gaming Mature vs. Kiddy

[Titan Rising 2,156]

What do you guys think makes a game "mature"? What makes it "kiddy"?

 

Is Zelda kiddy because it's about an elf in a hat? Is Pokemon kiddy because it's about collecting little smiley pets? Or are they mature because theres some level of thinking and strategy involved?

 

Is Call of Duty mature because you're killing people? Or is it kiddy because theres not much more to it?

[Celtore 2,770]

I don't think its very fair to call a game kiddy simply because its rated e by ersb. The rating system is designed to inform parents about the content of a certain game. It also typically includes why the game was rated as such o believe to the right of the rating.

 

But it isn't right to title something kiddy just because there is a lack of gore or realistic violence. I would sooner pick up a copy of the super Mario brothers any day over the super realistic fps because it's more fun for me, and I couldn't give a darn about what others think about my gaming preferences.

[Opalicious 799]

I only think a game is 'kiddy' when it has obvious instructions or just things that it says. For example, a little kid game could say things like, "Great job! You counted three apples!"

[Rainbow- 33]

Strategy does not influence the rating of a game. If the game consists profane language, extreme gore (none of that sissy red mist in which the developers call blood), violence (mainly decapitation and killing of human beings), nudity, etc. then it will most likely be a mature game. And of course, each country would have it's own policy on the rating of videos, so one country could label a game as T for Teen, and another country could label the same game as Mature.

 

I am not surprised that Call of Duty is a 'Mature' game in the US since in real life under US federal law, which follows UN agreements, you have to be 18 or older in order to be sent outside of the US in the military to serve in a war.

Edited August 8, 2012 by Rainbow-

[HomuraBL 851]

I don't like to label things as kiddy. It usually makes someone mad and I find it is only used as an insult to something you don't understand/don't like.

[Bohtty 1,775]

Most games are kiddy because they are targeted at kids and if they aren't then they are targeted at adults who are wussies and thus mine as well be kiddy. lol I'm kidding of course, but for me, a game is kiddy if it's multiplayer isn't capable of providing competitive, unique and fair gameplay. If it's single player then it's automatically kiddy, for the most part. There have been some very very rare exceptions.

 

That being said, I play a lot of kiddy games. Kiddy or mature, doesn't matter as long as it's fun.

Edited August 8, 2012 by Bohtty

[Arrow 236]

Obviously there is a difference between mature/child games, but mostly are exterior. Like strong language, nudity, gore etc, you know what I mean.

 

But on the inside, all games are basically the same, you kill stuff in Kirby and in Battlefield!

[Titan Rising 2,156]

Strategy does not influence the rating of a game. If the game consists profane language, extreme gore (none of that sissy red mist in which the developers call blood), violence (mainly decapitation and killing of human beings), nudity, etc. then it will most likely be a mature game. And of course, each country would have it's own policy on the rating of videos, so one country could label a game as T for Teen, and another country could label the same game as Mature.

I'm not talking about how esrb labels games as much as I am how society labels games. Many nintendo titles are rated "E", as in for everyone, and yet they have a social stigma attached that labels them kiddy. I would actually go further to say that Nintendo as a brand has a stigma of being labeled "kiddy" no matter what game they might produce.

 

So I'm asking you as an individual - what do you think warrants a game being "mature" or "kiddy"?

 

Personally, I think games that require thinking and strategy are more suited towards what should [in my opinion] be considered a "mature adult". I find the need for bloodlust, sexuality, and cussing rather childish and animalistic in itself.

Edited August 8, 2012 by Hollowshield

[Celtore 2,770]

There is a a negative stigma about Nintendo being kiddy by the public sadly. You are definitely right about that. I see that claim all too often at different forums, gaming events, and live streams. I don't know where this new craving for bloodlust in gaming comes from, but it would certainly be an interesting research topic.

 

Gaming is relatively young in the graphics department. You really don't have to look back too far.

[Sepia-chan 495]

What do you guys think makes a game "mature"? What makes it "kiddy"?

 

Is Zelda kiddy because it's about an elf in a hat? Is Pokemon kiddy because it's about collecting little smiley pets? Or are they mature because theres some level of thinking and strategy involved?

 

Is Call of Duty mature because you're killing people? Or is it kiddy because theres not much more to it?

 

LINK IS A HYLIAN YOU BASTARD!

 

And that right there is the most kiddy thing I've ever seen, personally.

[HunterTSN 1,444]

the only thing defining if a game is kiddy or not is the target audience. Pokemon is a kids game because kids play it more than adults, but you will rarely see a little kid playing COD.

[Sepia-chan 495]

but you will rarely see a little kid playing COD.

 

Haha, what a story, Mark. Go play Call of Duty online, tell me how old you think the people playing are.

[Titan Rising 2,156]

the only thing defining if a game is kiddy or not is the target audience. Pokemon is a kids game because kids play it more than adults, but you will rarely see a little kid playing COD.

 

So if more kids began playing call of duty than adults it would become kiddy? I dunno about that...

 

I don't know where this new craving for bloodlust in gaming comes from, but it would certainly be an interesting research topic.

 

I would argue that it was always there, I think people instinctively like violence, and I also think that labeling something as "mature" is a combination of people craving this violence [in a society where there is a social stigma against violence] and their need to feel accepted and superior to others.

Edited August 9, 2012 by Hollowshield

[SPLinux 380]

Honeslty i find people that call games like Nintendo and Mario, Zelda, etc "kiddy" are immature themselves, i would play these games in front of these kids laughing at me and telling me to play some FPS and be more mature and yet i acted way more mature then they were, IMO if you are enjoying what you are playing don't let some fool tell you to stop because it's childish, there the ones being childish for downing on what game you like to play, it's just a game after all.

