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Censorship Entertainment Games

Midway's Slugfest, Ballers Inappropriate For Kids? 89

Posted by simoniker from the i-wish-i-was-a-little-bit-taller dept.
Thanks to ABC News for its article discussing controversy over the content of Midway's officially licensed baseball and basketball videogames, as the story explains: "Nine-year-old Stephane Safar likes to play MLB Slugfest, a video game rated 'E', that is, for everyone 6 years old and older... But then he played it in front of his mother Amy, and what she saw went well beyond real-life baseball, as players punched and kicked each other during the course of the game." Amy explains: "Does he know that that's not really how Barry Bonds acts out on the field? Does he know that Nomar [Garciaparra] can't punch somebody?" Midway's NBA Ballers also comes in for criticism, with Kimberly Thompson of the Harvard School of Public Health complaining: "I think the message that kids take away from NBA Ballers is, it's all about money... Women are objects in this game."
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Midway's Slugfest, Ballers Inappropriate For Kids? More

Midway's Slugfest, Ballers Inappropriate For Kids?

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  • Ballers (Score:5, Informative)

    by pudge ( 3605 ) * <slashdotNO@SPAMpudge.net> on Wednesday June 30, 2004 @07:05PM (#9576612) Homepage Journal
    Saying women are "objects" in Ballers is an understatement. They are actually purchased in the game, just like a house or car. And the NBA endorses this. Lakers legend Jerry West was slated to have his likeness in the game, and he backed out once he saw the content.
    • Saying women are "objects" in Ballers is an understatement. They are actually purchased in the game, just like a house or car.

      Is this like in Fight Night 2004, where you "buy" women who act as your valets? In that case, you're not buying the women, you're buying their services.

      Rob (Not those kinds of services)
    • So women are literal objects in this game? A new level of game realism is upon us! Horray!

      (I'm kidding, don't hurt me)

  • Hrm.... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Hank Reardon ( 534417 ) on Wednesday June 30, 2004 @07:12PM (#9576659) Homepage Journal

    What the heck, I suppose I'll take a Karma hit for this...

    I think the message that kids take away from NBA Ballers is, it's all about money... Women are objects in this game.

    I guess I must have missed something. With all of the endorsement deals, players being paid so much that only one team can afford to pay them, tales of sexual conquest (a-la Wilt Chamberlain), and the inconsistent enforcement of the rules, isn't this an accurate representation of the NBA?

    I quit being interested in the NBA as players like Dennis Rodman became more and more common. I miss the general good-natured playing of Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. Bring back that level of sportsmanship and finess and I might change my opinion.

  • a-HA! (Score:3, Funny)

    by orangesquid ( 79734 ) <orangesquid@nOspaM.yahoo.com> on Wednesday June 30, 2004 @07:18PM (#9576696) Homepage Journal
    Does he know that that's not really how Barry Bonds acts out on the field? Does he know that Nomar [Garciaparra] can't punch somebody?

    Tell that to my black eye!!! Damn that Garciaparra...

    Oh, and, how does Barry Bonds act out on the field, if you would be kind enough to explain?
    • Does he know that that's not really how Barry Bonds acts out on the field? Does he know that Nomar [Garciaparra] can't punch somebody?

      The question I want to have answered is do we allow this, or do we have the ultra-realistic game where Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, and Mark McGwire take their steroids before the game? "Yes, Johnnie, if you want to be successful, you must find as many ways to cheat without getting caught. After all, if you get caught cheating, the problem was that you got caught." I think
      • No. The ultra-realistic game will keep the players and the game the same.
        It will, however, allow you to listen to simulated talk-radio shows after each game. If one of your star players had a big home-run, you get to listen to fat slobs with no knowledge of weight-training - or even exercise in general -pontificate about the use of steriods in sports and freely slander any athlete they feel like.

  • Message (Score:5, Funny)

    by sbszine ( 633428 ) on Wednesday June 30, 2004 @07:21PM (#9576729) Journal
    I think the message that kids take away from NBA Ballers is, it's all about money...

    Whereas in real life, they do it for the love, plus a small stipend for meals and cab fare.
  • but Pedro [gorillamask.net]
    knows how to handle himself.
  • i seem to think that acceptable content for a little kid do you all recall the three stooges? I do. Saying this game influences kids to act violent while playing sports is like saying that when your friend calls you a knuckle head you poke his eyes out and hit him with a 2x4 maybe they should just include a "v chip" type apparatus in consoles that blocks out all the badness, who knows who cares, violence is here to stay

    • Re:well... (Score:4, Interesting)

      by NanoGator ( 522640 ) on Wednesday June 30, 2004 @08:02PM (#9577065) Homepage Journal
      "Saying this game influences kids to act violent while playing sports is like saying that when your friend calls you a knuckle head you poke his eyes out and hit him with a 2x4..."

