[Lady Dragonfly]

Originally Posted by mr_sir

I wasn't criticising Oblivion, simply pointing out that regardless of its content it was marketed towards younger gamers even if it does have an M rating. Every game has its fans and its critics, Oblivion is no different.

I used the word "criticize" instead of "trash" or “bash” just because I did not want to sound rude. There is nothing personal, really. I am just tired of the comments about "shiny graphics" (as if it is something negative) and "dumb down" gameplay (as if Oblivion is the worst game ever), repeated over and over like a sacred mantra. Funny thing, it was voted the best RPG of the year, and if memory serves, we had a thread in SYM about who was playing the game, and surprise, surprise, it happened to be adults.
I personally think NWN2 is ten times dumber. No, hundred times. I can name many other games I consider worthless. Why use Oblivion as a prime example of a “dumb kiddy” game every time? Let’s use another game for a change. There are plenty. No offence meant.

The point that I was trying to make is that it appears to be easier to please younger or teen audiences than it is more mature gamers (purely from observing these boards it is quite clear that the majority of older gamers expect different things from a game than younger gamers). For this reason I feel it is easier to market a less mature game.

I can't argue with that. We've discussed all this before.

However, when I use the term mature, it has nothing to do with sex, violence etc. but more the themes, and the whole gameplay (i.e. things like not having the solution to quests mapped out for you, storylines that are not quite so happy and fairy-tale like and so on).

And I agree. “Mature gaming” shouldn’t have anything to do with sex or violence. The ESRB rating is supposed to be used as a warning sign (e.g. for concerned parents), not as a pointer. The rating doesn't point at a good game mature, intelligent people might be interested in, just at the dubious “embellishments”. However, I was replying to the original post:

Originally Posted by Spike45
All of those games dealt with "real" life situations and such. Language, sex, nudity, violence. Now this isn't a cry for a "bad boy" game or something like that. But if we can get R rated movies where are the game equivalents? Even "M" rated games are usually non "Mature"

I personally have nothing against fairy tales without sex or “adult language”.

@Galraen

However, if morality is to be taken into account in deciding whether a game is suitable for non adults, hardly any RPG I've played would qualify for under 18s.

I suppose that is what prompts the allegations that intense virtual violence can influence the behavior of the youngsters.