M-Rated Games in Decline

[GameBanshee News]

Next Generation sees some coverage of the ESRB newsletter, indicating M-rated games are declining as a percentage of total game sales.

“The ESRB also had the biggest year ever in 2007, having assigned 1,563 ratings, a 22% increase over the prior year. And, as you'll see below, 94% of the ratings we assigned were for games appropriate for ages 13 or younger. It's never been easier to find family-friendly games that everyone can play together.

“While a handful of M-rated titles tend to garner a majority of media attention, the E (Everyone 6+) rating category continues to dominate. The E category saw the largest increase over last year, accounting for nearly 60% of ratings assigned overall.

“The M (Mature 17+) category represented 6% of the overall ratings assigned, down from 8% in 2006 and 12% in 2005.

Spotted on RPGWatch.

[dragon wench]

Gads...
Please excuse me while I gag into a convenient stack of Hallmark Greetings Cards...

It's not that I have any big love for violence-saturated games such as Manhunt, GTA etc. But, that article sounds so nauseatingly sanctimonious it practically give me case of the dry heaves..

[DesR85]

So? It doesn't mean that M-rated games are becoming less popular. What matters is whether a game is good or not.

[dragon wench]

Originally Posted by DesR85

So? It doesn't mean that M-rated games are becoming less popular. What matters is whether a game is good or not.

Indeed..
And all too often the "For Everyone" rating is a euphemism for dumbed-down games. Not always... but frequently enough. *sigh*

[Loki[D.d.G]]

Originally Posted by dragon wench

Indeed..
And all too often the "For Everyone" rating is a euphemism for dumbed-down games. Not always... but frequently enough. *sigh*

Case in point. The Sims. One of the biggest ripoffs in recent history.