There are so many games to choose from out there. If you enjoy shooting things, or stabbing things, or building things, or creating civilizations – whatever you like there is a game within which to do it. Of course there is a big focus on violent games, but Consumer Reports is approaching this totally backwards.
Consumer Reports lists the five most violent games of 2014, but they use the worst ever tag-line: “Adults might enjoy these games, but keep them far away from your young children!” The article goes on to say:
As much fun as some grownups may have playing violent and profane video games (and as you can probably tell from the reviews below, I’m one of them!), some games should never come anywhere near your kids. We picked five of the most grievous offenders. All are rated M for Mature by the ESRB.
Take a look at our story, “5 top video games for kids,” for more appropriate gifts. And visit our guide to video game consoles, tech toys, and kid tablets for plenty of advice and reviews.
These games are already rated M for Mature – why would you even consider buying them for your kids? Sure, some games are violent, but that’s why they get a rating so that parents don’t buy them for kids who are too young. Somehow, they manage to get even more idiotic with the list itself.
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Watch Dogs
- The Evil Within
- Assassin’s Creed Unity
- Sunset Overdrive
Have they actually looked at the games released this year? Sure, GTA will also be on these kinds of lists, and The Evil Within certainly is gory and graphic. But Sunset Overdrive? I’d put something like Shadow of Mordor higher on a list than Watch Dogs – some of those animations are seriously gruesome. They’re awesome, and you’re killing what are clearly bad guys, but it’s still not appropriate for children. Or how about Wolfenstein?
This is clearly just a list of easily targeted games that have nothing to do with violence or children, but just stirring controversy. Shame on you Consumer Reports – what a way to throw away your credibility.
Last Updated: December 12, 2014
Brian Murphy
December 12, 2014 at 19:18
Honestly, the entire article coming from CR is astounding. They’re traditionally there to evaluate the quality/longevity of a product. The substance of the content has never really been anything they’ve focused on. I agree Zoe, shame on them, clearly agenda driven horseshit.
The entire article could be summed up to ESRB ratings mean something, parents, don’t be dipshits. The sad thing is, they missed a very real and great opportunity to critique the quality/functionality of games during an era when such a report could be very well received, and used to send a very necessary message to developers about not launching broken games.
Unfortunately, as is always the case, this also assumes that your average VG buyer, actually reads consumer report style magazines, and would actually reciprocate by not purchasing a title…and I think we’ve all identified that unless it’s a new IP, that just isn’t going to happen.
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 21:28
Its a healthy democracy. Like South African politics, the more people debate bad behavior in parliament the healthier our nation is. Shits Fucked. 🙂
Brian Murphy
December 12, 2014 at 21:32
The problem I have with it is that Consumer Reports expects parents to read this, when parents can’t even be bothered to read ESRB ratings (or whatever the overseas counterpart is) that are listed on the box itself. And I find that to be rather troubling.
As I said though, it’s also an opportunity lost, in my opinion, because Consumer Reports could fill a void with regards to reporting on games that are broken at launch, and that’s something I think the industry needs (above and beyond gaming websites). CR is a pretty well respected org (prior to this article) in the US, and quite a few people read their write-ups. I just think this is sensationalist trash for a demographic of people who weren’t going to bother reading it anyway.
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 21:33
How the fcuk did you type that so quickly? Hold on, I still have to read it.
Brian Murphy
December 12, 2014 at 21:42
I type really fast 😀 We’ve had PC’s in our house since I was a wee li’l one (like…29-30 years ago). So, I’ve had plenty of practice. Plus, subjects such as these are pretty near and dear to my heart, so I generally have much of what I’m going to say formulated in my brain before I even start typing.
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 21:50
I had a fat gameboy… still have it. Tetris still works fine while Im on the BOG. But my spelling sufferd
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 21:37
I understand your anger. I was about to write a whole lot of drunk type but realised that I have been just as frustrated. CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT. IT ENRAGED ME.
