Post by leunas on Dec 19, 2006 16:22:25 GMT -5
Excuse me for this aside, but I had an experience during my Christmas shopping that I found somewhat troubling and I wanted to get your thoughts. This experience, while brief and seemingly innocent, I couldn't stop replaying.
While shopping at a West Hollywood EBgames, a couple who looked to be in their late-30s bellied up to the register, two PSP games and various accessories in hand.
Those two games just happened to be Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. Both are violent, M-rated games, loaded with adult content. The ESRB lists the objectionable content as: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs.
As the couple—who just happened to be non-native English speakers—were about to complete the transaction, having suffered through the extended warranty and strategy guide sleaze-pitches and given their total, the clerk chimed in with, "Oh. One thing I should tell you. These games are rated "M" which means that they're for a mature audience. They're pretty violent."
His counter buddy chimed in with "Yeah. You shoot people. Kill prostitutes. Run over people with cars."
This seemed to give the couple pause. From my late in the game observations, I assumed they were the parents, dutifully checking off two ticks on their son's Christmas list. They scanned the cover art. Flipped over the cases. Looked eachother in the eye. The confused stare implied "Prostitutes? Murder? What?" They seemed bewildered that this was that kind of game.
The clerk continued, "I have to tell you this. Our policy is that we won't sell M-rated games to anyone under 17. And, given the controversy over these games, you should know."
The couple merely looked confused. What were they to do now? They clearly were not aware of what they were buying, but they seemed like they were concerned about what they'd just heard. Did they speak enough English to understand what they were being sold? Still, there were over $120 worth of purchases waiting to be completed.
Clerk started up again. "Although, I will say that these games are noticeably less violent than some of the others. It's really not that bad." What flowed seemed like a series of softening blows. It's not that bad. There are much more violent games. You want it?
Was this even my business? Were these people being thoroughly instructed on what they were about to buy?
As I type this out, it reads much more like the employee was doing the right thing. Or at least the thing he was begrudgingly obligated to do. He didn't want to lose this sale. He'd roped them into an extra seven bucks worth of extended warranties. Pure profit. No grief from his manager.
It made me wonder: To what extent should a retail employee go to instruct parents, grandparents, guardians or any responsible adult party on what ESRB ratings mean? At what point during the transaction should this occur? Should the ESRB employ representatives or seek volunteers during the holidays to instruct once-per-year game purchases about their rating system?
I'm not sure what the answer is (although, I've always flirted with the idea of stationing myself at a Best Buy or Gamestop for a few hours during the Christmas shopping season, just to see how many clueless parents I could inform on the ESRB ratings), but I have a sinking feeling that these two particular folks had no idea what they were really getting themselves into.
How would you have handled the situation? I've occasionally interrupted a specialty retailer employee who was handing out false or misleading information to a customer. However, I have never helped a stranger to better understand the ESRB ratings, which sometimes I regret.
What do you think? Should gamers who know better speak up at a time when they feel someone isn't being led down the right path?
www.kotaku.com/gaming/ebgames/how-should-game-ratings-be-explained-to-parents-222785.php