Study: M rated games have higher scores, better sales
by Ross Miller 
{ Sep 11th 2007 at 12:28PM }
The second mother shakes her head. "Sue Ellen, that's just not how the world works nowadays. My son John is a foul-mouthed bully who dreams about rivers of napalm and who picks fights with the local church group. In this zany world, John will be richer and more well-respected than that wuss you bore."
If that conversation makes no sense, replace the mothers with game publishers and the tea with, well, hot coffee. A recent study by the Electronic Entertainment Design and Research firm concluded that games rated Mature by the ESRB, despite being only one-tenth of the titles examined, "have both the highest average Metacritic scores and the highest average gross sales in the United States."
What does this say about the average video game consumer? It's hard to say, but we're thinking the industry is learning to grow up with its audience.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Cutty @ Sep 11th 2007 12:35PM
It makes sense to me. The fact that these games carry the M-rated tag means that the potential audience is smaller. Thus, the game has to be better. Well, should be. =D
Lex @ Sep 11th 2007 12:40PM
"What does this say about the average video game consumer? It's hard to say, but we're thinking the industry is learning to grow up with its audience."
Someone tell that to Nintendo.
Please, so then I have a viable excuse to buy a Wii and look like a idiot swinging my arms everywhere like everyone else.
religiousjedi @ Sep 11th 2007 12:47PM
I'm surprised this wasn't the first comment...
Well, Cutty got first comment, but second isn't bad!
AstroZombie @ Sep 11th 2007 1:25PM
"Someone tell that to Nintendo."
ah... ah... FUHKYOOO!!!
Sorry. Allergies.
t_m @ Sep 11th 2007 1:41PM
For one thing, it says that Game Reviewers are closer to hardcore gamers than casual gamers. (makes sense really).
Most people buying M rated games will be hardcore gamers. As will most reviewers. So the games they buy and rate highly will be similar.
The casual market is harder to call. Most casual titles aren't M-rated. Many don't even get reviewed.
And though there are way more casual gamers out there than hardcore gamers, they tend to buy a lot less games... and have more games to choose from. So the individual sales will be lower.
Reviewers still really don't get casual games, on platforms like the Wii and DS. This can be seen in the "all over the place" reviews they get.. and the resluting average scores. (but not in the sales.)
Kazi @ Sep 11th 2007 2:32PM
Yes, because hardcore gamer means you only buy M rated games (rolls eyes). HINT: The previous sentence was sarcasm.
Zaphod Beeblebrox @ Sep 11th 2007 12:40PM
hmmm, I wonder why that is. Jackie Boy, do you have an answer for us?
I think the answer is clear. The average age of a gamer is 30+ years old. An adult gamer wants more realistic gaming experiences. Game companies want to make games that appeal to the largest audience.
Those of us who grew up on Pac-man are now in our 30's and we want bigger/better/more immersive experiences that deal with real issues and fantasy. Kinda like R rated movies.
Zaphod Beeblebrox @ Sep 11th 2007 12:42PM
hmmm, I wonder why that is. Jackie Boy, do you have an answer for us?
I think the answer is clear. The average age of a gamer is 30+ years old. An adult gamer wants more realistic gaming experiences. Game companies want to make games that appeal to the largest audience.
Those of us who grew up on Pac-man are now in our 30's and we want bigger/better/more immersive experiences that deal with real issues and fantasy. Kinda like R rated movies.
Fix the response lag Joystiq or I will have a JackAss Thompson temper tantrum!!!
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 11th 2007 1:11PM
Way to tell the market what they really want.
Its the same thing Nintendo did with the N64, its the same thing Sony is doing now. In any case, that road is a dead end.
And Jesus is Awesome.
Zaphod Beeblebrox @ Sep 11th 2007 1:21PM
"And Jesus is Awesome."
Hello Sucker, I need 10% of your earinings (pre-tax), and don't ask why, just DO IT!!!
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 11th 2007 1:25PM
Hows it going Hard Gay/God is a Myth?
Korova @ Sep 11th 2007 12:47PM
This begs the question - is it the same for movies?!
License to ill @ Sep 11th 2007 12:58PM
No..
t_m @ Sep 11th 2007 1:46PM
Yes.
Well, not always... but movies aimed at kids and teenagers RARELY get good reviews like more grown up movies. Princess Diaries vs The Godfather.
Though I guess it depends what SOURCE you get for the reviews. Princess Diaries might get sucky reviews in "serious media". But i bet it got great reviews in teen-girl mags.
Similarly, casual titles like Wii games often get sucky reviews in hardcore sites/mags.. but great reviews in mainstream newspapers, etc..
Alexisonfire @ Sep 11th 2007 12:52PM
This is probably because there isn't as many M-rated license games and there are more established franchises and new IPs.
Rask @ Sep 11th 2007 12:53PM
This isn't surprising. A lot of the game buyers are adult and have a steady income stream of their own and choose to buy the entertainment that appeals to them.
