things about American society these days.

Can you imagine a society where murder was considered bad and taboo and not acceptable to emulate? A society where it was considered shocking for someone to be killed or assaulted? I can and I wish more people did.
I'm all for keeping kids from playing M rated games. But this list is ill-informed and, in many cases, irrelevant. The purpose of this list isn't to truly educate parents, but to vilify games.

A much more helpful message would be something along the lines of, "Many games these days are filled with absurd levels of violence that young, impressionable minds shouldn't be exposed to. That's why there is a ratings system on the back of every box."

Then go on to describe the ratings system.

This list isn't helpful to parents because a number of those games aren't even on store shelves. Why not educate parents on how to avoid inappropriate material, instead of making a 'naughty list'?

[Achilles]

Can you imagine a society where murder was considered bad and taboo and not acceptable to emulate? A society where it was considered shocking for someone to be killed or assaulted? I can and I wish more people did.I think I live in that society, so long as it's not a fictional circumstance. If someone you knew got decapitated and you told that story to a co-worker do you think their first response would be to say "I guess he lost his head, lolz!". I don't think so. People aren't shocked by fiction though because it's fiction.

Really, when's the last time you saw people making fun of a plane crash that killed a bunch of people, making light of a husband murdering his wife on the news?

[Variable Gear]

Why not educate parents on how to avoid inappropriate material, instead of making a 'naughty list'?

Nope, this isn't happening anywhere on the web... (http://www.whattheyplay.com/) don't click the link unless you want to be rickrolled

[Dukefrukem]

i hope everyone realizes that 17 year olds are kids.

[Codicier]

i hope everyone realizes that 17 year olds are kids.

What is your point?

[Goronmon]

Wow! Someone is making a list of violent video games for parents! Quick! Vilify her!I find it humorous that you posted a knee-jerk reaction to the supposed knee-jerk responses in this thread.

[Variable Gear]

Wow! Someone is making a list of violent video games for parents! Quick! Vilify her!



Here is my Christmas present for you, and it's 20 days early!

http://shop.ecompanystore.com/foxnews/FOX_products/FOX12002100.jpg

I find it humorous that you posted a knee-jerk reaction to the supposed knee-jerk responses in this thread.

Oh, so I'm not supposed to make knee-jerk reactions? Shit. This internet thing is confusing.

[Atepsflame]

*stolen from Karmakin's post* “No one can convince me that there isn’t a link between some of the gory, gritty, horrendous crime that we’ve been seeing in the past few years, particularly in the 18-25 year old group, [and] these games. I’m telling you, things are getting much more gory, much more horrific…I’m not saying it’s the only link, I’m not saying that it’s a direct link, but it’s there. Why can’t they just go play football? I don’t understand why anyone would want to be a part of glorifying violence. A game to me is Candyland, Monopoly, the games we used to play as a child. Scrabble. These are games.” - Kym Worthy, Detroit Prosecutor

Hmmm, I think someone needs to show Kym Worthy the violent crime statistics for the last 50 years. (http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm) Notice how violent crimes have GONE DOWN in the last decade and a half? Hmm, that's right around the same time period where people like her started to make noise about how dangerous violent video games are and how they drive impressionable kids to crime. You know what? She's not the only one that can make tenuous connections between video games and crime, so I'm gonna go ahead and posit that the fall in the violent crime rate is in fact due to the rise of more graphic and violent video games giving kids a safe, and legal outlet for all those negative impulses they have. And I have statistics on my side. She has, what, a gut feeling? Color me unimpressed.

[Atepsflame]

i hope everyone realizes that 17 year olds are kids.

Not until the last century they weren't.

[Elrik Murder]

I agree; that list is outdated! It fails at being effective listing titles that are two years old, not to mention, would be hard to find at most retailers (sans specialty stores). Killer 7? Really? What about Assassin's Creed? I'm sure a few kids will be asking for that. Also, what about a separate list for bargain games? Condemned is $20, not on that list, and not terribly difficult to find.

Instead of picking "naughty games" why not just create a guide for parents to use to actually help them identify what is appropriate for their child. Some parents still don't know games are rated. They just hear the bad and stay away from those games, totally unaware of other mature titles. It sounds absurd, but it happens.

It would be more helpful to choose a handful of games, from all across the ratings board and just show how and why they are given the ratings. What attribute determines a rating, and define them. Once you give an example parents should be able to distinguish the why for themselves. Heck, even link to the ESRB website.

It's a real simple solution. This minor/mature debate is really ridiculous. I hate being punished b/c a minor may/may not end up playing a game I enjoy. Sorry for the ranting, just that the one liners seemed to attack the game rather than inform the parent.

Edit: I agree with Capone on the link. It's vastly superior than this failed attempt.

[General Ewok]

This can help regulate some children from mature games, which is never a bad thing.

