Xbox 360 Fanboy

This is a good idea.

They're trying to reinforce something that is virtually impossible to do otherwise. Any kid can lie about their age and get online, which basically negates the entire thing, but at least it's a preventative step towards overcoming the status quo "it's the developers fault" attitude of society and the mainstream media when young kids get their hands on games they shouldn't.

I personally blame the parents because I have a young child myself, and if he won't be playing COD4 or Halo3 for quite some time. How is EA really wrong here? If the entire industry enforced something like this your underage kid wouldn't be playing M-rated games like COD online in the first place.

@Jaybird I appreciate the fact you decide what your child can and cannot play, thats what parents do is use their judgement and make the decision. You dont mention your sons age so I am guessing he is quite young and its not an issue for you at this point. As for lying to get on line the bill still must be paid and parents are the ones who do allow it by having internet access, buying the xbox and allowing it to go online. They are the ones who make those choices I do not know many 8,9,10, or even 12 or 13 year olds who have the ability to order up internet service let alone have large amounts of cash to put towards games systems and games. Parents really have no leg to stand on by saying "I never knew what little Johnny was doing in his room" .

As for my underage kid playing M rated games I think the idea that you are keeping your kid from being around profanity is comical even hypocritical in some cases. Ever watch PG-13 movies with younger kids around? Ever spend anytime or rememeber what middleschool is like? You hear the same kind of profanity and remarks that you hear online at anygiven time. Is it the violence? Hmmm Well maybe but there again most kids can tell you the difference between a game and real life. My daughter is active in theater and brings home straight A's literally for the last year(before that the school didnt use letter grades since poor grades made kids feel bad about themselves). She plays piano, sings in choir, goes paintballing, gokart racing and is learning to sign on her own with a music teacher. That being said the closest I get to singing and playing music is playing Rockband with her. Oh wait I am bad parent on that I suppose since its a Teen game too? I spend lots of time with her when I am home between my travel schedule for work I am fortunate it allows me that luxury. Do all parnets do this? Certainly not! Yes its very easy to pick the stereotype out and use it as an example in order to make your self feel good. So please do not feel the need to criticize me since our family has decided to do something yours does not. You can shield your child they way you want and decide how mature your own child is and make the choices on what to allow them to do.

I DO NOT NEED A COMPANY DECIDING THIS FOR ME!

The company is doing what they feel is appropriate to prevent issues with underage kids getting online.

My son is actually old enough to be in contention for this discussion, but that's not the point.

I certainly seemed to strike a chord with you, apparently some defensive mechanism must be setup in your head whenever someone disagrees or questions your methodology.

I could really care less what your daughter does on her free time, but you complaining about EA trying to help enforce the ESRB ratings is a GOOD thing, not a bad one.

I'm not shielding my son from anything, I wouldn't buy the game if I felt he wasn't old enough to handle the maturity of it. I'm glad you're leaving your kids decisions on what to watch and what to play up to them, that's a great idea. We all know 12 year olds should be online playing a game where the objective is to shoot your opponent in the face. I'm glad you enjoy gaming with your children, and as a father I can respect that. But when you show such a blatant disregard for any sense of normalcy by allowing yourself and your family to undermine the entire reasoning behind the ESRB.

I said it was the parents fault to begin with, not sure what your whole rant about lying about your age. I know when I setup a profile on Xbox, I set the age. It doesn't matter who ordered the internet or bought the Xbox. If I buy an Xbox, internet service, an HD TV, and Battlefield ... why can't EA support the ESRB and taking a step in the right direction from preventing my son from popping in the disc and hoping online and experiencing the virtual massacre? You're a fool if you think you can control what you're kids are doing ALL the time, so if EA wants to help support the ESRB, I'm all for it.

You shouldn't be buying the shit in the first place to play with a 12 year old little girl, sorry jack. Maybe it's not EA and ESRB that's wrong, maybe it's you.

No defense, No control, we teach, we spend time sharing and we trust. She has not let us down so far.

As for the game content of "shooting people in the face", Its ok to teach them to kill animated animals in kiddie games or cause your opponent to crash and blow up in Mario Kart? Its the hypocrisy that I think is amazing. Even Viva Pinata you beat the pinata to get your treat? Hmmm maybe we should ban real Pinatas? StarWars movies? I saw mine at age 7 in 1977. I havent gone off deep end and massacred anybody yet? Of course Star Wars Legos could be that deciding factor.........

Struck a chord? Yes its amazing how people can justify any argument to "protect the children" I had a teacher explain to me why they do not use red pens to correct papers any more in elementary school since it hurts there self esteem. So now they use purple pens. No winners in school games to protect feelings, so the losers do not feel bad. But all the while you have media and public adoration of violence and being the best. Its unfortunate we are headed this direction since it is mostly our country that adopts this mentality having spent time abroad I see what otehr countries on both sides of our oceans are teaching and how they are learning to compete with us as the target for the standard to pass and win.

As for your flame comment at the end its a pity such narrow mind has learned to type. It reminds me of the last resort whinging that pre-pubescent boys do on the vey games you play. Maybe we do need a ban after all.

"I DO NOT NEED A COMPANY DECIDING THIS FOR ME!"

I agree, please make sure your elected officials know this as well though; they seem to think that parents can't make such choices for themselves; and I'm sure it's legal threats, threats from capital hill, special interest groups, you name it... basically all of the attacks the game industry has been getting that prompt EA to make this move. I can't say I agree with it either, but I understand where they're coming from...

I'm glad jaybird isn't my dad..

thanks for the FYI. guess I'll be canceling my pre-sale too since i play with my 11 year old god-daughter and her father. we'll just have to stick with halo 3 and rock band.

agreed, I like to wait until I get to the modern age before I kill everyone.