Mediawise Isn’t – 2007
Posted on December 22nd, 2007 by
We’re proud to prove once again why people who don’t play video games need to hire some actual gamers as fact checkers if they ever want to, y’know, actually help parents. Our own Colleen Hannon, the MomGamer (no relation) has crafted this excellent look at where MediaWise isn’t wise at all. (MediaWise please contact me if you’d like our help next year. Thanks!)
MediaWise Isn’t 2007 at GamerDad.com
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:32 am
I’d like to mention that under the “games recommended” list they have Viva Pinata – which was a 2006 release. Viva Pinata Party Animals is the new one. Minor distinction? Sure.
Other points. God of War 2 should be on top of the AVOID list mainly because it’s a PS2 title and – I guess unbeknownst to Mediawise – the PS2 is still the most common console for families.
I’d also like to mention that there isn’t a single game on the AVOID list that isn’t obviously not for kids if you just look at the box art.
The recommend Guitar Hero III, which is fine, except they don’t tell those Christian parents out there that the devil – Lou – is a main character and the final boss. I assume those parents also might not enjoy 666 The Number of the Beast from Iron Maiden. I’m no evangelical myself, but we always warn about occult imagery – just in case the parent cares.
Under recommended games, Mario vs. Sonic at the Olympics is awful. Avoid it. Sims 2 Castaway is similarly unimpressive. FIFA is an interesting choice, but it sells far better in Europe then here. Mediawise has a soccer fan? With little effort, as Colleen mentions, we have about 30 better games to recommend in our Holiday Guide (http://www.gamingwithchildren.com/2007-12-09/the-gamerdad-holiday-guide-07/).
Colleen does a terrific job with the rest except that I’d disagree with Link’s Crossbow Training (Wii) because for some parents guns are controversial – even in fake form (I disagree but respect that) – and because the game is decent, but the peripheral, in my opinion, is clumsier than the elegant remote and nunchuk by themselves.
Check out that Holiday Guide above and be careful about where you get your information. Only trust parental resources staffed by gamers – only trust people who actually play the games.
MediaWise. Isn’t.
December 22nd, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Wow, Good read. I’d definately go along with GamerDad on this one and think Guitar Hero III shouldn’t be on that list without mentioning the last “set” of songs which are a bit much on the satanic theme… (the guitarist is performing several devil-themed songs in a concert in hell… rather over-the-top for some people…) The rest of Guitar Hero III is a pretty cool game.
December 24th, 2007 at 1:46 am
That’s a good catch on Link. Both Twilight Princess and Link’s Crossbow Training are rated T, so it didn’t dawn on me to look at it from that perspective. I was just trying to get something good for the late tween/early teen set somewhere on that list. The game itself is short but pure awesome, and as Andrew pointed out can be played without the plastic Zapper shell. I’m curious about your take on the Wii Mastersword/Shield combo shell set you can get too. (see it http://www.camyinternational.com/heropack/)
Yeah, Guitar Hero had me scratching my head. That and Need for Speed. I don’t know who made their decisions, but apparently they aren’t involved in the rest of their work or something.
January 4th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Over all, a great article! While I agree on GH3, it is purely from the standpoint of these people not really doing what they say they are doing. I let my kids play GH3 (any of the versions actually), and it’s great fun. Frankly, the kids are more intent on scoring than paying attention to what the lyrics might be.
NFS Pro Street, well that’s my game and it’s really about the tuner scene, not gangs. And Pro Street, regardless of the implications of the name, is not about street racing. The tracks are all closed with only racing competition to deal with. No pedestrians, no bystander vehicles and no police. It’s called “Pro Street” because the vehicles are street legal. There aren’t any gangs or gang affiliations, though there are racing bosses to beat once certain race events have been accomplished. The biggest objectionable bit of material would be the scantily clad women in it. They tend to be the race starters and can also be seen in between as go-go type dancers.
