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26Aug 07

I feel so young: Being carded for games.


So, I walk into my local Best Buy store today to pick up some CD's and Bioshock. I grab my reissues of Journey's ESC4P3 (perhaps a prelude to the internet 1337 speak of today?) and King Diamond's Abigail. Let's get one thing straight: there is only one "KING" of Rock 'n' Roll, and it isn't Elvis. Anyway, I also grab my copy of Bioshock, which will make my 360 happy since it has been played about as much as I cut myself for fun.

So, I bring my products to the clerk, she greets me with a rather cheerful "hello" and proceeds to ring up the transaction. "Sir, I'm sorry, but I'll have to see your ID for this rated M game." I was stunned, and not in a bad way mind you. In fact, I was rather flattered: I'm not exactly a teenager anymore, and while I'm sure she did this purely out of obligation, it nonetheless made me feel a bit younger than I am (I'm 30 people, and loving it).

This also took me aback simply because I hardly ever see this happen. Insert sarcasm: Are we finally getting to the point where parents can finally abandon all responsibility and rely on our friendly store clerks to watch the content our children purchase (end sarcasm). Still, can we just use common sense to decide if a person is of age enough to purchase an M rated game? I would like to think I look younger than I am, but I certainly hope I don't look young enough to be carded. Then again, it seems that "common sense" is far too much of a subjective concept to leave to an individual employee.

Should we always card based on enforced policy, and if so, does it bother you? Why or why not? Personally, I'm happy to see retail taking some step in enforcing a rating system that parents have screamed for since 1992, but I certainly wouldn't hold them 100% accountable if an under-aged youth should end up with said game: parenting starts, you know, at home. Till then, I'll be happy to feel as though my age affords me the privilage of something "mature."

Kids.

  • Posted Aug 26, 2007 9:00 pm PT
  • Category: Editorial
  • 51 Comments

51 Comments

  • Frost_Mage

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 9:31 pm PT

    I don't blame the employee for carding. She was probably certain that you were of age but followed her store's policy, because she felt required. Maybe that or she used a clever ruse to card you, so she could get your name and address. Anyway, last time I got carded for a game, I was about 24, so I somewhat know how you feel. It's nice to look young. I think that store employees should use a little common sense however. I know that thirty year olds are not younger than seventeen. Certainly, there are instances out there where a sixteen year old might appear to be thirty, but I'd be willing to bet that I would never be in a circumstance where I'd be selling that person an M rated game.

    I get the M rating rule; I just find it silly if enforced to such an enormous extent.

  • Thraxen

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 9:32 pm PT

    A cashier at my local Best Buy tried to card me when I bought a copy of The Darkness.

    I didn't say anything; I didn't show my ID; I just took out my credit card to pay for the game.

    I look young for my age, but I don't look that young.

  • PsychoLord13

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 9:35 pm PT

    Wow, that seems pretty crazy, but at the same time sort of annoying. It can't be as bad as a cashier that made my 60 year old Grandmother go back to the car to get her ID before purchasing an M rated game for me though

  • Behlazur

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 9:42 pm PT

    I got carded when I bought Bioshock too, and it didn't bother me at all. In fact, when I buy an M-rated game, I always take an ID card out with my money, just in case. I think the only ones who can really take offense of being carded are those who shouldn't buy the stuff they get carded for...

    But strangely, I'm often carded for games, but I've never been carded for alcohol... Some people have weird priorities...

  • starhawk55

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 10:10 pm PT

    I personally love the fact that a store errors on the safe side. I worked for EB in a Mall for a while and I carded for T as well as M games.

    The funny thing was when I got cussed out for not selling GTA:VC to a 7 year old by the Mom and then she tried to return it the next day. The comment was, "How can you sell this ultra violent #%@& to kids!!!!"

    My manager stepped in and told her we didn't, and that he watched me try to advice her on the content of the game. He then politely told her were to go stick the game.

  • Hastur

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 10:16 pm PT

    A good friend of mine, who still had a bit of a baby face in his early thirties, had a game purchase refused by a sales clerk, because he couldn't show any id.

    But as there are no laws that prohibit the sale of M-rated games to minors in my country, it all depends on the arbitrary sense of responsibility by the store.

  • Imperial_Colone

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 10:19 pm PT

    most stores policy is if anyone looks under 25, card them

  • Dreski83

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 10:25 pm PT

    the madness... even tho I totally support methods of regulation, parenting is still the ultimate solution. Something about being carded for purchasing a videogame is very strange... our society is very strange... as long as I can get my M rated games without too much hassle I'll refrain from being strange

  • Marac06

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 10:45 pm PT

    Everyone gets carded for games now. my dad a 50 yr old dude thats bald and grey got asked for ID the other day when he bought the darkness it was pretty funny.

