Why is Mature Game Content so Controversial?

Game Podunk writes that there is a difference between adult games and video games that simply have mature content for games like Killzone 3 and Halo Reach.

[Darkstorn]

Is mature content really that controversial? It seems to me that M-rated games are the ones with the massive budgets and vast sales. I just don't see that much rejection of violent video games anymore, at least not since the Bible thumpers were campaigning against GTA: Vice City.

[Quagmire]

I am astounded by the level of stupidity humanity has managed to degrade itself to. PARENTS are the number one cause for this controversy. They complain that their children are being subjected to sex, violence, drugs etc via video games. Its not the publisher's fault. Its not the developer's fault. Its not the retailer's fault. Its the PARENT's fault for allowing their spawn to grab hold of a RESTRICTED game which is legally required to be purchased (and PLAYED) by said recommended age and above.

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

Back in the day they were very lenient with ratings, slapping a T on something that's clearly an M. The past few years they've toughened up (motivated by angry parents no doubt).

[DuneBuggy]

Well parents dont appear to pay attention as much to ESRB ratings as they should.Could partially be from ignorance. Last year at a Toys r Us, I remember the large MW2 display. Im sure many parents wouldnt think twice about buying little Timmy that.Adults at a toy store who know nothing about games that is.
The game developers dont want to push the issue though.They stand to lose alot of sales if the parents of a 13 yr old wont let them get that new shooter.
That and society seems more forgiving as far as exposing their kids to adult themes overall nowdays.

[Kornholic]

Some people think they should have the control over what adults do in their free time and decide what's good for them or not.

[GamePodunk]

It's getting better, but if you look at top sales number according to NPD 2009 software sales, titles that sold the most are rated E and T games (mainly Nintendo games like Mario and Pokemon), not rated M (with a few exceptions like Halo 2 and Modern Warfare 2).

[ZombieAutopsy]

I'll tell you why, the people that make them controversial lost the war with movies and music so now they move onto the next thing that can put their career in the spotlight.

[theonlylolking]

Because they think its worse than movies that look even more real.

ex.Star wars its rated PG. It has shooting, gore, violence, and aliens. While Halo is rated M and it has shooting, gore(in some games), violence and aliens.

So people dont seem to mind that star wars has people get stabbed, and sliced in half; but just some shooting people go crazy over?

I have seen 4 year olds watch ALL of the star wars movies yet they are not aloud to play Halo or T rated shooters?

THINK PEOPLE! THINK!!

[peyote]

In a film you're not actually playing the part of the person doing the killing.

Think yourself.

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

I didnt know Halo was rated M O_o. Theyre usually lenient on shooters where you kill aliens instead of ppl as long as there isnt any gore. I havent really played its campaign but i didnt see any gore in MP. Game seems like a solid T.

[dazzalfc]

"In a film you're not actually playing the part of the person doing the killing"

True, but films have been proven to be just as immersive as games, if not more. People tend to develop an understanding and relationship more with a film character than a game character, and to me, thats even more dangerous. Just because your not physically involved in the film, does not mean that you're not mentally.

[theonlylolking]

What looks more real? Movies do so...shut your face.

[Kassanova07]

Answer: Because of people like you.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

*sigh* I hate having a foot on both sides.

Is anyone else in the same predicament as me?

[dizzleK]

i personally consider stuff like heavy rain to truly be mature gaming. tits and blood dont equal mature imo.

[NarcolepZZZZZZ]

we are the generation that grew up with games and have a better understanding of the concepts that are appropriate and wanted in our games...as we become the older generation of lawmakers and the elder members of society things will change...they already have. I'm 26 with a 5 y/o daughter...I understand that games aren't a catalyst for violent crime. Perhaps they are if played by a person with a predisposition to commit violent crimes, but the same can be said about movies like natural born killers. My daughter is 5 and understands that a game is a game. She likes halo. She knows that when she "gets me" 25 we go back to real life. As we replace the old fuddy duddies with gamers it will be a much more liberal industry.

[AssassinHD]

There should not be any controversy. M rated games are not intended to be played by kids. They are intended to be played by mature people (crazy concept right?). The problem in the world today is that people do not want to take responsibility for anything. Many of you may not like hearing this, but parents, it is your fault. You are responsible for the well-being of your children. If you don't think they should be exposed to certain content, then take measures to ensure that they are not. Take an interest in what your children are doing, and do some research into their pastime. Educate yourself about your children.

The problem is that parents don't want to be responsible. They want developers, athletes, entertainers, the government, and the media to be responsible for their children. Too many parents are only interested in being friends to their children, instead of parents.

I am constantly hearing people complain about how games are a bad influence, or how <insert random famous person here> is a bad role model. Guess what? <insert random famous person here> is not supposed to be a role model for your children. An entertainer's job is to entertain people. An athlete's job is to play a sport. A developer's job is to deliver a quality gaming experience to their target audience, which may not include children. None of these people are supposed to be raising your kids.

You know who is supposed to be a role model for your children? YOU ARE.

[JJFNIGHTS80]

The only thing I hate bout this each time someone brings it up. It's always the games fault when someone try to react the game and the GOV't blames the game on it faults just because some dumb kid copy what he plays. How bout the MOVIES OR IN MUSIC? Why doesn't our games gets the freedom it deserve? Cause MOVIES are controversial as well.