This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/sep/17/violent-games-gta-reviews

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
GTA 5: do 18-rated games get better reviews? GTA 5: do 18-rated games get better reviews?
(about 4 hours later)
Video gamers the world over were sat on the edge of their seats, killing time until the embargo on Grand Theft Auto V reviews was lifted. Would the game sit among its previous incarnations as another critical masterpiece, lauded by critics the world over?Video gamers the world over were sat on the edge of their seats, killing time until the embargo on Grand Theft Auto V reviews was lifted. Would the game sit among its previous incarnations as another critical masterpiece, lauded by critics the world over?
Indeed it would. Since it was released, reviewers have been rewarding GTA V with five star reviews and glowing praise. Given that every major Grand Theft Auto game since III (not including handheld versions or spin-offs) have been viewed as classics, Rockstar North's newest game was always on course to be a winner.Indeed it would. Since it was released, reviewers have been rewarding GTA V with five star reviews and glowing praise. Given that every major Grand Theft Auto game since III (not including handheld versions or spin-offs) have been viewed as classics, Rockstar North's newest game was always on course to be a winner.
And yet anyone who has followed the series closely would find it hard to forget the controversy it has created. The games allow players to carjack, murder bystanders and pick up prostitutes, making GTA a principal enemy for campaigners who think video games inspire copycat violence.And yet anyone who has followed the series closely would find it hard to forget the controversy it has created. The games allow players to carjack, murder bystanders and pick up prostitutes, making GTA a principal enemy for campaigners who think video games inspire copycat violence.
But does this mean that a game with more explicit themes is now likelier to get more critical acclaim than a game which both children and adults can enjoy?But does this mean that a game with more explicit themes is now likelier to get more critical acclaim than a game which both children and adults can enjoy?
A shift in ratingsA shift in ratings
Until last year video games censorship in the UK was not exactly straightforward. The most extreme games were getting their age ratings from the British board of film classification (BBFC) but many were using the alternative (and then voluntary) Pan-European game information (PEGI) system.Until last year video games censorship in the UK was not exactly straightforward. The most extreme games were getting their age ratings from the British board of film classification (BBFC) but many were using the alternative (and then voluntary) Pan-European game information (PEGI) system.
PEGI ratings became legally enforceable in 2012 after the government decided to drop the BBFC system following a review that suggested the two systems caused confusion to parents.PEGI ratings became legally enforceable in 2012 after the government decided to drop the BBFC system following a review that suggested the two systems caused confusion to parents.
GTA V is the first major game in the series to have its PEGI rating enforced. All previous games were restricted under the BBFC system.GTA V is the first major game in the series to have its PEGI rating enforced. All previous games were restricted under the BBFC system.
PEGI has certain "content descriptors", represented as logos that appear on games showing whether the product contains the following: violence, bad language, fear, sex, drugs, discrimination, gambling and whether the game is online. There are subtleties however - video games like GTA which allow indiscriminate violence against passersby will rate higher than games where players inflict pain on a nasty goomba.PEGI has certain "content descriptors", represented as logos that appear on games showing whether the product contains the following: violence, bad language, fear, sex, drugs, discrimination, gambling and whether the game is online. There are subtleties however - video games like GTA which allow indiscriminate violence against passersby will rate higher than games where players inflict pain on a nasty goomba.
How do the ratings stack up?
How do the ratings stack up?
We extracted all the ratings that were available on the PEGI database and then sculpted the games' names into URLs and found ones that matched on reviews aggregator website Metcritic.We extracted all the ratings that were available on the PEGI database and then sculpted the games' names into URLs and found ones that matched on reviews aggregator website Metcritic.
Some games that were on multiple consoles have all their versions included in the data. This is because reviews can vary noticeably for games that have been ported from console to console.Some games that were on multiple consoles have all their versions included in the data. This is because reviews can vary noticeably for games that have been ported from console to console.
The sample size for each age category varies - correlating with the numbers of games published in each - but is big enough to give an indication of the overall reviews scores.The sample size for each age category varies - correlating with the numbers of games published in each - but is big enough to give an indication of the overall reviews scores.
As games website Split Screen has previously demonstrated, reviews tend to cluster between 70 and 90%. When broken down into specific age ratings the differences are very slight in the median scores - a matter of a few points.As games website Split Screen has previously demonstrated, reviews tend to cluster between 70 and 90%. When broken down into specific age ratings the differences are very slight in the median scores - a matter of a few points.
Thinking that reviews rise as games get more adult in their content may be a tad too far but the five point difference between the games with the lowest rating and the games with the highest does suggest a trend.Thinking that reviews rise as games get more adult in their content may be a tad too far but the five point difference between the games with the lowest rating and the games with the highest does suggest a trend.
A more granular look at the data can be seen in the accompanying visualisation. It shows that the clustering of scores in games where the age certificate is 16+ tends to be above 75 contrast to games below 16+ where the clustering comes below 75.A more granular look at the data can be seen in the accompanying visualisation. It shows that the clustering of scores in games where the age certificate is 16+ tends to be above 75 contrast to games below 16+ where the clustering comes below 75.
Does this mean that games critics tend to be bloodthirsty swines, looking to act out their most vicious fantasies with virtual avatars?Does this mean that games critics tend to be bloodthirsty swines, looking to act out their most vicious fantasies with virtual avatars?
Probably not. Just as with movies, a higher age certificate automatically reduces a publisher's audience. While there may be commercial incentive in the controversy, the bottom line is less people have the opportunity to play your game if it has a higher rating.Probably not. Just as with movies, a higher age certificate automatically reduces a publisher's audience. While there may be commercial incentive in the controversy, the bottom line is less people have the opportunity to play your game if it has a higher rating.
The data is relatively inconclusive and also shows that there are certainly some bad games in the higher age brackets (Dead or Alive Beach Volleyball, anyone?). But the evidence seems to indicate a game might get just a little bit better by pushing itself to the extreme.The data is relatively inconclusive and also shows that there are certainly some bad games in the higher age brackets (Dead or Alive Beach Volleyball, anyone?). But the evidence seems to indicate a game might get just a little bit better by pushing itself to the extreme.
Can you do more with this data?Can you do more with this data?
• Download the full spreadsheet
• Contact us at data@theguardian.com
• Follow us on Twitter
• Like us on Facebook		• Download the full spreadsheet
• Contact us at data@theguardian.com
• Follow us on Twitter
• Like us on Facebook
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.