False dichotomy - there are more than those two types of games out there. I agree with you, and he isn’t allowed to play “gun fodder” games either. He’s of the Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings type games at the moment.
I’m sorry, I think I was unclear in my statement. What I was taught in college was that the early “push a button on a controller and “shoot” something on-screen” technology that later became the foundation of many video games was developed or substantially subsidized by the US Military who saw it as a way to train soldiers to fire at the human form without hesitating.
I think this is one of those areas where my judgement for what’s best for him has to include more than just “what can he take?” I’m aware that most of what I’m struggling with is my own discomfort with violence and having him in control of doing violent deeds. I’m not a pacifist, but I’m pretty close - so the idea of endorsing or condoning this type of game really bothers me.
Thanks. That was what I was asking in my OP. For what it’s worth, he’s not allowed to watch police dramas, either, for the same reason. Scifi, we’re all in favor of - it’s so fantastic that I’m comfortable with it.
Ah man, do I struggle with this. Yes, I totally get what you’re saying, and before I actually had a kid, I was with you all the way. I was certain I’d be the “cool mom” who would be calm and rational and let him have the beer bashes at home, so at least I’d know he and all his friends were safe…now, I’m not so sure. Being a parent is about more than ensuring your kids’ physical safety. It’s also about transmitting your values, even if they ultimately choose their own. I can only maintain control of my own household, but he knows that what happens at Nick’s house is not a reflection of my moral character. Frankly, I don’t care much if he plays the game at Nick’s, because that says nothing about my moral consistency.
This thread has helped me immensely. If nothing else, I’ve better identified who it’s really about: it’s about me, not him. I’m not ready for a game like this in my home, even if he is. Maintaining my moral integrety is more important than his getting one particular game, when there’s dozens of others out there that he’ll like.
Well, it’s good that you realize this reality and can think about it in that context. I don’t personally agree with the logic, it feels like your more concerned with making a quasi-political statement than judging whats healthy for your child. However, if you’re honest about why you’re making that decision I find no reason to push back on that point.
Of course a very reasonable tactic which is outside the scope that discussion, is for you to simply visit Best Buy, Curcuit City or pretty much any of the popular game stores a view the game being played. They tend to have a large number of consoles set up where you could view the game being played before buying it. The best way for you to judge what you deem “acceptable” is to actually experience it instead of going on anecdotal impressions.
One final opinion, if you’re not going to get him the game because you don’t approve of the violence, I think it’s only fair that you explain that to him. It seems to defeat the purpose if you simply have “Santa” buy him something else from his list and letting it go unaddressed. If it’s about you imparting your values into him, it’s somewhat hypocritical for it to go unspoken. Just my $.02.
Good point. I’d never not get him something he’s been asking for without explaining why. I did talk to him about it this morning just before he left for school. I told him I’d checked the website of the game and checked with the Dopers, and come to the conclusion that it has an appropriate “M” rating and contained the type of realistic violence I’m not comfortable with having around the house. He shrugged and said, “OK. The Chronicles of Narnia game looks cool, too.”
My kids have played the series on Xbox. My daughter is 13 now, she was probably 11 when she played the first one. Hasn’t seemd to affect them. Sure, I make sure all the lights are on and alway, always, always sleep with one eye open, but which parent doesn’t?
It is not as violent as some games, but is still relatively realistic in its violence.
Well, I’m not sure what game in the series he’s wanting.
But one of the versions I have, sometimes you will grab a guy from behind, and brutally slit their throats to kill them. It’s fairly graphic and the sound is quite realistic.
I’m middle aged, though, and I can handle it.
I wouldn’t let my son have the game. Maybe at 15+ or something, eventually I think most boys will get into the beat-em up or violent type games, but I think there’s an age when they shouldn’t be playing them.