I wonder if anyone but Jack Thompson think that the majority of these sales are uninformed parents buying these games for their kids.
Marty @ Sep 11th 2007 12:55PM
Well obviously adults aren't going to accept the lower quality in games that kids are... Adults detect this stuff better, and therefore need a higher quality product.
Jay @ Sep 11th 2007 1:03PM
Umm ... there is a statistical reason for this that has nothing to do with the ratings. Consider the amount of shovelware that is pushed out the door with ratings of E or T. These are budget titles that are just crap ... however, you rarely see M rated budget titles, because the limited audience restricts revenue. Publishers are less willing to take a chance on an M-rated game because they can't recoup the costs unless it's good.
So, you have MANY MANY more highly rated E to T games, but you also have vastly more crap to drag down the average score.
Statistics can be used to say whatever you want, however this study doesn't seem to pass academic muster.
ZapDash @ Sep 11th 2007 1:24PM
Good point.
If you look at many of the ten second internet games that are available, most would warrant a M rating (Kick the kitten, generic-sex-joke button masher, etc.) However, I doubt that any of them would score highly if reviewed on the professional level. If they were factored in then it would probably balance out the rest of the M rated games and the comparison would be about the same.
This really works with about any medium, Stephen King sells about as well as Harry Potter (overall) but there are also thousands of throwaway horror novels and kids books. (And if you factor in fanfiction...well lets not think about it.)
OnimushaSoki @ Sep 11th 2007 1:06PM
Actually, I'd rather know how many video gamers are influenced in their game purchases as a result of the rating?
At least with movies, when I was much younger... seeing an R-rated film was bad ass in any shape or form; even if it could've featured a shiz'storm of Dolph Lundgren, Steven Seagal, and Jean Claude "Muscles from Brussels" Van Damme... with director's duty helmed by Uwe Boll.
However... with videogames, it was a different story. It was mostly my brother and I, buying games that either had hooked us early on(Mario, Sonic)with the 'zany' gameplay... or violent beat'em ups & fighting games where both of us had enough COMMON SENSE to know we shouldn't commit the same acts upon others. Or worse, have our favorite games cease production because we blamed a videogame for something we knew better about, whether we touched the gaming console or not.
Besides, I've tried QCF+P'ing with my arm repeatedly, and no shoryuken. ;]
Joshua @ Sep 11th 2007 1:08PM
Yeah, because game scores have EVERYTHING to do with what the ESRB rated the game.
rdj75 @ Sep 11th 2007 1:10PM
Damn, "dreams about rivers of napalm". It just doesnt get anymore hardcore than that.
WiNG @ Sep 11th 2007 1:14PM
IMO this is simply because 90% of the crappiest shovelware are games like Happy Feet, E.T, and Bratz Fashion Show. Lazy developers looking for a quick tie-in cashfest will always choose some PG kids show since it is more likely to be bought impulsively. No adult would walk down an aisle and buy "Oprah's Magical Quest, rated M". But kids are impulsive and will buy/beg for anything with Spider Man or Teletubbies in it.
That's just the reality of it.
And whoever said "somebody tell Nintendo", you're a troll. Nintendo has a proven record of well reviewed games. But they are far from the average in the industry. The thing is most games like Medal of Heroes: Brotherhood in Honor HAVE to be at least GOOD, since they are competing against Realistic Headshots Shooter. But a game like Dora the Explorer's Spelling Bee is competing against Duplo blocks and a couple of shiny trinkets.
OnimushaSoki @ Sep 11th 2007 1:39PM
While I agree with most of your comment, I just want to add that it's common knowledge that Nintendo just isn't known for adult/mature oriented themes... in comparison to Microsoft, Sony, and even SEGA during the 16bit rivalry days.
But it obviously doesn't mean they haven't recorded amazing sales figures. In fact, when Nintendo HAS had a teen or mature rated game on their system, it usually was a pretty memorable title.
"Eternal Darkness", for starters. ;D
Kazi @ Sep 11th 2007 1:14PM
Gamers should all know by now that what a game looks like doesn't make the game great it's simply icing on the cake, or icecream on the pie -- you see, I prefer pie.
What this study is really saying is that eedar is half full of shit, critics are horribly biased against none violent games, or that there's way too many kiddy cash in games, like Zoey 101, Suite Life with Whoever & Douchebag, and so many other shitty cash in games (None of these options are a good thing for us). I do think it's reasonable that they'd get better sales since the kiddy image has a stigma with the preteen and older crowd. Even though those games can be a hell of a lot better than the ones their playing (example: Psychonauts).
Kazi @ Sep 11th 2007 1:26PM
I can't believe I made a they're mistake, lohl.
ZapDash @ Sep 11th 2007 1:30PM
"Suite Life with Whoever & Douchebag"
That ROCKS!
I couldn't explain that show better in any way.
Andrew @ Sep 11th 2007 1:16PM
"...but we're thinking the industry is learning to grow up with its audience."
