Games Too Violent, Watchdogs Say

Posted on November 24, 2004

The National Institute on Media and the Family (MediaFamily.org) has filed a new report which lists several games parents should not to buy for teens in children. Some of the games listed in the report include Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Doom 3, Half-Life 2, Halo 2, Resident Evil: Outbreak and The Guy Game. One of MediaFamily.org's not-recommended games, is the bestselling Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which allows players to rob homes and commit carjackings. However, the game is rated M for Mature by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. The ESRB provides several ratings for games from E for Everyone to AO for adults only.

The ESRB says mature games (rated M for Mature), meant for gamers 17 and older, can contain intense violence and/or sexual images. The exact wording they give for M-rated games is, "Suitable for ages 17 and older. May contain mature sexual themes, more intense violence and strong language." Also, a game called JFK Reloaded (from a Scottish game company), which recreates the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and allows players to see the event through the eyes of Lee Harvey Oswald, has been highly criticized. Senator Ted Kennedy has called the game "despicable."

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