A New Site that Rates Video Games for Content

I'm curious to know people's reaction to this rating site that is just starting to rate the "controversial" content in video games. I've seen sites before that examine the content in movies this closely, but I've never seen this kind of analysis done for games.

The games listed are more console-oriented than PC-oriented so far. Still, it's an interesting concept.

Warning: some of the descriptions of what goes on in the games is itself graphic and explicit.

I think it is useful for parents to know. Imagine having older children who get hold of one of these and a younger sibling picks it up?? Ewww!! Thats why I like the pc's where I can see em so I can check what is being played

I guess its good for parents who want to know what their children are playing. And the site sure does describe in detail whats going on in the game.

Well that was amusing. The description of Fable says:

I wonder if you can get skin cancer in the game from repeatedly overtanning. I'll bet they forgot that part.

Hmmm. They claim to be impartial, but in the description of the violence in Fable, I detect a bit of sarcasm that might be more appropriate for a review. A statement of the facts without the side comments is probably what parents need. I will be interested to see how games I have played are rated. I think it's a good idea if done well.

I think it's a useful site also. One just has to trust their own judgement as well as the review they read.

There are several games rated there that I wouldn't want kids playing.

Melanie

I can not say that a site rating games for it's contents is something I have been waiting for. But it might serve a purpose for some.

As I see it, the only way to know what the kids are playing is to play with them. Not all the time or every time but once in a while. I have two boys, 7 and 9 years old, and I know what they are playing and keep myself updated on what kind of games they as well as their friends really love to play.

Cheers

In some way I feel that we all ready have had this "discussion" years ago when VHS video violence were on the pages in papers all over.

Some people would rather sit through a root canal than play video games along with their kids. In other words, they just won't do it. At least the site gives a better idea of what a game is about than the very vague ratings on the game case.

I agree, Jenny100. There are some games to which root canal is preferable.

With the exception of Mortal Kombat, I'm glad that such games simply weren't very popular among kids when mine were young. When my sons were teens, Dungeons and Dragons (board game)made a big comeback.

I don't know about now but most of my kids' and their friends simply weren't interested even though they all owned consoles of one kind or another (usually Nintendo). It was more about mastering moves, cheats, and "winning" which meant to get through the game and they were ready to move on to the next game. Ask them about content and it's right over their heads.

My oldest son had Mortal Kombat which his Dad bought for him but he sold the game and got something else. His favorite game back then was Myst. It really held his attention and the phrase "getting through the game" took on a whole new meaning. Thats how I got roped into adventure games in a big way.

It would be good if parents had a place where they could look into actual content. That is, of course, if they know AND if they bother to do it.

Well, the ESRB rating and the description of what the rating entails on the game packaging - that seems pretty descriptive to me. The ratings, the specifics of the ratings (back of the box), and the description of what the game is about - all that makes what's in the game quite clear. Another ranking site is fine, but we already have excellent descriptions of game content.

Here's the link to the ESRB ratings at Amazon US, including the extra description of the ratings that is provided.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/71576/002-3436149-7568038

On the US Amazon site, I just looked up everyone's favorite game to complain about - Grand Theft Auto - I looked at Grand Theft Auto:Vice City. It was very clear what the game was about, and what would be questionable for younger viewers.

On the Grand Theft Auto games - pity about the subject matter. From everything I've read, the GTA games are superb at open ended gameplay, really fun to play, and you get to do a variety of things, including some innocuous things such as riding around in a car. Since almost no game is good at open ended gameplay, I think that other game developers could learn a heck of a lot from the GTA game design.

This is a good thread. So far this topic is not about how bad other game genres are. I think that's great. There are plenty of adventure gamers who also play other game genres.

MSZV, I appreciate your comments from a gamers point of view... BUT in this instance I am taking the Parents viewpoint.

I am lucky in that I can see what our son is playing, his PC is just feet away from mine and I can veto any time I want.

Most parents don't have that luxury. I want XXXXX game.. OK, save up you can have it. Parents need to be able to have an idea what their children are asking for

I've seen that before and it is just too vague.
They also tend to lump bad language, violence, and sex into one category. And how intense is "more intense?" I'd rather have specific examples listed.

Have they rated more than those 5 example games, by the way?