ESRB Ratings Confusing?

For someone who has such in-depth experience in the gaming industry, it might seem they would be able to get what “T for Teen” stands for.

But apparently not.

This Sci Fi Tech blogger seems to think that the ESRB Ratings aren’t clear, and are in desperate need of replacement or fine tuning.

“The first problem is that the ratings are confusing,” he writes in the post. “There is “E for Everyone,” and “T for Teen,” and then “Mature,” which shouldn’t be confused with the infamous “AO” or “Adults Only” rating.”

What’s confusing to me is that there is any confusion. The ESRB spells it out pretty clearly, and while there are varying degrees of blood and guts in M-Rated games, they’re for people 17 years old and up. Being a year away from being able to be drafted to kill people should clear you to play a game with a little animated blood in it.

And the oh-so-scary pornography of GTA: San Andreas? Once again, not that big of a deal considering the age. People who were supposed to be playing this game have seen pornography–they’ve seen it since they were twelve. Who doesn’t have a friend with access to his dad’s porn collection? And, okay, if they haven’t, this isn’t going to scar them for life.

His main point is about the ambiguity of the “M” rating, when clearly these games aren’t meant for kids in general. Are we really getting that worked up about deciphering the thin lines in what people a year away from supposed adulthood play in their video games?