You see, that's bullshit. Censorship in general is bullshit. To refuse a company the right to sell a product is just utter nonsense. Why deny stores the chance to make that money, especially in these economic times? Bleh. Slap a hard rating on it. Like an M rating here in the state. Make it where no minor can buy the game. After you turn 18 (or whatever the age is in Australia) they really have no right to deny you anything.

Are you crazy? Violent games are the entire reason that people are violent in the first place. Don't you listen to those censorship groups? It's not a parenting problem or anything. Nooooooo. It's the games.

Fuck. If I imitated the games I played, I'd have been sniping aliens with friggin' laser beams every day for the last 6 years.

If I imitated the games I play, I'd be rolling around a giant sticky ball, gathering miscellaneous items to create stars.

Gotta love Katamari. ^_^

Of course. You forgot to mention that video games also caused violence before wars even existed. This was due to the expectation of video games.

While I don't think games should be censored, I do think that parents should be responsible in what they let their kids play. My nephew was epic at FPS before he even learned to read. Something about that just seems... wrong.

BWAHAHAHAHHHAAAAA


Last Edit: Sept 21, 2009 16:10:11 GMT by PrincessPeach

Ummm... I know I'm in the minority but why do people want a chainsaw weapon?

In Zombie Panic: Source, people want chainsaws and lawnmowers. That's just too bloody/gory for me.

:/

I'm with Josh, censorship should be in it's self BANNED! Why go by physical age, when an 18 year old sociopath could quite easily by an M title (if s/he is of age)? I say go by mental stability, not age.

I know I hate living in the UK and all our stupid laws, but hell, we don't have BBFC censorship anymore. A four year old can now legally buy FEAR 2.

Mental stability is something a little bit harder to verify than age. Not too mention, I'd rather have the sociopath playing the game than out on the streets.

Which is exactly why I DON'T think games cause violence. It's a substitute to actual violence.

Yes, but for children it's a quick way to learn extreme forms of violence. Without seeing those forms of violence, children would have no notion of their existence.

Honestly, if we copied the games we played, everyone would be locked in dark rooms, eating glowing pellets, while being chased around by ghosts.

Sure glad the world isn't like that.

@ Luci:
I understand where you're coming from. But on a more medical level, if someone 'needs' that substitute, they should probably be being substituted in a controlled environment. I do believe that certain games can have adverse effects on some, more impressionable people; while I also believe that the press and various 'groups' do their best to blame games.

@ Eric:
I don't think we should censor violence to children, I'd rather my child learn that carjackings are OK, as long as they are kept in GTA (and then I'd be able to pass on my legendary police evasion...), and in that context while reiterating that this behavior is wholly unacceptable in the real world.

Summary:
Would I let my 8 year old (I'm not a parent yet) play Grand Theft Auto? Yes. As long as s/he is educated that it is wrong to do the things common in which ever fictitious city GTA is set in by then.

Would I let my 8 year old (still not a parent) play F.E.A.R. No. I do not believe that there is sufficient neurological development in an 18 year old, let alone an 8 year old to comprehend the theme of that game.

I would make an assessment based on the theme of the game as opposed to what the censors say. They don't know my child, how can they determine his/her level of maturity or ability to understand these themes? As I say, I'm not a parent, and my views may change over time or in the coming of fatherhood. I'm gonna quit rambling before my Custom Title mysteriously changes to 'Forum Windbag'.