Some kids are too stupid to play games like these and not act them out.

[carnage11]

8. Resident Evil 4
"Shoot outs involving massive crowds of enemies in large open areas. A typical play-through can result in the killing of up to 900 enemies."



RE4 made the list for killing up to 900 enemies. Yet Dead Rising wasn't mentioned......I mean there's an achievement where you have to kill 53,594 enemies. Dead Rising enemies are zombies, and RE4 enemies are 'zombie' like. So.....killing 900 enemies is much worse then killing 53,594.:confused:

[Karmakin]

* FIFA Soccer 08
* Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
* Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour
* Madden NFL 08
* Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games
* Need for Speed Pro Street
* The Sims 2: Castaway
* Super Mario Bros. 3
* Super Mario Galaxy
* Viva Pinta


Actually, this REALLY shows a blind eye I think to reality. The problem here is....wait for it..WAIT FOR IT..

Need for Speed Pro Street. Frankly, these games should be rated M as far as I'm concerned for promoting illegal street racing. And no, I'm not joking. It's just that there's quite a few incidents locally over the last few years involving such racing. But I wouldn't recommend them to kids/families for that reason. Other racing games, sure. But not that IMO.

[Rasgueado]

Killer-7 the most "violent and twisted game" ever played? You can just tell that this person hasn't even seen a trailer for this game.

This list is totally messed up. The original Manhunt? That's not really a game that is easy to find these days. 300 for the PSP... I mean honestly? Why would you buy a game for your child's PSP that is themed after a movie that you wouldn't take them to?

It's nice -- I suppose -- that someone is interested in putting out a violence list, but at least make it a complete list. If you want to talk about exposure to raw eyeballs, let's talk about the exposure that kids get to violence through television and movies.

[WAZts]

I really hope that the developers or PR people take some of these quotes and use them as tags for the next game in the series.
"God of War III A see of unrelenting violence!"

[51|RandoM]

Is it worth my time to track down a used copy of Killer-7 for gamecube?

I like the "sea of unrelenting violence" description. Are they talking about videogames or are they talking about bugs bunny cartoons? Some of the stuff Wile E. Coyote went through would qualify as a hate crime nowadays.

[Rasgueado]

Is it worth my time to track down a used copy of Killer-7 for gamecube?

Well that depends. Killer-7 is a very strange "on-rails" action game with a unique (and some would say) ugly graphic style. I kinda dug it... but I'm strange that way.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Is it worth my time to track down a used copy of Killer-7 for gamecube?

It's not for everyone, but you could probably find it quite cheap nowadays. I enjoyed it, but I like weird games. Read up on it and see if it's something you'd like.

[Razorlution]

I would agree with all, except Resident Evil 4, you are shooting Zombies....not people, though they used to be, lol. But If a parent is unsure of what to get, just get a Mario game, and you'll be fine.

What I think is missing, is the advertising on the ESRB's part, parents are always wondering what the rating is based on, so the ESRB has to get their name out there.

Believe me, parents have no clue.

[gawaintheblind]

The guys that made God of War should put that quote on the box. "Unrelenting violence!"

[PsychoticVile]

I have to agree though no parent should really purchase any of those games for any children under the age of 18. I could see some parents buying it for a 16 or 17 year old but that's assuming they are buying it because they raised their child well and know they understand it's a game and don't buy it just because that's what they asked for which is what happens in most cases.

[KingGorilla]

Funny, most of that list is games that everyone should avoid because the games are so goddamn awful.

[dirtbag]

I guess Assassin's Creed gets their seal of approval!

[Xerxes]

Don't by your kids games with a M on it. It's not that fucking hard.

[carnage11]

7. Killer-7
"Experienced adult gamers call this the most violent and twisted game ever played."



Sweet! After hearing that, I'm buying this game tomorrow! Otherwise I never would have thought of getting it. Thanks Kym! :)


Funny how this was never a problem 5-10 years ago. I remember playing Phantasmagoria II when I was 15. This game had a full out sex scene with nudity. It also had a great bondage sex scene. Wow....memories....:o

[MojoJojo]

Actually, this REALLY shows a blind eye I think to reality. The problem here is....wait for it..WAIT FOR IT..

Need for Speed Pro Street. Frankly, these games should be rated M as far as I'm concerned for promoting illegal street racing. And no, I'm not joking. It's just that there's quite a few incidents locally over the last few years involving such racing. But I wouldn't recommend them to kids/families for that reason. Other racing games, sure. But not that IMO.

I'm surprised Sims wasn't cited for allowing me to create a colony entirely made up of lipstick lesbians. And then I can watch them get it on in the hot tub.

[YoungAlCapone]

Actually, this REALLY shows a blind eye I think to reality. The problem here is....wait for it..WAIT FOR IT..

