Rated T for Similated Gambling?

pokeplayer984 · **on:** May 02, 2009, 02:00:28 AM

Okay, I recently downloaded a game on my DSi called "Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics". It's nothing more than several card games in one game. Now, knowing this, it should be rated E, right? Wrong!

According to the ESRB, it's rated T. "Okay, maybe it's got the AI giving off strong language, right?" Nope!

"Sore loser AI's that kills you?" Nope!

"Okay, sexy looking cards!" No! They're VERY ordinary.

"Then why?"

Answer: Simulated Gambling.

WTF?

Is it just me or does this seem like one of the lamest reasons ever to give a T rating?

Your thoughts?

Mumbling · **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2009, 02:06:48 AM

I dont know what a T rating is, maybe you could explain it a bit more.

Then again, there are people who complain about everything. I've had someone complain at school because we had a poll about football and who would win. Someone's dad went completely crazy over it yelling through the whole school that it was not acceptable that those kids were gambling.. yea right, we're alla t least 12 and it wasn't about real money anyway. But that's how people are.

pokeplayer984 · **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2009, 02:41:41 AM

Here's how the rating works:

eC = Early Childhood (2 to 6 years)

E = Everyone (6 and older)

E 10+ = Everyone 10+ (10 and older)

T = Teen (13 and older)

M = Mature (17 and older)

Ao = Adults Only (18 and older)

That should say plenty.

Mumbling · **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2009, 03:36:05 AM

Ah okay, thanks!

Yea well, now it makes sense hehe.

We've got rated for ages.. AL is everyone, 6+, 12+, 16+ and 18+. To me that sounds logical too.

I don't think a 13 year and older thing is bad. Even then parents can go crazy(see example above)

Malte279 · **Reply #4 on:** May 02, 2009, 04:04:20 AM

Is poker one of the games simulated? Is there any allusion to the winner getting money for the victory?
Over here with the sudden rennaissance of poker has led to addiction to gambling becoming a more acute problem once again. Maybe that's the cause for the rating of the game?

pokeplayer984 · **Reply #5 on:** May 02, 2009, 08:35:25 AM

Quote from: Malte279,May 2 2009 on 02:04 AM

Is poker one of the games simulated? Is there any allusion to the winner getting money for the victory?
Over here with the sudden rennaissance of poker has led to addiction to gambling becoming a more acute problem once again. Maybe that's the cause for the rating of the game?

It does hold both Blackjack and "5 Card Draw Poker" in it. In those two, you bid chips and the player with the highest amount of chips after 5 games wins. (So it's addictively competitive.)

Still, that's just under half. There's only 5 different games to play, and you're not playing with real money.

*sighs* If it's come to this, I fear for mankind. -_-

Littlefoot1616 · **Reply #6 on:** May 02, 2009, 11:01:59 PM

Europe employs the PEGI system which is not strictly a requirement for grading games for content. We have 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+ and 18+ along with other symbols depicting content such as strong language, violence (even discrimination). The UK also employs the standard BBFC certificates that normally go with films such as U, 12, 15 and 18 (no PG) but again these are only just starting to become routine. Most games have either one or the other by means of classification.

As for the T rating for a poker styled game, I'm not really surprised. In the UK, you have to be 18 or over to be allowed to gamble (this includes casinos and fruit machines in bars and pubs). With that ruling I'm not particularly amazed a poker-sim is graded for Teens and above. Obviously, kids under this age range probably shouldn't be looking into concepts of gambling even if it is purely a simulation. Can you imagine the uproar the games company would get when kids around 8-10 years old are all suddenly playing Texas Hold Em in the playground fed with the usual excuse "I got the idea from a video game"! As I said...no surprises here...

DarkHououmon · **Reply #7 on:** May 02, 2009, 11:22:19 PM

Yeah, I'm not surprised the gambling game is rated T either. I don't think I'd want to see a young child playing a simulated gambling game and getting hooked at such a young age. Those addicted to gambling lose a lot of money in a very short time. I used to be addicted to lottery tickets, having spent probably a few hundred dollars on them. Nowadays I avoid lottery tickets as much as I can because it doesn't take much to get me addicted to them again.

Serris · **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2009, 10:21:42 PM

I'm not surprised even though I've been gambling (with scratch off tickets) since I was about 12. And I knew people who played poker in 6th grade.