  • GabuEx Site moderator

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 10:59 pm PT

    I actually had this identical thing happen when I went to go buy BioShock from my local Toys "R" Us. The guy said "hello" and I gave him the game box, and then he was like "can I see some ID?" and my first (internal) reaction was "uh, what?", but then I realized that it was an M rated game, so I coughed up my driver's license.

    I found it kinda weird, given that I have a goatee and am totally obviously not under 17 years of age, but like you said the guy was probably just told to always do that. It still was kinda funny, though.

    I don't think there's anything wrong with the practice. The rating specifically says that anyone under (age) should not be playing the game, so it's perfectly within reason for businesses to enforce the rating as a service to parents. It takes all of fifteen seconds for the guy to look at ID you provide.

  • asdfpo

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 11:00 pm PT

    here in sweden we had a story in the newspaper some time back about a 81year old man beeing carded for alchohol

  • bacchus2

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 11:12 pm PT

    I ask customers for ID if they try to rent out MA games (Australian rating for 15 and over only) and I suspect they are under age. The parents can come in and hire the game if they like. I think the parents who are happy that we check far outweigh any that get annoyed that they have to come in and hire it for them.

  • bigjones0578

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 12:26 am PT

    I pretty much got carded today at Wal-Mart buying the Two Worlds Strat guide....

  • TriumphOfGnomes

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 1:10 am PT

    Parents these days just don't understand the whole "it's an Imitation of Real Life". So there is blood, gore, nudity, drugs, alcohol, and swearing. Infact, the only thing that is close to everyday RL is: Swearing, and nudity. Alcohol and Drugs, come to some more than others. Its not everyday you see blood on your breifcase or a heart lying in your fridge. But anyways, it's fake blood. And the parents should let the kid know before he gets his first M game "Honey, its a imitation of real life. The blood in this game, is just colouring to make it look nice and attract people." The swearing is real though, real actors, saying real swear words. But swearing adds a certain "moment" to the situation . And the nudity......... well, its a computer having Double D's. Besides, thats nasty lol. But at least its nice that she had the respect of the consumer to ask for ID. She doesn't know if your buying that for your 1 year old baby afterall. Great story BTW.

  • dannyodwyer

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 1:16 am PT

    I see nothing wrong with carding people either.
    We used to judge by the look of the person, so if a 16 year old had a beard, they got the game

  • FriedConsole

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 1:18 am PT

    I think carding kids for games helps parents. I don't think it is replacing parenting. Parents can't watch their kids 100% of the time and they could be sneaking the store with their allowance.

    I think it might be good to card the parents too. It might make parents aware what the hell they are buying their kids.

    It doesn't bother me. I think it is kinda of sad that it really is inconsistent.

    I don't think it needs to be a law but retailers should all get together to card for M games.

    As an older gamer and somebody who listens to 80's Heavy Metal the store should have known you are over 25 if you are buying a King Diamond CD. :-)

  • tylea002

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 2:24 am PT

    Don't worry, some inexperienced till workers check everyone. MY friend tried to buy tomb raider legend (12+) and needed proof of age. He's 12 and taller than almost everyone I know, except...His brother then came in for him, 17 and twice as tall, still needed proof of age, and to top it off his mum needed to show her drivers licence to buy the game! any way, I haven't had any bad experiences, except with games that I cant buy because of youngness =[ (if that's a word) but just keep proof on you and you should be fine!

  • can0of0cheese

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 4:41 am PT

    I have bought a ton of m-rated games since i was 11 or something starting with GTA-vicecity. Iv'e never gotten carded so to say, oh and i live in Sweden by the way. I'm for equal rights for everyone (regardless of like everything but crime and certain brain damages) so it doesn't bother me that i can buy just about anything as long as i got cash.

  • devtek

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 5:56 am PT

    Its the law up here in Canada to card people, even though most don't (Females tend to card people more often than the Males for some reason *cough* *cough*). What really surprised me is that I have never been carded for booze but was carded for buying an M rated game like wtf?

  • kuksoolwon

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 6:13 am PT

    I'm glad that their doing it!But the problem is if a kid want's to play a M rated game they will find a way to play it!

  • Shifty_Pete

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 7:03 am PT

    I'm all for it. If a carding policy is going to work, it has to be universal. If the clerks can exercise discretion, they might back down anytime someone doesn't feel like showing ID. I actually like clerks to ask for my ID on credit card purchases anyway (I write SEE ID on my cards instead of signing) as a safeguard against someone else using it.

