ESRB reminds parents GTA IV isn't for children

by Alexander Sliwinski { Apr 25th 2008 at 4:58PM }

The ESRB and National Institute on Media and the Family would like to remind (naïve) parents that Grand Theft Auto IV is not appropriate for children. In a joint statement by the two organizations, the groups point out GTA IV has been rated Mature for: Intense Violence, Blood, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Partial Nudity and Use of Drugs and Alcohol. What 12-year-old wouldn't beg to play that? It sounds awesome!

The two organizations "encourage parents to be informed and exercise their discretion when considering the purchase of all M-rated games." The ESRB reminds that the average age of a gamer is now over 30 and that some titles are "clearly not intended" for kids. And GTA IV is clearly one of those games.

Tags: esrb, grand-theft-auto-iv, grandtheftautoiv, gta-iv, gtaiv, national-institute-on-media-and-the-family

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Limezor @ Apr 25th 2008 5:02PM

"but they will play it anyway!!"

I doubt this will shut them up =(

Hashbrown Hunter @ Apr 25th 2008 5:26PM

"Mommy, I want that game!"

"No, it's too inappropriate for your age."

"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?"

"No."

The young child stares up innocently at his mother, with eyes larger than a puppy on ecstasy.

"...........how much?"

Vegnagun bwf @ Apr 25th 2008 5:27PM

Too true, Hasbrown, too true.

Seanross @ Apr 26th 2008 2:24AM

What they need is at the end of each commercial advertising it a warning stressing that it is not for anyone "underage"

Saria the Cat @ Apr 25th 2008 5:08PM

"Then why are you marketing it towards kids?" How embarrassing that the majority of American parents find it the institutions' responsibility to monitor (a.k.a. parent) their own children.

Jack (SFC: 4983 4617 3409) @ Apr 25th 2008 5:17PM

Parents expect that across all boards. We have sex education in school because parents don't know how to have the "talk" with children. We have "Say NO to Drugs!" campaigns because parents don't know how to tell their children to take everything in moderation.

Parents expecting the ESRB to monitor their children is not surprising. And because the ESRB will get a bad rap if it doesn't the ESRB will do it.

On a non-related note: Would it be too much to request a smash add?

Saria the Cat @ Apr 25th 2008 5:32PM

@Jack: Oh yeah, I was talking about all institutions, not just media. It's sad all around that American parents keep shifting parental responsibility on "the system" instead of learning how to communicate to their own child.

I am adding you right now! :) My FC is: 3523-1756-8373. AIM me at "Saria the Cat" whenever you want to play.

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 25th 2008 5:35PM

Lucky Jack!

RabbidMickeyMouse @ Apr 25th 2008 6:36PM

Why just Americans?

Saria the Cat @ Apr 25th 2008 9:27PM

@RabbidMickeyMouse: Well, I can't peak for all other nations, since I am only really familiar with my own's politics, but it seems like there is a similar problem going on in Europe and the UK, yeah.

playwhutyalike @ Apr 25th 2008 5:07PM

Damn. I invited all of the children in my neighborhood over for a GTA IV party. What the fuck am I supposed to do with all of this vodka?

Vegnagun bwf @ Apr 25th 2008 5:13PM

Your post reeks of pedophilia.

playwhutyalike @ Apr 25th 2008 5:16PM

Come on, Mr. ESC! I needs to have a seat.....

Vegnagun bwf @ Apr 25th 2008 5:18PM

Why don't you just take a seat...just take a seat right over there. How about it hmm? Just take a seat, right over there.

playwhutyalike @ Apr 25th 2008 5:23PM

Oh my God, It's Chris Hanson!

*gun to side of head, pulls trigger*

Zertoss @ Apr 25th 2008 5:28PM

This right here is why I love the Internet and hate it at the same time.

Cal @ Apr 25th 2008 5:29PM

Invite Jack Thompson over, with the shit that comes out of his mouth he must be plastered 24/7...

JonFitt @ Apr 25th 2008 6:02PM

First Gamestop employee to sell GTA4 to J.T.'s son gets a bonus prize.

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 25th 2008 5:09PM

So, the majority of Sony fanboys on Joystiq can't play the game?

Poor kiddos...

Markez @ Apr 25th 2008 5:10PM

Typically I would say you don't deserve most of the down votes you get on the site. That being said, I can't imagine it'll take long for you to reach a half-heart on this one. Sorry, pal.

Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ Apr 25th 2008 5:12PM

Looks like they will have to play Mario Kart instead... but... I guess that wont happen.

