17 percent of GTA IV buyers underage

http://uk.gamestracker.com/int/gonews.asp?idu=9990496

Research published by Nielson Games claims that around 17 percent of gamers who've bought the 18-rated GTA IV were underage, with parents pegged as the biggest facilitators.

Despite the ratings systems in place, 61 percent of the younger gamers aged between seven and 16 managed to buy the game for themselves. Of the remaining 39 percent, the vast majority got the game from their parents.

The Neilson report (via GameDaily) blames parents' lack of knowledge for the large number of mature games that still find their way into younger gamers' collections, but also notes that some parents (like ours) simply approve of their young'uns playing such games.

We've been playing FPS games since we had milk teeth, and haven't killed anyone in real life.

Why is it that people think just because its a game means they can sell an adult rated game to a child, wouldnt be the same for a 18-rated porn movie. And the parents must be dumbass chavs, for buying the game for their kids.

Pester power has always been a very powerful thing, and with all the advertising the game received, it's hardly surprising that kids wanted it.

Basically, the only way to stop kids wanting your game is to stop advertising it, which ultimately is bad for sales.

I expected more

I think sometimes the age ratings are used more as a guide to the content of the game. I was playing GTAIII at the age of 13/14, because my parents knew I was mature enough to know it was simply a game.

On the other hand, less whiney 12yo's on XBL would be good

Minty14 wrote:
On the other hand, less whiney 12yo's on XBL would be good

It's always gobby Manchunians on when I play GTA on Live.

Oh, and Yanks who hide round corners to snipe instead of just running about and having a laugh like you're meant to.

Halo 3 seems to be the worse place for whiney young Yanks in my experience.

"Anyone wanna help me with achievements?" :evil:

Cyburn2 wrote:And the parents must be dumbass chavs, for buying the game for their kids.

Why are you sniping at "chavs" dude?

Cyburn2 wrote:And the parents must be dumbass chavs, for buying the game for their kids.

Thanks Cyburn.

Oh who cares, it's not irresponsible for a teenager to play GTA (I do), because not everyone is a homicidal maniac like this strawberry float:

It's up to parents to decide whether their children are mature enough to play an 18 rated game.

I was playing 18 rated games when I was 10, and look how I turned out.

chalkitdown wrote:I was playing 18 rated games when I was 10, and look how I turned out.

I call for an instant ban on all 18 rated games. We just cannot take the risk again.

What I would love to know is how it's possible for a buyer of a game in the USA to be "underage" given that the country has no law against the sale of violent games to children.

FishFingers wrote:What I would love to know is how it's possible for a buyer of a game in the USA to be "underage" given that the country has no law against the sale of violent games to children.

I assume they refer to the PEGI ratings in this case.

sorry but it is virtually impossible to make that claim, unless you personally surveyed all 6 million or so that bought it, to analize a cross section, means strawberry float all for this.

Last edited by Jax on Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

You all complain, but i bet most of you did the same thing when you were younger. Maybe not a videogame, but a film...?

When you were under 18. But the kids playing it and they're under around 11-12: that's wrong.

Last edited by Pattybean on Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I know kids in my sons year that have this game. He will be 7 on august 28th.

JiggerJay wrote:sorry but it is virtually impossible to make that claim, unless you personally surveyed all 6 million or so that bought it, to analize a cross section, means strawberry float all for this.

Bet you wouldn't be complaining if it said "98% of GTA4 owners are awesome".

I will, because sadly you fall into that 2% and i cant see you fail me!

Jaxley wrote:You all complain, but i bet most of you did the same thing when you were younger. Maybe not a videogame, but a film...?

I was playing Doom & Mortal Kombat when I was like, nine. And I saw A Nightmare On Elm Street before I hit double figures, too. Scared me shitless for weeks, it did. I use to be afraid to get out of bed at night in case Freddy Krueger would pull me under the bed.

I played the games you mentions chalky! and i saw no end of 15-18 films when i was a kipper, mainly with my dad, back then it wasn't such a taboo subject, i turned out reasonably ok... a bit too lazy but thats my fault not a videogames fault!

For me the porn in GTA is more of a worry than the killing, young kids see shootings and killings in film and TV from very young, the game isn't going to change anything, but I don't think 11 year old kids should be visiting the Liberty City strip clubs.

17 percent of GTA IV buyers underage

Who is online

Affiliates