Need for Speed Pro Street. Frankly, these games should be rated M as far as I'm concerned for promoting illegal street racing. And no, I'm not joking. It's just that there's quite a few incidents locally over the last few years involving such racing. But I wouldn't recommend them to kids/families for that reason. Other racing games, sure. But not that IMO.

I thought they were rated T for this very reason. I remember Midnight Club II was rated T and listed glorifying illegal street racing as a reason. Though I haven't bought a street racing game since then, unless NFS: Underground came after that.

It isn't M, but I think it is fair. It may glorify street racing, but it also offers a safe alternative. ;)

[Johan]

I remember playing Phantasmagoria II when I was 15.

Parents. They care soooo much.

[Xerxes]

Parents. They care soooo much.

Welllll. I admit to my plans on being a parent who doesn't mind some M rated games. But it still depends. You have to know when your kid has issues and limits. I did get away with gaming like that, but I did have a older brother who wasn't all to about "raising". Ahhh, faces of death video.

I remember when I had to give my mom the talk about Mortal Kombat.

[YoungAlCapone]

Parents. They care soooo much.

I played mad M rated games as a kid, even with my mother's concern, and I turned out all right.

It was a different time though. I can remember the first time I ever saw an ESRB label, in Hollywood video trying to convince my mom to let me rent Beavis and Butthead for the SNES. I must have been 8 or 9 years old.

It didn't happen, but I do remember playing it not long after. The N64 and the PC though, man when I was in middle school did I ever play some M rated games on those.

And who could forget good ol' Conker, though I was like 16 by that point and bought it myself from Best Buy. I think it cost me 85 bucks.

[zizzy]

He has no idea what he's talking about - these are the games parents should really avoid:
http://www.megatonik.com/2007/12/05/megatoniks-10-games-parents-should-avoid-getting-their-children-this-christmas/

[Xerxes]

He has no idea what he's talking about - these are the games parents should really avoid:
http://www.megatonik.com/2007/12/05/megatoniks-10-games-parents-should-avoid-getting-their-children-this-christmas/

http://www.megatonik.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/kidonleash.jpg
http://s7ondemand6.scene7.com/is/image/Mothercare/lx0723

[Headcase]

I love that "at least in part", implying that indeed, 100% of the rise in gruesome crimes in Detroit is based on video games.

[ubartehbarbarian]

That 50 Cent game sounds pretty tight. Speaking of 50, did his last album flop?

[ubartehbarbarian]

So are they going to try and make us show our I.D.'s to buy violent video games? Do they card 15 year-olds who come in to buy Grand Theft Auto?

[ubartehbarbarian]

I think there should be an age restriction.... you must be 10 years of age to buy violent video games.

[YoungAlCapone]

So are they going to try and make us show our I.D.'s to buy violent video games? Do they card 15 year-olds who come in to buy Grand Theft Auto?

You have never had your ID checked? Almost everytime I buy a mature rated game from anywhere, be it Best Buy, Walmart, Target or EB I am carded these days. I think that I look older than 17.

I really think that is the only really viable route, I doubt you would see too many nerd going out of thier way to obtain a fake id and buy mature rated games. Except the real problem isn't that kids can buy these games, for the most part they do not have the money. The problem is that these kids are playing these games and then thier parents are freaking out and overreacting when they finally realize what thier kids are doing for fun.

[carnage11]

Parents. They care soooo much.


Well my mom understood that I was a very mature and intelligent person. She knew that I knew the difference between right and wrong and video games and real life. I was playing Mortal Kombat in the arcade when I was 11. I was watching Faces of Death, Traces of Death, etc. when I was early teens. Shit I've been watching porn since I was 12. (Yes Mortal Kombat came before porn for me.)

I'm adult now, have two kids of my own. I grew up just fine, never killed anyone, never shot down any teachers, did some experimenting with drugs but nothing to harsh (ie no heroin or anything like that). Of course when I was young, if I did anything wrong I got my ass whooped. That's the real problem with today's society. There is too much effort spent in protecting kids, there's no discipline anymore. Kids are allowed to run rampant anywhere, any time. It disgusts me. I see it everyday, these kids control their parents now, instead of the other way around.

Kids now-a-days know that if they do anything wrong they can just blame video games or movies, or whatever else kind of media. If a kid kills his friend then we blame media, no instead we need to blame the kid! Send that bastard to prison for murder, charge him as an adult!! If you do adult things you get adult consequences. If, at the age of 8, you can't tell the difference between a video game and real life you need to be put in a hospital! There's something seriously wrong with you!

[Ultima Thulian]

God of War
"A sea of unrelenting violence"

What an awesome, and accurate, description. Pure win.

Also, the article is lulzworthy for being so dated.

[ResistanceAddict]

You can save a lot of time by simply saying, "Parents, don't buy games that have a big 'M' in the corner because they should only be played by people 17+." Problem solved. But parents shouldn't need that. In all reality, some parents really don't care.