Arcade games inappropriate for kids - advocacy required!

[Doug R.]

I agree on post of the week for zombie killing 18 yo's :D

 

When we crusade to ban things based on personal preference we start down a slippery slope that may have larger consequences. Most crusaders believe that thier point of view is not only right, but also universally accepted. Today we ban video games because a mother is outraged, tomorrow we ban comedians becuase they told an off color joke in the show lounge. We can go on and on until all that is left to do on the ship is sit in the cabin and stare at our navels.....:eek: ooops better cover them too before someone's mother starts a crusade!

[Cruiserccl]

maybe they could substitute a submarine game where you get points for using torpedoes to sink ships from carnival, norwegian, holland america, princess, etc. You lose points if you hit rci ships. ;)

 

eric

 

lol! :d

[amybear912]

I understand what you are saying; however, the truth of the matter is violence has become a staple in every day life (unfortunately) - whether it be songs, arcade games, Internet, or the news.

 

.

 

Violence has ALWAYS been a staple in every day life... Just imagine what the cavemen's children saw when they stepped out of their caves!!

 

The only thing that has really changed throughout history is the means by which we receive those violent images...

 

As most have chimed in, I too feel that the education and perspective by which children view violence is something that starts first at home...

 

I don't need the cruiseline to censor for me... I'm quite capable of adjusting accordingly...

[sharpie13]

I agree on post of the week for zombie killing 18 yo's :D

 

When we crusade to ban things based on personal preference we start down a slippery slope that may have larger consequences. Most crusaders believe that thier point of view is not only right, but also universally accepted. Today we ban video games because a mother is outraged, tomorrow we ban comedians becuase they told an off color joke in the show lounge. We can go on and on until all that is left to do on the ship is sit in the cabin and stare at our navels.....:eek: ooops better cover them too before someone's mother starts a crusade!

 

 

I am just curious if anyone is reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? I am enjoying it immensely :cool:

[tahqa]

I am just curious if anyone is reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? I am enjoying it immensely :cool:

I haven't read "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", but I did read "World War Z", which is a great book.

 

Anyways, back to the topic at hand... as a private company RCL is well within its rights to decide which video games to include or not include in their arcades. But... as previous posters have stated once you start banning things (silly things) it becomes a slippery slope. The bikinis offend you? Make everyone wear tank suits. What? Tank suits offend you? Well, make everyone wear mumus! I know, silly example, but it's not too hard to imagine.

 

A better alternative, maybe, would be to rearrange the arcade such that certain video games are not along the path from the entrance to the kids club. I don't know if that is possible though. :confused:

[737NG]

Sorry, but you won't get my help on this one.

[Mack2]

I was on the LotS this past fall, and the arcade did have the Time Crisis game, as well as the Deer Hunter and Zombie game as well.

It harkens back to the days of the old shooting galleries... but without the BBs or flashes of light that activate the sounds and movements.

 

Most arcades will have these games, they are popular amongst the teens and young adult set... and they are ridiculously expensive to play (especially knowing that the "aim" on these things are poorly calibrated)

 

My kids were 9, 6, and 4 at the time of the cruise. I did not feel it was an issue. I didn't allow the younger ones to play them, and my eldest was HORRIBLE at it.

 

Frankly, my first cruise was aboard the Song of America when I was 14. Back in the 80s, you could get ShipShape dollars for Skeet shooting on the aft section of the ship.

I was 14, with a shotgun, shooting lead balls at non-biodegradable clay pigeons. (Times were different in the 80s)

 

Did it make me want to take up hunting as an adult? No.

Did it make me desire to do violent things to other people? No.

 

it was something to do, I learned some basic safety with shotguns, and I learned that I was really horrible at it.

 

But at least I can say I did it, and I haven't done it again in over 25 years.

 

 

If you disagree with the theme of the arcade game (or going to Six Flags, and seeing a shooting gallery), it's actually a good opportunity for the parent to tell their kids WHY you disagree with it, and teach them to avoid it on their own in the future. Undoubtedly, they will see it again in the future.

