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One thing that has been consistent throughout the history of the video game industry is concern over their content.
Most of this tends to center around children and the effects that violent game content might have on them. Many mainstream media sources and parent groups often seem to be up in arms about the latest Rated M game and "what it might do to the kids" who play it, so much so that many proposed laws have come down the pipe that would further restrict or censor video games for content.
These supposed media sources and alleged experts seem to gloss over the fact that the video game industry has a long-established ratings system. On both the front and the back of the box of any video game sold in stores is the ESRB ratings system mark.
These clear and obvious markings should provide plenty enough information about the content of the game inside, even for those parents who somehow fail to think that a package with a soldier and a giant rifle isn't enough of a hint of mature content.
The ESRB ratings also appear on the discs themselves, game trailers and commercials, and other media.
Right here on this link is the current and full ESRB ratings chart as well as a search box that will allow anyone the ability to search for more ratings information about any game you wish.
While much of the media and the previously mentioned parent groups and politicians put the video game industry in the proverbial crosshairs for Rated M gaming content, much of it is overblown.
Video games are not a "kids toy" nor have they been for quite some time now. The first consumer video games were released in the early 1970s, meaning entire generations have and/or are currently growing up in a video game world.
Much like film, radio and television before it, the video game has become an entertainment staple. It is becoming just as difficult to find a person without some device that is capable of playing video games as it is to find a person who doesn't own a television or a telephone.
According to the most recent ESA (Entertainment Software Association) stats, the average age of a video gamer was 37 years old in 2010. A whopping 82 percent of video gamers are adults 18 or older, with 29 percent of gamers being over age 50.
Children, which seem to be the central focus of media and political attacks on the video game industry, only make up 18 percent of video game players in North America.
As for those Rated M games that seem to get the folks at Fox News and other news sources in a tizzy all the time? In 2010 they only made up 5 percent of the total video game title releases.
This easily located statistical data paints a far different picture than the media and political attacks on video gaming try to do. They try and act as if video games are only played by young impressionable children and that almost every game that comes out is a violence filled bloodfest.
Instead, the vast majority of games released are fully appropriate for the smallest gaming demographic. Even more interestingly, the latest ESA stats also show that parents are with children 91 percent of the time during a game purchase.
Recent retail studies also found that the ESRB ratings system is far more effective than similar labeling and ratings systems used by movies and music, industries that somehow avoid anywhere near as much media scrutiny for this very same topic.
The responsibilty of keeping Rated M games out of the hands of children is on the parents. The packages are clearly marked on both front and back and on the disc, the information is easily located online (there is even a free ESRB Ratings app for smartphones), and parents are with their kids the majority of the time they purchase games. On top of it all, each modern game system has built-in parental controls and support.
One of the focal points and goals here at PatrickScottPatterson.com is to help educate parents, media and politicians of the truth. The true demographics of the industry are glossed over far too often. The true statistics are as well.
As one of the adults that has enjoyed video gaming for most of my life, this is a fight I'm happy to fight, and an education I'm happy to provide to anyone.
Please feel free to contact me for anything regarding this section. A variety of contact information can be found at the very top of this page between the banner and the ESRB tools. I am always willing to talk to anyone, from a concerned parent wanting to learn more to media sources seeking a voice to counterpoint the latest overdramatic media story which claims the latest Rated M game is going to corrupt the Earth.
Also check out the ESA's stats by clicking here and looking over the true demographics of an often unfairly attacked entertainment industry.
- Patrick Scott Patterson
