M is for Mature and Me

In a new editorial entitled M is for Mature and Me on IGN’s Vault Network, Staci “Rosethorn” Krause gives her perspective on the rather chauvinistic nature of The Witcher.

And why would a game with mature themes even be on a platform? It’s because mainstream society is still laboring under the delusion that all video games are being targeted for the 14 year old boy. It’s a misconception politicians harp on. I really don’t know much about what the movie industry went through, but I have to wonder, did they labor under the same troubles as gaming is with regards to the ratings system? Or did the ratings system put all those issues to rest. And why hasn’t the ESRBs system done that, if that’s the case?

A game like The Witcher is probably not appropriate for children under 16. That’s why the ESRB rated it M and it says clearly on the box it contains blood and gore, partial nudity, strong language, strong sexual content and violence, and any parent shopping for a game for their 12 year old would likely pass this game up just like they wouldn’t let them watch The L Word or Brotherhood. And it is on parents that the responsibility to make sure their children aren’t being subjected to inappropriate subject matter is rested squarely on. I don’t see the politicians going after Showtime for their subject material, even though many parents have the channel in their home, because they EXPECT the parents are making sure their children aren’t watching their adult shows. Why can’t they just expect the same out of parents with regard to video games?

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