46 percent of children can buy M-rated games - bit-tech.net Forums

CardJoe · 22nd Nov 2007, 10:10

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/11...-rated_games/1

An American study has just been released which shows that almost half of all children trying to buy an M-rated game are able to do so.

steveo_mcg · 22nd Nov 2007, 10:23

Before every one starts jumping up a down, remeber the ratings system in the US is not legaly enforced there for there is no motivation not sell the product to a minor. Unlike in the UK where the BBFC classifications ~~must~~ should be enforced but just aren't.

Mankz · 22nd Nov 2007, 10:45

I've allways been able, Doom 3 was the only game where they asked for ID..

Cptn-Inafinus · 22nd Nov 2007, 11:08

They let me buy Doom 3 when I was the tender age of 14. No questions asked.

I am a regular in that certain game shop, but in many other game shops i havent had a problem either!

LeMaltor · 22nd Nov 2007, 11:28

What is the point trying to enforce anything when the child can just go online and order what they want, or do they ID children online aswell?

steveo_mcg · 22nd Nov 2007, 11:34

No, but that's where the parents are supposed to step in!

Lazarus Dark · 22nd Nov 2007, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveo_mcg

No, but that's where the parents are supposed to step in!

46 percent of parents don't give a crap.

and 100 percent of complete jerkoffs are legally allowed to produce offspring.

Daniel114 · 22nd Nov 2007, 12:05

I had to get my dad out of work to buy me Duke Nukem 3d back in the day, and the guy at the store asked him if he knew the game was rated 18

DXR_13KE · 22nd Nov 2007, 12:35

when i was about 16 i got SOF from the super market and no one asked me for ID..... i had a beard at the time... so that helped, i think.

DeXtmL · 22nd Nov 2007, 13:50

Since these buying activities are not under supervising, it's generally hard to control or make a 100 persent sure that every kid is banned from buying those unsuitable games.
A 14 years old child may looks as if he has already reached a mature age, the shopkeepers could not judge his age by eyes, directly asking he about age would avails little ('cause he can tell lies), and it's virtually inpractice to have the buyer to show up some vouchers to prove their ages.
So, if a kid badly wants a game, there's no way to stop him from getting it. The same rule is also applied to the pirated copy. If a person wants pirated copy of certain software, i think currently there's no way to prevent it.
All these things grow in the dark corner that lacks certain extent of supervising.

Mentai · 22nd Nov 2007, 14:38

They're quite strict with age restrictions here in New Zealand. I remember going with my friend to get dungeon seige and it was R13. Even though we were in our high school uniforms they still wanted proof. They phoned my mum and asked my date of birth to see if it matched up with what I said. Pretty stupid imo, I've never known a 13yo kid to have ID.
Also, I've only been to one bar where they didn't ask for ID, they're supposed to ask unless you look over 25. I found it really odd lol, after being ID'd for every little thing for the past 6 years.

Anakha · 22nd Nov 2007, 15:05

Of course, generally most kids (Especially the underage ones who are more the target of this) get their games by pulling on a parent's arm and saying "I want this one", which the parent then purchases for them. You know, so that electronic babysitter (The TV/Games console) doesn't start getting boring for the kids and they start wanting attention.

Omnituens · 22nd Nov 2007, 16:10

I'm incredibly strict in the store i work at - i always ask for ID if there is the slightest hint that they are below the rating on the box - that goes right down to the 12+ games.

I'm covering my own backside - I dont want to get a criminal record.

Gravemind123 · 23rd Nov 2007, 03:07

46% seems like a really high number, I have never found a store that would. Even one day before my 17th birthday they still made me bring my mom in to vouch for the fact that I could buy Oblivion. Gamestop, EB Games, Game Crazy and Best Buy are all really strict about this, but I suppose some smaller chains or non-chain shops might have more lax rules about it.

Arkanrais · 23rd Nov 2007, 16:15

it doesnt sound so bad. I was able to buy alcohol a few times with my brothers birth certificate a few years back.

C-Sniper · 26th Nov 2007, 01:03

man.... i bought Half Life when i was 7 and wasn't asked for ID or anything.

DougEdey · 26th Nov 2007, 08:34

Does Gamestation even exist in the US?

22nd Nov 2007, 10:10	#1
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,988	46 percent of children can buy M-rated games http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/11...-rated_games/1 An American study has just been released which shows that almost half of all children trying to buy an M-rated game are able to do so. __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

22nd Nov 2007, 10:23	#2
steveo_mcg What owl? Join Date: May 2005 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 3,990	Before every one starts jumping up a down, remeber the ratings system in the US is not legaly enforced there for there is no motivation not sell the product to a minor. Unlike in the UK where the BBFC classifications ~~must~~ should be enforced but just aren't. __________________ No boom today, boom tomorrow... there's always a boom tomorrow.