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 21:39
Poor Geof ROFL BEFORE he became Dorritos head.
Brian Murphy
December 12, 2014 at 21:40
Watching Fox News for any amount of time is an exercise in futility, and how long you can restrain yourself from punching your TV. I would suggest against it. I would then go on to suggest avoiding any America based news network, since they’re basically playing partisan politics and sensationalist journalism.
The only news worth listening to in the US these days is NPR, and even then, they have some stuff I genuinely disagree with, however, they do make me think, and they’re generally very truthful (plus, they play the BBC at night, so that’s a bonus).
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 21:47
The point is Evolution of sensatization. Here they are going off a bit of side boob in mass effect while ROCKSTARS marketing department understood that all news is good news from a marketing perspective. When Clinton banned GTA San Andreas over the HOT COFFEE scandel to this momths re-release of last years game.
Fuack Im drunk but you understand.
What Im trying to say is No BOdy Give A FUCK.
If ROCKSTAR re-release GTAV “AGAIN” This time next year it would gather even more subjication. And that is what they want.
People forgett quickly and the more public attention our hooby gets the more it will cath up to the only medium that has never been surpased… pornography.
fUCK THE SPELL CHECK/ Im saving my hangover for the LG meet up at the river club tommmmorow/
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 12, 2014 at 21:50
Indoor sunglasses wearing hipster… CHECK
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 21:51
YOU KNOW IT 😉
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 21:53
Do the peasants need to pay for our overlords drinks?
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 12, 2014 at 21:54
You don’t need to pay for a glass of water 😛
Mark Treloar
December 13, 2014 at 08:52
It’s FOX, they are the Comedy Central of News, not to be taken seriously.
Kromas, Guardian of Cenarius
December 12, 2014 at 19:22
I call BS. This OBVIOUSLY came from Fox News. 😛
Michael Matusowsky
December 12, 2014 at 20:59
Assassin’s Creed Unity? Seriously? LELELELELELE.
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 21:23
J_Joestar
December 12, 2014 at 21:24
it would be better off teaching parents to actually pay attention to rating when purchasing stuff for their younger kids.
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 21:25
The baby boomers will all die out eventually THE EXACT SAME THING THEY SAID when their parents hoped Elvisis Elvis thrust would die out.
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 21:59
You know what ZOE, I do not blame them. 98% of our Hobby revolves around eradicating some form of object. Partly the reason why we have canines in our mouths.
My go to game during lunch break is PROJECT DIVE on the vIta. A Guitar Hero est Japanese Karaoke casual game. Full of positive energy and fun by the boys and girls from SEGA.
ENJOY 🙂 I WANT SOS SO SO SO MUCH MORE OF THIS I WISH I WAS JAPANESE. TOO MUCH VIOLENCE MAN.
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 22:01
I DONT WANT TO KILL SHIT ALL OF THE TIME.
oVg elfroot slayer
December 12, 2014 at 22:04
We need more games like this
Raptor Rants A Lot
December 13, 2014 at 05:13
Ok, so while sitting here contemplating this post while feeding the little one I’ve decided that personally I actually think CR is good.
Far too often articles go from one extreme to the next. It’s either video games are bad or video games are good.
This one shoots nicely down the middle. Clearly someone, somewhere thought “Hey, it’s about time we get to the core of the issue…. Parents and the fact that there are ratings which they ignore”
So they go on to list some games and indicate that Mature actually means adult. Lets face it, how many parents pick up a game, see M for mature and think “Well little Timmy is mature”
And this report does it so nicely. Yes the games are violent and the writer indicates that he/she actually enjoys these games.
Could the CR have had more research in to what games are violent? Sure. A little bit of research would have added more credibility to the article. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that here we have a level headed article that places the responsibility where it belongs: Squarely with the parents.
