“The point is that we as gamers need to take an active role in helping make parents and other gamers aware of the rating system, and the benefits it presents to the industry.”

Thanks for saying this. As a gamer committed to “furthering the cause”, I have always felt this way but was wary to act. Hearing others say the same thing, gives me the motivation to speak up when I’m in a game store and something like this is happening. By no means would I ever condone being bossy or judgemental, but passing a little info on to a fellow adult sounds like a great idea. Putting myself in the position of a busy parent that doesn’t keep track of video games, I have to think a quick heads up from a knowledgeable gamer might actually be welcomed.

I think that every gamer will agree with me that ‘M’ rated games shouldn’t be sold to kids. I also don’t think that kids buying ‘M’ rated games is the rampant problem that the talking heads would have us believe it is.

The problem lies in the fact that parents who are either uneducated or flat don’t care will buy anything the kid tells them to. In talking with one of our other writers here, I’ve found that he, like me, will mention to parents in the local gaming store the game’s rating if we see them looking at a violent game that is obviously for the young kid tagging along with them. Sometimes the parent will thank you for the information. Sometimes the parent will tell you to mind your own business. Every time, the kid will give you a look that could kill.

The point is that we as gamers need to take an active role in helping make parents and other gamers aware of the rating system, and the benefits it presents to the industry. Whether you’re talking about it on your blog, or mentioning it to a friend, or bringing it up with a complete stranger, every time you do it, you’re furthering the cause. Parents who would not take their kids to ‘R’ rated films might buy their kids a ‘M’ rated game simply through ignorance. The more effort made to prevent that, the better.