Call of Duty
01.02.2010
The largely popular video game Call of Duty is a game for adults, but a lot of parents experience that their children want to play the game.
by Sigrun Landro Thomassen
Lately, Games Manager Odd Arild Olsen in Kids and Media has received a number of requests from concerned parents regarding the video game Call of Duty, which is available on PC and several gaming consoles.
The previous games in the Call of Duty franchise have a 16 year age limit, but the last installment in the series, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, has an 18 year age limit. The game, which was released in November 2009, is widely popular, and has been a massive bestseller since its release.
"Everybody else has it"
It ‘s mainly the parents of young boys aged 12-14 that make requests. Usually their son wants the game, which they claim “everybody else has”. In many cases they have tried the game earlier, usually with some of their friends. Parents are in most cases aware of the high age limit and try to resist, which often causes loud discussions at home.
"This game has received much media attention, and in a group of friends owning this game might be considered a status symbol," says Odd Arild Olsen.
Social pressure
Parents also say that their children are experiencing social pressure.
"There is a social aspect to this. The game has a multiplayer feature, and a group of friends often meet online and play against each other. Those who don’t play may feel left out," says Olsen. "Some parents feel they have the option to either buy the game, or face the risk that their teen might be bullied for not playing."
"A lot of the parents who contact us are about to give up, asking themselves: Is it really so bad just to let my son have the game?" says Olsen.
Age limits
The Games Manager advices parents to talk to their children about why games have age limits.
"It is the game industry itself that set age limits on games. When a game gets an 18 year age limit this is a strong indication that the content of the game is not suitable for children or younger teens," says Olsen.
Olsen believes that the large graphical improvements in this game compared to its predecessors are the main reason for the higher age limit.
"The game is very realistic, and it’s technically very well made. Parts of the action takes place in a major airport, which could have been just about any international airport of today. This may be very disturbing for young people.”
Call of Duty is a so-called first person shooter game, and is dealing with themes of terrorism and modern warfare. The weapons used in the game correspond to real weapons that are being used by military forces today.
"This is a game for adults only. The concept and the content of the game should make this fact obvious," says Olsen.
"Talk to other parents"
Olsen encourages parents to follow the age limits.
"This may be a lot easier to do if your child's entire group of friends has the same rules to relate to. My strong encouragement to parents is therefore: Talk to the parents of your child’s friends."
School meeting for parents
Olsen recognises, however, that it may be difficult for parents of 13-14 year olds to call other parents to discuss the problem. If these parents do not relate professionally to the matter it may cause an even more difficult situation for the teenager, who becomes the indirect cause that his friends get in trouble with their parents.
"Another way to go is to talk to the teacher at your child’s school," suggests Olsen. "It is possible to get the school to arrange a meeting where parents can discuss the topic. In this way the problem is being dealt with not by a few concerned parents, but by the school as a whole."
"If more parents can agree on which games are accepted and which are not, then it is possible to deal with the problem and protect children," says Olsen.
The Games Manager believes that this could be a good solution to the problem: "Many parents want advice and recommendations about other games to buy, games which are milder in form. But in this situation the challenge is to find a solution where the child is not left out by his friends. It might not be the best idea to get another game, which he or she might be the only one who plays. This does not mean that one shouldn’t find better games, but in this particular situation it might not solve the problem."
"Create positive attitudes early"
In addition, Olsen believes that it is essential to create good attitudes to gaming in children at an early age. Then it might be easier to deal with challenges as the child grows older.
As children become interested in gaming, it is important to show interest and talk to them. In this respect, Kids and Medias games talk might be useful:
The Games Talk
Video Clip:
The official launch trailer for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 provides good insight into the qualities of the game, while at the same time illustrating with abundant clarity that this game is only suitable for adults.
Just press the play button at the top of the right hand column to watch the clip.
Kids and Media's game reviews:
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Other reviews of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2:
Articles on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in British press:
Telegraph - an article on the violence in the game, written prior to it's release.
Related articles on kidsandmedia.co.uk:
What does Kids and Media think of GTA IV?