The Orange Box is really a mixed bag. The Halflife games definitely have a more mature storyline and some elements probably shouldn’t be left to the kids. Portal on the other hand is absolutely a delightful little puzzle solving game where the only conflict is with the “Computer” and at the end, you must destroy it. Team Fortress 2, while absolutely hilarious for older teens or adults, satirizes bloodfest by making it a touch over the top by pointing out bits of you after you’ve been mowed down. The game is very tongue-in-cheek and shouldn’t be taken seriously, but shouldn’t be played by immature children.
Other games to avoid if you aren’t aware: Unreal Tournament 3 (PC), Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3).
Personally, I’d let my 12 year old play any of the games mentioned provided I had a chance to sit down and play it with him for a while. He’s pretty level-headed and not at all prone to fantasy. I guess ultimately, it boils down to parent interaction. Don’t just rely in the guides, which can be helpful. Sit down and play the game with the kids and make certain they know it’s not real.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Okay, somebody explain to me why it makes sense to have Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock on a recommended list but omit Rock Band.
January 4th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
“I do know I don’t want the government to get into the content assessment business on any level, nor do I want them to just go in and stomp all over someone’s copyright.”
Really? In Quebec, we don’t use the MPAA rating. Instead, the government assigns their own rating to all movies. In general, the rule of thumb is take the MPAA rating and knock one off. So if the MPAA rates it R, the government usually rates it PG-13. If the MPAA rates it PG-13, the government usually rates it G.
While I’m long past the age where I “benefit” from this liberal stance on movie ratings, I, for one, much prefer having the government do the ratings rather than the MPAA. The governments’ ratings tend to be more consistent than the MPAA, and don’t do silly things like rate a movie R just because it uses the F word. God forbid a 17 year old should hear the F word in a movie! Because they certainly NEVER hear or use such language with their friends.
And so, for my own statement, I’d like to turn your statement around:
“I do know I don’t want the MPAA to take over for the government in the content assessment business on any level.”
January 14th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I like GamerDad.
I find their take on videogames refreshingly sane for such a passionate topic in today’s society as “What games are really appropriate for our kids?”
Now I’m 17. I was raised with no real limits on what I was exposed to in terms of violence. I believe I saw my first rated-R movie at the age of 7 and have yet to be involved in ANY violent incident, but some may yet still consider my view skewed.
But I digress…
The point that motivated me towards this post was the a comment about Need for Speed Pro Street by Colleen that reads thus: “Need for Speed Pro Street is all about gangs and street racing – think ‘The Fast and the Furious’. ”
Now I’m sure many people who frequent this place will know where I’m going with this, but I’ll say it anyways…
Did she even play the game?
I’m guessing not, she’s just the author.
Did her ‘review’ staff bother to play the game?
I think not. Most likely they went be precedent.
If this were ANY of the previous Need for Speed games I’d absolutely agree. In fact I agree that there may still be some content that certain parents may take issue with, such as the frequent referencing of street racing.
But no gangs are in it this game.
In fact, no actual street racing is depicted in this game.
What’s more? It’s heavily discouraged.
Small issue I know in light of some of the other mistakes they made.
I know Tom already touched on this point; I just wanted to draw emphasis that this article should not be taken at face value by parents.
January 14th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Hey, thanks for the comments.
The article has been edited. The edit has been explained. And we offer apologies for the error.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:05 am
“But if it makes even one parent start looking at the covers of the games coming into their home and thinking, then I guess it’s worth something.”
I really dislike this kind of thinking. What if it makes one parent start looking and thinking, and makes 10,000 parents make poor decisions based on incorrect or misleading information. Then it is certainly worth something, but I would call it negative value.
I have the same reaction when I hear people saying “If government program x helps just one family it will be worth it.” Well, if the resources used on program x could have been used in support of program y instead, and program y would have helped 2 families, then program x would have been a waste, wouldn’t it?