 

At least on a Cruise ship with the family, you have that control and opportunity. What happens if they see something like that for the first time at a Chuck-E-Cheese Birthday party, and you are not around?

[seeship]

To the OP

Sorry-but as a parent of older teens that would be a huge mistake on RCCL part. The answer you got from guest relations was spot on.

Expecially since RCCL has a huge blank gap for 18-20 year olds. Too young to drink but yet too old for any sort of 'teen program'. I'm failrly sure those games are geared towards that age group and come on-I've seen you adults out in the arcade too!!!:p

 

Besides-my older teens said last cruise that the games were 'lame' so I'm sure the ones on AOS were not all that 'violent'.

The arcade in the hall was empty everytime we went by, but I agree, it is probably aimed at the 1-20 year olds, not kids.

[seeship]

OOPS! I meant 17-20 year olds.

[4merlurker]

I'm not being snarky but maybe the OP should sail on Disney.....

 

~Connie

[Mack2]

I'm not being snarky but maybe the OP should sail on Disney.....

 

~Connie

 

 

I'm sure Disney has those games as well in their arcade... Actually, I think they did when I cruised with them the last time... but the one gun on the shooting game absolutely did not work at all.

[lgeisz]

I for one love FPS (First Person Shooter) games and I have let my daughter play them since she was about 9 (when se was interested in trying it) on an old nintendo system with the light gun. I also explained to her that their is a difference between playing a game and real life and she understands that. It should not be your job or right to dictate what is right or wrong for my child that right is reserved for me (and the governments state and local and federal:D) but in seriousness as some have said be the parent and teach your child your views and what is right and wrong and I will do the same...

[babyher]

I don't know a kid who has not played these games and none of them have become pistol waving thugs.

 

Some great posts here that I agree with 100%

 

Sadly yes , violence has become common place with kids today between teh movies and tv and video games. because one kid with an already sick mind brings an AK-47 to school and takes out teh sophmore class does not mean every kid that plays "Zombie Killers' or whatever will do the same thing.

 

I agree about the slope that today you ban video games, then you ban stand up comics, then you ban the pictures in certain catalogs . It gets a little ridiculous.

 

Again be the parent and if you don't want to see these things or have your children see them, You be your censor , don't be mine

[bplazo]

I have to agree with the majority because I see no reason to ban the video games. I also do not agree on banning those speedo's. It is so entertaining to watch.

[Mack2]

I also do not agree on banning those speedo's. It is so entertaining to watch.

 

RIGHT!

And were would all the Europeans end up going? RCI is an international company, y'know.

:p

[babyher]

I have to agree with the majority because I see no reason to ban the video games. I also do not agree on banning those speedo's. It is so entertaining to watch.

 

 

 

See I would rather see a guy in a Speedo get shot than a Zombie . Zombies can't be held responsible because they don't know what they are doing.....THEY"RE ZOMBIES FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

 

But any guy who puts on a Speedo looks in the mirror, sees a pear with an elastic band around it looking back at him, and still goes outside like that is flirting with death!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[LadyRose]

I hope not...I'd like to see my husband at some point in the vacation.

 

The only thing worse would be Railroad Tycoon and Capitalism II.

 

If they had Hearts of Iron 3 and Sims 3, my DH and I would not only never see each other, but I doubt we'd even see the light of day at any point on the cruise lol :rolleyes:

[Debde]

As for the Zombies

I hate to say this but

Love playing 'House of the Dead' on Wii with my guys. We've gotten pretty good at depleating the zombie population!! Dont even get me started on Resident Evil...................:p

[boulders]

Where do I sign up for banning Speedos? Just the thought of them makes me reconsider my Med cruise reservations.

[chrislynnet]

I agree with the OP, I don't like them either. My son plays video games (so do I) but I don't allow him to play shoot-'em-ups where he's plowing down people. I hate that, it's nasty.