      There was a story a couple of weeks ago about lightning strikes. Somebody in that thread described a friend of his wife's dying due to a strike. I play UT2004 a LOT. The lightning gun is my favorite weapon. Sniping with it was fun as heck for me. (still is! just haven't had time to play...) Despite finding so much pleasure in shooting video game sprites with lightning, reading the "A friend of my wife's was killed by lightning" really jolted me. I found that heart breaking. I have to ask: How desensitizing can games be if I react like that to somebody dying?

      I'm at a point now where I don't even think 'scientific proof' will convince me that video game violence is dangerous.

  • Well... (Score:5, Funny)

    by Poseidon88 ( 791279 ) on Wednesday June 30, 2004 @08:05PM (#9577095)
    Women are objects in this game.

    That only proves they used good encapsulation.

  • That's your problem (Score:3, Interesting)

    by duffbeer703 ( 177751 ) on Wednesday June 30, 2004 @08:50PM (#9577404)
    "Does he know that that's not really how Barry Bonds acts out on the field? Does he know that Nomar [Garciaparra] can't punch somebody?"


    If you don't think that the game is appropriate for your kid, don't buy it. Professional sports is a scummy business... maybe kids wouldn't be affected by the portrayal of athletes if we didn't program them to idolize athletes.

    • If you don't think that the game is appropriate for your kid, don't buy it.

      At the risk of re-stating what has been said numerous times in this thread, the problem isn't with the game itself, but with the ESRB rating of "E". As a parent who grew up with technology, I use these ratings as a benchmark for what my child can play. The rating is the first factor I consider when I decide if the game is "appropriate for my kid". From what I read in the FA, there are numerous things in these games that should hav

      • Imo, you shouldn't use those ratings, as they often don't justify the game (example being the main post).

        Next time your kid wants to buy a game, do your lil' research on google, and you get a much better personal rating for yourself.

    • I agree that if it isn't appropriate for 'your' kid, then you shouldn't buy it. The problem is that when something is rated 'E' and the box looks good, the parent ends up buying it before they see the true content.
      Then they are shocked when they see the actual game play.
      Parents should make an effort though to know what they are buying. Especially in this day and age when any game is $50! My rule is if I don't know, I don't buy it.

      As to your point about accuracy, you are right, sports can be a scummy biz.

  • wait... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Hinkey ( 746112 ) <hinkey@hink3.1415926ey.ca minus pi> on Wednesday June 30, 2004 @09:03PM (#9577454) Homepage
    Does this mean parents assume anyhting sold with a "g" label is what they consider appropriate? Last time i checked they were guidlines for parents. Anyone who lets there 10 year old kid play a game they have never even seen before shouldnt have them :) Seriously, you dont have the 10min it'll take to watch your kid play the game when you get it for them? I think far to meany people are blaming there kids behavior and influences on media,school,tv,games, etc. instead of on the fact that parents spend allmost no time with there children anymore, but then again im only 20 years old what do i know :)
    • Does this mean parents assume anyhting sold with a "g" label is what they consider appropriate?

      Of course, the parents here -- who complained about the content of the games after their kids have been playing them for some time -- have been negligient. That's without question.

      Anyone who lets there 10 year old kid play a game they have never even seen before shouldnt have them :)

      Absolutely. But does that negate the responsibility of the ESRB to grant reasonable ratings? If so, what's the point of havi

      • Re:wait... (Score:2, Informative)

        by mcgroarty ( 633843 )
        Hell, even without the implied prostitution, it is indefensible
        Please play the game before you make this kind of comment. You gather a posse -- boys and girls. At no point does the game suggest that you're acquiring a girlfriend or a boyfriend. The people you gather in your posse stand courtside and cheer you on as you play. Period.
        • Please play the game before you make this kind of comment.

          Please understand my criticism before you respond to it.
          • I think he has.

            You are saying that making money and then spending it in a game makes it unsuitable for
            children.

            I dont think it is out of line to disagree with that point of view. In fact, I would think most people would disagree with that.
            • You are saying that making money and then spending it in a game makes it unsuitable for children.

              OK, so you don't understand it either. Cheers!
              • OK, so you don't understand it either.

                Here is my understanding:

                You have a game (NBA Ballers) in which your performance nets you currency. That currency allows one to buy homes/cars/"posse" - which is all secondary to the game.

