Okay, so I went to Target today (in Washington State) to buy the Scarface game, which is rated "M", meaning 17+ to purchase (which is printed on the box). But the guy said I have to be 18. Is there some new law that I am not aware of, or was the guy just being a dick?
2006-11-27 18:46:37 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Usually M rated games are for 18 and up... Or did they change the ESRB rating?
Well remind the store manager, maybe they have some special policy... All the bad kids ruined the fun for us good kids.. *sigh*..
2006-11-27 18:52:44 · answer #1 · answered by Shadowfox 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rated M is intended for gamers 17 and up.
The ratings on the box are not enforceable law - they are guidelines intended to help consumers and retailers.
Target may have a policy that prohibits sale of M games to people under 18. The guy at Target was probably just doing his job.
A recent federal court decided that an IL law that would have criminalized the sale of M and AO games to minors was unconstitutional. This does not mean you have a right (as a minor) to purchase the games. It means that the state does not have the right to prevent a retailer from selling it to you. If Target wants to voluntarily restrict the sale of rated M games to minors, I guess you won't be shopping there.
UPDATE: Target DOES have a voluntary policy, but the guy in WA wasn't paying attention during training. You should have been allowed to buy the game (3rd link.)
2006-11-28 02:55:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will assume that you are in fact 17 and have proof of age that you can present to clerk. If you are under 17 what makes you think the would sell it to you in the first place?
Washington State might have a law restricting M rated games to 18 and up, I am sure you would have have known about it.
The retailor can set its own policies as to what they sell to whom. You have two choices, find a different retailor or go back either with your parent/guardian or hope the clerk is off duty. Try again and if you can not purchase it on your own, ask to speak to the manager about. Be polite, but firm. Try the line "I would like to know why your employees are not selling me the Scarface game I wanted." If you disagree with the manager's reasons, remain calm and say that you will no longer shop there and will encourage your friends to shop elsewhere as well.
The definition of M rated games is like R ratings for movies. Nobody 17 or under are supposed to see either. Therefor, the store has every right to set the minimum age to purchase at 18, just to cover its own butt when parents complain about their kids buying M rated games.
2006-11-28 03:44:35 · answer #3 · answered by Kevin k 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The guy must have been a dick! the box clearly stated you had to be 17 and older if you were 18 he had no reason not to sell you the game go try to buy the game somewhere else Washington State is ****** up! i live there! people card you for everything its messed up!!!! Did you show him the box??? You totally had the right to purchase that game!!!
2006-11-28 02:56:16 · answer #4 · answered by LIZ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