 

Taking those games out probably won't happen on the RCI ships but I'd rather see them placed elsewhere than right outside kid areas. I'd support that as another poster suggested.

[boaterette]

To the OP I agree with you. I never let my kidds play violent video games. I just don't think it is fun to kill, maim or blow peolpe up. I think these games send a message to our cildren that violence is just a way of life. So I would be more than happy to email them and let them know that the games should be removed.

[amybeth4]

Sorry OP...I too am sick of the way parents are now shielding kids. It really drives me crazy. My nieces and nephews literally grew up playing Grand Theft Auto...but none of them turned out violent nor have they stolen any cars...

 

Back in the 70s we kids were exposed to horrible games, movies and things on TV that should've warped us completely...but for the most part, we've all turned out kinda normal, knowing right from wrong, knowing that video games aren't real life.

 

Ahhh my first Nintendo...came with Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt. I used to shoot the crap outta those ducks.

[djneph]

I agree on post of the week for zombie killing 18 yo's :D

 

When we crusade to ban things based on personal preference we start down a slippery slope that may have larger consequences. Most crusaders believe that thier point of view is not only right, but also universally accepted. Today we ban video games because a mother is outraged, tomorrow we ban comedians becuase they told an off color joke in the show lounge. We can go on and on until all that is left to do on the ship is sit in the cabin and stare at our navels.....:eek: ooops better cover them too before someone's mother starts a crusade!

 

Couldn't have said it better. I am not a big fan of violence, I feel it has a lasting effect on people and desensatizes you to it. Look at horror movies now a days. I remember seeing freddy, jason and all those in the 80's and I thought they were scary. It seems like the movies now have to constantly up the ante on gore and violence to get the same affect. I am sure part of it is that special effects and filming techniques have become so good that it looks REAL. I don't like them too intense for me. I would never seek to ban them, because like you said, where does it stop.

 

I am 30yo and I always spend sometime in the arcades on the ships (usually air hockey, but shoot them up are fun too) so I would hate to see them go. I would be ok if they moved the more mature ones to a seperate area, but that would be tough. At the same time I think parents should be held responsible to remind their kids what they can and can not play and or only allow them to be in the arcade when they are with them.

[hls74]

I was on this sailing with a group and spent some time in the arcade with my nearly 12 year old niece. She had no interest in that game at all, didn't even look at it. I didn't see too many kids playing it, actually. These kids have games at home like Grand Theft Auto that make the game you're talking about look like childs play.

 

She was more interested in playing "Stacker". You press a button to stop the lights so they line up, and do it enough times and you win a prize. Best prize possible was an iPod, which she didn't win after many, many tries. Should I be outraged that RCCL was promoting gambling to minors, leading them towards the casino as they get older? Of course not. When I was a kid we played skee-ball and the quarter push machines for tickets we could exchange for prizes. Nothing has changed, only the presentation (life-like graphics) has gotten better.

[Sue L]

Sorry OP...I too am sick of the way parents are now shielding kids. It really drives me crazy. My nieces and nephews literally grew up playing Grand Theft Auto...but none of them turned out violent nor have they stolen any cars...

 

Back in the 70s we kids were exposed to horrible games, movies and things on TV that should've warped us completely...but for the most part, we've all turned out kinda normal, knowing right from wrong, knowing that video games aren't real life.

 

Ahhh my first Nintendo...came with Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt. I used to shoot the crap outta those ducks.

 

 

 

Actually statistically none of us should be alive, our crib rails were too far apart, we were put to sleep on our stomach, we didn't have car seats, never mind we didn't have seat belts when I was a baby. My mother had a basket thing that she would lay me down in while we were driving. :eek: I could sit here all day listing the "dangerous" items we managed to grow up with. Never mind playing cowboys and indians ( I know not politically correct now) but for the most part we lived, grew up and became good decent people.