[HunterTSN 1,444]

So if more kids began playing call of duty than adults it would become kiddy? I dunno about that...

 

I don't mean it like that, I'm just saying that there is a common stereotype for who plays what games

 

Haha, what a story, Mark. Go play Call of Duty online, tell me how old you think the people playing are.

 

I see your point :/

[Sepia-chan 495]

More insanely kiddy moments in an insanely kiddy game, stabbing people in the forehead...Definitely some kiddy stuff right here.

[Random User 249]

All the things considered "immoral" for our kids to see and know about is what makes a game mature. Though I don't think it makes much of a difference. One day that child will grow up knowing what killing and curse words are anyways.

[Cherry Blossom 864]

I think what makes a game mature is one where someone at my age screams at you and starts swearing just because I pressed R3 on my PS3 controller. What makes a game kiddy is where there are lollipops, kittens, and puppies everywhere is one that doesn't affect the player in anyway except for being entertained. Sure there are those moments when you get frustrated when there is a difficult part, but at least little children don't get entertained by mass murdering digital soldiers and getting stuff like more inappropriate violent weapons like sentry guns, airstrikes, and those mind rotting tactical nukes. For goodness CELESTIA MY BIG BROTHER LET ME WATCH HIM PLAY SILENT HILL A RESIDENT EVIL WHEN I WAS 8!!! WHAT THE BUCK?! I've had non-stop nightmares and everything just freaked me out and scarred me. Sure it may be lame at times when you're fighting monsters that look like a half eaten pie, but it's justified because you're being a hero and killing EVIL things! And when young people kill digital soldiers and militia in a video game who in real life are just serving their country, seriously. http://mlpforums.com/public/style_emoticons/default/dry.png

There are children at the age of 8 who are swearing because of violent video games! When I pulled out my from my wallet I WAS AWARE that I'd be playing something that would have suggestive themes, blood and gore, and plain brutal violence. And at least my dad sometimes talk to me about COD games and asks me "How do you gain any fun from killing people?". That is one bucking epic father period.

 

Then there are those poor little kids who rage and their lives are mentally affected.

Edited August 9, 2012 by Octavinyl

[Radiance64 7,053]

I could give less of a shit whether a game is labeled kiddy or mature or whatever, I'll play any game as long as it's fun. The only people that actually seem to care are moronic dudebros, the lowest of the low on the gaming fandom ladder.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

I think this in an interesting topic because "Mature" and "Adult" are two different things. It's possible for a something to be full of adult content and still be immature and childish. It's also possible for something to be mature and have very little adult content. Look at Alan Wake, it has a really good and mature story with a mid-range teen rating. Heck, look at Sonic SatAM, it's technically a kids show but it's writing is better and more interesting than some "grown up" shows of the time.

 

Look at anime too, there's plenty of it that tells a mature and interesting story without going past the 13+ rating.

 

So I think something can be a "kids game" as far as content, but still have a mature, engaging story-line.

 

As for the line, I would define kiddie as something like Barney, something custom tailored to really, really, young kids.

[Tom The Diamond 1,830]

Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves.

~C.S. Lewis

 

In my opinion all forms of media (Not just including Video Games, but also Stories, Movies, TV Shows, etc.), should be treated, reviewed, and created in a serious manner. What I mean by that is that you shouldn't try to dumb something down just to appeal to kids. For example, you can't just make a horrible video game, slap a cartoon character on it, and try to justify it badness by saying that it's because it's a children's game.

 

And to anyone who says that it's impossible to create something compelling to both children and adults quite frankly doesn't know anything. The Pixar movies are funny and light-hearted enough for children, yet interesting enough to interest adults too. And Nintendo games are also quirky, odd, and family friendly, yet at the same time contain interesting gameplay, and sometimes dark themes and innuendo that go over some kid's heads.

 

So ultimately I believe that no games (Or anything, really) should get classified as kiddy, since that has nothing to do with how interesting or entertaining it is. Nor do I believe producers can try to use Kiddy as an excuse for their lack of ability. Heck, in my perfect world, using terms Kiddy and Adult to describe something would be a crime punishable by watching Batman and Robin.

Edited August 9, 2012 by Trixie The Trixie

[Despair 114]

I think Pokemon should be rated mature because of all the violence! Can't you see? Weird monster things being captured against their will and then being forced to fight for the humans enjoyment and gain. 10 year old kids wearing some-what inappropriate clothing, going out on adventures alone. What are they trying to teach the kids?

[Discordian 6,015]

Personally I believe there is no such distinction between mature and kiddy, they are just labels people put on them to try to make themselves feel better about it. Have you ever seen anyone say they play a kiddy game without making it sound like it's a bad thing or something they should feel shameful for? I never have. People seem ashamed to play games like Pokemon because they are "kiddy" and it's silly.

 

Unnecessary labels to put on something that anyone can enjoy no matter their age but they feel because they reached a certain age they aren't allowed to like something that's viewed as "kiddy" anymore so the lie is perpetuated.

[PonyEcho 1,610]

well if Zelda is considered a kiddy game and CoD is a mature game...blah blah blah Zelda is beter then CoD will ever be.

 

i don't see the point in all this. mature game are rated mature because their is content unsafe for children. calla game kiddy because it doesn't have mature content feels like a slam on the game even tho its miles more fun to play

[Solar Wind 595]

Woah... Was anyone else disturbed by the name of this thread??

Anyway wether a game is kiddy or not is up to the player. I myself determine if it is kiddy not by animation but by the point of the game and the diffuculty. If an insanely easy game that had good animation (Every call of duty game!) I would consider it kiddy because it isnt dificult and loses the purpose of a game. If there is a hard game with somewhat good animation. (Donkey kong and Link to the past made me rage quit a number of times.) Then that game is considered LEGIT.