The Arbitrariness of Game Ratings

Before I begin, let me admit to something: we are a household with game consoles. Not so much for the children, but because the grown-ups like to wind down sometimes with an hour or two (or more) of games in the evening (and being in the job we are, it also helps to have them available for youth games nights, too - Wii Boxing anyone?)

This wasn't such an issue when our children were infants, but now they are preschoolers they are observing more and more of our behaviour, and wanting to join in. So we're entering the time now where the kids are starting to be able to play console games, too. It's opened up some interesting opportunities for discussion with the kids.

At first, Eldest was only interested in Daddy's car game where he could construct cars and paint them (Forza), but he's recently shown some interest in other things too. So I started to look at the possibility of finding something suitable in a G rated game. Around the time of the Olympics, one of the most popular games in stores was a Wii game called "Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games". It was cute, it seemed like fun, and it gave the kids the chance to compete in track and field or swimming races at a level they could handle. It was rated G, there was no violence or profanity. So far, so good.

That was until we noticed the behaviour of the characters at the end of each race. Unless the characters get a medal (in some cases unless they come first), they cry, shake their fists, look despondent, shake their heads or say disparaging things. Some of the female characters burst into tears, head in hands, if they finish anywhere below 3rd. The effect on Eldest was almost instantaneous. Despite doing incredibly well for a 4 year old, the reaction of the characters made him hang his head and say "Ohhhh. I lost. I didn't do any good." We tried to explain that the way the characters responded was called 'being a bad loser', but the behaviour very quickly entered other play times. So after a short period of play, we had to stop it altogether.

Games are very much a "sometimes treat", saved for rainy days or extremely cold weather. I've learned very quickly that a G rating can sometimes be worse than PG - especially where character attitudes are involved. It's not just this game - it seems a regular deal that game developers try to make G-rated games more edgy by adding in "attitude". But that makes it a mindfield for introducing to kids. By contrast we have another game called "de Blob" - which is rated PG - which is far less problematic for the kids. They get to roll a blobby ball around a colourless city painting the buildings and restoring colour. It's a far better game (and Australian developed) for the young ones. The ratings system is a bit of a blunt instrument for helping parents work out what's suitable for the kids. We're grateful that we are able to talk things through with Eldest and help him work out why one particular game may not be a good idea.

I spoke before about the Kids in Mind website, but as far as I can tell nothing similar exists for games. It would be nice, though!

Grace, on the other hand...

Something cool for a change:

When Technology becomes activism...

I am in a little bit of an ethical quandry. You see, recently I became a Mac owner, and up until a few days ago, I was happy to recommend my new technology to everyone. Now, however, I'm not so sure. 

Why the change? Well, a few days ago, Apple released a statement that said the following:

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

Proposition 8 is something that really only affects Californians at the moment, but it reflects public discomfort with the move of several legislatures to allow equal recognition and status of same sex marriages. If Proposition 8 were passed, it would affirm that marriage is only legitimate between a man and a woman.

I'm concerned with Apple's activism on this issue, and am now unable to recommend them as a technological choice. Sorry. 

Friday Funnies - Honesty in the digital age

Yes, I know this is a day early, but this was too funny to miss. Below is a screen grab of an email sent to an AAPT employee, which is now doing the rounds of the net. It seems the employee had called in sick to work, but then proceeded to give his true status out on facebook. Needless to say, his employers weren't buying the "I'm sick" line... 

("The proof" refers to the employee's refusal to hand over a medical certificate for a single day absence)

The moral of the story is: if you're determined to be dishonest, don't broadcast it on the internet. (Well, one of the possible morals. Another might be: don't get trashed the night before you're supposed to be working.)

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New Kids' Books

...Well, just new to me. They've been around for a while. While I was in Sydney, I popped into the Oxfam shop to check out their wares, and stumbled upon two rather good books for the kids.

W is for World is an ABC book with a difference. It's already helped my children to understand about different climates, homes, and the blessings they have in their world.

One Child One seed is a counting book with a difference, with similar insights into different cultures. It's far more fascinating than the usual counting books! ("one apple, two umbrellas, three cows, etc etc.)

Both books have explanatory paragraphs for each letter or number, so you can help your kids understand the wider context of the kids' lives. They're great books, and particularly helpful for our situation, which is fairly limited in its exposure to other cultures and ways of life. 

You can buy them online at the Oxfam shop, too.

Nothing to See Here...

Sorry about the absence. I've been inter-city going to a big Synod-type-thingie, and my brain is currently fried. Thinking seems to take a lot more out of me these days... ;)

Nothing Funny about Friday

Yesterday, in a terrific step backward, Victorian politicians voted to legalise abortion of babies up to 24 weeks, and even later if they have the consent of two doctors. Now doctors who disagree with abortion will be legally obligated to refer patients to other doctors willing to comply.

We can't just blow this off as a woman's choice. An abortion is not like removing a skin lesion. If left alone, a foetus will grow into a separate human being. An individual who has every right to life, but no ability to fight for it. The statistics (pdf file) tell the tale:

Number of adoptions by year:

1971-72 - 9,798

2003-4 - 502

Why does this make me cry? I would not be in existence today had abortion been so legally available 80 years ago. My grandmother would have been quietly gotten rid of, no questions asked. There are tens of thousands of people alive today who owe their very existence to legislative bodies who chose to protect the unborn. Our society will be much the poorer for allowing this to happen. Future generations will be much the poorer.

Tourism campaign

At last, a "visit Australia" tourism ad that we can avoid cringing over...

Baz Luhrman's ad

The financial crisis means that we're highly unlikely to have hordes of US visitors any time soon, but at least the ad isn't kitsch or lowbrow...

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Current reading

In my brain-addled and mother-of-small-children state, I find it difficult to devote time to "serious" books (well, any book really). Which is why I picked up the following book with some trepidation. Well, two books really - Shepherding a Child's Heart also has an accompanying bible study book. I've found it very encouraging so far.

There really is nothing new under the sun

"...And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbour. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

The fool folds his hands

and ruins himself.

Better one handful with tranquility

than two handfuls with toil

and chasing after the wind."

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6