                You then state that (disregarding the off-base prostitution remarks):

                That kind of selfish, materialistic bullshit is NOT appropriate for everyone

                If this isn't your intention, then state it more clearly.
                • If this isn't your intention, then state it more clearly.

                  I honestly wish I could give a damn about what you think enough to bother spelling it out for you.
          • The point I didn't address was your complaint against consumerism. If you equate that to prostitution, I'm afraid I can't find a rational response. Even Lasn/AdBusters doesn't take it that far.

    • Re:wait... (Score:3, Insightful)

      by bckrispi ( 725257 )
      but then again im only 20 years old what do i know

      Since I assume you don't have kids, let me answer your question: You don't know shit.

      As a parent, I *do* use the rating system to determine what's appropriate, that's the whole reason the ESRB system is there.

      Anyone who lets there 10 year old kid play a game they have never even seen before shouldnt have them

      Yeah, that's great. I have no problem knowing the contents of each and every game I get for my kid. The probelm is is that he has four grand

      • haha, thats funny, it said "reply to this | parent" haha.. just found that funny... anyway, im not going to blame parents for buying the bad games, the games are not the problem. i think its more the environment where the kids are brough up, i've been playing DooM since before i was in school and i've yet to kill an animal that wasnt an insect(demon or otherwise) i think all it just takes a parent to makes sure the kids know its not real, and it wouldnt hurt the parent to play the games either just to ch
      • Last time I checked, there were demo consoles set up for a limited number of titles.

        Last I checked there were demo discs that contain serveral game demos given out free at stores, and ocationaly in the mail if you register your console. And last I checked there were places to rent most if not all of games currently on store shelves.

        And as for those given as presents, you can play it yourself to look at it's content before giving your kid the ok to play it.
        • And, not to mention, that if you don't have the ability, time, or willingness to preview all the content that they view on a console, you may do very well to simply not buy them a console at all. It would keep you from being offended, at least.
        • Yeah, that or just pay 20 a year for something like gamespot.com where they have gameplay movies and numerous screen shots of practically every game that is released for any system. That's how you browse a game store's entire library...
    • I think for 20 you are wise beyond your years. Sounds like you'll make a fine parent one day. Just don't be of the lazy ass variety that expects things to be done for them. Instead of relying on some system that doesn't work. I'm not saying it's wrong for a 9 year old to have the game, but it is wrong for her to have bought it, without having researched the content. And even so after she found out, rather than going to ABC she should have been a parent and offered her son guidance, by asking him questions a

  • Barry Bonds? (Score:3, Informative)

    by BTWR ( 540147 ) <americangibor3@ya[ ].com ['hoo' in gap]> on Thursday July 01, 2004 @01:58AM (#9578813) Homepage Journal
    "Does he know that that's not really how Barry Bonds acts out on the field? Does he know that Nomar [Garciaparra] can't punch somebody?"

    Barry Bonds is not in the MLBPA (MLB Players Assoc). Therefore, he is not "bought" along with all the other players when EA buys the rights. In fact, in one game (MVP Baseball?), instead of buying Bonds in addition to the MLBPA, they made a charachter with Bond's exact stats, and he's some white guy on the Giants with some generic name. It's the biggest rip-off since "Mr. Dream" was the double of Mike Tyson in "Mike Tyson's Punch-Out" in all ways except he was just some no-name with Mike's former abilities :)

    • Don't forget "QB Eagles" helming the all-star team in Tecmo Superbowl!

      On that note, don't you think it would be awesome if they re-released Tecmo Superbowl for GBA with modern teams, players, etc?

  • The ESRB has an automatic software system to rate games:

    If it detects a boob or two is rated A+ (until a bribe by the publisher is collected)

    If it detects any red liquid or "pooty mouth" language is rated M (Mario was rated M for "magma" until a big N cheque was collected)

    If any guns are detected is rated T

    Anything else is rated E.
    So is easy to spot why the system didnt detected prostitution. Now all we have to do is to tell the developers to get the girls topless and offer a handy cheque to the ESRB

  • Women are objects in this game.

    How convenient, I'm an object-oriented programmer. ;)

  • I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I wanna know. That kid was 9 years old right? Who in the hell bought the game for him in the first place? Is she such a bad parent that she can't grab a Gaming magazine or pull up a sysnopsis of the game online? I don't care if it's "Let's play with the Muppet Babies" the game gets my ok before my kids get to play it.

    Since when is a watchdog group or a rating on a box by a censor board better than my judgement for my child? When you take the advice or the opini

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