Buy M Rated Games
Do you want an M-rated game, but you can't because you're underage? Buying M-rated video games is not illegal nor against the law in the US; however, use this guide at your own risk. This is not a guide about how to get AO (Adults Only) rated games. Selling AO-rated games to minors, although not illegal, is forbidden by almost every store policy. Buying an M-rated game while underage can lead to the termination of the teller who sold you the game, as well as the manager who was on duty at the time if the ESRB finds out that they did not card you.
Steps
- Consider actually getting your parents' consent by demonstrating to them that you can act as a mature adult, or try simply waiting until you are of legal age to purchase the game. ESRB Ratings exist for a reason.
- Have someone who is of age buy it for you. However, use someone you trust. Do not trust more than one dollar with a complete stranger; you're better off not having the game at all.
- Order it online! This is the easiest way to buy M-rated games. Buy a gift card with sufficient funds and order the game online. You never have to show your ID to get a gift card or to order M-rated games online. Also you won't need a credit card or billing information!
- Go to the store in person to buy it if you can't get a hold of a gift card. This is the second most difficult way to buy an M-rated game as most places will ask you for ID.
- Rent it! Most movie rental places like Blockbuster or Redbox let your parents let you have a copy of the card. They can choose to allow you to rent and buy M-rated games and R-rated movies. If the game is for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, then you can save it to your hard drive.
- Borrow it! Do you have a friend that has the game? If so, ask them whether you can borrow it (it's better than nothing).
- Reserve the game with your parents before the game gets a rating (but you know it's going to be M-rated), then pay it off in full. Return to the game store without your parents and simply pick it up. If they ask you to have a parent with you, tell them that you already have your parents' consent and chances are they will let you walk. If not, simply put the money toward a T-rated game.
- If you look old enough, tell them you turned the legal age the previous day, then keep talking, usually they get annoyed and just want you to leave. They'll ring up the game without valid ID.
- Go to CVS or 7/11 and buy a prepaid credit card and put the money on there and buy the game online.
- Buy it from an independent shop! A lot of smaller shops that sell games don't bother checking IDs like chain stores do.
- Check in your local public library, if they have M+ rated video games for PS3 or Xbox 360, just grab the game you want and check it out. They wouldn't ask for your ID if you're behaving Maturely and say Thank when they finish putting it on your library card.
Tips
- Ask nicely if you have to ask someone to do something for you and say thank you when they do it.
- Buying a gift card and then using it the same day (or just using a gift card in general) is not lame or uncool. It is resourceful.
- If you are using the in-store method (Step 3) and one store turns you down, try another one until you get the game.
- Talk your parents into buying an extremely mild M game like Halo 3 and show them that they are not bad. Then after that expand to different M games. Also go with the parent that is most cool with these games.
- In the renting method (Step 5), you can convince your parents to let you rent M-rated games and R-rated movies by saying that some films are often rated R-because they contain violence, nudity, or other vulgar activities that are used in an educational way (e.g. Passion of the Christ, National Geographic films). M-rated games are often rated because they have violence, nudity, or other vulgar activities that are sometimes used only once or on very rare occasion (Ex: The game Hitman: Blood Money has 'Brief or Partial Nudity'. The closest that it ever comes to that is bikinis.) and are misjudged because of this.
- Don't bug parents about getting a game.
- Be sure to have a computer and internet connection if you order it online (Step 2).
Warnings
- Don't steal. It's illegal. You can't possibly need the video game enough to be put in prison or fined $100+, so don't do it.
- Do not make excuses about why you don't have your ID or about how old you are.
- Do not ask a complete stranger to buy the game for you, even if you got them to agree. You can bet that they would run off with your money.
- Do not rely on the old, 'The employee won't ask you for your ID if you're on the phone with someone'. Most people today are rude and will interrupt you anyway (though its probably more rude of you to hold up the line while you talk on the phone).
- If you get turned down trying to buy a game underage and you are somewhere that has a security guard or police officer (e.g. malls), it is suggested that you immediately leave the area and go somewhere else or go home. Sometimes employees will call security if you attempt to buy a M-rated game underage.
- Use this guide in a responsible, mature way. Do not try to act smooth to get your way, nor try to do something completely stupid either. If they ask you for your ID, walk away. Don't try to act smooth and calm about it or act older to get them to believe you are truly of age. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.
- If a store employee asks for your ID and you are underage, walk away from the situation calmly. It's advised to only say something like 'never mind' and then walking away, as harassing the store employee will only get you into trouble.
- Do this at your own risk.
- Most prepaid debit/ gift cards have fees. Be careful and look at the fees before buying it.
Things You'll Need
- A console on which to play the M-rated game
- Money