Why is this considered growing up? This is exactly why M rated games get better scores: immature gamers see violence, sex, or any other "adult themes", and it's all FAP FAP FAP. The game industry isn't growing up: it's running out of ideas.
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 11th 2007 1:21PM
You sir get voted up by me. Mature rated games just have blood, sex, and cursing. There's nothing "mature" about these themes.
The only M rated game I can think of that actually has Mature content is Eternal Darkness.
Ska Oreo @ Sep 11th 2007 1:25PM
Don't forget Indigo Prophecy. Games like that are "mature." Not the constant stream of GTA wannabes.
waves @ Sep 11th 2007 1:39PM
It may be true that a lot of M rated game are just mindless bloodfests, but a mature plot in a game usually garnets an M rating as well. I'm talking about games like the Metal Gear Solid series, Bioshock, etc. There are some games that attempt a plot with mature themes while avoiding the M rating. Beyond Good and Evil tried, and it was a good game, but not a commercial success.
I suppose the Final Fantasy series in an exception, but RPGs usually have to be pretty brutal to get an M rating due to the disconnected nature of the gameplay.
Zaphod Beeblebrox @ Sep 11th 2007 1:25PM
"Mature rated games just have blood, sex, and cursing. There's nothing "mature" about these themes."
Sex? Are you kidding me? Name 1 M-rated game that has sex in it. (hot coffee mod does not count)
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 11th 2007 1:28PM
Perhaps not intercourse itself, but DOA Extreme Beach Volleyball and DOA Xtreme 2 say hi, and also that Jesus is Awesome.
Ska Oreo @ Sep 11th 2007 1:28PM
Sex doesn't have to mean two characters getting it on.
Kazi @ Sep 11th 2007 1:28PM
Leisure Suit Larry
Ska Oreo @ Sep 11th 2007 1:31PM
oh and european version of Indigo Prophecy. And God of War.
Korova @ Sep 11th 2007 1:53PM
Any game with an unusually well endowed heroine clad in impractically small armor. Pays double with breast physics.
Abscissa @ Sep 11th 2007 3:44PM
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time had a sex cutscene. Didn't show anything, but it was pretty clear what was going on.
Rubang B @ Sep 11th 2007 1:33PM
Q: "What does this say about the average video game consumer?"
A: The average video game consumer is a 10-year-old whiny bitch who thinks blood and tits a great game make. Sadly they are wrong, and they are who be holding the industry back.
Andrew @ Sep 11th 2007 1:34PM
QFT
Ska Oreo @ Sep 11th 2007 3:33PM
*Ska gives Rubang B a standing ovation*
Rubang B @ Sep 11th 2007 1:35PM
The rating M means blood and tits and nothing else. The word "mature" however makes me think of Brain Age. Old folks people, old folks. They should just reverse the entire rating system at this point.
Jake @ Sep 11th 2007 1:39PM
The majority of shovelware games are rated teen. Adults are less likely to buy crappy games than kids.
Zaphod Beeblebrox @ Sep 11th 2007 1:40PM
"but DOA Extreme Beach Volleyball and DOA Xtreme 2 say hi, and also that Jesus is Awesome."
So you don't go to the beach or the waterpark then. I mean Lords of Kobal forbid if you have "sex" there. I did not know that women in bikini's = SEX.
"and also that Jesus is Awesome"
Does saying that make you feel better? Give me 10% Sucker!
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 11th 2007 1:56PM
Jesus is Awesome.
Yes it does. Does demanding 10% make you feel superior?
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 11th 2007 1:57PM
Oh, and I don't know what beaches you go to, but I've never been to one with girls feeding each other strawberries in the most suggestive way possible. Are you suggesting that DOA:BV and DOA:EX2 are anything BUT fanservice?
Kazi @ Sep 11th 2007 2:20PM
There's a reason hot chicks and hot men are used to advertise things for various audiences. It's because sexual attraction sells stuff. When you see scantly clad woman on a video game cover, that's them advertising with sex. Hince why Sudeki was made by a dev called CLIMAX and had a review on it's cover from MAXIM.
Zaphod Beeblebrox @ Sep 11th 2007 2:32PM
When I say give me 10% I am not refering to me. I am refering to the church tithes. By the Lords of Kobal your eyes are shut so tightly that even if I pry them open they would still see only what the wanted to "see"
Crono (NDF - Fire Ring) @ Sep 11th 2007 2:42PM
I know what you're refering to, hardgay. It's just not worth responding to because its so stupid. But by you bringing it up, it obviously makes you feel superior, since you don't have a "god" asking you to give to "charity" for the "lords" work.
Give 10% of your earnings to charity. oh how terrible! Jesus says we should give to charity! That hypocrit.
megaStryke @ Sep 11th 2007 1:43PM
The Myst series is far more mature than most M-rated games out there, but with the exception of one T-rated game all of the Myst titles are E-rated. That right there is proof that ratings don't reflect how deep and meaningful a game is, even if the game in question is a rich experience that only an adult could truly appreciate.