You know what is more annoying than Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton labeling almost every facet of American culture as racist? Nothing. However, insane parents completely detached from reality who jump on multi-media as the cause of their bad parenting comes in at a close second.
Apparently, a new game called Frat Party Games: Beer Pong is coming out for the Wii sometime next month. It’s going to be rated “T” for players aged 13 or older. The name says it all. It will give players the opportunity to engage in a virtual replica of a classic drinking game where a triangle of cups, halfway filled with beer are arranged at two ends to the table. The players take turns tossing a ping-pong ball into their opponent’s glasses. If they make it, their opponent has to drink the beer.
Here’s an article about it:
Wii Game Brews Controversy (article source)
When it comes to Nintendo Wii, you can find shooting games, sports games, but drinking games?
As it turns out, a new game coming out later this month for the popular gaming system is called “Frat Party Games: Beer Pong”. Using a “Wii-mote,” the game simulates the real drinking game, but it’s been approved for kids as young as 13-years-old.
The game has some people concerned and Carrie Haugan one of them. A mother of two from Brandon, she doesn’t like the idea of a “beer pong” video game especially since it’s rated suitable for ages 13 and up. She said, ”We don’t need to teach kids to drink, you know, get ready for drinking games. They’ll start drinking earlier maybe.”
The game apparently simulates beer pong. Also called beirut, beer pong is a popular drinking game played by college students and at various bars. To play, cups filled with beer are put on opposite sides of a table and each team tries to throw a pingpong ball into a cup. Once the ball lands in that cup the the opposite team has to chug the cup of beer.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board rates video games, like “Frat Party Games: Beer Pong.” They gave it a “T” rating, which means teens can purchase and play the game. The board saw no ties to promoting alcohol within the game. Instead, they say players are just tossing balls in a cup. At the same time, game creator JV Games says their version doesn’t promote drinking, but they’re going to change the name to “Pong Toss.”
Still, parents like Carrie Haugan don’t buy it. She said, “Well, they know it’s a drinking game. It’ll encourage drinking.”
The game is set to be released at end-month. It will be sold in stores across the country.
I understand that parents want to shield their kids from the dangers of the world, but I am really tired of these lunatic moms and dads who seem to think that a video game is going to make their kids do something crazy. When I was a kid, I played so much Mortal Kombat. At the time, conservative America was freaking out, fearful that their little kid was going to go out and exact some sort of freakish violence inspired by the videogame. Not once did I contemplate going out and massacring my enemies with dangerous martial-arts and lethal finishing moves. I knew that was wrong, so I waited until I was 21.
If your kid is going to drink, he or she is going to drink. The bartender Moe from The Simpsons is going to be just as influential in this “to drink or not to drink” quandary as a videogame – and even that sort of multi-media influence on your kid’s decision to drink is unlikely. And if you really are worried about your kid playing this game, then don’t buy it for him, you dolt. “But what if my kid’s friends have this game?” Well, maybe try and get to know your kids friends. Or, you can accept that your kid is going to do some pretty wild things, like play a videogame, when you are not around. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to try and teach your kids. This however does not ensure they will do everything you say. Sorry to say this, ma’am, but whether your or not your little girl plays “Frat Party Games: Beer Pong” is irrelevant. She is going to end up chugging beers and having sex with hormone crazed guys when she gets to college.
Stop flipping out over videogames. It’s your responsibility as a parent to inspire your kid, not the videogame console’s responsibility. I may even get this game, and I am a recovering alcoholic.
- David C. Garcia
I AM GOING TO PLAY THIS GAME RELIGOUSLY