22nd Nov 2007, 11:08	#4
Cptn-Inafinus Peanut Extrordinare! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Crieff, Scotland Posts: 399	They let me buy Doom 3 when I was the tender age of 14. No questions asked. I am a regular in that certain game shop, but in many other game shops i havent had a problem either! __________________ My Photography A few more of those

22nd Nov 2007, 11:28	#5
LeMaltor >^_^< Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: No. Posts: 1,397	What is the point trying to enforce anything when the child can just go online and order what they want, or do they ID children online aswell? __________________ Welcoming the riff-raff since February 2009.

22nd Nov 2007, 11:34	#6
steveo_mcg What owl? Join Date: May 2005 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 3,990	No, but that's where the parents are supposed to step in! __________________ No boom today, boom tomorrow... there's always a boom tomorrow.

22nd Nov 2007, 12:05	#8
Daniel114 Supermodder Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: England Posts: 408	I had to get my dad out of work to buy me Duke Nukem 3d back in the day, and the guy at the store asked him if he knew the game was rated 18

22nd Nov 2007, 12:35	#9
DXR_13KE Madeira's banana is the best!!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Madeira ; Portugal Posts: 6,476	when i was about 16 i got SOF from the super market and no one asked me for ID..... i had a beard at the time... so that helped, i think. __________________ *Renegade X - 0.40 Release!* <---- CLICK!

22nd Nov 2007, 13:50	#10
DeXtmL Modder Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 50	Since these buying activities are not under supervising, it's generally hard to control or make a 100 persent sure that every kid is banned from buying those unsuitable games. A 14 years old child may looks as if he has already reached a mature age, the shopkeepers could not judge his age by eyes, directly asking he about age would avails little ('cause he can tell lies), and it's virtually inpractice to have the buyer to show up some vouchers to prove their ages. So, if a kid badly wants a game, there's no way to stop him from getting it. The same rule is also applied to the pirated copy. If a person wants pirated copy of certain software, i think currently there's no way to prevent it. All these things grow in the dark corner that lacks certain extent of supervising. __________________ We are "netted" together!

22nd Nov 2007, 14:38	#11
Mentai Supermodder Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 493	They're quite strict with age restrictions here in New Zealand. I remember going with my friend to get dungeon seige and it was R13. Even though we were in our high school uniforms they still wanted proof. They phoned my mum and asked my date of birth to see if it matched up with what I said. Pretty stupid imo, I've never known a 13yo kid to have ID. Also, I've only been to one bar where they didn't ask for ID, they're supposed to ask unless you look over 25. I found it really odd lol, after being ID'd for every little thing for the past 6 years.

22nd Nov 2007, 15:05	#12
Anakha Supermodder Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Regina, SK, Canada Eh! Posts: 395	Of course, generally most kids (Especially the underage ones who are more the target of this) get their games by pulling on a parent's arm and saying "I want this one", which the parent then purchases for them. You know, so that electronic babysitter (The TV/Games console) doesn't start getting boring for the kids and they start wanting attention. __________________ Robert "Anakha" Johnston Going to Canada on Nov 28th! I'm going home!

22nd Nov 2007, 16:10	#13
Omnituens Supermodder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stockport Posts: 412	I'm incredibly strict in the store i work at - i always ask for ID if there is the slightest hint that they are below the rating on the box - that goes right down to the 12+ games. I'm covering my own backside - I dont want to get a criminal record. __________________ Current Rig: i7 D0 2.66GHz, 6GB 1066MHz Corsair "Dominator", 285 GTX.

23rd Nov 2007, 03:07	#14
Gravemind123 avatar not found Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Elmhurst, IL, USA Posts: 1,772	46% seems like a really high number, I have never found a store that would. Even one day before my 17th birthday they still made me bring my mom in to vouch for the fact that I could buy Oblivion. Gamestop, EB Games, Game Crazy and Best Buy are all really strict about this, but I suppose some smaller chains or non-chain shops might have more lax rules about it. __________________ E4400 - Asus P5B-Plus - Antec NeoHE 500 - 4GB OCZ SLI XTC - EVGA 8800GT - 250GB WD + 320GB Seagate Lian-Li PC-61 - Zalman Cooling - Creative GigaWorks T20 - AG Neovo M-17 Dell XPS M1330 - T8300 - 4GB Ram - 8400M GS - 250GB HDD

23rd Nov 2007, 16:15	#15
Arkanrais Supermodder Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wangamadness, New Zealand Posts: 331	it doesnt sound so bad. I was able to buy alcohol a few times with my brothers birth certificate a few years back. __________________ Visit my DeviantArt page or I'll make you squeal like a piggy and throw a spatula at you. FEAR THE SPATULA! What the hell part of a chicken is the nugget?! goddamn McDonalds and their LIES!

26th Nov 2007, 08:34	#17
DougEdey I pwn all your storage Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 13,933	Does Gamestation even exist in the US? __________________ Burnout: Paradise Stats!XBL: DougEdey Bindi PSN ID: DougEdey Twitter