What Makes a Game "Mature"?

[Bodhesatva]

rocketpig said:
Boobies.

Actually, I believe a game's ability to force one to think is what makes it mature. That could be through storyline, gameplay mechanics, themes, etc.

It's the same thing as believing that Watership Down is more mature than Starship Troopers, despite Watership Down being an animated film about rabbits while Starship Troopers is laced with violence and bewbs.

 

I almost entirely agree with Rocketpig, who I haven't talked to in forever and missed a great deal, btw.

This can comprise anything from Tetris to Chess to Braid.

Braid is one of the few "OMG ART!" games in recent times (including MGS, Bioshock,GTA and a few others) that I felt actually was reasonably sophisticated. We're not talking Shakespeare yet, here, but baby steps are good. As someone who has become disgusted with the facile, sophomoric stories that game reviewers have become fixated on, that was a pleasant surprise.

I'd also likely include something like Wii Fit, which does not work your brain, but does work your body. Concern over health and fitness is definitely a mature concern. This one is arguable, though.