Study Finds That 'M'-Rated Games Sell Best

[wraggster]

via /.

Gamasutra is reporting on information from a new research firm called Electronic Entertainment Design and Research, which has recently released a number of papers looking into trends in the gaming industry. One (perhaps surprising) finding: M-rated titles sell better than any other rating group.
"The study, titled 'Console Intelligence Brief 2007' examines the PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 since each consoles' release through June 1, 2007, and comprises some 219 retail and 187 downloadable games made available on the new platforms, examined by genre, ESRB rating, gross sales in the United States, MetaCritic scores, online functionalities, multiplayer capability and other core game features. Among the sample results made available, the study found that critics' favorite list and the blockbuster charts have a lot in common, with highly-rated titles selling up to five times better than titles with lower scoring reviews. Despite online connectivity being a marketing cornerstone for all new consoles, the study concluded that 45 percent of retail games are not utilizing it in any way -- 98 percent of Nintendo Wii games have no online functionality at all."

[Cap'n 1time]

I was just thinking about this the other day. They now card you for buying mature games at bestbuy in my town (apparently at age 20 i still like like im 17 -_-). Should we tighten up anymore on our gaming laws it might do substantial damage to sales of games. Most of the games im excited about right now will be or are rated M for mature.

[DanWare]

As a parent, I notice most kids simply "ask their parents" to buy them the game and they get it.

I remember thinking "I wouldn't allow my six year old to play GTA- San Andreas" but most of my six year old son's friends own it.

I don't think any games should be prohibited, but equally people should take it more seriously about what games they expose their children to, the same parents would never allow their kids to watch adult movies.

[saicrazyfire]

I remember thinking "I wouldn't allow my six year old to play GTA- San Andreas" but most of my six year old son's friends own it.

I don't think any games should be prohibited, but equally people should take it more seriously about what games they expose their children to, the same parents would never allow their kids to watch adult movies.

I would like to agree with you, but let me tell you something, from a kid. These M-rated games are nothing - I went to a public school and saw and heard far worse. A simple "hot-coffee scene" isn't the worse thing a kid can see. I mean who would get turned on by poorly drawn polygon porn? I noe i wouldn't. lol. That's the only real problem with M-rated games. Blood is natural and language is nothing. All the kids already noe the curse words in english, spanish and french.
There should be a lot more M-rated games. Definitely something Nintendo should be doing for the WII, imo.

[mnuhaily22]

I think mature rated games actually compare with PG-13 rated movies...