Zoe, you go to say in your article:
“These games are already rated M for Mature – why would you even consider buying them for your kids? Sure, some games are violent, but that’s why they get a rating so that parents don’t buy them for kids who are too young”
and while I agree it’s idiotic to buy an M rated game for a young kid, the fact is this is happening all over. Parents are letting their young kids play the likes of GTA and Evil Within. They see Lord of the Rings and think “Oh the movies weren’t that bad surely the game can’t be either” then let little Timmy play. Killing all the orcs and what not. This is not suitable for little Timmy but he’s playing it. Why? Because parents DON’T seem to actually grasp what the ratings are for.
So someone finally pointing this out is a good thing. I wish more of the media would call it out. Just like the CR and just like you did. You called it idiotic. More media should be calling it straight out idiotic. It is time that parents realise what it is they are doing so that they can stop blaming kid violence in the world on games and rather start helping prevent that kid snapping by not simply buying them all the M rated games.
On top of the media calling it idiotic, there needs to be some education as well. Education on what the ratings mean, education on what alternatives there are in regards to games etc.
I find it a breath of fresh air that they went and called it what it is. Violent games. They are violent (well not all their list but they made their point) and they are ADULT mediums. That doesn’t mean they aren’t fun for adult entertainment. In fact they are quite fun as adult entertainment. But there are alternatives. There are age appropriate games.
So in closing, Zoe, I don’t disagree with you that saying what they did in the CR is badly researched and seems redundant, but I do feel the CR is a step in the right direction. A step towards education instead of the blame game that is so popular nowadays.
Can the list that was posted stir controversy, absolutely. But where is it going to stir it? Mainly the gaming community who look at the list and go.. Huh? Really? Sunset Overdrive?
Perhaps as the gaming community we could assist places like the CR to better understand the industry. When they better understand they can write more in-depth articles. More in-depth articles will mean better educated readers and hopefully a change in parent’s view on where exactly responsible gaming lies
Captain Bob of the Blood Raven
December 13, 2014 at 09:15
AAARG! Is it really murder if we kill the stupids? I hate it how certain groups are so hung up about video games. I can guarantee you that each of these people have 18+ dvd’s and movies in their home and they don’t pay that much attention to them. Just let the kids watch what they want on TV but no video games because the research show it makes you unable to distinguish between reality and fiction. What about all the other studies that say it’s better for cognitive and motor skills?
I do agree its up to the parents to monitor and control what kids play. “Kids aren’t supervised all the time” – true but when they are home you should pay attention to what they are doing and also raise them to respect what you say. Perhaps, as a parent, you should get off your ass a bit and actually take an interest in your kids lives. Maybe actually play the games with them?
Sigh, so much rage so early in the morning. I’m going off to carry out the will of the Emperor.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2014 at 08:10
I don’t see any problem with that article; actually I think it’s quite good. It’s written for parents who don’t know about video games, and who might buy one for their kids. It points out the ratings & tells them why it’s probably not a good idea for their kids based on content in the game. It doesn’t make any moral judgments.
THIS seems more like an oversensitive reaction to an inoffensive piece. “Don’t buy this game for your kids” seems pretty reasonable to me.
Rags
December 15, 2014 at 09:32
Lol, their report is so 90’s. These days consumer reports should say how offensive it is to women and other special snowflakes.
Quo Vadis?
December 15, 2014 at 09:44
This is a topic that should cut both ways. I remember when I was younger, the age restriction was strictly enforced. Movies were a little strict, but I think it did help in a way. My cousin had just come back from the border, and he was not allowed to go and see “an officer and a gentleman”. He was 19, lived through a war, saw death and combat, but he couldn’t watch a movie with a 21 age restriction. Be that as it may, as much as it is the responsibility of the reviewing boards to place age restrictions on viewing or entertainment material, it is also the responsibility of the guardians and parents to make sure that children do not watch or play said material. If the age restriction says no one under 16 or 18, then the parents need to enforce that. Plain and simple.