They will probably ask their big brother/parents over and over to buy it for them until they cave in...

Limezor @ Apr 25th 2008 5:12PM

Haha usually you're annoying Fernando but this time it was hilarious =D

PojoMofo @ Apr 25th 2008 5:12PM

LMAO, coming from a Wiibot this is hilarious, dont you have more Ninjabread man to play??

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 25th 2008 5:14PM

I know I will get voted down very fast... I was just talking about that with a Joystiqer friend over MSN.

But it was funny! =p

Robert @ Apr 25th 2008 5:14PM

Fernando you really need medical attention, this obsession to bash anything Sony is too much for a normal person

Vegnagun bwf @ Apr 25th 2008 5:15PM

PS3 is geared more towards adults and the Wii is geared towards the kids. The ironing is so delicious.

Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ Apr 25th 2008 5:21PM

The day Fernando owned the entire Sony fanbase.

Remember 4/25/08.

Not that there is anything wrong with the PS3 but most of you Sony fans are ridiculous. Take some notes from Sheppy, use logic, SOMETIMES it will work.

Vegnagun bwf @ Apr 25th 2008 5:26PM

Raikage, he just used an old internet arguing standby: You're a kid, you don't have opinions. How is that ownage? That's about as powerful an argument shifter as "You're gay" or "Get a life".

el serpiente @ Apr 25th 2008 5:30PM

Raikage, how are you able to type with both of your hands holding on to fernando's weiner?

Ninjakamster @ Apr 25th 2008 5:30PM

Beleive it or not, 360 fanboys are as (if not more) annoying than PS3 fanboys. Its shocking, I know! Most simply don't realize it.

Recently, I have seen PS3 fanboyism tone down and 360 fanboys out to bash the PS3 whenever they see fit, thinking they are on some righteous crusade (I'm looking at you PremierAssassin).

Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ Apr 25th 2008 5:34PM

He takes crap from all sides all the time (especially over the Mario Kart vs GTAIV), and he essentially burned them using the same method that they use on him (Oh MK is for teh kidz).

I know it's not just me but I see many many more kids playing GTA than MK

BrokenMonkey @ Apr 25th 2008 5:35PM

Ouch it might hurt to eat a hot iron!

tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 25th 2008 5:36PM

Wii owner calls playstation owner kids

*looks at 99.99999% of wii games on the shelf*

*head proceeds to explode at the stupidity of fernando's comment*

Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ Apr 25th 2008 5:39PM

I'd say I'm using my tongue but that's in your va-jay-jay.

I totally just went there.

TheOverlord#2 can has Mario Karts?(B:1461-5875-9923) @ Apr 25th 2008 5:39PM

Um...They give Limezor 3 hearts for calling Fernando hilarious but give Fernando 1 heart for the hilarious comment?

Somethings fishy...

Fernando Rocker @ Apr 25th 2008 5:41PM

Ninja

Please, when you read all the comments over Joystiq or any other site, you can see that all the bad words and curses came from Sony fanboys.

They are the less respectul fanboys... they attack people directly, they curse etc.

I bash Sony, ok. But I never start bashing anyone in particular, and I don't like to say curses.

They are the only ones making fake accounts, changing avatars and insulting people personally.
Just pay attention and you will se.

el serpiente @ Apr 25th 2008 9:35PM

Fernando, there are idiots on all sides. Meet ThePremierAssassin, among others.

You should be one to talk though, seeing as you make it your mission in life to derail every single PS3 thread that comes through joystiq.

I bet if you disappeared, so would half the flame wars on this site.

Chameleon @ Apr 26th 2008 10:55AM

@serpiente

'I bet if you disappeared, so would half the flame wars on this site'

that my friend, is wishful thinking ....

Roto13 @ Apr 25th 2008 5:10PM

You could beat them with a sack of oranges that screams "GRAND THEFT AUTO IS NOT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO PLAY" with every sickening thump and they still wouldn't understand.

Waffle Slayer @ Apr 26th 2008 12:04AM

I prefer pillowcases filled with bars of soap.

JoSav @ Apr 25th 2008 5:14PM

blame the parents not the games or developers.

blame the psychos not the games or developers.

blame their neighborhood not the games or developers.

blame the government for trying to control everything , we are far too many , they are afraid of us.

an example , If i choose to not go to IRAQ is my choice and shouldnt go to jail, if i were that soldier i would go to IRAQ but i would destroy every tank and weapons me might have , destroy the food and burn up all the gas.