The whole world knows that there is a game called Grand Theft Auto which is rated 17+ (In some cases 18+). But a part of that world also knows that many teenagers below that age limit play this game. The question is, how do they get their hands on the game?
The team at the MTV Multiplayer Blog has interviewed three underage teenagers to find out how they got their hands on the game. Read on.
But we all know that won’t prevent everyone under 17 from getting their hands on the game.
I recently talked to three teenagers who have owned and played “GTA” since well before the age of 17 — with and without their parents’ permission — about their past experiences with “GTA” games.
One 15 year-old told me his parents don’t allow him to play M-rated games without their approval, and “GTA” is strictly off-limits. However, he acquired “San Andreas” though a game-trading website, and they don’t know he’s been playing it:
“They would probably be more upset that I didn’t listen to them first, and about the content second. In my defense, I feel that going to high school has prepared me for the content in M-rated games.”
Read on to learn how these teens got their “GTA”s, what their parents do and don’t know about it, and whether they plan to acquire “GTA IV” later this month…
News Story attached to:
- Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories [PS2, PSP]
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas [PC, Xbox, PS2]
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories [PS2, PSP]
- Grand Theft Auto [PC, PSX, GBC]
- Grand Theft Auto 2 [GBC, DC, PSX, PC]
- Grand Theft Auto Advance [GBA, PC, Xbox, PS2]
- Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 [PSX]
- Grand Theft Auto IV [XBOX360, PS3]
- Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 [PC]
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City [Xbox, PC, PS2]
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That's the reason I can play GTA, Manhunt, Half Life 2, and Resistance. My parents realize I'm mature enough to handle the content and distinguish it from real life.
On the other hand there are some parents who do give a shit and monitor their childs games, yet the kids always seem to get a copy. How? Flea markets, trade-ins at lesser advertised stores, store clerks not giving a shit, you name it. Kids always find a way. Perhaps they ask their buddy to get it for him since his parents don't mind. Whatever the case may be, M is not off limits if the kid wants it bad enough.
The only thing that catches me as weird is that the cashiers don't ask my age. Which I do believe they have to do. It might be partially that I'm taller that most people around my area and act more mature than kids my age. =/
In case on developing countries where software piracy is on the loose, this happens loads. And ratings don't help there either. Hell, we have pirated copies of GTA San Andreas with an "E" rating in stores.
And one copy is like Rs. 200 (Like (US)$2.00). So any 10 year old kid can buy one without asking their parents for money. (I played GTA III when I was 11.)
But this probably doesn't apply to GTA IV because PS3 and 360 games haven't been hacked yet. But if GTA IV comes on PC someday, loads of children in developing countries are gonna play it.
The ESRB ratings aren't enforced, are they? Unless they are, it's not as if the shop will end up in legal trouble for selling the game to a person under the age of 17.
No, is the answer. That's why if I get IDed on the day, my mother has agreed to pick up my pre-order for me.