If you're over 18 to begin with (like myself), this is more a retroactive question than a currently relevant one, but it should be interesting to see what people answer here.
Basically, do you pay attention to age ratings on video games? And if you don't, do you family or friends pay attention to age ratings on video games?
Personally, I don't and never did even when they affected me. Sure I didn't have any interest in games rated M or the like back then (just like I generally don't now), but if I did I'd just get someone else to buy it for me or fake my age. Indeed, I guarantee you in 90% of cases pretty much everyone else is the same way. Oh sure you can stop a 12 year old walking into GAME/Gamestop and buying Black Ops 2, but you can't exactly stop their parents going in without them and buying the the exact same game to give them.
I just see the whole concept of these age limits on media as completely pointless, they deter pretty much no one. Same for the 'you must be over 13 to register' on websites. No one honestly just backs down if they're under 13 and want to join a gaming forum or website, they just say they're 20 or older and register anyway.
So yes, do you pay attention to video game (or other media) age ratings? Do your friends and family care about them?
Basically, do you pay attention to age ratings on video games? And if you don't, do you family or friends pay attention to age ratings on video games?
Personally, I don't and never did even when they affected me. Sure I didn't have any interest in games rated M or the like back then (just like I generally don't now), but if I did I'd just get someone else to buy it for me or fake my age. Indeed, I guarantee you in 90% of cases pretty much everyone else is the same way. Oh sure you can stop a 12 year old walking into GAME/Gamestop and buying Black Ops 2, but you can't exactly stop their parents going in without them and buying the the exact same game to give them.
I just see the whole concept of these age limits on media as completely pointless, they deter pretty much no one. Same for the 'you must be over 13 to register' on websites. No one honestly just backs down if they're under 13 and want to join a gaming forum or website, they just say they're 20 or older and register anyway.
So yes, do you pay attention to video game (or other media) age ratings? Do your friends and family care about them?