My kids play Wii and Nitendo games, and I used to write software (but never liked to play computer games). The only way that I can detect the game’s content is by being around when they play these games. Most of these games are very complex, with various ‘paths’. It is not possible for me to exercise all of these paths to verify that there is no objectionable material.
I have a similar problem with the various kids/teens shows from Nickelodeon, etc. We can’t be living our kids’ lives, but at the same time as parents we do need some help from the vendors. After all, we rely on Burger King (just as an example.. we do not feast there all the time, but limit it to once a week!) to tell us what’s (ingredients, calories, fat) in their meal.
If I see an ‘R’ on a DVD or a game, I will exercise judgement in getting it for my kids, and will further exercise caution when they start using it. So I think it is a good idea to have some rating on the game. It will help me. Let the company, based on its knowledge of their product, describe the nature of its product, and I as an adult parent will decide whether that is appropriate for my kids that I know very well. Fair enough?
My wife and I rarely drink alcohol, and until I tasted Mike’s Hard Lemonade when I was in my thirties, I would not have even known that it had alcohol!
