Guide for Video Game Ratings for Parents that Do Not Play Video Games

The other day I visited my sister’s house. My two nephews 8 and 12 were rambling on about their excitement of the impending release of Sony’s Play Station 3. They are relatively new to video gaming; they received a Sony Play Station 2 last Christmas. Like most boys their age, they have a favorite game. 

I was taken back by what that game was: Grand Theft Auto III. What? I asked my sister if she knew that the game was rated mature. She said at the time she bought it she did not realize the rating system. The boys had told her that it was a game that they wanted. So like most parents, she got them what they wanted. My sister was never in to video games and had no clue on video game content. Here’s a guide for video game ratings for parents that do not play video games.

Video game ratings give a quick and easy way to judge age appropriateness of a game. The rating is found on the back of video games near the bottom. The ratings are: E for everyone; Y for youths; T for teenagers; and M for adults only. Usually, the rating will also include a statement for why a game is rated T or M. Many games rated T are given a T rating due to blood and depiction of violence. Sometimes a game rated M is only rated mature due to course language. Before buying your children a game make sure to check the rating of the game.

Video game ratings like motion picture ratings are assigned via a board of conservative people. Have you ever watched an R rated picture and walk out after the movie trying to figure out why it was rated R? Well, sometimes the same thing happens with a video game. While I would not recommend ignoring the video game rating on a game, I would recommend exploring why a game is rated the way it is.