Getting carded while purchasing a retail game

This is yet again another story of how video game products are getting different treatment than the book and film industry since it’s the newest medium of home entertainment. The other day I got carded for purchasing MGS3: Subsistence and not for the rated R movie that I was also purchasing. The cashier (from Bestbuy) specifically stated that I was carded because of MGS3’s mature rating and that they’re very serious towards not selling mature-rated games to minors. Now, I’m balding (sadly implying my age) and handing them a Bestbuy credit card (17+ years is necessary in order to have it), so why I was carded is completely beyond my comprehension.

Regardless, I refrained from arguing to the cashier about Bestbuy’s policies in order to show respect (in addition to understanding that arguing with most retail employees is like talking to a pencil.) However, the experience did piss me off. Now, I do understand a younger audience (16 and younger) requiring parental consent or a guardian being present in order to purchase or view an extremely violent or intensely pornographic title. Many youngsters lack the real-world experience and mature perspective to properly understand content that they particpate in or simply view. (On a side note: You see, in order for a minor to watch a rated R film in America, they need a guardian to be present. I partially feel that that requirment is a blessing for theaters to impose. I’d hate to have 13 year olds ruining a movie that I watch.) However, when it comes down to it, I strongly feel that the goverment does not need to impose laws restricting selling specific forms of media. It should be a policy of the retailer. If somebody wants something, they’re going to find a way to get it. (e.g. Pay an adult to buy the product for them, create and show false ID, or steal and run.)

I said it before and I’ll say it again…I guess I have to wait another 5-10 years before video games are treated the same way as movies. Man oh man, the age-old puritan direction of America weilds it’s ugly head yet again.
Ah, well… at least I still look young for a 28 year old
- Casey

March 20th, 2006

El Ballo mentioned in Macworld blog

El Ballo is in the news once again. This time the game was mentioned in the web blog of Peter Cohen, Macworld reviewer/writer. Here’s the section that mentions the game:

Ambrosia Software is one of the elder statesmen of the bunch, starting life at a time when Internet connectivity was still a novelty and dial-up connectivity was standard. The company has diversified in recent years with utilities like Snapz Pro and WireTap Pro, but games are still a mainstay of its product line—the irreverent (and some say perverted) side-scroller El Ballo and GooBall are examples of recent Mac games.

Goodness, some people think El Ballo is perverted. It’s quite sad. For El Ballo to be perverted, I’d say that the game would need to have references to Beetlejuice and Gummybears. Juicy and gummy goodness is never good for the soul. On another note, I’m suprised that Peter Cohen actually mentioned El Ballo as Macworld never acknowledged its existence upon its release even though we sent them press releases. If you ask me, that’s a bit juicy and gummy.

March 17th, 2006

El Ballo deemed not appropriate to be listed on Apple’s game site

After a request to Apple to list “The Adventures of El Ballo” on their apple.com/games website, we received this reply…

Hi Casey,
Thanks for your interest in our Games site. We found that the subject matter of El Ballo (though mild) might not be appropriate for our audience.
The Games Team

I guess Apple prefers games where the user kills human beings, because it seems that “World War II Online: Battleground Europe” and “Close Combat: First to Fight” are listed on their site. Or maybe Apple’s taste is a game like “Stubbs the Zombie” which includes (Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, and Strong Language.) All I have to say is… Thanks Apple for supporting “Mac only” games. Ouch… was that me being snippy ;-P

December 12th, 2005