Controlling Game Content
Go read this at Slashdot. I’ll wait. Follow the link from that article too.
Done?
Ok, I am a bit torn on this. As a gamer and lover of freedom everywhere, let them publish whatever the heck they want! Yes, it is an art AND a science. As a parent, I want games like GTA to be branded with a bright letter “A” for Adult. The lockout feature is nice, I suppose, but I think I already have that on my 360 — my son requires the password to play just about anything Teen or above.
What I want to see is developers provide us a way to “dumb” down the experience. Let the parents themselves drop a Teen or Mature rated game down by locking out bad language, overt violence, and sexuality. Yes, I know its your baby. Yes, I know you worked for six months sleeping under a desk while you crunched to get the game out.
But, “darnit” all to “heck” let me control finishing moves, foul language, head explosions, etc. Then maybe I can make it more Power Ranger like and play Gears with my son… until he tells Mom, “I just shot Dad with the shotgun!” Ok. Maybe that won’t work after all?
Tags: control, esrb, game content, kids, parents