MCV

As far as I am concerned, the entire issue of violet (or other adult-related) games is entirely down to parents. I was working at GAME around the time of the original release of GTA Vice City. One of the main things made clear as part of initiation and training is that age ratings are there for a reason. If the person buying looks under age, ID them. Exactly the same as with films, alcohol and so on. We were told of the possible legal punishment for selling games to under age children.

However, if a parent is buying a game and it's obviously for their child, there is nothing we could do. The game is clearly marked of its content and with PEGI ratings, the content is very detailed, so ignorence on part of a parent is not really a valid excuse; if a film is rated 15, it'll have violence, swearing, sexual content or whatever. Games are no different and it's these parents trying to pass the buck that is causing all these uproars.

So, as far as I am concerned, it's not the fault of the games industry, not the fault of retail, but purely the fault of parents. I am not yet a parent, but my parents never let me buy games rated too old for me and I had to wait until I was 18 to buy Vice City, even though I worked at GAME.

I think every game should be rated using the BBFC system and there should be TV spots from the government/BBFC explaining the certificates - nothing too elaborate - just say an 18 cert logo appearing on screen and a statement stating it is a criminal offence to supply such a game or movie to someone under 18 even if they are your child. Then make sure storylines about it are in the major soaps - like a parent getting prosecuted for giving GTA to their offspring. That may finally get the message across. Then start prosecuting those flouting the law left, right and centre (and I don't mean reputable retailers here either - the staff do their best and I, myself had stood their explaining until i am blue in the face about the content of an 18 to unfit mothers giving Vice City to Jonny 7 year old.) Time the parents started getting shock tactic education. BTW I have 4 kids and they ain't allowed anywhere near a 15 or above.

We as an industry though need to support the retailers a lot more - its bad enough that the pay at retail level is utterly pathetic, but then to have to deal with abusive "customers" because you have to refuse them a game, or you try explaining the content of something with a massive BBFC 18 on the cover to parent buying it for a 10 year old, it's frankly a joke. Its a time the major retailers backed up their staff properly - no more excuses for lack of link radios being too expensive and the like. Supply of decent industry wide posters to put up in store making the certficates and the penalities clear would also help. The industry also needs to have a "think 21" attitude and communicate it. The certificate explanation boxes on the back of the games, blu-rays and DVDs also need to be supplemented with warnings (like those on cigarette boxes) with things like "IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO SUPPLY THIS ITEM TO ANYONE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE".

While we are on the subject it is currently an offence for someone under 18 to attempt to buy alcohol, but it isn't an offence for a 16 year old to try and buy a BBFC 18 game or movie - the emphasis is all on the retailer - that needs to change.

Unfortunately we live in a blame culture, one thats fueled by both the media and the Government who constantly alleviates everyone, epsecially parents, of any responsibilty for their actions. As long as video games are an easy target for this blame culture that Britain has embraced the Byron Report isn't going to make a damn bit of difference.

Fully agree above, parents should be prosecuted for allowing children to play adult games, just like you are when you buy alcohol for a minor.

I'm quite in favour of an announcement before the game, a bit like Australia does for films: "The following video entertainment product contains strong violence, gore and partial digital nudity [did someone say Mass Effect debacle?]. This title is not suitable for anyone under the age of [pause and WHOOMF of "18" logo flying to the front of the screen] eighteen. Protect your children (or some crap to that effect)."

It's a shame it's got to this stage but unfortunately you can't actually get a videogame to physically kick someone in the arse to wake them up and get some sense but this is pretty darned clear as far as it goes. Wouldn't take much to stick one of these little movie files to the beginning of each video game.

Down with the BBFC and all who sail in her.

And Mr Goblin sir, how would you rate games to make sure content doesn't get into the hands of those it isn't appropriate for, whilst maintaining the freedoms of adults?

Content will always get into those that are not an adults hands and there is absolutley nothing you can do about it, ever. The retailers can not be fined!

I completely agree with leveling the blame at the parents, afterall as a previous poster stated parents simply dont take the blame for anything anymore, it's always someone else that has made thier sibblings turn out the way they are and not them.

I also agree over stiff penalties for supplying rated material to minors, although this false reporting by teachers and everyone else in claiming that these titles are being targeted at them is twaddle, every game bar none that has had 'issues' shall we say is backed up not just with a PEGI rating but BBFC as well. While the retail areas do nearly everything they can, the law also needs to be imposed on the parents to back these abused retailers from a legal standpoint.

You don't see parents buying thier children, Debbie Does Dallas, SAW, Texas Chainsaw, or any one of a number of titles etc, so why games - probably because parents are still of the belief it's only a computer game - even if the ratings boxes outline similar content. If parents can see the difference between fantasy & reality then it's about time they taught thier children the same thing, or curtail thier habits until they do understand.

Can you suggest a better name than video 'game'?
Video ??????, Interactive Video?
That is the root of the problem!

Children can already buy SAW, DDD, Texas Chainsaw!!

"Children can already buy SAW, DDD, Texas Chainsaw!!"

Not in my shop they can't.


Although I haven't got a shop, to be fair.