    Anyway, she probably just didn't know the legal gaming age for leprechauns

  • salamancecool

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 7:39 am PT

    Im 16 and my facial hair let me walk into GAME and buy Bioshock.

  • Poost

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 7:39 am PT

    Its nice to see that at least a few places are enforcing it. I think its a practice that should become a standard, but even when buying alcohol these days, people are often not carded.

  • KingSigy

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 7:42 am PT

    I'm almost 20 and I still get carded, yet my 18 year old friend, with his beard, is able to purchase anything without a second guess. I guess 20 is still kind of young, but come on.

  • exquixotic

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 7:45 am PT

    ... and this is exactly what's driving me crazy about this planet. Any discussion as to the legitimacy of keeping M rated games out of kids hands in order to heal the ills of the world is side stepped to discuss whether a store clerk is justifed in being a thoughtless, obedient robot. Violent cartoons and angry music have been blamed for years by a terrifed and simple solution seeking populace for everything from high school assassinations to acne. The personal responsibility side stepped by the clerk in making some decision as to your impressionability as a gamer is exactly what the world tsk-tsked about at Nuremberg ... and that valueless, mindless complacency probably serves as a better explanation for the world's ills than M rated games and Marilyn Manson.

  • mammoth92

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 7:53 am PT

    "I actually like clerks to ask for my ID on credit card purchases anyway (I write SEE ID on my cards instead of signing) as a safeguard against someone else using it."

    Does this actually work for you? I did the same thing with a credit card I got over a year ago, I use it all the time and have been asked for my ID maybe twice.

  • BobC Works for a game publisher or developer

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 9:06 am PT

    If they're not carding you for buying R-rated movies, they shouldn't card you for buying M-rated games. This is all about retailers caving in like a house of cards to political pressure, and the ESRB bending over and taking it. You think the MPAA worries about this stuff?

  • Artemis_D

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 9:39 am PT

    I think it's great. Don't give parents an excuse. And also, these days, you can never tell how old anyone is, just by looking at them. Kids are looking older and older these]e days. I was one of them. I looked like a mature man when I was in my early teens ... but then again, I've lived a pretty hard life, heh.

  • frogtopia

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 10:39 am PT

    I kind of like being carded (be 30 in Feb)

  • HumanTorch101

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 11:04 am PT

    This past weekend, I went to Best Buy looking for Gears of War here in Manhattan, KS but they didn't have it. I got R6: Vegas and they did not card me but I went to the Gamestop here and I did get carded when I bought Gears. I'm 19 but it was the first time I had ever been carded. I say keep carding people so that the parents will have to start blaming themselves about violent video games getting into children's hands and not the stores/developers.

  • MogFromLeipzig

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 11:07 am PT

    I wasn't asked today
    I look old ;_;

  • firebirdboi06

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 12:11 pm PT

    I work in the electronics dept. of my wal-mart and our registers prompt us to check IDs. I first get a good look at the person to decide if I REALLY need thier ID before asking.

  • Mr_Clark

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 12:32 pm PT

    Now go buy any of the Saw Movies and see if you get carded... What? No one at all?

  • KorJax

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 12:35 pm PT

    Oh man, I wrote a whole report one year on the issue of how media/game censorship should involve the parents, and not the state.

    I personally dont mind carding, but god forbid the day "The Man" steps and and controls media censorship.

    Its the job of the parents, not the community to decide what is right or wrong for thier own childeren. I do think parents are getting to relient on the wrong people doign THIER own job.

  • OfficialBed

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 1:13 pm PT

    i don't get carded when i buy games

  • thorboy03

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 1:42 pm PT

    I respect a man who enjoys both Journey and King Diamond.

  • bobulous_basic

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 1:46 pm PT

    my little brother looks old enough to drink...he's 15. Thats why.

  • Pazy160

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 1:50 pm PT

    Im still at the start where I should be carded (17) but I think theres a bit of common sense where you go 'they look 30 and theres almost no chance of them being under the age rating so I shouldent card them'. Then again you should be happy your clerk's care enough to check. When I was sixteen I was looking to pick up Doom 3 (18 rated) and I knew Game wouldent sell me it but PcWorld dont care so I went there and got it. I didnt (and dont) look 18 and probably look less than my age so I know where the Ten year old neds are getting there GTA's now.

  • nickythenewt21

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 2:23 pm PT

    It's good to know that some stores still ask for I.D. I wouldn't know since I'm too young to buy M games.

