Christmas Shopping for Video Games? Respect the Ratings
This video was produced by The Church at Chapel Hill for a weekend message by Dave Divine entitled, “When Virtual Meets Reality.” Also, thanks to store manager Terrell for his support.
Video games such as Modern Warfare 2, Grand Theft Auto, Halo’s ODST, & Assassins Creed will top many Christmas lists this holiday season. Millions of units will be sold for $60 a pop. This is a serious industry and a major part of our culture, and not just with the youth. In fact, the average gamer is now 35 years old. Seems the little boy has grown up… or has he?
As the gamers grew up, so did the content. Its not all Ninja Turtles or Super Mario any more. Its not even limited to the mischief of Bart Simpson. Games designated “M” for “Mature” can be expected to contain explicit adult language, up close graphic violence, and/or very strong sexual content. Yes, they show it all on what was once deemed a child’s toy. Needless to say, we are now responsible for filtering this form of entertainment.
I know that many of my readers still play some video games, myself included. If asked, most of us would agree that we should respect the established ratings and not expose young kids to adult content. Even Lazlo Jones, a creator of Grand Theft Auto, said, “If you let your child play this game, you’re a bad parent.” Obviously, the games target a whole different audience. Its not simply for the kiddos anymore. Again, the average gamer is now 35.
So, let’s talk beyond the ratings. Where do you draw the line personally? Does “mature” content matter to someone of adult age? Do you filter your entertainment, not just video games, but also movies or music? I’m curious. Reply below.
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Professionally? I'm Chest deep in Church Online, Pastoring, & Productions at The Church at Chapel Hill. This blog is a Behind the Scenes view of my life of faith, family, & leadership. I'm Daniel Mosley. I love meeting new people and ask that you please introduce yourself.
The headings across the top should give you a good idea of what I blog about. I'm an on-the-go kinda guy & the iPhone is my weapon of choice. Expect engaging videos & photos.
Chapel Hill Internet Campus
I'm an avid gamer, having played FPS games competitively and even covered them via play by play broadcasting back in the day when shoutcasting was cutting edge media. My games now are filtered by interest. Games that encourage me to explore immorality have zero interest for me.
I do play violent games but they land in the arena of "Batman: Arkham Asylum" where you are trying to be a hero. I enjoy games along those lines.
As a pastor, I look at the storyline behind all the media I watch. I run it through the same grid of how to read my Bible. What is the author (or in this case, the director of whatever I'm watching) trying to say? What is the central idea? Does that idea mesh with Scripture?
Having said that, there are some things that I just can't stomach. Horror movies like Saw are too much for me. I need to guard my thoughts from that kind of visual experience.
TLDR version: I can filter most things using similar tools used in Bible study, but when those images from shows/games/movies begin to dominate my decision making or imagination, I need to pull back.
Brian, thanks for your feedback. Sounds like you have a healthy approach to media entertainment. That's particularly important for a pastor. The recent message series @chapelhill have challenged me to step my game up a bit… (catch the pun?)
I have to agree with @brianrfrench for the most part, its about what the game is trying to say, whats the point/message of this ? for instance once game I love that even had a sequel was Fable /Fable 2..the concept that you develop not just a characters skills but their personality and their sense of morality by the choices they make in their actions and conversations is a very powerful concept. There are some games though , those like the GTA ones that seem to encourage acts that are not only morally questionable but if done in real life would be illegal….so I filter my gaming interactions based on that perspective. If we are willing to commit actions or make choices that we don't do now in real life just becuase its fantasy , because we think no one will know/ is watching , I feel it says something about a persons character …thats my personal opinion anyways
thanks for the feedback Lee.
I am an avid gamer as well. I am also a Christian and take a close look at any media that I put into my brain.
Most of the Games I play are rated M for mature. I would never , however, touch a title such as GTA4. My point being, M rated games are like a PG-13 or R rated movie. I have been absolutely apalled by the content of some pg-13 movies, and have absolutely loved some R rated movies.
But the thing any parent NEEDS to do, is check on some website like "what they play". These website are like Parental content advisories for Video Games. Check out these websites and not just "oh, its rated T it must be fine" or "He is almost 17, he'll be fine with that M-rated game" Also, these sites will make you aware of the fact that some M-Rated games have options to turn off language and blood.
As an 18-year-old guy, I could technically go into any store and buy whatever game or rent whatever movie I wanted. I don't, however….and much like @brianrfrench I run it all though a "grid".
IMHO, they are way too violent. Some of the stuff my 7 year old grandson sees/wants, which is mild by comparison, is too much for me. Aside from the pure violence and gore, almost all of them have a demonic-like aspect, too. For me, that is over the top. The zombie/ghost/doom stuff is not welcome in my house in any shape or form. I think we need to take a stand. But some call me an old fuddy-duddy, too.
Most of the adult games I play contain enough fantasy to make the situations just silly enough to not make a huge impact on the kids. For example, when I got my first PS2, it was the Silent Hill series that drew me. The second one was awesome. And killing Pyramid Head is just so much fun. But it's also fantasy. There is no Pyramid Head, and no one can wield a sword that big, so it's just some mindless fun. We like to make fun of the games, in fact; exactly how DOES James carry all that crap around?!
But as my teen got older, there were other games that came just too close to reality. Certain games, like True Crime (IIRC), seemed to reward being violent or lacking in responsibility. Sure the meter went red and the cops chased you down, but the boys seemed to be having a bit too much fun running away from them and leaving mayhem in their wake. We put the kabosh on those sorts of games real quick . . .
I’m a hardcore gamer which means I like to stay up ontop of the gaming info such as release dates and new content. This christmas the main game if the year will be Modern Warfare 2 I have already purchused this game and the raiting is M for mature and (I’m 24 yr of age) this game also has onljne multiplayer so I know for a fact that there are plenty of kids under the age of 17 maybe even 13 who play this game and to make it worse there is a level or a mission so to say which you do have the option to skip with no harm to you score at the end (spoiler alert) this mission has you and other AI guys walk thru a crowded airport with machine guns and explosives shoring and killing inocent civilians that mission alone has moved gaming to while new level with the actual gameplay. Along with grand theft auto these games if bought for a kid under the age of 17 the parents need to know what game their kids are playing.