Grand Theft Auto (GTA for short) is a computer game series very popular among young people. The first-person shooter is only released from 18 years – so not suitable for children and teenagers.
GTA V (5) is the latest version of the popular game series. In the fall 2021 three older parts of the GTA series (GTA 3, GTA Vice City, GTA San Andreas) were released for PC and newer consoles (
Switch
,
Xbox X/S
and
PS5
) re-released.
In all parts of the series, the player takes on the role of a criminal and has to complete missions and tasks in a fictional city. The character moves through a vast, open 3D world and has to commit a bank robbery or steal a car, for example. Through the First-person perspective and the realistic graphics immerse players particularly deep into the world and can feel the game is very real.
The game is also available as online multiplayer (
GTA Online
), where players move together in the world and communicate with each other.
communicate
can.
Among 14 to 17 year olds, the GTA among the most popular games. The game is very exciting, because gamers can do almost anything in the game and always have to complete new, very different tasks. The competitive nature and playing together with other “like-minded people” in the online multiplayer mode makes gamers stick with it. For
GTA Online
there is regularly new game content that can be downloaded, such as new missions or vehicles.
Young people can experience new things in computer games. This also includes the fact that they can test and cross boundaries here – in a fictional world without consequences. With such a game, some teenagers already feel older than they actually are. They prove to themselves and each other that they can already play such a game and endure the content, even if they are actually still too young.
The game sometimes depicts violence very drastically, even without it being necessary for the gameplay. Particularly problematic are Violence and Torture scenes and the questionable portrayals of women. For this reason, the USK comes to a Age rating of 18 years. Minors are therefore not allowed to be sold or given access to the game. Despite or because of this clear regulation, young people try to play the game and may come into contact with content and presentation that is not suitable for their age. The consequence can cause anxiety, abut also a permanently distorted image of women, for example. its.
Grand Theft Auto is one of the most successful games worldwide and is considered a cult game in the gaming scene. Since GTA V ‘s online mode is only available if you have Purchased the game and accordingly has proven his age, the provider is not obliged to take any further protective measures. As a result, retailers, online game stores and, ultimately, you as a parent are responsible for this.
Although not every child is equally and differently developed, parents should consider the Age ratings take seriously. These are determined by experienced examiners in controlled test procedures. When accessing games online, make use of the technical setting options, e.g., in the
Game console
.
Of course, it is impossible to completely avoid the possibility that your child may come into contact with the game through friends or other means. Talk to your child about first-person shooters and computer games if you know they are being used. Content and its impact should also be discussed and it should be made clear that not everything corresponds to social reality.
Peer pressure can also make your child eager to try the game. Confer with other parents and consider join with them a joint course of action.
In the game Overwatch two groups play against each other. The main theme is the struggle between good and evil, wrapped in cartoon visuals with animated background stories.
Overwatch is similar to games like
Fortnite
or
Valorant
.
In the game, gamers do not follow a specific storyline, but there is a background story, also called “lore”. This is about a team of heroes fighting a team of bad guys. However, all characters can be played in the game itself. Overwatch is set in a technologically advanced world. Due to the colorful and comic-like visuals, the game is relatively far away from reality.
At the beginning of each game round, each player chooses a hero. A distinction is made here between so-called tank heroes, support heroes and damage heroes. These have special abilities and thus must be chosen tactically wisely. There are different variations of the game played on different maps: “Attack”, in which two different teams have to take the area of the others, “Escort”, in which a group has to bring a cargo to a certain place, and “Control”, in which the groups try to fight for a point. It is played with up to six people in a group. You can talk to each other via a chat or the microphone.
Overwatch is a game that can be understood quickly. Due to the colorful visuals and the heroes with special abilities, youngsters quickly get into the game. Even for players who have not played many shooter games, the game is suitable. Due to the many heroes and game variants, the game does not get boring in the long run.
There are also tournaments up to championships in which teams from all over the world participate, the so-called Overwatch League. These competitions are broadcast on the Internet and are major events for fans of Overwatch.
Blizzard also regularly uploads elaborately produced background stories of the various heroes on Overwatch ‘s YouTube channel.
With a long tutorial, beginners will quickly find their way into the game. By awarding experience points to the winners and losers of a round, the game defuses and it is no longer important who won or lost. Also, at the end of the game, both teams can vote for who has performed particularly well.
Blizzard Entertainment also provides a catalog of rules of conduct for their games. Here, for example, there are references to player names that are inappropriate or hate speech. Such violations can be reported to Blizzard and will result in restrictions and exclusion from the game.
Overwatch is an online-only game. Internet access is therefore required to play.
In-game purchases with real money are possible, but they are not advertised and are not necessary for in-game performance. Nevertheless, the right skin, i.e. the right outfit for the game character, is important for many gamers. That’s why you should pay attention to what and how much your child buys and talk to him about it.
As a parent, pay attention to the USK age label and explain to your child why they are important. At the same time, it is helpful to exchange ideas with other parents whose children play Overwatch or comparable games.
If your child plays Overwatch because he is already 16 years old or you consider him mature enough, you should definitely talk to him about his gaming experience. Communication with other players is also crucial. Ask your child what they experience in the game and when interacting with other gamers.
In the free game Valorant two groups of five play against each other. Despite colorful cartoon visuals, weapons and violence are the central game elements.
Valorant is similar to popular games like Fortnite, Overwatch or
Counterstrike
. At the beginning of each game, each player chooses a character (called an “agent”). This has special abilities and thus must be chosen tactically wise. In addition, different weapons can be bought at the beginning of a round, but for this, sometimes many rounds have to be played first. The necessary currency is earned and paid out at the end of each round according to personal performance and the team’s performance.
It is played in a group of five against another group. The game revolves around a bomb called “Strike”. This is set by a group and must now be defended. The other group, on the other hand, tries to defuse the bomb.
Due to the different abilities and weapon equipment of the agents, the game pieces have to be strategically placed wisely. To do this, the team must think together about which move is best per round. Teamwork and tactical skills are therefore required here.
Valorant first became known because many streamers on Twitch were already playing a week before its official release. Thus, many young people became aware of the game. A plus point for teenagers is that the game is available for free.
With your own account you can play with friends from your own contact list and even create a clan.
Valorant has the USK age rating from 16 years. However, the game can be downloaded by younger gamers if they specify a wrong year of birth. Although it is about an armed conflict, the depictions of violence are rather harmless compared to other games.
There are also in Valorant a kind of reward system (“battle pass”). With the help of this system, new weapons and new agents can be acquired after many rounds played. This can be problematic because it can increase the addictiveness of the game. Also, there is a penalty for regularly quitting games that start, which can lead to not spontaneously quitting and always continuing to play, as there are points for winning as a team.
In addition to the Terms of Use of RIOT Games, Valorant has a Code of Conduct. Failure to comply with these rules may result in anything from suspension of in-game communication systems to temporary or indefinite suspension from Valorant or all RIOT games.
Although the game is free to download, there are in-game purchases. Here you can buy new equipment for the agent or a battle pass. You should pay attention and talk to your child about the fact that even though the game is free, real money can still be spent.
Such a game is easy to get hold of, even if you are not yet 16 years old. Still, as a parent, pay attention to the USK age label and explain to your child why they are important. At the same time, it is helpful to exchange ideas with other parents.
If your child is playing Valorant because he or she is already 16 years old or you think he or she is mature enough, be sure to talk to him or her about his or her playing experience. This allows your child to reflect on and better process what he or she has experienced in play. Communication with other players is also crucial. Ask your child about what they experience in the game and chat with other gamers.