  • simonpeggisace

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 2:58 pm PT

    I always get Id'd when I go to buy games or films, it makes me feel happy as I look a lot younger than I am!

  • rokkuman09

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 3:47 pm PT

    Lame, that's stupid.

  • cesarblue

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 3:56 pm PT

    This was a good blog, i just happen to experience this recently when i finally went to go get. Godfather... now when the guy said it i had to laugh real hard and say you can't be serious... I'm 35 do i honestly look 15 plus you usually can tell how old someone is buy there talk or dress most kids come in with one or two friends and plot over the game were as a adult has done research price it out and now excatly what he there for..... I then had to run to my car grab my id although i wasn't happy cause i feel that it was a good thing.. but i feel it's like movies kids are going to find a way to see it... theres no stopping that, Last thing I wanted to say, I feel as a 30+ yr old person that i have been through enough battles just to make it this age and should be respected.. that's like asking a solider home from the war to stop complaing about his life he's alive right (yea i know doesn't make sense ) but i guess carding a 50yr old man stop one child from getting the game they will eventually get.

    It's like were moving backwards this conservatism has got to stop peta for dogs over animals right wing for anti-abortion over a womans right to choose leftwing for nothing cause they want to stay no objective. caue the right will call them radical
    muslim acting like christians demanding pray area in school, kind of like saying the pledge of allegence when you were little atheist don't believe in anything (lol)
    The world is in chaos

  • mauigamer91

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 4:15 pm PT

    Great story, man. I'm sixteen and I have to have my sister buy M-rated games for me. My mom goes so far as to let me censor my own media (surprise) . The only thing that she really hates is sexual content or nudity, but come on, if you are buying an M-rated game solely for the sex, you have a sad life. My dad swears like a sailor when he's pissed, so she doesn't care about language in games and I've never been a particularly violent child so she lets me choose whether I think I should buy [game] or not. Then she keeps doing her shopping and tells my sister (19) to buy it for me.... just one more year to go and I can just buy 'em myself

    The big thing is that a kid, especially a rebellious teen, WILL do whatever they want no matter what their parents want. Parents might as well say ok so that they will play M-rated games in a controlled, safe environment instead of saying no and having their kids sneak off to play the game at a friends house.

  • brucesnz

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 4:21 pm PT

    Last time I got carded was 4 years or more ago, trying to rent Full Metal Jacket. Had to show the guy an expired University ID/Library Card. When I bought my 360 and Gears the woman asked me if I was over 18, didn't actually want ID or anything. Probably a good thing considering I don't have any.

  • TH3_1NF1D3L

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 5:55 pm PT

    Man, I've never been carded for anything except tobacco...and I'm carded for that every-single-time I buy a pack. I'm only 20, so games like GTA3 and Ghost Recon were games that I played in high school. But I never once got carded for buying them. I did once have to show id when I was with a friend who bought Return to Castle Wolfenstein...just because I was with him...he couldn't get it, he forgot HIS id...

  • exquixotic

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 7:14 am PT

    Far more blood and boobs on TV ... and just what exactly do we think these violent cartoons are doing to the mass of poor just-waiting-to-be-made-into-killers youth ... it's a freaking band-aid, a distraction, a projection of the evils on the world onto something tangible, something blameable. Did anybody notice there's a war on right now really killing people and the president is a complete liar? ... we should need ID to receive those messages, cuz I'm pretty sure I don't want kids exposed to that crap.

  • RevolverSkills

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 4:01 pm PT

    the whole principle of rating games is inherently flawed because I'm 15 and I've been getting 18+ (AO in america i think...?) since I was 12 and so have the VAST majority of my friends, everyone just gets their parents to buy it for them. The fact is, video games don't make you go out and shoot people unless you have a mental problem to begin with.

  • sam_woo

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 8:49 pm PT

    it's funny, me and my friend (both 16) once walked into an EB, both intending to buy M games realizing that we'd probly get carded but gave it a shot anyway. I hadn't shaved for about a week, the clerk didn't question my age and just sold me the game. My friend, next in line, got carded by the same clerk when he saw the M rating on the box. I laughed at him and he had to come back the next day with his dad to buy it.

  • domppa

    Posted Sep 9, 2007 3:02 am PT

    It's a conspiracy! They're making a black list of all of us gamers.. You heard it here first folks..

My Recent Ratings

Title Score
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction 9.5
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core 9.5
The Darkness 8.0
Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits Bushidouretsuden 9.1
Sega Genesis Collection 8.3
Ridge Racer 2 9.8
Ridge Racer 7 9.8
Okami 9.7
Ninja Assault 6.6
Ninety-Nine Nights 8.7
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