The game "gears of war" is rated M, should my 11 year old son be playing?

Question

my parents spoil my older son with shopping sprees for video games, mini motorcycles, and anything electronic that he wants. last week they took him shopping, he game back with the game. im not into video games so would somebody give me some guidelines on why that game is rated m and if it is appropriate for an 11 year old sixth grade boy. why or why not?

Answer 1

It's rated M for lots of violence and the very dark, depressing atmosphere of the game. You may want to check it out before letting him play it; most video game stores can set up a demo so you can see how it actually looks. As a parent it's *your* call to make, not anyone else's.

Answer 2

"Gears of War" is an extremely visceral and gory game, thus winning itself the M rating by ESRB(the ratings board).

In the game itself, you can blow people's heads off literally and watch the bits and pieces of flesh fly everywhere. You can also do what gamers call a 'head stomp', which involves you crushing your foe's head with your boot. The most gory part of the game is when you cut up your foe with a powered chainsaw, which splashes lots and lots of blood all over the screen. There are no sexual themes, whatsoever, just lots and lots of blood. Also, there's the use of some profanities here and there, but nothing excessive.

I believe there is a parental control for the XBOX360, where you can turn off certain video effects like blood and gore for the younger players. If memory serves me right, you can find this control on the XBOX360 dashboard, that's the place you find yourself without a CD being loaded in the CD tray. Without all the blood and gore, it may be slightly more appropriate for the discerning parent.

Besides, 6th graders aren't that young anymore and you should be more liberal in the things you allow your son to do. Given proper guidance, I don't see 'Gears of War' as a big problem -- I was playing M-rated games even before 11!

So, the verdict: LET HIM PLAY IT! It's a great game. It's also the Game of the Year! If you're still thinking twice about letting him play it, I suggest getting him Viva Pinata instead, it's a great game with much less violence. :)

Answer 3

The ESRB label explains why the game is rated 'M' for Mature, usually on the back of the box.

Gears of Wars - right out of the box- is not appropriate for an 11-year old; its content is equal to that of an R-rated movie. There's heavy swearing (the F-bomb is dropped quite a bit, along with other colorful words), lots of gore, and the visuals are fairly intense.

Now, blood can be disabled in the menu options, but I am unsure about the language. All in all, I would wait until your son is at least 14 before re-thinking his maturity in terms of this game.

For more information on the ESRB rating system, visit this site:

http://www.esrb.org/index-js.jsp

Answer 4

There are a few reasons why this game is fine for your son to play, and why it is not. Firstly, the game is a very fun game, so he will be out of your hair. But then again, there are very disturbing images in it, qhich at 11 years old, may be a little extreme. I can recall a point in the game where a guy complains about his broken helmet, almost immediately a sniper bullet penetrates his skull and he lies bleeding on the ground. Now ask yourself, is this good for your child? Can he handle that prospect? If so, so be it, but if not, I guess it's time to rule with an iron fist. Secondly, the game's gore level can be turned off. If you pause the game, and go to options, the gore can be turned off and no blood will come spilling out when you kill something. But then again, he is STILL chainsawing a guy across his ribcage...which is a little mature. Abnd lastly the game is riddled with f bombs, and other curse words, which CAN'T be turned off. So overall, it's based on how into the game your son is and how much he is mimicking it...which quite franky, probably won't happen.

Answer 5

Its more up to you but if i were you i would check the game out my self and see if you think its good for him to play, but personaly i would say no cuz it has lots of blood and gore in it and ive seen people try to imitate things like this. And if you want to know why a game is rated what it is, look on the back of the box and it will say at the bottem left hand corner.(example. i have the legend of zelda twilight princess and it says its rated T for teen for animated blood and fantasy violence.) And if your not liking this whole blood and gore thing i would get a new system cuz the xbox company makes lots of games like this.(halo 2, halo, brothers in arms, ghost recon, ect)

Answer 6

No way! M= mature. An 11 year old is in no way mature enough for a game like that. That kind of violence can only have a negative effect. If you can't play it with him then don't let him play it.

Answer 7

You know if your son is mature enough. But Ill give a warning about playing over xbox live....there is a lot of swearing and smack talk and adult themes discussed. I would NOT let any child on xbox live with that kind of game.

Answer 8

I will advise you to see the game for yourself, I have it and I don't think is for kids, because of the strong language, gore and others aspects of the game, that may be disturbing for a kid.
Until he is mature you have the responsibly of guiding him, and make choices like this for him.

Answer 9

I've played the game, it's better for him than say Grand Thief Auto. Just remind him that it's just a game. I think it's fine, but you may want to play the game for yourself just to make sure. It really is an entertaining game; if you find it inappropriate for him, perhaps you should keep it for yourself.

Answer 10

as previously mentioned here i would let him ply the game althugh violent, gears is a tremendously fun game.

however i would recomend you try to keep your son offline just because many gamers on xbox live frown onencountering an 11 year old on xbox live