Age classification on games

[Haviland]

I've been listening to Iain and Peter play assorted games.

Everyone in Iain's class (13/14) has CoD, GTA IV and so on.

I'm listening to Peter playing CoD behind me with the XBox Live chat - no-one sounds more that 12 years old.

So, good luck with that... http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page21348

[boabyfett]

totally

the chattering political classes have convinced themselves this is an issue that will win parental support. problem is no one gives a stuff about age ratings. the kids (which is really teenagers) should be able to tell fantasy from reality or the should be boxed up and sent to umerica really, it will win them fuck all votes, and daily mail readers all vote tory anyway. uggg /rantoff

[Haviland]

It's madness - Playing GTA doesn't make you a mad killer any more than Championship Manager makes you Alex Feguson's successor or Daley Thompson's Olympic Games makes you a decathalete.

[Mortorin]

Yeah, all Daley Thompson's ever done for me was cost me a fortune in joysticks and give me RSI

[boabyfett]

I always kept a wet cloth for my arm during the 1500 meters.

i was under ten so hadnt developed forearms. ahem.

[Dunwa]

They can stick anything they want on the box, but if parents buy the game(s) for their kids what can you do. I have to say playing COD online, I do feel like i'm in an episode of Alvin and the Chipmunks with all the highpitched voices

[Corm]

The same rules that apply to films should be applied to games via a similar rating system. It should be enforceable in the exact same way. The fact that it is a game doesnt mean it cant be an "adult" game or a Mature teen game or whatever. Ultimate responsibility lies with the parents though. I watched 18's when I was about 10+ and new at the time it was fantasy (specifically Firday the 13th, Mad Max, Rambo, Rockey and Nightmare on Elm street). But thats not the point is it? The point is that the few freaks that do flip out and blame games or whatever would have went mental anyway.

Cant remember which one but whatever notorious US serial Killer (Gacy? Dhamer?) said porn made him do it and twisted him never ever looked at porn he just said it to have his sentence reduced a bit, the right wing numpties in the USA trot that one out (that porn made him do it) all the time and in fact it was a crazy bible bashing grandfather that made him that way...anyhoos...

[Haviland]

I was having a discussion with one of my team about this - particularly http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8373794.stm this story about war games allowing virtual war crimes to be comitted. Well, duh... And Left 4 Dead allows you to commit marr murder against a new form of life.

In my day, back when the world was black and white, it was the violence in Tom and Jerry cartoons. Seriously.

[Corm]

I could quote Bill Hicks here but im sure we all feel the same. People, especially as we become more "umerikanised" (even used a non word there its happened to me already!), always need a scape goat for their own failings and all it takes to start them off is a tabloid scuzz ball looking for an easy knee jerk headline.

[boabyfett]

yea !!!

to quote chris rock "whater happened to crazy?"

i wish i was a billionaire, with a spare planet, then i could sort it all out.